An Interview with the Author of An Idiot,Placements & IntervYou - Toffee

1.Firstly, I would like to begin with the most basic question, how did your journey with the pen begin?

Ans : I started writing the book way back in 2010, to distract myself from the girl I loved and lost. Though I had a good job, loving family and caring friends, there was some emptiness inside me and I was craving to do something to move on with life. It was then I started writing an unusual book on placements and interviews which I felt would help thousands of engineering students.

The line from my book – “When you are not happy, make the world around you happy. It might not give you immense happiness. But it will take away your sadness” – summarizes the essence. So, that’s how it all began.

2.When did you first consider yourself a writer, far from a blogger?

Ans : I don’t consider myself a writer.

3.What inspired you to write your first book?

Ans : Love

4.What books have highly influenced your life?

Ans : I am not an avid reader. But I love ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho and 'Outliers' by Malcolm Gladwell. Lost count of the number of times I read the two books.

5.If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Ans : Umm.. Err..

6.Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Ans : It may sound a little weird but I don’t really know a lot of authors, let alone new ones. I myself am very new to this world of publishing and I hope that someday, someone says my name when asked this question :P

7.If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Ans : Yes, I would probably lessen the intensity of emotions portrayed in the first five pages of the book. I’ve been getting a few mails from readers saying the first few pages brought tears in their eyes. I’d prefer making people smile, rather than making them cry. Nevertheless, though the book begins with a sad account, the rest of the book is fun and entertaining(And informative as well)

8.Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Ans : I am thinking to write love story of a guy-next-door. It’d be about a guy’s heart and girls’ mind. But I am not sure if I'd be disciplined enough to sit down and write another book. Only time can tell.

9.Do you have to travel much concerning your books?

Ans : No and Yes. Travelling to places – No. Travelling in imagination – Yes. 

10. What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Ans : The hardest part was to interlace information with entertainment, thereby making the book ‘infotaining.’ I had to do lot of homework for that. 

Another tough part was the experiment of mixing genres. Though the book is a non-fiction self-help book, it’s written like a novel. That is what is the USP of the book. It was quite difficult to weave so much information in the form of a story and to ensure seamless transition from one topic to another. Only recently, I came to know that this style of writing is categorized as ‘Narrative non-fiction’ or ‘Creative non-fiction’. 

11.Do you have any advice for other writers?

Ans : Honestly, I am too ordinary a guy to give any advice. 

12.Finally, do you have anything specific that you want to say to our readers (The TeenMag)?

Ans : Life moves on. But don’t just let it pass you by.

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An Idiot,Placements & IntervYou - Book Review

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-Akhil Ramesh

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Thattathin Marayathu - A Vineeth Srinivasan Movie

Thattathin Marayathu - A Romantic fable set in the mystical town of Thalassery, that created a new sensation in the Malayalam Film Industry.
Writer-director Vineeth Sreenivasan’s Thattathin Marayathu talks about an innocent love story that leaves you with a smile in the end. Not many films can boast of such a claim these days and this refreshing tale of romance turns out to be thoroughly engaging.
The story is happening in a sleepy village in Thalassery where Vinod (Nivin Pauly), an average student from a modest Hindu household falls in love with a beautiful girl named Aisha (Isha Talwar), hailing from a wealthy and influential Muslim family.

Their first real ‘meeting’ ended up literally in an accident and he was almost instantly smitten by her ample charm. Vinod and his friends try every possible way to grab her attention and to their surprise, she reciprocates the feeling, pretty easily.
Now what happens next is what the story is all about and it is told mostly with clichéd situations, melodramatic moments and smart lines but portrayed in quite a delicious way. In fact that stylish narration is the strength of the film as well. With a cute, simple storyline, which is meant to be enjoyed like of whiff of pure fresh air, the film just keeps you engaged all along, quite effectively.
Of course this one is far from perfect and at times, the events mentioned tend to defy logic as well. And the scenes towards the beginning of the second half, when the character Hamza (Bhagath Manuel) makes his entry, is a bit out of sync. But with brilliant visuals from Jomon T John, excellent music by Shaan Rahman, with a well-written script and good presentation, Vineeth takes the viewers on a romantic trail.
With a new look that makes him really handsome and younger, Nivin Pauly performs with confidence and ease. There are moments when he fumbles but this is one of the most impressive performances by a young actor during recent times, when almost the entire focus is on him.
Debutante Isha Talwar looks beautiful, but she is mainly shown through her beau’s eyes. Watch out for a brilliant show by Aju Varghese as the hero’s confidant. The rest of the cast has also come up with a nice show.
A feel good romantic film hasn’t been one of the favourite genres in Malayalam for pretty long. No surprises if Thattathin Marayathu makes you feel romantic, with its cuteness and innate honesty. Don’t miss this one!

Staring: Nivin Pauly, Isha Talwar, Aju Varghese, Manoj k Jayan, Bhagath Manuel, Ahmed Sidhique, Manikuttan, Aparna Nair, Ramu, Deepak, Sreeram, Sunny Wayne, Subheesh Sudhi, Nandan

Directed/Witten/Screenplay: Vineeth Srinivasan

Produced by: Lumiere Film Company

Audio Launch Photos: Click Here

Extracted from Sify.com

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Informative+Entertainment=Infotainment

Not just another book, it deals with information, entertainment and together infotainment. Highly recommended.
When you concentrate all your negative forces on something, you can create a positive success. Toffee proved it with this book.  And coming to the book, the content would be really useful to any graduate in search of a job. Unlike the monotonous books of this genre, it is entertaining too. It can guide you like a senior in your college does. What i liked the most is 'Narration'. It is too good and you won't find a single moment where you'll get bored. The book is racy and keeps you glued. You will go till the last page in one go, sure. An exact one for you to read. No against when you comes to the world of placements and interview books which provide a full time happy reading.

Order Your Copy - An Idiot, Placements & IntervYou
Call & Order - 09989249010

-Akhil Ramesh

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Chasing Life's Mission

The sturdy bamboo tree takes years in waiting before actually shooting up to great heights. Trees that can weather the storm grow tall and strong, provide a roosting place for birds. To have a rich and fulfilled life one might have to tread the difficult path . It is the man in the middle of turbulence who experiences the enthusiasms, temptations and triumphs , friendships and faithfulness.

Knowing the value of
relationships, that source of understanding people, learning
tolerance, respect and regard . He comes out with real
satisfaction and joy, who knows what true accomplishment is
all about being in the thick of things and braving the storm .
It’s utter arrogance to look down on such sincere endeavor
even if it falls short of glory, instead we should hold such
feats as great leaps of faith and duty . In life we need strength
to face what comes and not speed to run away from our
problems. They are the fountainhead of all knowledge and
understanding .

The young should not be lured away into the wrong track.
Adults have a responsibility, if you cannot become a role model
just don’t corrupt small minds with seditious thoughts.
When betrayal is chosen over loyalty it is the community that
suffers. They need to believe in hard work as the hallmark of
strong character and self confidence, and not be enticed by
the quick fix agenda. Life’s lessons are not for those who
shun the rigor of discipline . No pain, no gain is not just a
truism, a life philosophy . Lessons from the past, the peace
of living by truth, and a deeper relationship with God are

not fast track goals. We should not be afraid to try, even if
you have to come short of the goal, for there are no mistakes
only experiences. You’ve indeed gained self confidence
in overcoming fear . And that’s a worthy prize. The old
adage ‘failures are the stepping stones to success’ cannot be
overstated It is better to fail than not having tried and tasted
neither victory nor defeat. There could be many reasons for
this attitude towards a counterfeit culture . The materialistic
world puts a premium on success, be it at any cost. There’s
wisdom in saying , Money for Life, and not Life for money
. Materialism that believes in a winner takes all culture,
which leaves little for those who struggle to stay afloat . It’s
not about winning , it’s playing well that matters. Has success
gone to your head . Do you become a big headed pompous
ass being so successful that you just cannot see yourself
losing. This can be a rather dangerous predilection to some,
when you wouldn’t mind doing anything to craft a victory.

Is the environment ill prepared to accepting failures. Good
creative companies encourage its employees to make
mistakes for they know the value of such a culture which
ultimately produces breakthrough innovations. Sometimes
the environment only throws up the wrong role models as
in a corrupt and contrived society that inhibits freedom to
exercise our free will . We should not lose faith in ourselves
and in God. Are we using our innate abilities to act with good
intent in carving out a just society. While all human behavior
springs from a mixture of good and evil, love and hate, it
is within our power to determine which shall prevail as we
journey through life . The price of living is responsibility and
this we shall not shun in order to leave this world a better place.

-Bijoy Joseph

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An Interview With The Blooming Bud In The Literary World-Author of You & Me & Our Relationship- Nikhil Mukhija

Firstly, I would like to begin with the most basic question, how did your journey with the pen begin?
I used to be a good English student till my 10th standard, but then delved into my engineering exam
preparation for the next 2 years, so could not continue. Finally someone knocked in my life in the 1 st year
of my college life and one day I wrote a small article ‘Life-the 2 sides’ and my crush called me for the first
time and praised me a lot and from then I started writing regularly and posting them on my facebook profile
and tag her, she fuelled my faith and inspired me, encouraged me and finally planted that seed of faith that
someday I will be able to write a book and get published.

When did you first consider yourself a writer, far from a blogger?
Well, I Never was a blogger, I just used to post my notes, long long notes and tag my facebook friends in them, bugging them to leave their feedbacks, the consistent 2 years of writing paid off and I realized that How far I reached from where I started, practise certainly makes a man better.

What inspired you to write your first book?
There was a synergy of many factors that propelled to explore this topic more, initially it was just out of curiosity but then I realized, no matter how honest you are, how devoted you are, until and unless you don’t present yourself in the right manner, you won’t be able to strike a chord in the heart of the one you have a crush upon, just like it’s the presentation that pulls us towards a particular product in the market so goes for human beings, a personality and a persona is what is required to help you stand out of the crowd only then are you given a chance to show your caring nature to the one you like and secondly a close friend of mine was on the verge of suicide and I decided to do something to reach a nationwide audience to address this issue and this is why the biggest chapter of my book is dedicated to the same ‘Suicide-Is She/he Really worth it?’
I just hope that after reading that atleast a few people stop themselves from committing this sin.

What books have highly influenced your life?
Eleven Minutes was probably the first serious fiction that I read and I was inspired a lot by an all new dimension of thoughts Paulo Coelho had portrayed in it. Redefine Your Reality-Shafin De Zane is another one of the thought transforming book, that influenced me a lot.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I haven’t read more than 7-8 international author, but whatever I have, Khalid Hosseini, Paulo Coelho and Shafin De Zane had a profound impact on my thought process. Oscar wilde and Ralph Waldo Emerson too had contributed a fair share.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
‘A Thing beyond forever’ by Novoneel Chakraborty is one of the closest among all the Indian novels that I read so far, then there is Ravinder Singh whom I respect a lot as a person as well as an honest writer, who adds nothing just for the sake of it.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Nothing much, apart from striking off my name from the cover page, in case my grandparents stumble across the book back there :D

Can you share a little of your current work with us?
“You & Me & Our Relationship” is a NON-Fiction book upon Psychology of attraction, it’s discreetly a first ever attempt by an Indian writer to have a closer look at teenage relationships keeping aside all the psychological jargons and elaborating the things from day to day life experience to make it a relatable read, and since it’s we guys who need it more, I have written it as a male protagonist, but ofcourse the principles given inside are equally valid for girls too if they can just do a little homework of converting the gender of narration and Chapter 12 Female Mind Anatomy is my dedication to all the females who make life much more beautiful with their unpredictability.

Do you have to travel much concerning your books?
Apart from a TV & a Radio Interview, I couldn’t spare much time to travel, although there are plans for this July & August.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Well, the hardest part was, it’s always tougher to write a non fiction which can keep the readers spell bound, fiction has a story which despite being not so well told can manage to hold the reader for the climax, while in non fiction you have to keep that entertainment value and only your writing style, the examples, the one liners can help you sustain the reader’s attention span stick to your book. So I had to include some clichéd forward msgs which I personally didn’t want to, rest had to work harder upon explaining my points in a creative and fresh way, but it was all good, in the end I had a dream and a passion that kept me going.

Do you have any advice for other writers?
As a matter of fact I do, the more you read good quality literature, the better it would be for you, slowly and gradually that change in your writing style would be apparent and you would yourself be able to compare your past attempts at writing and your present words and sentence structure. AND another think, try to think out of the box, there is much more to write about than your own college/school love story (although someday I would like to tell mine too :P ) but yes a writer should always try to expand his domain and attempt a versatile background plot.

Finally, Do you have anything specific that you want to say to our readers (The TeenMag)?
Certainly, I loved the website and so would you once you browse the various pages it has, it’s entertaining, its creative and it’s something you won’t mind spending your time at.

Connect with Nikhil on Facebook: Click Here
Book launch photos: Click Here
Sample chapter can be viewed at: Click Here
More excerpts & deleted chapters: Click Here
Order You & Me & Our Relationship: Click Here
Book summary & reviews: Click Here

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An Exclusive Interview With The Best Selling Author Sagarika Chakraborty

Firstly, I would like to begin with the most basic question, how did your journey with the pen begin?

It began quite early courtesy my mother. Being a hyperactive kid she was always on the job of inventing new word games for me and thus I fell in love with paper, pen and scribbles. My literary bent of mind was discovered quite early and thus my parents encouraged me to write. However, my writing was restricted mainly to the non fiction domain - the switch to fiction was a conscious decision in order to delve upon social issues in a way which connected better with people.


When did you first consider yourself a writer, far from a blogger?

When I started serious blogging in 2008 I had already been a published non fiction author at various national and international forums/ journals.  However, blogging gave me the confidence that people would also be interested to read non fiction from me. My blog friends and the girl gang here made me take the step to non fiction writing

What inspired you to write your first book?

The society around us and people's "chalta hai" attitude.What irks me the most is the attitude of the people to crib over cups of tea but when it comes to doing, just give the excuse of being "too small to make a difference". I always believe that no one is too small  to raise a voice - my book is my first step in doing that.

What books have highly influenced your life?

I have been heavily influenced by Vikram Seth's "An Equal Music" - for me it spells brilliance! Love the way it brings out the sketch and people characteristic on the whole. I have also been influenced by the works of a lot of regional writers and Ruskin Bond.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Without a doubt Vikram Seth! I would love to learn how he sketches his character's mind. Also, I would love to be a part  of the the course taught by Jhumpa Lahiri, I love the way she uses a city guide to build on the plot.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

I like the work of Arnab Ray, Amit Goyal and love a lot of new western authors like Keigo Higashino

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Ha, ha - a lot of things. I think I am my biggest critique thus would definitely change a lot of things - a little in the style of writing and yes add a lot of stories which I think I missed out.  However, I would leave the theme untouched.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Right now, I am editing my non fiction legal handbook and that is in the final edit stage. Also, I am researching on my second fiction book - however, there is a lot of research that needs to be done before I decide to spin stories  and look for a publisher.

Do you have to travel much concerning your books?

I don't travel specifically to gather stories. Saying that but, whenever I travel for work, leisure or research I make sure I do meet people and get my fodder for spinning stories. I love to listen to their lives and experiences and then wish that maybe someday I get an opportunity to write about them.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Breaking the shackles of silence and "this shouldn't be spoken about by such a young girl'.  People determine your ability by your age certificate and breaking that while getting a publisher or getting somebody to read has been truly difficult.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Write, write and write  - never give up if you have the passion for writing. Do not be close to criticism and be humble to appreciation - at each stage remember we meet people only to be wiser and not to close our minds.

Finally, Do you have anything specific that you want to say to our readers (The TeenMag)?

Yes,  you are the tomorrow, thus if you don't like the "today" take the lead to drive betterment. You are never to small to make a difference and no job is too small. You are a star if you even lead a cleaning drive in your apartment.

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An Interview With the Mr.Funny in the Literary World - Author of the Best Selling Fiction LOSER- Dipen Ambalia

Firstly, I would like to begin with the most basic question, how did your journey with the pen begin?

I am a blogger first. I had a senior by the name Arun Rajamani; he was my idol in school. I used to write with ink pen because he used to write with ink pen.
So, when he

started blogging, the next question in my mind was "If Arun does blogging, then there must be something good about blogging and hence I

 started writing blogs. After writing some 50-60 blogs, i thought of giving myself a creative challenge and hence thought of writing a book. My first book is called 

"In Their Shoes...".

When did you first consider yourself a writer, far from a blogger?: 

Writing a book was more out of giving myself a creative challenge. I started writing my first book in October 2009.

What inspired you to write your first book?: 

My father passed away in  2006. I wanted to do something in the memory of my father. So, I thought of writing a book and dedicating the book to my father.If he were alive, he would have been very very proud to see his son's second book (LOSER) become a national bestseller.  On the creative front, I would say that I always like to think what the people around me keep thinking in various situations. Like for eg: while I am waiting for a train to come, I look around and try to imagine what the guy with a blue suitcase must be thinking, what the beggar with no legs or arms must be thinking, what the guy with a red cap must be thinking, etc. So, in my first book  "In Their Shoes..." I have tried to get into the shoes of 17 very ordinary people around us and tried to imagine their life.

What books have highly influenced your life?: 

Sudha Mutrhy's books and Rohinton Mistry's books.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?: 

Rohinton Mistry.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?: 

None.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?: 

No.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?: 

I am working a comedy called "Life of jigness orkutbhai patel". Its a funny story about a person called Jigness Patel.

Do you have to travel much concerning your books?: 

Nope. I use my observation and imagination to write any story. If you have a keen sense of observation, you 

can find a story in any person around you.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?: 

Keeping every chapter unique and equally entertaining is a very difficult task.

Do you have any advice for other writers? : 

Never ever ever ever give up on your dream of coming up with a book. Writing a book is like preparing for a marathon.  You need to practice a lot before you can actually start writing a book. Write blogs on any and every topic that you can think of. After writing some 50-60 blogs,  you will realize what "your" style is and then you can think of a concept for your book. This is when the real struggle begins! Out of 100 people you know,  95 will laugh at you and your stupid idea of writing a book. But there will be other 5 people who will believe on your work. Keep writing for yourself 

and for those 5 who yearn to read your work. Keep writing, keep learning and one day will come when those 95 will come and applaud your work! The satisfaction that you will get that day is just ineffable. I can tell you this from my personal experience. 

Finally, Do you have anything specific that you want to say to our readers (The TeenMag)? :  

If you want something in life, go get it. Period.

Photo Albums:

Mumbai Launch of LOSER

-Akhil Ramesh

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