Check the review of the book here:PUMA – A SOLDIER’S DOG BY RICHA KASHYAP – BOOK REVIEW
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About the Author:
Richa Kashyap works as a Communications Manager with an IT firm. She loves reading software manuals & poetry alike. She claims to be an introvert, not everyone around her is convinced though! Her first book is “Puma: A Soldier’s Dog”.
Author Interview:
1: I was curious for asking you this question what made you write this book?
Dogs, instead of companions, have become status symbols. People are importing exotic pure breed dogs from colder areas to live in Indian climate without thinking about how difficult it will get for the dog to survive here. Whereas our very own desi dogs are looked down upon and often referred to as ‘stray dogs’. The primary idea was to create awareness about desi dogs and the fact that they can be wonderful pets as well. But the final push to write the book came when someone in a party asked me, “why I feed expensive food to my desi dogs”? Now, I could have chosen to feel offended or do something to break the stray dog stereotype. I chose the latter.
2: Is it difficult to write this genre? How?
Yes, it is a difficult genre. I am a 30-year old woman trying to think like a 2-year old dog. It is difficult to keep the innocence of the main protagonist intact throughout the story when I am dealing with so much of information, biases, hatred every day.
When I wrote the story, I thought I am writing only for young adults and therefore, I simplified it to suit their comprehension. However, I am glad that it’s been received well by people of all age groups.
3: If you have to write a book in any other genre which genre you would write in?
I don’t know! But I know that I can’t write a conventional romance novel. I feel romance is a very personal experience and most love stories tend to stereotype romance in some manner or the other.
4: How long it took to write this novel?
Long! Very Long. I moonlight as an author. I full time as an IT Communications Manager and it is difficult to squeeze out time to write a novel.
5: A piece of learning that you would like a reader to take from your book?
To be compassionate towards animals and learn to co-exist.
6: What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
I wrote this book mostly over the weekend and late at night on weekdays.
7: What types of books do you enjoy reading?
I love reading anything and everything. I love reading a software manual. I love poetry – haikus to be precise. I love fantasies – Harry Potter is my all-time favorite. I love thrillers– I don’t know if you can categorize Calcutta Chromosome as one, but it was one of the most gripping stories I ever read. I have also started reading philosophy recently.
8: A recent book that you read?
My Gita by Devdutt Pattanaik
9: What is Success for you?
To be able to stand by what I believe and not give up due to external pressure.
10: Passion rules us all, Do you agree?
Yes, if it wasn’t for passion – the world would have been one mundane place. Who would then dance in the rain?
11: An advice for aspiring writers?
Just one – even when you are making a diary entry be truthful to yourself.
12: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
The fact that you will end up reading your own book over one hundred times trying to improvise a plot, a character, and a chapter.
Loved reading this interview. The questions were super and actually gave me an insight into the author’s mind.