Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m from India. My ancestral origin is Kerala but I was raised up in Kodagu district of Karnataka State. Kodagu is well known for its beautiful hilly location. I live in a place called Gonikoppal. I’ve been teaching for a period of 18 years. Currently I’m working as a teacher in Lourdes Hill Convent School, Pollibetta, which is situated about ten kilometers from my home.
I also offer courses for Communicative English and Personality Development. I’m a chess player and also a musician. I play the musical instruments violin and harmonium.
Writing was my passion since my childhood. I’ve written four books. I really don’t know how I managed to accomplish that task. I realize writing is not as easy as how I thought before. But then I do feel that it took me to a world where I’m not in the midst of any sort of tensions. That was a relaxing and a wonderful entertainment that made me travel to a different world.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘Tiptoe to Silence” is my latest book. I’ve started writing this book 15 years ago. I remember, in 2001, working in a college near Mangalore, and the good time I had. I was travelling through some places; I was fascinated with some of the places there, and thus my characters got its birth. It is my love of travel that made me write this novel. There were at times when I grew bored with my writing, not knowing how to continue with it, when the ideas got stuck in my mind. But then, I managed to continue. Besides, my love to photography was also an added advantage.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I type in my computer whatever comes to my mind and edit it the next day. Then after some more days, once again I edit, till the story begins to have a flow. After considerable edits, I feel easy to continue.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Bramstocker’s Dracula, the gothic horror novel is one of the books that had influenced me. I had read this when I was in third grade. I was just eight years old then I was scared to read it fully but then I was reading it, the whole night, being scared to go from one room to the other. I adored the style of writing, and wished if I could also hook the readers in some way. I tried my level best to write at that age, but all papers remained in the dustbin when many laughed reading my story. I didn’t give up… continued… in hopes that one day or the other, I would improve…
What are you working on now?
Right now, I am trying to promote my books, organize a book release, giveaways, and concentrating on things like that.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook and twitter has helped me a lot in promotion of my books.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’m not really that good to give advice. Just not to give up writing- that’s the only one thing I can tell…
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“They say, what they say, let them say…” and “The present destination is not the final one,” these two thoughts have influenced me a lot to move on, without giving up my hopes…
What’s next for you as a writer?
There are so many things that I need to improve in my writing. I’m dedicating ample amount of time toward my writing. I’m focusing on my weaknesses and trying to overcome those, paying attention to the reviews that I get. All in all, I wanted to improve my style of writing.
Author Websites and Profiles
Lathish Shankar Amazon Profile
Lathish Shankar’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account