Media Coverage in Channel 6 (May 2012)

Media Coverage in Sakshi – Hyderabad Main Edition (April 16, 2012)

Sakshi – Hyderabad Main Edition (April 16, 2012)

Media Coverage in Deccan Chronicle – Hyderabad (April 6, 2012)

Deccan Chronicle – Hyderabad Edition (April 6, 2012)

Media Coverage in Hindustan Times (English Edition)

Media Coverage in Hindustan Times (Hindi Edition)

Media Coverage in Times Of India Ranchi

Media Coverage in Inext Newspaper Ranchi

Winner of “Heart Talk” – Oxford Spotlight on Budding Teenager Poets

Interview with Stack Your Rack

In an exclusive interview with Stack your Rack, Astha Suneja talks about her not just being an author but also an avid blogger and a dress designer. She also talks about her inspiration, her passions and her best seller book – Owe You My Fate.

How did writing happen? What was in your mind when the thought struck to write a novel?

Writing is not intentional. A person writes when he feels a lot and wants to give a flow to those feelings. For me, first

time that I wrote was an article on Rains, which you can find in my blog. During one of the college days when it got dark

suddenly and rained heavily, some sudden flow of energy ran within me giving place to several feelings and observations.

The best way was to pen it down.

Owe You My Fate is written not because it had to be a novel; rather it’s a novel because it’s written. I never

started with a feeling of writing a novel. One fine evening I saw an empty paper and my mind was occupied with thoughts.

They took the shape of words and finally became a novel.

A brief on what your debut book is all about…Is your book autobiographical in nature?

Book is a very simple writing. It’s not literature, it’s a story teller. Several instances of college life, friendship and

fun are reflected in it. It conveys the message that everything that we do or achieve is for our thoughts and

determination. It shows how one can go against the conventional ways of career. Success matters but at the end of the

day what matters more is self satisfaction with what we do.

It has a beautiful love story. The entire book is not dedicated to the love story. It has covered several shades of

feelings and learning. It’s about living life where feelings make their presence to create wonders in life. It’s a love story

without dates, meetings, valentine gifts and long drives. It’s a journey of realization. Realization of how love happens and

how life changes. Miracles created by the universe make your dreams come true. This book gives a true glimpse of the

same. There is flow throughout the book and the story moves on.

Well it’s not an autobiography. I think I haven’t lived so much as to make a novel out of the story of my life. But, if

one writes it’s out of the experiences or observations! So a lot of stories have been inspired by reality while several of

them are pure imagination.

How has been the response and does it fulfil your expectations as a writer?

I am a regular blogger. Several friends and others have read my articles and they give regular motivation. It feels

good to see that people get the real feel of the book. When the readers come up with few concepts used in the book as their

liking, it is truly amazing. Yet, there is much more for me to learn and come up with better books.

What are your passions besides writing? Your other interests and something more about you as a person?

I have several likings. At times I feel like life is too short since there are so many things. I am a passionate dress

designer and I love doing it. I like marketing communications as my work. I love to travel. Several dreams still are unlived and I want to fulfil them all. At times I feel like clicking some of the rare moments into picture.

I love to write poetry as well. Each day I feel like doing something new. Most of all see new places, witness cultures

and wish to stay happy.

What was the inspiration while writing a book?

My feelings were my inspiration. Beauty of the rains and purity of friendship that I have had with my friends, have

all been my motivation. Freedom of thoughts, the credit of which goes to my parents has been my inspiration.

If you could choose one genre to write on what would it be?

I do not think I would choose a genre and then write. I would write what comes to my mind. I don’t think I can ever

decide and then write.

Have you started thought processing on your next work?

Yes. My next book is on its way and let’s hope people like it just as they liked the previous one. It’s an offbeat book

with a beautiful concept. An autobiography of a pen – Human life described from the perspective of a pen!! Diversity in

the lifestyle of human beings is well described in the next book. It has lots of poetries incorporated within the script. It

will be a good read for all fiction as well as nonfiction readers.

A book you could read many times and be as fascinated as a first time reader?

Opal Mehta

Any special message for your fans and readers of Indian literature in general?

It’s great when a person can read the creation of others with interest. Lots of people appreciate. However, giving

your interest and time to a piece of article is remarkable. I owe my thanks to each and every one who gave this to my

work. A writer can write only when someone is there to read. The reviews that I got have given me the merits and

demerits of my style of writing. It has been a beautiful experience to write. I shall definitely come up with more beautiful

write ups. So, nothing can be more important than that.

Over the years Indian literature is changing. People have shifted their interests towards Indian writers who write

light stories. That’s because they can relate themselves more to the script. All that is written can be associated to their

own lives at some point or the other.

We at Stack your Rack are promoting your book. What are your thoughts on this?

I convey my vote of thanks to you and your team. In times like this, when living your passion is not just a

cakewalk; your efforts count loads! The way you promote the Indian writers give them a chance to share their feelings.

English may not be our language. However, feelings are always ours. It does not matter much that in what form you

convey them. We shall expect to see a lot of more new works from people if you continue this support!

Interview with Book Readers Lounge – A Books Blog

Wikipedia for Indian books & authors. For the reader, Of the reader & By the reader

March 06, 2012

AUTHOR INTERVIEW – ASTHA SUNEJA

We recently interviewed published author Astha Suneja

She is an Engineer from BIT, Mesra and is presently working as a softskills trainer for TCS, Hyderabad. She loves to travel and is a regular blogger. She has written short stories and poetry too apart from two novels.

Tell us something about your novel – Yes, I flaunt my Diamond. Any specific reason for this title? How did this book happen and why did you choose to write about it?

This is a story very close to my heart. There were several moments when I had to make a choice – luxuries or experiences. I believe that there are many people who feel the same way. When I analyzed several such situations, lots of feelings and thoughts dawned on me. All these feelings poured out as Yes..I flaunt my diamond !

The title justifies the concept… Its a comparison of two lifestyles. On one hand, the rich and luxurious lifestyle tempts all hearts. On the other hand, the other lifestyle is adorned with talents and experiences. Even if the first kind of life revolves around flaunting of the diamonds, the second life sparkles brighter and outshines the first.

When did you take to writing?

I never took to writing, writing chose me ! When I say this, I mean that I never wrote with an intention of writing. Writing just happened when the gush of feelings inside me wanted a downpour. Today, if I look back to my initial days, I never feel that it has been a long way ! The only reason is that writing is never a task for me. Its a part of life and an integral part of my happiness 🙂

Where do you usually write? What is your favorite setting to write in?

I would love to answer this question. I write in two situations – either when I am overwhelmed or when my heart feels very low. In either of these situations, I want my feelings to flow down. Keeping this in mind, most of the times I remember myself write is on my terrace when the rain water make ripples on the leaves, when the strong winds hit my face just before the onset of winters, when we drive on the curvy roads over the mountains, when the silence of nights is broken down by the river flowing outside, when the sky tempts me with millions of stars, when the dark clouds suddenly conquer the otherwise blue sky !

Did this story come to you easily or did you find yourself stuck with a writer’s block sometimes?

The initial phases were easy to write. As I had a clear picture of the two lifestyles to be compared, I could write the initial phases with ease. I could leverage my creativity as well, to give the story in form of autobiography of a pen. However, I did face a clog towards the end.

This novel has a not so happy ending. Although, the story drove itself forward with lots of emotions and feelings, bringing it to a single converging point was a bit difficult.

Does this story have anything to do with your personal life? Or is it a story of someone close to you

The story is a piece of fiction. It is not my story. Its a story that relates to all the lives. All of us can relate to the story. It has experiences that we would love to live. It has talent that would spread optimism in all the hearts. It has love and emotions. It hits the deepest chords of the hearts with the sharpness of feelings that hammer.

“When I lived those moments, I did not even realize that I was making memories” – this is my favorite line from the novel and really close to my heart. I can relate it to my ideas and ways of thinking. The meaning of life is different for all of us. We all live our lives, our ways that make us most happy. I have outlined my ways of living an ideal life in the novel.

Tell us about your life online and the sites you maintain

I am a regular blogger – nuggetsofimagination.blogspot.com

My website – asthasuneja.com

Email id – suneja.astha@gmail.com
It is good to see how social networking and marketing has changed the industries. When it comes to publishing industry, the impacts are equally strong. As an author, it has helped me a lot ! I would also grab the chance to thanks bookreaderslounge for encouraging debut authors. The novel is available on all the online portals and reputed bookstores.

What are your thoughts on life – The one thing that it takes to live it?

As I said earlier, we all have our own definitions about life. We all live our lives as per that. One thing that makes life meaningful are feelings and emotions. These come from experiences. Imagine if you never got failure, would you even feel the extent of immense pleasure that comes after that ? Imagine you never had a fight with a friend, would you then ever feel what it feels to lose a friend !

I want to live my life with all shades of emotions and experiences. I love to travel, to observe different people, get to know their ideas and perspectives. For each smile that I bring to someone, and someone bring it to me, I feel that I have done justice to life.

Tell us something about your work & hobbies?

As mentioned before, I am presently working as a softskills trainer with Tata Consultancy Services. I feel that any kind of work that makes you feel happy at the end of the day, should be given highest preference in life. My professional life has always revolved around communication(oral & written). Talking to new people, getting to know their dreams and talents, getting to analyse more of life is what makes things interesting !

I love to travel. At times, I read novels. I like writing poetry. I spend most of my time looking at the photographs of most beautiful places of the world.

So how did it feel when you finally finished writing the book?

Its a feeling not less than an accomplishment. When you write the first letter of the novel, you have no idea how well the journey of your thoughts will drive you into imagination ! Time passes on as each chapter reveals the dreams and desires that were dormant within your heart. When it reached the end, the entire picture of your imagination glimmers brilliantly. That is a feeling of immense satisfaction, extreme happiness !

Top 3 All-time favorite books

· Kite Runner

· The Undomestic goddess

· The Secret

Astha Suneja

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