Short Story Connect discussion

Join us on March 9, 2016 for a special discussion with author Shivkumar Mangalam: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

If you have a question for Shivkumar please post it in this thread, where he will be discussing his writing.

Remember - you can post questions here throughout the duration of the Featured Author Discussion at any time.

We are looking forward to the insightful questions and answers!

Hi Shivkumar, as you are writing fiction about real issues in society, I wonder how to judge these politically? By which I mean do you see them as political stories? Do you look for them to lead to social change? And how is political fiction received both within India and outside? I ask because there is very little political fiction in the UK, there seems to be no appetite for it so i am curious how India compares.

Thank you

Dear Marc,
How are you? I am sorry for the delay in replying your query.
The stories in my book reflect the social injustices in India against women & children. They are political, limited to the corruptions prevailing in the corridors of power in politics and administration.

The stories are emotional and carry moral messages to the readers which can wake them upto the realities in India.

Political fictions are received very well outside India. But they are considered sensitive in India. The authors have to be very cautious in narrating political happenings. The atmosphere of intolerance in certain sections of the society will be a dampener for political fictions. Many a times they have to face legal barriers.

I am sure I have answered your questions. Thanks you,
Mangalam Shiva.

Hi Shivkumar,

We're looking forward to this discussion! One question we often wonder about is how do you select your topics? Did you read about the topics or are they something you or someone in your life has experienced?

Brenda wrote: "Are many women disrespected in India or does it have to do with the caste system? The Americans who are from India are great people. I live with a man who's doctor treated him for free to save his ..."

DigiWriting wrote: "Hi Shivkumar,

We're looking forward to this discussion! One question we often wonder about is how do you select your topics? Did you read about the topics or are they something you or someone in y..."

Brenda wrote: "Are many women disrespected in India or does it have to do with the caste system? The Americans who are from India are great people. I live with a man who's doctor treated him for free to save his ..."

In India women are treated as angels in some societies but are generally considered inferior to males in other societies. Main reason has been that women are not allowed to be educated beyond a certain level and till recently were married off at very early ages due to family traditions.
Things are gradually changing due to social plans from the Governments, awareness campaigns from NGOs, exposure to International and National news from various types of media. It will take many more years for Indian women to realise their own potentials. Mangalam Shiva.

To DigiWriting---
1) I select my topics from the social and political events which occur in India. From keen observation, I get basic story lines and then using my imagination, i write stories involving imaginary characters.
2) Some stories touch experiences from own life and from my friends/relatives. I make variations in such events and weave my own stories.

Hi Shivkumar, you mention how women are treated differently depending on the society they live in. Which of these "societies" are you a part of?

Hello! A question we often ponder: How do you select the title for your books? Do they grow from your writing or do you have the title in mind before you start to write?

Shivkumar, I have a question I often ask fellow writers: Do you have a specific writing process or do you plan your writing time? ie. do you fit your writing into the rest of your life or does your life revolve around your writing?

Hi Shivkumar,

What is your favourite social media channel for promoting and marketing your books?

Hi Shivkumar,

I am interested in the editorial side of your writing. In your opinion, what qualities contribute to an ideal editor?

Thanks for answering our questions!

Talia

Monica wrote: "Hi Shivkumar, you mention how women are treated differently depending on the society they live in. Which of these "societies" are you a part of?"

Monica wrote: "Hi Shivkumar, you mention how women are treated differently depending on the society they live in. Which of these "societies" are you a part of?"

Dear Monica,
I am extremely sorry for the delay in my reply as I was travelling to differenet places in India.
I belong to an Educated Hindu Middle class society. Here women are graduating in many fields equivalent to men. Women are more active in careers and more aware of their rights and responsibiliteies.

Blue Moon wrote: "Hello! A question we often ponder: How do you select the title for your books? Do they grow from your writing or do you have the title in mind before you start to write?"

Hi Blue Moon,
I am sorry for the delay in my reply as I was travelling to some parts in India.
The titles are selected having connection to the central theme. I do not have any predetermined title when I start writing a story.

Amanda wrote: "Shivkumar, I have a question I often ask fellow writers: Do you have a specific writing process or do you plan your writing time? ie. do you fit your writing into the rest of your life or does your..."

Dear Amenda,
I apologise to you for the delay in my reply due to frequent travels in India.
Once I get an idea I start thinking deeply about expanding this idea. It may take a few days for the idea to gel into a basic story. I spend a few days in writing a draft of the story by creating characters and situations.
I get up early in the mornings and start writing the story in detail without any disturbance. In the rest of the day, I keep on thinking how to give more life to the characters. I edit many times as I go along with the story till I am fully staisfied that my ideas and feelings are incorporated in the narrations. Thanks. Shivkumar.

Sands wrote: "Hi Shivkumar,

What is your favourite social media channel for promoting and marketing your books?"

Hi Sands,
I am sorry for the delay in my reply as I was travelling in India.
I find Goodreads to a great extent and Facebook to a limited extent as helpful social media for promoting my book.
Shivkumar?Mangalam Shiva.

Talia wrote: "Hi Shivkumar,

I am interested in the editorial side of your writing. In your opinion, what qualities contribute to an ideal editor?

Thanks for answering our questions!

Talia"

An Ideal Editor has to have the following quallities---
1) Mastery over the language.
2) Good Knowledge of the matter he/she is editing.
3) Fairly good intelligence in understanding the topic under edition.
4) Sharp Eyes in identifying the grammatical errors, errors in the presentation and sequences in the flow of the story.
5) Keen interest and Enthusiasm in the editing job.
Mangalam Shiva.

TO DIGIWRITING,
Thank you for giving me an opportunity for participating in these discussions. I apologis to you for the long delay in my reolies as I was travelling in India and hence could not concentrate on sturdying and replying to the questions, Regards.
Mangalam Shiva.