Ask the Author: Geetanjali Mukherjee
Answered Questions (7)
Geetanjali Mukherjee
Well this is a pretty easy question - Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. And not just because Pride and Prejudice is probably my favourite novel, but because I think they complement each other beautifully. Each makes the other better, they show each other their flaws and challenge each other to be honest about themselves. Separately, and together, they are among my favourite fictional characters, and definitely my favourite couple.
Geetanjali Mukherjee
There are a lot of wonderful things about being a writer, but I think the best thing is that you get to spend time diving into your memories or your imagination, depending on the kinds of books you write, and fish out interesting tidbits that you can then craft into something that others are willing to read.
I don't know about you, but usually when I start talking, most people get bored and walk away. But when I am writing, I can write as much and as long as I like, because if someone doesn't like it and walks away, I won't know and can't get hurt. But conversely, when someone does like what you wrote, and writes a review, or tells you how wonderful it was, that is the best feeling in the world, worth any number of hours spent alone typing.
That said, I love to spend time alone typing. I think if I didn't, I couldn't be a writer. Telling people I am writing is a fabulous excuse for holing myself indoors for long stretches of time. It's also a great excuse to read - I can read tons of books and watch as many movies as I like and just pretend it's research.
I don't know about you, but usually when I start talking, most people get bored and walk away. But when I am writing, I can write as much and as long as I like, because if someone doesn't like it and walks away, I won't know and can't get hurt. But conversely, when someone does like what you wrote, and writes a review, or tells you how wonderful it was, that is the best feeling in the world, worth any number of hours spent alone typing.
That said, I love to spend time alone typing. I think if I didn't, I couldn't be a writer. Telling people I am writing is a fabulous excuse for holing myself indoors for long stretches of time. It's also a great excuse to read - I can read tons of books and watch as many movies as I like and just pretend it's research.
Geetanjali Mukherjee
Well, unfortunately, I usually deal with writer's block by simply not writing, or rather moving on to another project. It doesn't mean I abandon the project, it just means it takes me longer to get through it than I would like. This is something I am working on - on getting through the block, or around it. In fact, I have started to believe that there isn't really any such thing as a real block - instead either I have to make some decision or solve some problem about the book, or I am getting hung about quality and not letting myself write.
My favorite strategy to bust blocks - read lots of writing books, and blogs of prolific authors. In fact, I have a list of books I re-read when I am struggling on a specific project. And I try to get inspired by other authors who are working, one of the reasons I started a project on my blog interviewing other authors about their writing process. I am constantly looking for tips and tricks to be more productive creatively.
My favorite strategy to bust blocks - read lots of writing books, and blogs of prolific authors. In fact, I have a list of books I re-read when I am struggling on a specific project. And I try to get inspired by other authors who are working, one of the reasons I started a project on my blog interviewing other authors about their writing process. I am constantly looking for tips and tricks to be more productive creatively.
Geetanjali Mukherjee
My most recently published book is "Anyone Can Get An A+: How To Beat Procrastination, Reduce Stress and Improve Your Grades". I had the idea for this book for a while, based on my own experiences struggling with grades in school, and how I improved my grades during a particularly difficult period before my O-levels.
About a few years before I wrote it, I started to read a lot of books on learning, neuroscience and psychology, and I realized that combining what I was reading with my own experiences would be useful for others struggling to improve their grades in school, or simply to learn a new subject or even for an adult going back to school. It was an idea that I knew I had to write, because it kept nagging at me.
About a few years before I wrote it, I started to read a lot of books on learning, neuroscience and psychology, and I realized that combining what I was reading with my own experiences would be useful for others struggling to improve their grades in school, or simply to learn a new subject or even for an adult going back to school. It was an idea that I knew I had to write, because it kept nagging at me.
Geetanjali Mukherjee
I'm currently revising one of my books - it's a complete re-write, with some new research, interviews, and hopefully a better structure.
I am also writing a book of humorous essays based on my college experiences in UK. It's my first foray into humor, and I am both nervous and excited.
I am also writing a book of humorous essays based on my college experiences in UK. It's my first foray into humor, and I am both nervous and excited.
Geetanjali Mukherjee
Inspiration is everywhere. I get ideas from books, the news, television shows (which I really shouldn't be watching, but I justify as research!), blogs and podcasts, even just snippets of conversations overheard in a cafe or on a bus. The trouble is how do you take that inspiration, and then convert that to cold, hard words.
In my case, I probably get inspired far more often than I write, simply because I am often most inspired when out for a walk or on the treadmill, when I can't write, and least inspired when in front of paper or my laptop. I still haven't really got the hang of working whether or not I am inspired - I believe this intellectually but I still have these ideas of "not being in the mood". The reality is that once you sit down to type or write, and get past the initial inertia, the mood or the inspiration magically appears. It's that initial inertia though that is nearly always my downfall.
In my case, I probably get inspired far more often than I write, simply because I am often most inspired when out for a walk or on the treadmill, when I can't write, and least inspired when in front of paper or my laptop. I still haven't really got the hang of working whether or not I am inspired - I believe this intellectually but I still have these ideas of "not being in the mood". The reality is that once you sit down to type or write, and get past the initial inertia, the mood or the inspiration magically appears. It's that initial inertia though that is nearly always my downfall.
Geetanjali Mukherjee
I am not sure how qualified I am to be giving advice, as I still have a lot to learn as a writer. If I could give one piece of advice, it would be to write more, and worry less about quantity, whether you are good enough, whether you are writing in the wrong genre, etc. Write whatever really appeals to you, and get the practice in, no matter how bad it may initially seem to you.
And read - especially while you are in school or college and have some time, read as much as you can, from all sorts of genres.
And read - especially while you are in school or college and have some time, read as much as you can, from all sorts of genres.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more