WriterStory Interviews of Writers
My name is Seeta Narayanan, an Investment banking research associate by profession. Have worked with leading Investment banks like Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, J.P.Morgan and UK based Insurance company Jardine Lloyd Thompson. Currently doing freelance writing for the UAE Insurance sector, writing articles and sector analysis on the Healthcare Industry.
Have written two books, one in the self help genre ‘The Cup of Life – A journey towards self contemplation’ and second is a love mystery fiction – ‘Click! She’s stuck in his head.’ Apart from writing I do blog on philosophical topics, sometimes delve into poetry as well, you can find more details on me and my books/blogs on my website www.seetarn.in
What inspired you to start writing?
Writing happened to be a chance encounter for me. Way of expressing my inner self, though I had to be coaxed into it, because of my, self created inhibitions and barriers, eventually when I saw the words take form of chapters and chapters turning itself into a book. I finally realized this can’t be a one off case, but the divine asking to flow through my words, by giving me enough fodder of pain, hurdles, unfelt experiences only to finally give them a voice to turn it into a beautiful creation of a book.
What did you like to read when you were a girl?
As a girl I disliked reading, but only when I grew up and could comprehend the depth of the words and the teachings in the philosophical and religious books, I instantly took liking towards Paulo Coelho, Priya Kumar, Jose Silva, Robin Sharma, Khorshed Bhavnagari, Deepak Chopra, Dr. Brian Weiss, to name a few.
How much research do you do before writing the book?
Being an Investment Banking research professional, curious and a questioning mind in nature, research can be innately found in my writing. Before I could put out anything, I needed to quench my thirst of knowing the subject in its entirety. Hence for my first book, there is a whole lot of research done on the spiritual, philosophical and religious aspects of life. And for the love fiction as well, since its base is a medical complication, I had to put in a bit of research there as well. The third and upcoming book is entirely based on in-depth research on the workings of the brains leading to a psychological ailment to the protagonist.
What is the greatest challenge in writing a book?
Books are a compilation of variety of ideas, dialogues and thought processes put in a sequential manner. But the truth is, ideas don’t flow in a straight line, hence when one begins to write, the pen forms a relationship with the mind and the soul finds a voice, and the story then flows. So all it takes is patience and one spark for the outline to come through and then the huge block of actually expanding the idea/thought process into a story, to make it interesting by tying it with enliven characters and then to have a life of its own, which can happen in a day, month or several years.
What motivated you to write the books ‘The Cup of Life – The journey towards self contemplation’ and ‘Click! She’s stuck in his head.’ ?
Motivation for the first book was purely my experiences and observations in life, and also a chance encounter with the visually impaired girls of NAB, they ignited in me a spark long doused, their zest and zeal towards life, made me revive mine, and so came about my first book as a epiphany leading to lots of reading of spiritual, philosophical and visits to religious shrines and books. And the inspiration for the (work in progress) third book comes with a lot that is going on currently in the world, the psychological warfare between the divine and the elite leaving the common masses minioned to the drastic situations.
How much time do you dedicate to writing on a daily basis?
None, I’m an occasional writer and once I get on with the story, I see to it that it gets a life. I do blog on philosophical stuff; compose poetry every now and then when Inspiration strikes. I do write quotes quite often that I can firmly say and it can strike me any time of the day or night.
What words of wisdom would you like to give to aspiring writers?
Don’t write to aim for commercial success, write because it makes you happy, gives you a reason to live, and takes you on a magical ride. Above all be truthful to your words, as they say, feelings can be disguised but your words will say it all.
You can buy her book now:
I absolutely agree with what you’ve said in your last para. One should enjoy writing, and to hell with the sales. Mine is not selling at all, but I’m not bothered…and I’m not going to be a door-to-door salesman.