You may be under an impression that only a specific set of people (mostly the crazy ones) become writers. But at many times, some over-the-top writers prove it wrong. Chetan Bhagat, an IITian plus MBA plus Banker, who became one of most selling author in India is an example. And today, we are going to introduce to you another Mechanical Engineer turned Writer, Swapnil Borate.
Swapnil, who doesn’t have anything extraordinary expect his writing, talked to Vowelor and shared his journey of debuting as an author. He candidly answered all the questions and those are definitely inspiring. But before we take you further, lets know a little about Swapnil.
About Swapnil Borate
Swapnil, the 25-year-old author of ‘In a Friendship’, belongs to a normal middle-class family in Nashik. He was that shy, silent boy in his school days. His father is retired SBI officer and mother is a housewife. Swapnil has an elder brother Rahul Borate is the owner of a hotel and runs it efficiently.
What are your Qualifications?
I’ve completed B.E Mechanical from Pune University. I’m 2012 pass out and currently working as Design engineer.
What is your biggest achievement till today?
Being an engineer with a job and writing a book and getting published. Both were equally difficult. Wait first one is more difficult.
Which writers inspire you?
Pu La Deshpande, Va Pu Kale, Shirish Kanekar, Dan Brown, Amish Tripathi, Ravinder Singh, and of course Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Writing is stressful at times. How do you relax your mind?
I listen to my favorite songs; watch movies, mostly of comedy and suspense thriller type. They eventually ease out the stress.
What is your favorite motivational phrase?
If your plan A fails, Don’t worry there are 25 more alphabets. Keep trying.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Try to write down short stories as well.
If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?
I would have liked to penned down a trilogy, about love, relationship, its importance at different times of life.
What made you decide to sit down and actually start something?
Me and my best friend Prakash were at a panipuri stall, and except us all other were couples. At least we thought so. Later the thought came that they could be best friends as well. The point struck me, I talked with my another best friend Neha, and voila! I started writing.
Do you write full-time or part-time? Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?
Well I’m full time thinker and as-time-permits writer. Mostly I like to write down in evening.
What is the hardest & the easiest thing about writing?
Hardest is getting thoughts linked and putting it on paper. Easiest is to modify the thoughts.
In a Friendship by Swapnil Borate
In a Friendship by Swapnil Borate revolves around a group of four friends struggling with their own lives. The story has ups and downs and the characters learn to strategize their life and regain the balance. ‘In a Friendship’ revolves around a simple plot with easy dialogues understandable to everyone.
There are a number of places in the story that are universal and the reader could relate easily. It is not something where you have to think and find the connections, instead, it is for those who like smooth reading. The author as a debutant has made valuable efforts which come up in the story like choco chips in cookies.
What draws you to this genre?
My friends, their love stories, their entanglement, nothing personal.
Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?
There are 5 lead characters. Akshay, the popular guy; Priya, a girl with brain and beauty; Shree, passionate and caring guy;
Dipti, a girl who thinks she can handle any problem and Nikhil, a lazy gyani baba. All are different characters but their togetherness forms a unique character as well.
If this book is part of a series, tell us a little about it? What are your thoughts on writing a book series?
Currently, it is not a series. A book series gives an author a chance to develop the characters and story, to create a long lasting story which has the same effect on readers.
What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?
The advantage of being published conventionally is one does not have to work on editing, cover design, distribution. The disadvantage is one has to wait for a long time in this way of publishing.
We believe it was good to know Swapnil as a person and we wish him all the luck and success! Try out your hands on his debut novel – In a Friendship and let us know your views in comments.
