Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a writer, educator, thinker, and an eternal optimist. Armed with a Masters in English Literature and 14 years experience as an educator, heading the English department dovetails with a lifelong enthusiasm for literature. After chasing deadlines, negotiating nerve wracking schedules and trying to infuse love towards the written word during the course of a day, it is the world of books, the land of fantasy and the fervour of writing that keeps me motivated.
My debut collection of poems, Meandering Expressions, was published on amazon in October 2020. My debut novel, It Must’ve Been Love, but… has just been published worldwide by Booklocker.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I am excited by the 5 * reviews and praise for my recently published contemporary romance, It Must’ve Been Love, but… The novel is a candid contemplation into the caprices of the human mind and emotions. It explores themes of love, loss, self actualisation and debunks several stereotypes associated with Indian women in particular.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hmm… I write in my mind while bird watching! Every morning and evening, as I watch these feathered friends, it inspires me to write and at times, an entire poem and large parts of my novel get written in my mind that I type out later on 🙂
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I grew up on a staple of the Classics: Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Brontë Sisters… and transitioned to writers like Orwell, Atwood, Shashi Tharoor, Rushdie, Adichie, Elif Shefak and a host of non-fiction writing. I particularly enjoy reading memoirs and biographies.
What are you working on now?
I am working on my second novel, a multi-generational saga chronicling the lives of three women and my second collection of poems, Moods, Moorings and Memories.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love the Writing Community on Twitter and the enormous support that they offer to fellow writers. YouTube interviews have a huge appeal and a good literary discussion works well for both the writers as well as the readers/ viewers. I have my own Youtube channel – The Writer Talks! dedicated to promoting indie writers as well as established ones.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write from the heart and edit with all your heart! Writing and editing are interwoven and ought to be treated with equal importance. A well-edited piece invariably receives accolades for having been well-written as well. Secondly, writing what one believes in, being true to one’s own voice and style is the best way to write.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Not only is it the best advice but has worked extremely well for me: Writing everyday! Rather than await inspiration and procrastinate, writing each day, setting aside a specific time for it enhances productivity and helps stay on course as well.
What are you reading now?
Currently I am doing a beta reading for an unpublished, a brilliantly written novel by Wendy Waters. Besides that, I am reading Elif Shefak’s 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World.
What’s next for you as a writer?
It has been a huge learning experience since last year, ever since I turned a published writer. I am eagerly hoping to be published traditionally and toying with an idea for a political satire.
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?
Extremely hard choice! I would head for my laptop so that I could read several books… Considering it is a desert island with no electricity, I would pick up my novel, one of Shakespeare’s tragedies, Austen and P G Wodehouse to feed my soul 🙂
Author Websites and Profiles
Asha G Kumar Website
Asha G Kumar Amazon Profile
Asha G Kumar’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account