A Novel By – Arpita Chipkar  “Are you magic or am I a trick?”

Chapter 1

My room is dark except for the spot light on me. I am standing facing the beautifully carved dressing table. Freshly bathed I am still confused regarding what to wear for the most awaited evening. I feel extremely excited and equally nervous. I hold my palms tightly lending moral support to myself. The 5 feet 5 inches me, feels like a little kite about to face its audience after flying very high.

The red gown seems too jazzy. The simple white gown with black flowers seems better. The simpler is the better. My readers would be questioning me. The 21 years old, I should be taken seriously by them. I shouldn’t let the Fashion designer image of me over shadow the quality of a writer in me but I don’t wish to overdo it like the actress turned politician. No! I can’t get anti glamorous and wear a cotton sari and step out without make up. So the white floral gown is just perfect.

After getting dressed, I check myself in the mirror. My home has got 13 mirrors in total. I like seeing myself. Not narcissist but I like to thank god for the looks he has gifted me with. If at all you like little chubby babies, you would surely like me. I giggle to myself.

surroundings and having the new ME. I like writing more than reading. I guess I am very impatient and always have a lot to express!

1. We would love to know about you. Tell us something about yourself.
I am from Karwar but I am a student of masters in Mass Communication and Journalism in Nitte University, Mangalore. I have always being fascinated with changing places and starting from the scratches. I like meeting New people, new

2. Please tell us about the story of your books.

“ARE YOU MAGIC OR AM I A TRICK” is my upcoming debut novel. It will be launched this month. The story revolves around the author whose fictional character of her debut novel, comes alive. It is a fairy tale like mystical romance story which inspires to believe in Dreams, Miracles and Love.

3. In what ways do you feel your novel is different from other novels of that particular genre?
Well, there was no such genre at all before. I have mixed Romance with the mystical genre. I think the blend of the both would make a nice combination though my publishers have simplified it to the “Fiction” genre. I think it has got a lot more than just fiction. To know more, you should read it.

4. Which was the actual moment when you realised that you should write a book?
It all started with a small lie. I was in 12th standard when the crush of mine then, told me that he was an Engineer, a Model and was also getting into Acting soon. He questioned me, so, what do you do? I observe my surroundings and see my mother, who is a writer was busy penning down her next article and out of blue, I say. “I am an author and working on my debut novel.” That is how it all began.

5. Many debut authors often have to face rejection before getting published. Did you have any such conditions? If yes, how did you cope with it?
Hell Yes, I made a list of all the publishers possible and tried to follow their guidelines and submitted the Manuscript to them. About 14 rejected me as they never bothered to write back. While a couple of them humbly said they can’t help me. I always believed something better is waiting for me.

6. Was there any agent involved in this whole process? If yes, who and how did it help you?
No

7. What was the time frame for writing this book?
20 days. The characters danced smoothly in my mind and in one go I finished this novel.

8. What all are the marketing strategies you applied to make your novel succeed?
I used social media and my mouth.

9. What were your learning experience(s) you gained throughout the publishing process which you would like to share with us?
1. Just because you wrote a book, it doesn’t mean you deserve any great respect. The publishers can always threaten to not publish your work even after it gets printed.
2. It is very difficult to stay calm and get your works done. This is a very competitive field and every rejection is a hope to get better.

10. Has your daily routine changed in any way after you’ve become an author?
Yes, People who never said a hello to me before, talk to me for hours with the proposal of me writing a book on them.

11. Tell me something about your next writing project.
I would not like to disclose it this soon. I am waiting for the launch of the first one as of now.

12. What all have you achieved so far which would help you in bringing out your next book?
Being the student of B.A Psychology, I have being very keen in Psychology and it has helped me form clean characters and give them better roles. I tend to have a better understanding of people and why they act in a certain way. ”The experience e of writing blogs and being in the writing field professionally for five years has helped me in understanding the readers psyche. I would keep in my mind all of that while working on my next projects.

13. What is most surprising thing about you?
I purposely stopped reading for two months until I finished writing my book just to be original in my content. I didn’t wish to subconsciously copy any plot.

14. Your favorite novel(s) and author(s)?
Metamorphosis, 2 states, The Great Indian Novel is few of my favorites. I adore Chetan Bhagat, Shashi Tharoor.

15. Would you like to give some advice to other aspiring authors?
Never lose hopes. Rejection from one only means you deserve better but never simply wait for the good times. Strive to reach your goals and when you think you reached, the bigger one is waiting to be achieved.