Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi. I am writer/filmmaker based in India. I have written many short stories, poems and screenplays so far. This is the first time I am publishing the book of poetry which I am writing since 6 years while wandering on streets of city . Besides that I have made few films as well. Some of them hated by people around me and few of them liked as well . Quite like life I suppose.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Name of the book obviously comes from where you are thinking . But the idea mainly here was to write the stories of the contemporary world and how human beings behave differently in so called new world. Or are human beings as an animal, primarily driven by soul, are no different and will behave in the same way as they are feeling since centuries. Have our concern changed or are we still all the same under the peel of artificiality that we have created . That was one of the idea. Other ideas have came from my personal experience of dealing with the world. Some of them mundane, some of them epic fantasy.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to have good smell around me when I am writing . So I’ll burn incense stick to feel that smell which will give me a kick. My mother almost became excited that I have finally became a religious person. I might sometime just spray perfume in the room to get into certain feeling.
Sometimes I listen to 1 song in the loop the whole day to not get out of specific mood which I want. I end up listening the same song for more than 50 times a day only to get into certain mood.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I think Charles Bukowski is the primary influence. Love the way he incorporates the sadness and humour together.
Albert Camus, John Fante, Dostoevsky,E. E. Cummings, Rajkamal Chaudhry are among one of my favourite authors.
What are you working on now?
On the script of feature film. Also on the book which is about my experience of meditation and spirituality.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is my first book . So I am unaware of any such methods.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am a new author too . So not sure if I can give a valuable advice. But I would say to finish the book which you have always dreamt of writing . A book which is somewhere with in you and you don’t know how to articulate or tell someone about it . Write it ! Just write it! You’ll be surprised at how much healing process writing can be.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
By my mentor Amit Dutta : “Please do not ignore the fact that even in a dismal situation, human beings tend to find beauty and happiness; this is a very important point and you may consider it for your work”
What are you reading now?
The Pleasures of the Damned by Charles Bukowski.
What’s next for you as a writer?
No idea as of now . Promotion , may be.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1. White nights – Dostoevsky
2. Love is a dog from Hell – Charles Bukowski
3. Ask the dust -John Fante
Author Websites and Profiles
Anurag Verma Amazon Profile
Anurag Verma’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile