Authors Answer’s by Vibha Batra #GlitterAndGloss

#GlitterAndGloss

The words don’t just flow off her pen but they flow of the pages of the book as well. I always find that her books finish too soon and I do not get to spend more time with the polished, passionate characters. Her writing and storytelling makes it a delight to read her book and I am impatient to read her new release with Bloomsbury, GLITTER AND GLOSS.

I welcome Vibha Batra, author, writer, poet who perfectly balances many genres. Vibha Batra’s published books include: Glitter and Gloss, The Activist and The Capitalist, Sweet Sixteen (Yeah, Right!), Seventeen and Done (You Bet!), Eighteen and Wiser (Not Quite!) – a YA trilogy published by Penguin, Ishaavaasya Upanishad, a translation of her grandfather, the late Shri Vishnu Kant Shastri’s book published by Rupa Publications, Tongue-in-cheek, a collection of poetry, and two short story collections, A Twist of Lime and Family Crossword. She has also contributed short stories and poems to several anthologies. 

 

 

1. When did you decide to become a writer? Why do you write?

Vibha: That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do: write.

And like everything else, I blame it on my genes! My grandfather, the late Shri Vishnu Kant Shastri, was an academic, Sanskrit and Hindi scholar, prolific writer and poet. I grew up reading his memoirs, travelogues, and poetry. When he passed away, I decided to translate his book on the Ishaavaasya Upanishad into English. But starting a book is one thing but finishing it is quite another. So I announced it to everyone at the ad agency that I was translating my grandfather’s book on the Ishaavaasya Upanishad. Needless to say, I couldn’t sit still for a second without colleagues marching up to me and asking, ‘Why are you wasting time, don’t you have a book to write?’ It took me a good eighteen months to translate it, it was published by Rupa, and that’s how it all started.

2.Give us three “Good to Know” facts about you. Be creative.

Vibha: Hey, all the Vibhas – above and below – fall in the Good to Know category (I hope)! 🙂

3.This is your 9th book, what has been your motivation for writing this book, “Glitter and Gloss”?

Vibha: Ok, here’s a confession: I’m a compulsive writer. So, I’d just finished writing my first romance novel The Activist and The Capitalist. And the withdrawal symptoms – shudder – they were severe. So like any addict, I decided to get my fix. And lo, Glitter and Gloss came about!

4.The cover is worth a thousand words, how much of the cover designs for the books did you choose or were they designed by someone else?

Vibha: The covers of all my books have been designed in-house by the publishers. I do my bit:  jot down my thoughts, bounce them off the editors. And after a bit of back and forth, we end up with something we are both equally excited about.

5.How important are names of the characters in your books? Do you choose the names etc based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning? Do you have any name choosing resources you recommend?

Vibha: The names (much like the ideas) kind of pop into my head. Sometimes they take up permanent residence, at other times they go pffft, just like that! The sticky ones usually make it into the book.

6.How do you think you have evolved creatively? How different is Glitter and Gloss from your previous work?

Vibha: I’d certainly like to think I’ve evolved as a writer. Though as a human, I’d always like to consider myself a young adult (and as the hubby adds, “Act like one, too.”) Glitter and Gloss is hatke, promise! *pinches throat* So, IU – translation, Rinki trilogy -YA fiction, A Twist of Lime & Family Crossword – short story collection, Tongue-in-cheek – poetry, The Activist and The Capitalist – romance. As for GNG, it’s an out-and-out romcom.

7.Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any advice on how to deal with the bad?

Vibha: Oh, yeah, I read ‘em all. Even the bad ones. I’m brave like that! I do try and respond to every review (apologies, reviewers, if some have slipped through the cracks).

I’m not a big fan (and that’s putting it mildly!) of unsolicited advice, it makes me want to run the other way. But here’s something I truly swear by: Never ever give up!

8.What can your readers look forward to next? How can readers discover more about you and your work? Share some details about your WIP?

Vibha: There’s another romcom coming up. (Told ya, I was compulsive!) Readers can discover more about me and my books here:

FB: facebook.com/vibhy.batra

Instagram: @vibhybatra

Twitter: @vibhybatra

 

I am sure my readers would love to know more and read all your books. So much variety and so many different genres. I had absolutely loved The Activist and The Capitalist and am eager to read this new book, Glitter and Gloss. 
A total delight for the uber – confident woman of today. All my best wishes and many, many more bestsellers to you Vibha.

Keep writing, Vibha we love reading your words.

 

#GlitterAndGloss

 

Book Blurb

Imagine if you truly/madly/deeply loved a boy. Imagine if he loved you back. Imagine if the only obstacle standing in the way was his hard-to-please Third Parent. What would you do?

  1. Crib and bear it b.
  2. Undergo a personality change
  3. See a shrink

Meet M.A.C. Misha. The Lovestruck Laila who does all the above (in that particular order). She is (according to Didi-in-law) everything a Bahu shouldn’t be: garrulous, geeky, gawky, gainfully employed (especially the last bit).The apple of her friends’ eyes. The love of Akshay’s life. The up and coming bridal make-up artist. Misha is so many things. But all she wants is to be accepted.

Will Misha win Didi (and the Kha-Pee Panchayat) over with her Stepford Wife Act? Will she continue to be the poster child for the inherent evils of the Bahu Brigade? Or will she learn to ‘lau’ herself before the whole world and its wife can do the same?

Links:

Buy the book here: http://www.amazon.in/Glitter-Gloss-Vibha-Batra/dp/9385936360

Share your feedback on Amazon.in or https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31430969-glitter-and-gloss

 

 

 

 

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