Author Answers @adicrazy #LoveWhateverThatMeans #EloquentArticulation

She is not only a fantastic writer – but is also one of the funniest writers I know. With her trademark humor and panache, she makes reading effortless. Whether it is her insightful blog posts and travelogues or the fun satirical musing, she aces them all.

A travel junkie, a writer, an author, a mother, a wife, and an army wife, and a wonderful lady, I welcome Aditi Mathur Kumar to Eloquent Articulation.

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

This is going to be a cliché – I always wanted to be a writer and ever since I was a kid, I wrote stories and poems. I write because it is a habit now, I guess. Also, like I always say, I write better than I speak, haha. Honestly, I don’t know why I write, I just do. Even if I never publish my work – or never have anyone to read it, I will still write for me.

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

One: I love to travel and wish to write a book about my travel experiences. Let’s see how that turns out.

Two: I can’t work without deadlines. Just can’t.

Three: I am an online shopaholic.

3. What has been your motivation for writing this book, “Love, whatever that means”?

Love, Whatever That Means is basically a prequel to my first book ‘Soldier & Spice: An Army Wife’s Life’. I just changed the names of the main characters and kept everything the same. This happened because, after my first book, the majority of readers were telling me that they loved the chemistry between Pia and Arjun and that they’d like to read more about them. So, I wrote their love story. (as Tina and Virat)

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?

Let me begin by saying that I absolutely love the cover of Love, Whatever That Means! I mean, people have told me that the girl on the cover even looks like me, haha. The design was one of the options my publisher shared, and both of us instantly liked this one.

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?

Names of the characters are very important to me. I need to relate to them, which is why most of the names I pick for my books are real life people that I personally know.  I don’t have a resource other than my own life and the people in it.

6. What can your readers look forward to next? Share some details about your WIP?

I have a vague idea about my next, but I haven’t even started writing it. Like I said, I can only work on deadlines and my daughter and travels are keeping me super busy at the moment. But I will start next month. Fingers crossed.

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?

I read all my review, sooner or later. I respond to the ones that come directly to me, via mail or social channels. My advice to deal with the bad is simple, not everyone is going to like your work and it’s okay. You can’t please everyone, so choose to focus on the positive.

8. How do you think you have evolved creatively? If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?

I think I’ve evolved in a sense that I now write stuff that most likely won’t give nightmares to my editor. I look at the first draft of my first (still unpublished) book and even I don’t want to edit it, it’s so raw. But now, two books down, I think I’m getting better. If I could be the original author of any book, it would most definitely be the Harry Potter series. Or The Book Thief. Or the Shopaholic series. Or The Kite Runner. The list is super long.

9. Where do you see publishing going in the future? How do you think we can promote and increase diversity within the literary industry?

Publishing is evolving big time – from traditional publishing to mobile publication, we’ve come a long way. I think the future is super bright, targeted and diverse. To increase diversity within the literary industry, we need two things: One, to make readers aware and interested in more and more subjects and treatments, and two, for writers to come out and tell every story that is worth telling.

10. How can readers discover more about you and your work?

My website is a good way to start. Also, I’m pretty active on social media and my Facebook Page has all updates of events and upcoming books/articles, so please follow me there. And oh, there’s twitter. @adicrazy

Aditi, you sure have your days and hands full. May you continue to thrive and spread your positive vibes. Keep writing, hope to read many more books from you.

Thank you for this lovely, candid interview.