Interview with Sapan Saxena
Interview with Sapan Saxena
Author of “UNNS – The Captivation”
Currently based in Nashua, New Hampshire, he is the author of the highly acclaimed
FINDERS, KEEPERS. His blogs and articles have often found place in the Times of
India. UNNS-The Captivation is his 2nd attempt at writing fiction. A doting father, a loving husband, a caring son, Sapan loves to spend time with his family and somehow manages to divide his energy between his work and his passion for writing.
Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I am a software engineer by profession, dancer by my hobby and writer by my passion, and part time Master-chef when I am in mood. I did my grads from MNNIT Allahabad and started writing blogs almost 5 years back.
I belong to the city of Nawabs, Lucknow, hence the customary tehzeeb is part and parcel of me.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
My blogs were covered in a number of national newspapers and their web portals. A lot many pages and forums shared my work and then the followers of my blogs asked me to start writing books. Then my dad accidentally gave me the idea of my first book, Finders, Keepers. Then, there was no looking back.
What have you written? Give us an insight into your book
So, UNNS is a fast paced romantic espionage thriller. It starts in your regular old school guy meets girl setting, and then things take a sharp turn. The book is broken down into three sub parts, with each representing a season akin to the current age of the protagonists, and each sub part is broken down into 7 chapters, each representing the Sufi-themed seven stages of love.
How is your story different from the other stories available in the stores?
So, the book has received some 100 odd reviews till now. Out of those 100, almost 80 claim that its different. Not that I have written it, but the plot is sharp and smart. I have tried to mix elements of thriller and international espionage backed by a very pure theme of romance. This helps readers connect to the book. This makes it different.
Plus the way story is broken down into seasons and stages is totally different.
How long it took you to write “UNNS”?
4 months, to be specific. That’s almost the time Nashua receives snowfall. The last part, which was also always going to be the toughest for me to write was supposed to happen in season of snow, and I pushed myself to complete it as long as there was snow around to be in the groove. Then I pitched it to Book Bakers who helped me get a deal with Inspire India publishers.
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
I do not want to bind myself to any particular genre or theme. I want to explore as much as I can, keeping the plot interesting and smart. I am planning to write a story on the journey of a woman soon, which is TOTALLY different from what I have written till now.
What does your family think of your writing?
They are very very supportive, though I wont say they are lenient when it comes to reviewing my manuscript before I start pitching it to publishers. But, they are a huge support system. My wife Suruchi, my dad, my mom, my brother, his wife, all of them.
What difference can your book create?
So, one reviewer mentioned how UNNS is different in a genre which has reached its exhaustion in terms of variety of plots and stories. That is what my aim is. To try and be different even amidst hoards of similar looking books. Maybe someday it would inspire others as well to think differently and take chances.
Which writers inspire you? Why?
Stephen King, Ashwin Sanghi. For the same reason as I mentioned in the previous question. King even when he is undoubtedly No1 author of current times still strives to think and write differently. It’s a gift. Sanghu because of the level of research and depth he adds to each and every scene of his.
UNNS – The captivation is available at?
Its available on Amazon
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What is the hardest thing about writing?
Selling the book! No kidding! Even if you have a cracker of a manuscript, it feels like the tough part begins now. From pitching it to publishers to reaching out to audience, it’s a very tough ordeal. Thankfully we have forums like you guys who help us ease out the task for us.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Think different, write different. Of course marketing is important, but a well written book has better chance to sell than a good written one any day.
Say something about Writing Geeks
As I said, you guys are doing awesome job to help writers like us reach out to the audience which is a very uphill task despite social media coming into foray big time. The entire setup of your team and they way they manage promotion at various levels is commendable, and I wish you greater success in coming times.
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