In conversation with Prashant Pinge

I have had the privilege of chatting with Prashant Pinge, author of Sceadu. Here is what he has to say:

What/who inspired you to start writing?

I have always had a great imagination. However, the decision to write happened much later. It was fuelled by a dream where the plot intrigued me so much that I had to get out of bed and pen down my thoughts.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a published author of short stories and books in the genres of children’s fiction and young adult fantasy fiction. I also write historical fiction and romantic comedies. My books have been nominated for the Crossword Book Awards with Raja & the Giant Donut shortlisted in the Children’s Writing category in 2011.

I live in Mumbai with my wife, Avantika, and son, Arjun.

What is your favourite genre?

My favourite genre is YA fantasy fiction.

Which is your favourite book?

It would be difficult to identify just one book. But I am really enjoying the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer.

Who is your favourite author?

I have quite a lot of favourite authors, so to say. But the name that jumps to my mind would be Phil Pullman. He writes beautifully.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy collecting old coins, reading fiction, travelling to exotic destinations, watching movies, and listening to music. I recently wrote and produced a short film titled Freedom of Expression. I am also keenly interested in the subjects of psychology, mythology and ancient history.

Perfect holiday destination?

The prefect holiday destination would be anywhere in the midst of untouched nature, in the mountains or in a valley or by the sea.

Describe a perfect writing day.

A perfect writing day would be one where the ideas are frothing and flowing and my hand somehow manages to keep pace with my mind.

Which is the best part of writing a story?

I love developing plots. If we’re strictly talking about the writing part, then I always enjoy introducing twists in the story. It really tickles my mind thinking about how the reader would react.

How much inspiration do you draw on from real life experiences, with respect to plot, characters etc?

I draw a lot of inspiration from real life experiences, be they events or people I have met, as it helps infuse a stronger emotional quotient into the story. I also feel it is a very powerful device for developing memorable characters.