An Exclusive Interview With Harsh Snehanshu

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Firstly, I would like to begin with the most basic question, how did your journey with the pen begin?
The first memory of writing stories comes from very early childhood, when I was just 10 years. I used to write in Hindi and had written around 30 stories in a diary that my father had gifted. They were most basic stories and delved on different emotions such as courage, kindness, mystery etc. One of those stories titled 'Dadi' that talked about a widowed grandmother who has been deserted all alone in a big villa fetched a lot of acclaim from all my father's friends. I hadn't published/translated any of them.

When did you first consider yourself a writer, far from a blogger? What inspired you to write your first book?
I started with blogging in my first year. I never intended to write books. It happened that one of my seniors told me that my blog appears like that of a social worker – where things about poverty, social inequality and education etc. were written. Instead of taking it as a compliment, I took it as my blog was boring. I decided to prove to the senior that I can entertain as well. I started writing a short novel titled Oops which was a comedy of errors on the life of a geek who goes on his first date. I released it chapter by chapter and it fetched tremendous response. What was started as a short novel to be completed in 10-12 chapters ended up being 33 chapters long.
My Dad jokingly asked me to write to a publisher. I wrote to Srishti, after having seen some of their initial books becoming a rage among the youth. They liked my sample chapters, accepted readily and the rest is history.

What books have highly influenced your life?
Autobiography of a Yogi that provoked my interest in India, spirituality and gratitude in writing.
The Kite Runner made me understand that writing which heartfelt and simple leaves more impact than something profound and flowery.
Catcher in the Rye brought an entirely new perspective to writing, which showed that even a small event can be seen with a detailed eyes and can be turned into a story.
Five Point Someone brought keen eyes to observe humour in every event of a daily life
Love in time of Cholera for making me realize that a good book is one that makes you think even long after you have finished reading it

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I won't consider any particular writer as a mentor, as writing isn't an art that can be taught, but caught. I consider works of writers to be the real teacher and the more diverse writings I read, the more I would learn.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
I really like and follow Novoneel Chakraborty's writings. He has got a great command on language and the way he weaves magic around words is exemplary.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
I would cut a scene from the book that I realize now was unnecessary.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
The fourth book is on my start-up experience. It’s called Because Shit Happened: What NOT to do at a start-up. Many people had been asking me why did I leave the company that I had started. I had avoided their questions and with this book, I want to answer them.
The fifth is Route to Roots: A Hitchhiker's Guide to India, which is a memoir on my solo travel of six months across the length and breadth of India, with the intent to expose the youth of India into the joy and the culture of travelling – on a shoestring budget.

Do you have to travel much concerning your books?
Yes. Travel broadens your ideas and perceptions, exposes you to a variety of emotions and stories and helps you get close to your inner self.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Finding discipline. As most of the writing work is carried on a laptop, there is a lot of distraction that one encounters. It's very difficult to avoid those and write. I switch off the wi-fi while writing my book, often.

Do you have any advice for other writers?
I'm myself a learner of the art of writing. I can't advice anything other than reading. Read well, read a lot and read things that enriches you, not just interests you.

Finally, Do you have anything specific that you want to say to our readers (The TeenMag)?
Thank you. For reading my interview.


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