An Interview with Ritu Lalit :)

Ritu Lalit is an author with three published books:
A Bowlful of Butterflies, a coming of age story about three fast friend in school,
Hilawi, a fantasy thriller,
and Chakra, Chronicles of the Witch Way.

Here she lets her readers have a glimpse in her journey as a writers, future plans, and also discusses about her latest book:

1. How do you envision your book will impact your readers?

My book, like my previous one has its roots in our very rich vedic culture. That being said, the book is fiction and an all out thriller. It is an adventure story set in a very Indian milieu. My basic motive is to entertain. I do not have messages to give or morals to impart. I am a fiction writer and an entertainer. I hope the readers get their money’s worth from my book.

2. What’s the biggest mistake new writers make according to you?

This is such a hard question to reply to. I am not into giving sermons. That having been said, I find a lot of talent, but the execution is flawed. There is not enough description and nuances in some books. A book has to appeal to the senses. I do not get a sensory fulfilment from some of the books that I have read.

3. How do you make sure the information used in your books is accurate and up-to-date?

I write fantasies. Chakra, The Chronicles of the Witch Way is about magic, it is about adventure, it is a flight of imagination. So there were not many details to verify. However, I did research about the places where this book was set, about structures like baolis etc. Google and Wikipedia helped me in my research.

4. Tell us something about your book?

My book is about a secretive race of people who are born with an active kundalini. Their chakras are open, which enables them to use the elements to their advantage. They can perform astounding feats. And yet, they, like us, live in a world where politicians and leaders are corrupt, their police is incompetent and serves the leaders and not the people who pay their salaries. In such a world, three teenagers go missing. Their aunt has to find them and keep them safe from the whole world that wants them for their powers.

5. Why Author’s Empire?

Kunal was a Facebook friend. I was perhaps one of the first to entrust him with book marketing for my book Hilawi. He did an excellent job. When he entered publishing, I felt confident that he would do a good job with my book.

6. Any plans for sequel of this book?

I hope to write a trilogy. In fact I already have an idea for the next book of Chronicles of the Witch Way.

7. Share some of your interesting memories you lived while writing this book?

During the course of the story, one character dies. I wept. It really broke my heart. Another character, a young girl gets kidnapped and she gets into a life threatening situation. I could not sleep, it disturbed me so much. To me the characters are so real, that once the book was done, I felt lonely, as though my best friends had left.  

8. What is your least favourite part of the writing process?

Editing. I personally edit my books a lot of times before I give it to the publisher. It is extremely taxing and boring.

9. What genre do you particularly like?

A well written tale, fast and engaging is something I love. Fantasy thrillers, good mysteries, a well written crime fiction, I like them all. I also like reading inspirational literature and non-fiction.

10. What was your biggest inspiration behind this book?

Our Vedic heritage was my biggest inspiration. In the olden days, they say yogis and yoginis had immense power; they could walk on fire, sleep on beds of nails, and even curse people who displeased them. It made me think, “What if this power actually exists, and it stems from an awakened kundalini?” And that thought forms the crux of my book.

Latest magical realism thriller by the national bestselling author, Ritu Lalit, and Author's Empire Publications.

Description

The Japas are a race so secretive that their existence is dismissed as a myth. Tales of them abound in our mythology, telling of these men and women, possessing physical abilities beyond belief, playing with elements, with the power to curse and cure. They exist among us, mingle with us, ride our metros, visit our malls, and even go to the same schools and colleges as us.

Parineeta Mohan is a powerful Japni who has turned her back on The Witch Way. She has even brought up her niece and nephew as ordinary people, unaware of their heritage.

Their life changes when the kids disappear along with their cousin Roma.

A shocked and desperate Parineeta has to find them before enemies of her family do, and has no one to turn to but Jorawar, a man she is attracted to but cant trust since he belongs to the sinister organization Pax.

The only way she can fight, win and survive is to embrace her heritage, return to The Witch Way.

Chakra is a deftly woven tale of the power of awakened kundalinis, of evil chimeras who suck the life force of loved ones, of bomb explosions and bloodshed, of the coming of the Age of the Japnis.

~ Abha Iyengar

Intrigue, powerplays and the mystical allure of the supernatural: Ritu Lalit has penned an unputdownable saga that grips and entertains like dynamite!

~ Nandita Bose