Interview With Author Dr. Dina Nath Jha Dinker
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a business strategist, engineer, and digital transformation expert, currently serving in an executive role at a leading Oil & Gas major. Since 2002, I’ve been actively involved in shaping digital transformation initiatives and IT strategy within the organization. My professional expertise spans business strategy, digital technology, and finance, with several of my research papers published in reputed international journals.
Writing has always been a creative outlet for me. I began writing during my college years — mostly poems and short stories for the college magazine. However, once I entered the corporate world, professional commitments took precedence, and creative writing moved to the back burner. Over the years, I continued publishing academic and industry-focused articles, but I hadn’t ventured into writing books.
That changed in 2020, when I finally gathered the courage to write and publish my first book on a topic close to my professional experience — Digital Marketing. The book saw moderate success and gave me the confidence to keep going. Since then, I’ve authored a total of six books, including five non-fiction titles focused on productivity, marketing, and digital business.
This year marked a new milestone — I stepped into fiction and published my debut mystery novel, Storm Without, Storm Within. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with readers appreciating the layered suspense and emotional depth. Encouraged by the feedback, I’m currently working on my second mystery novel, which I expect to release within the next month.
Published Works
Get More Done in Less Time: A Practical Guide to Time Management
Get More Done in Less Time 2.0: Smarter Time Management for a Fast-Paced World
Digital Marketing for Small Business 2020: Strategy
Digital Marketing Strategy for Small Business
Sell Digital Downloads at Zero Cost: A Step-by-Step Guide
Storm Without, Storm Within (Mystery Fiction)I’m a business strategist, engineer, and digital transformation expert, currently serving in an executive role at a leading Oil & Gas major. Since 2002, I’ve been actively involved in shaping digital transformation initiatives and IT strategy within the organization. My professional expertise spans business strategy, digital technology, and finance, with several of my research papers published in reputed international journals.
Writing has always been a creative outlet for me. I began writing during my college years — mostly poems and short stories for the college magazine. However, once I entered the corporate world, professional commitments took precedence, and creative writing moved to the back burner. Over the years, I continued publishing academic and industry-focused articles, but I hadn’t ventured into writing books.
That changed in 2020, when I finally gathered the courage to write and publish my first book on a topic close to my professional experience — Digital Marketing. The book saw moderate success and gave me the confidence to keep going. Since then, I’ve authored a total of six books, including five non-fiction titles focused on productivity, marketing, and digital business.
This year marked a new milestone — I stepped into fiction and published my debut mystery novel, Storm Without, Storm Within. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with readers appreciating the layered suspense and emotional depth. Encouraged by the feedback, I’m currently working on my second mystery novel, which I expect to release within the next month.
Published Works
Get More Done in Less Time: A Practical Guide to Time Management
Get More Done in Less Time 2.0: Smarter Time Management for a Fast-Paced World
Digital Marketing for Small Business 2020: Strategy
Digital Marketing Strategy for Small Business
Sell Digital Downloads at Zero Cost: A Step-by-Step Guide
Storm Without, Storm Within (Mystery Fiction)
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled “Storm Without, Storm Within”, a mystery novel that explores how external chaos can often mirror the internal storms we carry.
The inspiration came from two places: first, my fascination with closed-circle mysteries — stories where a group of characters is confined together and secrets slowly unravel. And second, my own professional experiences in high-pressure environments, where I’ve seen how ambition, regret, and hidden motives can quietly shape people’s decisions.
I wanted to craft a story where a physical storm — a cyclone — isolates the characters in a remote estate, forcing old secrets and buried tensions to surface. The mystery unfolds not just through clues, but through the emotional unraveling of each character. The storm outside drives the suspense, but the real mystery lies in what each person is hiding within.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, a few that might raise eyebrows!
For one, I often start with the ending. Especially in mystery writing, I find it essential to know where the story lands — who did it, why, and what emotional weight the final scene carries. From there, I work backward to plant clues, red herrings, and character arcs that make the reveal satisfying but not obvious.
Another habit: I tend to write my most intense scenes very early in the morning, around 4:30 or 5:00 a.m., when the world is silent and my thinking is clearest. There’s something about that time — half dream, half discipline — that helps me access deeper emotions and sharper dialogue.
Third, I don’t use notebook or word file for writing ideas. I use Google Keep. It allows me to access ideas and notes anywhere.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been influenced by a mix of classic mystery writers and modern thinkers. On the fiction side, Agatha Christie has been a foundational influence — her ability to build tension within closed settings and her deep understanding of human psychology are unmatched. Books like And Then There Were None and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd showed me how suspense can be both intricate and elegant.
I’m also drawn to P.D. James for her introspective, character-driven mysteries, and to Gillian Flynn, whose layered, morally complex characters inspired me to explore the emotional undercurrents beneath the plot in my own mystery, Storm Without, Storm Within.
From the non-fiction world, books like Cal Newport’s Deep Work and Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow have shaped how I think — both as a strategist and as a writer. They’ve helped me understand how people make decisions, which directly feeds into creating more believable characters and realistic motivations.
In short, I’m drawn to authors who understand that the real mystery isn’t always what happened, but why it happened the way it did.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m working on my second mystery novel titled “The Jhanjharpur Enigma”. It’s set in a remote village in Bihar and weaves together folklore, forgotten crimes, and the power of memory. After the psychological depth and suspense of my debut, this one delves even deeper into noir territory—where justice isn’t always legal, and some truths refuse to stay buried.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Honestly, promotion hasn’t been my strong suit. So far, I’ve relied mainly on social media posts, a bit of word of mouth, and occasional shares within my professional network. I haven’t used any paid promotion services yet — though I’m beginning to explore them.
That said, I’ve found that even with minimal tools, a few things help:
• Posting on relevant Facebook groups for readers and writers
• Using Reddit (especially subreddits like r/FreeEbooks during free promos)
• And making sure my book’s Amazon page is well-optimized — with a clear blurb, strong keywords, and a good cover
I’m now learning that a little strategic effort — like building a mailing list, submitting to free promo sites like awesomegang.com, and setting up a Kindle Countdown deal — can go a long way. I plan to take a more focused approach with my next release.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes — two things, really.
First, just start. Don’t wait until you feel “ready” or have the perfect plot. Writing is like any craft — you get better by doing it. Your first draft doesn’t have to be great. It just has to exist. Once it’s out of your head and onto the page, you can shape it into something meaningful.
Second, don’t be afraid to finish. Many aspiring authors get stuck in endless editing or abandon a manuscript halfway through. Push through the self-doubt. Your story deserves to be told — imperfectly at first, perhaps, but told nonetheless.
And one bonus tip: learn to separate the writer from the editor in you. Write with freedom, edit with discipline — but don’t let one interrupt the other.
Most importantly, write for yourself first. If you enjoy what you’re writing, chances are someone else will too.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
One piece of advice that has stayed with me — both in writing and in life — is:
“Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Make the moment perfect.”
It’s simple, but powerful. As a writer with a demanding professional life, I often found myself waiting for uninterrupted time, ideal inspiration, or the right mood to start writing. But I’ve learned that progress happens in the small, imperfect pockets of time — the 20 minutes before a meeting, the quiet early mornings, or even on a tired evening when the words aren’t flowing easily.
Whether you’re trying to finish a book or build something meaningful, momentum matters more than perfection. That advice helped me publish my first book — and keep going ever since.
What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m reading The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. It’s a fascinating and thought-provoking book that challenges how we think about randomness, uncertainty, and rare events that shape the world in unexpected ways.
As someone with a background in strategy and transformation, I find the book deeply relevant — especially its ideas about how we often underestimate the impact of outlier events. It’s also influencing how I think about plot twists and unpredictability in fiction. In a way, it’s a reminder that in both life and storytelling, the most compelling moments are often the ones no one sees coming.
What’s next for you as a writer?
While I’m not a full-time writer yet — I currently balance writing with a demanding career in business and digital strategy — I do plan to transition into full-time writing after retirement. Writing has always been a passion, and I see it as the perfect next chapter: one where I can devote myself fully to storytelling without professional constraints.
In the short term, I’m focused on completing my second mystery novel, building a more structured approach to book promotion, and exploring different genres and formats. Eventually, I’d love to write not just more fiction, but also reflective non-fiction based on life and leadership lessons from my career.
So in a way, I’m laying the foundation now — and the best is yet to come.
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?
That’s a tough one, but I’d want a mix of wisdom, mystery, and reflection — books that offer both intellectual depth and emotional resonance over multiple readings.
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari – For its sweeping view of human history and evolution. It’s the kind of book that gives you perspective on where we came from and where we might be going — helpful when you’re far from civilization!
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie – A masterclass in mystery writing and one I’d enjoy re-reading for both craft and suspense. Plus, being stranded on an island makes the theme eerily appropriate.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius – For mental clarity. It’s a timeless reminder of how to stay grounded, focused, and at peace in the face of isolation or adversity — exactly what you’d need on a deserted island.
The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb – I’m reading it now, and I’d want it with me to revisit its deep insights about randomness, uncertainty, and resilience — all highly relevant in a survival scenario!
Author Websites and Profiles
Dr. Dina Nath Jha Dinker Amazon Profile
Dr. Dina Nath Jha Dinker’s Social Media Links
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