AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1- Can you tell us about yourself?

My name is Abhishek Behera, author of "Pulitzer at 16".I'm from Odisha and I'm 16 years old currently pursuing my 11th standard from DAV public school, Unit-8 Bhubaneswar.

2- When did you first start writing?

Actually, I had a childhood inclination towards literature and I started with writing short poems and articles when I was a 10 years old kid and at that time I was in the 5th grade. I started writing manuscripts for book when I was 13 years old. Unfortunately I wasn't able to publish any of them but I finally succeeded in it at the age of 16.

3- Do you remember what you wrote first?

Oh yes! Those memories are still afresh in my mind and they are actually the source of inspiration for me because If I look back upon those memories its really you know a kind of golden past for me.

My first poem that I had written was related to happiness and smiles and that was titled "Colourful Smiles "which was published in a local daily. That was my first piece of literature that I had scribbled and the first manuscript that I had written was titled with "The God's Legate."

5- How did you get Interested in writing?

Writing has been a part of my childhood memories. To be honest I was a bit confused whenever someone asked me about my hobbies, likes & dislikes etc. I couldn't answer their question because I thought that I had no definite hobby at all but later on when I chased my dream of becoming an author it was then that I realised that I had a hobby as well as a passion and that was writing. Writing gives me a way of expressing my feelings which I consider to be the foremost reason behind my love for literature and that's how I fell in love with writing.

6- Who are your favourite authors? Why?

I love the works of almost all authors because I believe that each and every piece of writing is a masterpiece in its own and I think that every author & writer is a magician in his/her own paradise of imagination because they really do unusual and extraordinary magic with their writings and feelings. Being an author is one of the most amazing and pleasant experience one can ever have as you have the capacity of touching the hearts of millions and inspire its double with your feelings and expressions.I think that's what we call magic.

But I particularly admire the works of Robin Sharma, Arvind Adiga & Ravinder Singh as I portray them as one of the greatest magicians of feelings and words in my mind.

7- Tell us about your book, sir?

My book is actually a kind of my autobiography which I've just converted into a fictional account of another protagonist named "Vivaan." This book talks about my journey of becoming a first-time author. I have given a brief insight of my journey of writing a book and it talks about all those instances and moments that have inspired me to chase my passion for literature and become an author. This book is an account of struggle, inspiration, truths, love & romance all mixed with an aromatic blend of humour and humility.

8- Reason behind this title?

The truth behind this title is a quite humorous one that might sound a bit stupid because it actually does to me a lot. When I was struck with the idea of writing a book I literally didn't know what I was going to do with that idea. Should I start working on that random idea or should I drop it the very next moment? But I don't know when a sudden vide came from within me and my soul and heart gave a combined nod to that idea. Now here is where the reason behind my title "Pulitzer at 16" actually arises. It is indeed a humorous reason. The moment I thought of becoming a writer, the very next moment another thought came to my mind and that was of getting a Pulitzer award for my book or maybe a Man-Booker prize for my book or maybe a Noble prize for my great contribution towards literature or maybe all of them!!

So here I would like to take pause and have a wide laugh at myself. Seriously...sometimes I feel amused at myself for being able to think of all those things. I mean, I just thought of writing a book and practically, I hadn't even finalised my random thought of executing it in reality...writing is a far thing and I've already thought of getting a Pulitzer award for my book. Really...WOW! I had even started thinking of what would I wear to the award giving ceremony and in which airline would I travel to the destination. I had a deliberate discussion with myself about this thought for almost a couple of weeks putting aside the idea of actually executing the idea of writing. Strange isn't it...that before I had even started writing I thought of getting a Pulitzer for my imaginary work. Finally after 5 years to that incident, I ended up giving that funny thought as the title of my present book.

9- What is the purpose of writing this book?

I really wanted to convey something that I realised while I was experimenting with writing a book and that was about random effects on one's imagination and purpose for something. One such random moment happened to descend in my life which eventually paved a way for the amalgamation of numerous thoughts, feelings and expressions. I've always wanted to become an author and express my feelings in the form of words because there are many out there in the world who have a passion but allow the fear of future to obstruct their passion from developing further.

10- Is this your debut book?

Yes, it is and I must admit that the experience and feeling of becoming a first-time author is really amazing because I've just succeeded in fulfilling the dream that I saw 5 years back.

11- How was your publishing journey with blue rose publishers?

Publishing your debut book is like a feeling that can't be expressed in mere words but can only be felt and with blue rose publishers the journey has been one of the finest ever I've ever experienced in my life ever. My publication consultant as well as publication manager have been very supportive and cordial as well. The blue rose team has made my dream of becoming an author come true and made me a debut author at 16.

12- When can we expect your next book?

Well.... I'm working on it at the moment and I hope it will arrive soon.

13- Where can readers find your other writings?

Though I haven't published any of my other writings so far but I tend to do so in the near future.

14- Where can readers connect to you?

I am active on social media platforms like Twitter & Facebook. Anyone can access me from any of these and anyone expressing interest in meeting me can meet at my official book launch event during the New Delhi world book fair at pragati maidan on 9th & 10th January, 2019.

15- Few words you would like to say to your readers.

My readers are the one who are the real judges of my works and I really hope that they like my expression of my feelings and the reason I'd suggest you this book is that it holds some unseen truths of life that is known to many but realised by a few.so I really hope you like this book and indulge yourself in the journey of a 16 year Old's passion to become an author.

16- Finally, few words of advice for the budding writers?

I'd advice all the budding writers out there that just give a go to your passion and trust me that passion craziness will drive you into a world where you will have the capacity of merging your world of imagination with your reality and trust me that experience is really awesome and you can be guaranteed of that lovely experience because I'm too a budding writer like you and I'm just 16!