The antidote to not being able to write is to write: Author Rashmi Kumar

Author Rashmi Kumar was a professional journalist who worked for leading newspapers in India before moving to Canada in 2012. Hooked, Lined and Single is her second book after Stilettos in the Newsrooom. In Canada she was chosen as the Writer-in-Exile in 2013 to showcase her Indian literary work to the Canadian audience. Rashmi is currently pursuing a post-graduation in Radio & Television from Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Canada.

When did the idea for the book germinate? Or does inspiration strike you at the oddest of moments/ places?

Hooked, Lined & Single happened when I had a raging desire to share the many interesting anecdotes of my personal life. Sometimes, being unconventional can actually go against you if you don’t find someone just as ‘different and unique’ as you. So while each and every person in my family had married out of love, I was the only one to have an arranged marriage. And this entire journey of finding Mr Right was so interesting and intense that it had to be forced out of my system. Hence, the book!

Who among the pantheon of writers (past/present) would you like to have coffee with?

I could dig a grave to have tea, coffee or anything with Gabriel Garcia Marquez. And I’d certainly like to do a long coffee session with Aravind Adiga and may be a shorter one with Orhan Pamuk!

Antidote for writer’s block?

The antidote to not being able to write is to write. Write. Write.

Ending of one popular book that you would have changed… The ending of Almost Single by Advaita Kala has always bothered me. It starts off so powerfully but ends in an equally lack lustre way.

One tip for aspiring writers?

Many people want to write today to gain fame and popularity. Writing is getting commercialised and less creative. If you’re aspiring to write, please write because it’s the only thing you can so passionately do to express yourself and not because you want to increase your online followers.