FAQs
Is ‘Life is what you make it’ your story? I found many resemblances between your life and the protagonist's. I am convinced that Ankita is you, it felt so real.
Thank you, and I am glad you found it real. This book was written after two years of extensive research. I was based in the UK at that time and got a chance to meet many people with bipolar disorder, and I also discovered a bipolar artists association. On my travel to India, I spoke with several psychiatrists, subsequently visited the ward of a mental hospital for the first time in my life (one of the most depressing and overwhelming experiences I have ever had), made a whole lot of notes, spoke to people who are care-givers and met many other associated people. When I went back to the UK and commenced the writing procedure, with the help of the notes that I had made previously, I wrote about the places where I had lived, and wove it into a first person narrative, which gave it a powerful feel.
Love a Little Stronger are all incidents from my life, but ‘Life is what you make it’ is a work of fiction. You can go to the video section of this website, and listen to an interview about the book, that I gave on Radio Indigo.
How do you manage to do so many things? How are you good at so many things?
The key is hard work, I believe in it and keep the phone and television at bay. And, regarding the involvement in multiple activities — I am exteremely interested and involved in them, but mostly I enjoy it, simple! So, these multiple activities do not get identified as ‘work.'
I have the same 24 hours like everyone else, and I try and pack in the stuff that gives me joy as much as I can. When people tell me ‘Oh, you are so talented, you are lucky,’ I honestly believe it is hard work.
However, there are several days when I do absolutely nothing at all.
I dislike routine and get bored easily. But, once I begin writing a book, I am relentlessly at it, till I complete it, I am disciplined that way. If you want something badly, it won’t come just come to you. It is important for you to realise that you have to stop wishing and start doing.
This is the philosophy that has stood me in good stead.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I do not believe there is any such thing as ‘inspiration,' if something moves me deeply, then I just have to write about it or express it through art. If you insist on me telling you my source of ‘inspiration,' I would say that my biggest strength is my father and all that he has imparted to me.
I have written a short piece. Will you please read and offer your opinion?
I have a very long reading list, there are several readers who send me their beautiful writings to read.
But, unfortunately, I am unable to read, due to the daily exponential requests. Moreover, I believe, if you are someone who wants to get published, you need to approach an editor for a a detailed explanation regarding your writings.
But, I would like to direct you towards this article, that I wrote in my blog.
I have an amazing story. Will you write my story?
Unfortunately, I will not be able to write your story, as I have several plots that I already wish to cover.
But, I suggest you should try writing it yourself, and take up the writing course that I believe will help your story.
How do I get published in India? Do I need an agent? Where do I start?
I have written a piece ‘How to get published,’ which answers all the questions that you may have, if you plan to write a book. Please click here.
I have read all your books and I totally love your writing. I am visiting your town and would really like to meet you. Will you meet me? Can you share your phone number as I know someone who would like to speak to you about publishing.
Thank you and I am honoured that you want to meet me! However, I will not be able to meet you, personally.
You are most welcome to interact with me at any of my events, which would be announced on all my social media pages.
If you are on Facebook, do stay connected for all updates. I am sorry, I do not share my phone number, it is only for family and I rarely speak on the phone unless it is related to my work.
We would like to invite you to speak at our college? How do we proceed?
Please send me a mail on ps@preetishenoy.com and I shall get back to you. I do not accept invitations unless travel, accommodation, and speaker’s fees are taken care of.
I tailor my talks to suit the audience. You can check out two of my Ted X talks in the video section of this website.
Apart from these, I have spoken at IITs , IIMs, some premiere educational institutions and corporate organizations like Infosys, Accenture, ISRO, Northern Trust, Amazon, and etc.