FAQ: How did you get the idea to become a writer?

From the garbage, of course.

Now let me explain.

I used to write a short story a day, back in Fiji Islands when I was very young. When I turned twelve, I finished my first screenplay called "Jeevansathi," meaning "Lifemate." It was completely written in Hindi and it dealt with divorce and extramarital affairs in the Indian culture. LOL. I Know -- I guess I didn't have better things to do at age twelve over the long summer break but to think about extramarital affairs and marriage breakdown. I had so much fun writing, that when I finished that script, I wrote another. This one was titled "Jewels." It was treasure hunt story, a more proper subject for a twelve year old to be concerned with, I suppose. I still have both stories tucked in a dusty closet somewhere!

Fifteen years later, in Canada, one of my friends was helping me move. I was throwing out everything I didn't need. He picked out two sentences I had written on a piece of paper which I threw in the garbage. He brushed off the coffee grinds and asked me who wrote that. I told him I did. He asked me if I copied it from somewhere. I told him no, I wrote that myself and throw it away. It's garbage. I was too stressed with moving to care. He put the piece of paper in his pocket. Two months or so later, when I was settled in my new place, he came over and handed me a magazine that was holding a short story competetion. He wanted me to enter that. I told him I didn't write. I thought he was being funny. He told me to just try. I eventually did. It took me three weeks to write four pages. But I remember how much fun I had. Being a creature that is known to like fun, I decided to take this further. I shared my story with others. They loved it but they didn't really believe that I wrote it. But that was okay. It told me that it had something. I entered the short story competetion and didn't win. However, this set me on a different path. I dropped the courses I was registered in the last semester towards the completion of my degree and enrolled in Creative Writing courses instead. I did well and started the chapter of my first novel. By this time more and more people were believing that I wrote and started encouraging me to continue. They wanted to know the ending of the suspense novel I started in University. I told them that I can tell them where I was going with that. But they wanted to read the ending for themselves. I assured them that there is no possible way that I will write an entire manuscript. They advised me that they were willing to wait as long as it took. Eventually, I finished that manuscript, then another, and then another.

So here it is -- How did I get the idea to become a writer? From the garbage, of course.

FAQ

I have been receiving a lot of emails with questions. I will discuss the following seven frequently asked questions in depth:
(1)How did you get the idea to become a writer?
(2)Are the characters in the book based on people you actually know?
(3)Which character is you?
(4)What stories did you grow up with?
(5)Do you believe that God exists?
(6)Why Elkford?
(7)How did you get the idea to write "The End of the Dark and Stormy Night?"

WHAT'S NEXT ON THE AGENDA - A PHOTO SHOOT!

I have recently secured an inetrview with the KARMA MAGAZINE -- Calgary's South Asian Magazine and am looking for ward to my first magazine photo shoot ever -- tentatively in September. Anyhow -- another first for me. Very pleased!!!:D

SUN AND SALSA FESTIVAL

I will be attendind a signing event at the Sun and Salsa Festival. Booth 9. Come and enjoy the sun, salsa, live music, dance, and entertainers.
DATE: JULY 19/ SUNDAY
TIME: 11 am to 5 pm

SIGNING AT CHAPTERS SPECTRUM BY SUNRIDGE MALL

Date: July 17 - 5 pm to 9 pm
July 18 - 1 pm to 5 pm
Location: Chapters Spectrum by Sunridge Mall
Calgary North East
Hope to see you there!!!!

REFLECTIONS ON MY FIRST BOOK SIGNING IN CALGARY

Well, I thought the most you do at book signings was to sit behind a desk with a pen in your hand. Was I ever wrong!!! It was definitely a lot of work promoting myself with everyone that came into the store. Overall, however, the signing was a success and I was pleased with the numbers of sales. I am now looking forward to my future signings and feel good about the bit of experience I have behind me pitching my product to potential buyers and creating interest.

ELKFORD FOCUS June 2009 Issue

Click on the header of this blog to read an article published about me in Elkford Focus, profiling me as a writer (pg 11).

Jun 07, 2009
ELKFORD FOCUS June 2009 Issue. 11. Former Elkford Resident Launches Her Debut Novel If we assume that God exists, what path do you think will lead straight to Salvation? This is the question Rajni Mala Khelawan seeks to answer in her ...