Today's guest author on Interviews with Dante is Divya Jyoti Randev. Enjoy learning a bit about this wonderful author.
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I am a teacher, fashion blogger and writer. I love to be creative, whether it is on paper or around the house. I also love being around animals.
Tell us about your latest book.
Of Love And Distance is my first novel. I started writing it in 2011 when my dog was paralysed (thankfully she recovered later) and I wanted something to divert my mind. The idea for the story actually came to me in a dream! I was writing off and on and decided to finish the book early this year.
Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
Oh absolutely! Many of the characters in the novel are based on people I know or have met.
What authors inspire your writing?
I am greatly inspired by P.G Wodehouse whose humour was subtle but always had me in splits. I love the writings of J. M. Coetzee. His language is simple, yet powerful.
What kind of books do you like to read?
I like fantasy and romance.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I am teaching journalism to graduate and post graduate students. I also try to make time for my fashion blog. I like to spend time with my apso, Chanel and try to catch up on my reading every night.
I am a teacher, fashion blogger and writer. I love to be creative, whether it is on paper or around the house. I also love being around animals.
Tell us about your latest book.
Of Love And Distance is my first novel. I started writing it in 2011 when my dog was paralysed (thankfully she recovered later) and I wanted something to divert my mind. The idea for the story actually came to me in a dream! I was writing off and on and decided to finish the book early this year.
Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
Oh absolutely! Many of the characters in the novel are based on people I know or have met.
What authors inspire your writing?
I am greatly inspired by P.G Wodehouse whose humour was subtle but always had me in splits. I love the writings of J. M. Coetzee. His language is simple, yet powerful.
What kind of books do you like to read?
I like fantasy and romance.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I am teaching journalism to graduate and post graduate students. I also try to make time for my fashion blog. I like to spend time with my apso, Chanel and try to catch up on my reading every night.
This is a story about an ordinary girl, Lisa, who is unintentionally kidnapped along with movie star Robert Brown for ransom. They develop a beautiful relationship during the ordeal. There is a great uncertainty about whether Robert and Lisa will get together after the monstrosity as they belong to different parts of the world
How did you come up with the title of your book?
That did take a lot of time as every title that I had thought of was already taken. I thought about the two central characters, Robert and Lisa who felt great love for each other but insecurities and cultural differences kept them apart. Hence, the name Of Love And Distance.
Is your book a stand alone or a series?
It is a standalone novel. But you never know, I might write a sequel in the future!
Do you read the genre you write for or do you prefer other genres?
Yes, I love romance. Wuthering Heights is an absolute favourite!
What celebrity would you chose to play the main character(s) in the movie rendition of your book?
I am not sure about the heroine but Robert Pattinson would be great as Robert Brown!
Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
Since this is my first book, I can only talk about it. In 2011, it was difficult to find time with a full-time job that took around 12 hours of my day. I would write crazily for three days, when I got the inspiration and then stop for an entire month. Also, I knew what I wanted to write about, but I did not plan it through. I wrote a few pages at a time and built the plot page by page. Usually, an author will outline every chapter before the actual writing begins. That is a good practice as you know what to write in a chapter and also long your book will be.
When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
As a kid, I loved writing my diary and also wrote some short stories. I knew I wanted to write a book some day!
That did take a lot of time as every title that I had thought of was already taken. I thought about the two central characters, Robert and Lisa who felt great love for each other but insecurities and cultural differences kept them apart. Hence, the name Of Love And Distance.
Is your book a stand alone or a series?
It is a standalone novel. But you never know, I might write a sequel in the future!
Do you read the genre you write for or do you prefer other genres?
Yes, I love romance. Wuthering Heights is an absolute favourite!
What celebrity would you chose to play the main character(s) in the movie rendition of your book?
I am not sure about the heroine but Robert Pattinson would be great as Robert Brown!
Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
Since this is my first book, I can only talk about it. In 2011, it was difficult to find time with a full-time job that took around 12 hours of my day. I would write crazily for three days, when I got the inspiration and then stop for an entire month. Also, I knew what I wanted to write about, but I did not plan it through. I wrote a few pages at a time and built the plot page by page. Usually, an author will outline every chapter before the actual writing begins. That is a good practice as you know what to write in a chapter and also long your book will be.
When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
As a kid, I loved writing my diary and also wrote some short stories. I knew I wanted to write a book some day!
RSS Feed
