Shubham Choudhary is a Final year student of MNIT Jaipur, pursuing a B.Tech degree in Electronics and Communication. Being an active blogger, he has written over a hundred articles, stories and poems. His works mainly include humour based on daily life.
Besides writing, he likes travelling and reading biographies and fiction. He also has a deep interest in music and has taken training in the field of Radio Jockeying as well.
My EX Fell In Love is his debut novel. He has also published a short story in an anthology by Grapevine India Publishers. He is actively involved in the start-up TalEx India. He has written for many websites, noticeable among them being, Youthdiaries.in, Bewakoof.com, News That Matters Not and TheWittyShit.com. He has also been awarded the blogger of the month award by YouthInc.
To know more about him, you can follow his blog. Or you can him. He is also on Facebook.
Congratulations on your debut novel, Shubham. It was indeed a pleasure reading it, and I hope to read more from you in the near future. Let us hope that through this interview all your fans would get to know a little bit more about you.
The most basic question first. Tell us about the process of writing “My EX Fell In Love”? How did you nurture the plot and manage to weave it in words?
The thought of writing a novel was never exclusive in my mind. But one day, just like every time while thinking for new ideas to put up on my blog, this story came to my mind and once it looked like good enough to be converted into a book, I didn’t think twice.
Q. Tell us five random facts about yourself that is not mentioned in the “About the Author” section of the book.
1) I am a die-hard football fanatic. Actually a sports fan. My room walls are covered with posters of Sachin and Manchester United stars.
2) I love characters like “Barney Stinson” and “Chandler Bing” and “Bruce Wayne” for the spirit they induce into me.
3) I hate excuses. They can only get you sympathy and maybe an escape. An excuse never gets you success.
4) I love travelling and meeting people.
5) I can’t live without music. Although I am good at neither, I am always singing and dancing when I don’t have anything important to do.
Q. Who are your inspirations in the literary world? Do you have any role model?
Inspiration is something I take from everything around. In the literary world, Harsh (author of the Oops trilogy) has been a mentor and more importantly, a friend. Rest, I learn from all. May it be biggies like Chetan Bhagat, Robin Sharma and also Durjoy Dutta and Preeti Shenoy.
Q.While drafting a novel, do you aim for a particular word goal or page goal, or do you let your pen do the talking?
I do make goals but never finish them. I believe you should concentrate on the content and flow more than the speed and amount. But at the same time, there should be some deadlines one should follow. That ensures you don’t leave the work pending.
Q. Who is your favorite character in this book, and why?
That’s a tough one. I put the most efforts in Yatharth and Sanchita, people love Vikalp and Samantha and obviously one would say Sudeep is the coolest. But I’d go with Pratishtha. She is someone everyone needs to have in his life. A calm sensible and witty friend who not only listens to your problems but has a solution too.
Q. Tell us about the novel that you loved the most and you wished you had written it.
PS I love you by Cecelia Ahern. Only if I had such a superb idea of human emotions and love.
Q. What type of atmosphere do you prefer while writing? Do you listen to any background music while writing?
I generally write in the nighttime so it’s only me and the laptop. I do like keeping some snacks around. Music is something that attracts me, and I get diverted from what I am doing so I avoid that while working/writing.
Q. What is the best compliment you have received till date?
Weird, but I can hardly remember compliments. I might have received tons, but I don’t remember any by word. So the one I do remember can be considered the best. That was when a friend told me “It’s kind of hard to believe that you can’t do something.” That was after I said no to something she asked. It gave me a feeling of how my friends can look up to me.
Q. You debuted with a love story. Tell us what love means to you?
It’s actually not-much-of-love story. Love for me is a feeling where you can selflessly give up yourself to the other person without an expectation of getting it back. It turns into a beautiful relationship when you both care, adore, love and even fight with each other.
Q. Suppose your have the opportunity to make a movie based on your novel. Which actors would you select to play the characters that are there in your book?
Haven’t I always dreamt of that! Haha.
If made in Bollywood, I think Sharman Joshi for Yatharth, Ranbir Kapoor for Vikalp and Imran Khan for Sudeep. While Asin for Sanchita and Anushka/Sonam kapoor for Samantha.
Justifying my inclination to English romantic comedies, I’d want Aston Kutcher to play Yatharth, Andrew Garfield for Vikalp and maybe Tobey Maguire for Sudeep. For Sanchita, no one would be better than Scarlet Johansson! And Mila Kunis can easily pull off Samantha.
Well if we can make a movie, then why not choose the best stars too!
Q. At least you’re not lacking in ambition! If you are given a chance, would you like to change anything about your book?
The author’s picture inside. I have better ones now!
On a serious note, nothing. Or maybe the sales figures, if I can add a zero at the end!
Q. We’re sure that day shall be here soon! So where do you see yourself ten years from now?
Ten years is too big. I don’t know what I am going to do tomorrow! A firm of my own, maybe 5-6 published bestselling novels, a world tour, an MBA degree and a famous RJ is all in the plans, let’s see what else I manage to do!
Q. Are you currently working on any new story or plot?
Yes. I have thought of a new story to start my second book. Although replying to the updates about the first one takes up most of my time. But writing is something I can always do.
Q. Finally, what would be your message to all the readers and aspiring writers?
If you want to become a ‘Famous’ writer, a ‘bestselling’ author or a ‘popular’ author, I’d say, don’t write. Write because it pleases you and you don’t care what kind of business your book does. Promotion is the best when done by your genuine readers and fans.
To all the readers of TheVault, it’s good to connect with you all.
If at any time you think my meager knowledge can be of any help. I am always available on Facebook, Twitter and for you J
All the best and do keep on writing!
TheVault Team
About the book:
My EX Fell In Love is a humorous story of a college going student “Yatharth” who cannot decide between love and science!
Yatharth, an intelligent ‘over-achiever’ is very clear about his life’s goal research. However, he faces a new challenge a girl! Will Yatharth be able to face this challenge and continue with his life’s goal? With friends such as Mr. intelligent Sudeep, Mr. handsome-funny-But still not datable Vikalp, the style icon Samantha and the counselor friend Pratishtha, Yatharth has all the support that he doesn’t need!
Sanchita, a sentimental girl is all beauty but takes life seriously. Will she be able to handle the challenges she is about to face with love entering her life? ‘My Ex fell in love!’ is a hilarious tale of growing up and dealing with the consequent challenges of life in a unique way. Enjoy the light, humorous and witty story of these youngsters, which will bring a smile on your face.
