Ask the Author: Falguni Kothari
Answered Questions (15)
Falguni Kothari
Hi Trudy, I'm sorry for not getting back on this answer sooner. Life had caught me in its web. To answer your question about affairs or infidelity in romance, it is frowned upon as the very basis of romance should be the couple being written about. However, I always feel that the right motivation and background of a character can explain his or her infidelity...within reason. I don't think romance readers will be turned off, rather they might end up rooting for the couple as they overcome the hurdles and commit to each other like they've never done before.
Falguni Kothari
Hi Kellie, today my favorite color is passion pink.
Falguni Kothari
Alas, my life is decidedly unmysterious. But I'm always on the lookout for a good twist in its plot.
Falguni Kothari
Hi Ashyn, I don't know that I am famous. But I suppose publishing a book makes you a public figure, in a way. And promoting the book on social media and in person at readings or conferences or signings etc, boosts that platform. I would say that it's wise to be yourself while doing the above, because putting on an act can get exhausting if you are looking at writing as a long-term career. :)
Falguni Kothari
What will be your suggestion of books for a new reader to start with?
A: I'd say go to a library or bookstore, get several different books - non-fiction, memoir, fiction in different genres - go through their first pages and see what kind of writing pulls you in. Which of those books you want to keep reading. That's your preference or taste.
The skills that a new writer should develop or he should possess?
A: first and foremost, learn the trade. If you are a skilled architect, you've probably gone to architect school. Being a skilled writer takes pretty much the same amount of training. If you can, take courses in writing. Practice. Learn from reading, attending conferences, following blogs and other writers. There's a lot of great info on the Internet also. Seek and ye shall find.
A: I'd say go to a library or bookstore, get several different books - non-fiction, memoir, fiction in different genres - go through their first pages and see what kind of writing pulls you in. Which of those books you want to keep reading. That's your preference or taste.
The skills that a new writer should develop or he should possess?
A: first and foremost, learn the trade. If you are a skilled architect, you've probably gone to architect school. Being a skilled writer takes pretty much the same amount of training. If you can, take courses in writing. Practice. Learn from reading, attending conferences, following blogs and other writers. There's a lot of great info on the Internet also. Seek and ye shall find.
Falguni Kothari
I generally start with the theme of the story that I want to write. Once that is sure, I concentrate on building the characters of the story and from there the setting and then once I have all of that mapped out, I throw them into the story and see what happens.
Falguni Kothari
That's an interesting question...especially about one-sided love. Well, I don't think one-sided love can be anything but overwrought. The concentration of feeling is emanating only from one person with no reciprocation and that in itself is an overwhelming mess of feelings from desperation to angst to depression to sorrow. These are all intense emotions and the way for them not to look cheesy on paper is to set the scene up well. Let the event absorb the emotions. Choose your words carefully when describing the emotions. Edit what sounds cheesy to you. Most of all, have the protagonist whose heart will remain broken have a higher purpose in life.
Falguni Kothari
Hello! Thanks for the question. In answer to it, my story-telling process has evolved...rather it evolves from book to book. With my first two novels I did not plot at all. As they were romance, I knew that the beginning of the book would be the couple meeting and by the end of the book they will have resolved their differences or issues to come together permanently. I filled in the pages in between by understanding my characters, their motivations and their life journey.
With my fantasy novel/ series it gets a bit trickier. I have used existing mythological characters from the Mahabharata and the Vedas, giving them a Part 2 by throwing a twist in their existing classical myths.
With my women's fiction novels, my plots are deeply character-driven. Again, I start with the character/s. Who are they? What do they want? Where do they live? What makes them who they are? By answering these questions I build a storyboard of their lives and then I write their story.
As to organization, I keep a word file for timeline and sort of loosely plot each scene right before I write it.
Hope that answers your question :)
With my fantasy novel/ series it gets a bit trickier. I have used existing mythological characters from the Mahabharata and the Vedas, giving them a Part 2 by throwing a twist in their existing classical myths.
With my women's fiction novels, my plots are deeply character-driven. Again, I start with the character/s. Who are they? What do they want? Where do they live? What makes them who they are? By answering these questions I build a storyboard of their lives and then I write their story.
As to organization, I keep a word file for timeline and sort of loosely plot each scene right before I write it.
Hope that answers your question :)
Falguni Kothari
“Dinna be afraid. There's the two of us now.”
― Jamie Fraser, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
― Jamie Fraser, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Falguni Kothari
The idea from my most recent published work came up while I was writing my debut romance, It's Your Move, Wordfreak! Diya and Krish were secondary characters in Wordfreak and I always knew that I'd write a story for them.
Falguni Kothari
Wow. Sometimes just inhaling inspires me while at other times I have to really look, search, research stuff before inspiration strikes.
Falguni Kothari
How best to sort out a love triangle and how to solve a murder mystery.
Falguni Kothari
Sit down and write and write and write. You'll get the hang of it soon enough.
Falguni Kothari
Never having to change out of your pajamas to go to work ;)
Falguni Kothari
My writing is yet too new for me to have experienced writer's block. Ask me again in a few years.
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