Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers

Vanquish – definition: to conquer or subdue by superior force; to overcome or over power

Please welcome Manaswita Ghosh – a poet and story teller, who has conquered, with the help of her Elephant God, publishing for her work and now assists others.

What do you enjoy most about writing?I enjoy the fact that I can play with words. Writing helps me pen my feelings, and the things my lips can’t frame, my intricate experiences with life and its challenges.

What age did you start writing stories/poems?I was eleven; to be precise. I was in 6^th grade, and was bored at the new school I had joined. And as I was doodling around on my notebook, I wrote a poem. And that was just the beginning. In fact, now, after eleven years, what’s even more fascinating is that my very first book is a poetry collection which is due for publication this year.

 Has your genre changed or stayed the same?I love to experiment. Writing is fun and one should never confine them to a specific genre. You should explore, experiment, and learn. That’s what writing is all about. I write poems, short stories, creative/analytical articles and now I am working on three books – A short story collection for children, a Young Adult Fiction, and my second book of poetry.

What genre are you currently reading?I am not very specific about genre. I pick up any good book I find. In the recent months however, I have been very fascinated to discover the Islamic world, their rules and way of life. I read ‘Girls of Riyadh’ by Rajaa Alsanea last month, and now I am reading ‘The Convert’ by Deborah Baker and ‘Dear Prophet’ by Ali Ansari. These books are worth a read.

 Do you read for pleasure or research or both?I read for both pleasure and research. To be a good writer, you need to be a prolific reader. And yes, you should read anything that appeals to you, fascinates you and makes you give it a thought.

 Who is your best supporter/mentor/encourager?Every single person I have met/known has contributed in my making. My parents, my best friends – Ron, Akanksha and Santy, my publisher at Bombadil Publishing, UK, they have all been a great source of support and inspiration for me. They have helped me all through my writing aspirations and my entrepreneurial venture – Walkin Wordz. I started my company this year, which is basically a content writing and editing firm.

Of the characters you have created or envisioned, which is your favorite & why?There is a character that I love, and he is yet to be shaped. I dreamed of him once, and it was beautiful. That guy carries magic in his pockets. He is warm, caring and strong. I hope I can pen him just the way I dreamed him. Strangely, I don’t know his name.

 Where is your favorite writing space?My writing desk comprises of my laptop and my diary, which has a complete record of my ideas and story lines and my idol of Ganesha (Elephant God, who is the symbol of wisdom). I stick to it every time I am up for writing. Else, I carry my laptop around and just sit wherever feels best in the house.

Do you plan your stories, or are you a seat of the pants writer?Depends. I don’t go looking for stories; instead, I like to observe people. Everyone has a story; all you need to do is find the right one to frame into a story.

 What inspires your ideas/stories?Random people inspire me. An anonymous girl busy with her books, a beggar looking at passersby hopefully, a little boy throwing tantrums. An Indian bride in her wedding attire, ready to be married; everyone has a story.

 Do you belong to a writing group? If so, which one? Officially, no, I don’t belong to any writers’ group.

Do you have a book published? If so, what is it called & where can readers purchase it?

I have been published by Penguin Books India in the anthology ‘Love Stories That Touched My Heart’ with my short story ‘A Pair of Shoes’.

http://www.amazon.ca/Love-Stories-That-Touched-Heart/dp/0143419641

The book was released in December, 2012. You can find it on Amazon, Flipkart, Homeshop18, and perhaps some more. The eBook Single of my story has been published as well. You can find it on Amazon.

 

 

 

Two of my poems were published in a poetry collection called ‘Convergence – A Global Poetry Collection’ which features 80 poets all across the globe. This book is available on Amazon as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Convergence-A-Global-Collection-Poetry/dp/1482702258

My poetry collection, which comprised of 46 of my poems is all set for publication this year by Bombadil Publishing House, UK.

 If you could meet one favorite author, who would it be and why? J.K.Rowling. I think she is a writer’s (not to mention a reader’s) dream. She inspires me, and she is the reason I ventured into writing. Her ability to imagine, conjure up such great plots, perfect and mature emotions, her characters and their stories, everything fascinates me.

Where can readers find you and your blog?

Readers can find me on twitter https://twitter.com/ManaswitaGhosh, and my blog – http://expressingmone.blogspot.in/.

You can reach my company at – http://walkinwordz.in/.   

Do you have plans or ideas for your next book? I am currently working on three books. My second book of poetry which is halfway done (The first being all set for publication), a Young Adult Fiction based on a real life story and a Children’s book that comprises of thirty short stories.