Blog Tour and Author Interview–> The Revenge of Kaivalya by Sumana Khan
The Revenge of Kaivalya by Sumana Khan
The Blurb
Deep within the womb-like forests of the Western Ghats, an entity manifests itself at the malevolent moment when the ocean rises to devour hundreds of thousands. Kencha, an unwitting witness to Its birth, is soon found dead – his body branded with a strange message written in HaLegannada, an ancient version of modern Kannada. Even as Dhruv Kaveriappa, Chief Conservator of Forests – Hassan division investigates Kencha’s death, he senses an unseen danger in the forests of Kukke, Bisle and Sakleshpura. Animals drop dead; plants wither away and just as he feared, the forest claims its first victim. Shivaranjini, on vacation in Sakleshpura, suffers a devastating tonic-clonic seizure moments after she returns from a visit to the forest. Soon, she begins to exhibit a bizarre personality disorder. Perhaps there is an outbreak of an unknown rabies-like disease? Or, as ridiculous as it seems, could it be a case of tantric witchcraft?
The truth unfolds in a dizzying maelstrom of events – a truth far too terrifying to comprehend
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Watch the Trailer
Meet the author
The Author’s Thoughts
In the early stages of my manuscript, I knew the title of my novel had to be the name of the principal character. And it could not be just any name. It had to fit into the storyline – from a time perspective, as well as setting the atmosphere. It had to sound ancient and also define the character. Tall order!
As I read up on the history of Vijayanagara, I hoped to come across a good, strong name…but history, largely, is about men and their wars and conquests. I hoped to select a name from our puranas. But nothing clicked. What about our stotras? Maybe the lalitha sahasranama? Or ashtalakshmi stotra? One evening I sat mulling on ‘Kausalya’…thanks to the most famous line ‘Kausalya supraja Rama purva sandhya pravarthathe’ from the Suprabhata 🙂 I went to bed with that line in my head.
The next morning, somehow, ‘Kausalya’ had transformed to ‘Kaivalya’. I did not remember coming across the name in any of my previous research. Curious, I looked up what ‘Kaivalya’ stood for. And was fascinated. Read More ……..
Interview with Sumana
Q1. Sumana tell us something about yourself.
I was born and raised in Bangalore; my education,
career…everything is tied to Bangalore. I had an IT career that spanned for a
little more than a decade. I currently live in the UK, where I took a break to
pursue my academic and literary interests.
career…everything is tied to Bangalore. I had an IT career that spanned for a
little more than a decade. I currently live in the UK, where I took a break to
pursue my academic and literary interests.
Q2. In one sentence, what is your book about?
The Revenge of Kaivalya is a supernatural thriller.
Q3. What inspired you to write this book?
I enjoy reading books that have complex plots, well-crafted
characters and intricate details. I especially enjoy thrillers/horror/crime
genres. So while there is no single point of inspiration, I guess I set about
writing a genre that I most enjoy reading.
characters and intricate details. I especially enjoy thrillers/horror/crime
genres. So while there is no single point of inspiration, I guess I set about
writing a genre that I most enjoy reading.
Q4. Do you have a specific writing style?
I’ve not consciously crafted any style. But my writing does have
its own voice (as in the case of all authors); I prefer simple, crisp
sentences. I do focus on story-telling, and I take my time developing the
characters, setting the scene and controlling the pace.
its own voice (as in the case of all authors); I prefer simple, crisp
sentences. I do focus on story-telling, and I take my time developing the
characters, setting the scene and controlling the pace.
Q5. How did you come up with the title?
The title was a challenge. May I please inconvenience the reader
and direct him/her to this link, where I’ve written at length over the name? (I
hope it’s worth your while, dear reader!)
and direct him/her to this link, where I’ve written at length over the name? (I
hope it’s worth your while, dear reader!)
Q6. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Good
lord no! It is a book meant to entertain – and I only hope it achieves its
objectives.
lord no! It is a book meant to entertain – and I only hope it achieves its
objectives.
Q7. What was your technique when planning your plot and characters?
I
really did not employ any techniques. But I did maintain character sketches –
or profiles if you will – in a notebook. The plot – while I had a broad outline
at the outset, the details fell into place only as I progressed from chapter to
chapter. I am most comfortable working without a rigid plot line since this
gives tremendous flexibility, and I can explore sub-plots more effectively.
really did not employ any techniques. But I did maintain character sketches –
or profiles if you will – in a notebook. The plot – while I had a broad outline
at the outset, the details fell into place only as I progressed from chapter to
chapter. I am most comfortable working without a rigid plot line since this
gives tremendous flexibility, and I can explore sub-plots more effectively.
Q8. What do you love most about writing?
The
process itself – it is solitary, calming and entire worlds reside inside your
head – so you are never really ‘alone’.
process itself – it is solitary, calming and entire worlds reside inside your
head – so you are never really ‘alone’.
Q9. If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in
your latest book?
your latest book?
Of
course. No author is ever satisfied with their manuscript. I’d probably tighten
the narration a lot more.
course. No author is ever satisfied with their manuscript. I’d probably tighten
the narration a lot more.
Q10. What were the challenges in bringing it to life?
Historical
research is always a challenge – especially when one is weaving fiction with
non-fiction. The other challenge I faced
(or chose not to face) was rather peculiar. I finished my manuscript in 2009. I
realized genre fiction in India was few and far between, and was absolutely
convinced that none of the mainstream publishing houses will even look at my
project. I did not send out my manuscript at all; instead I chose to self
publish through CinnamonTeal. It is only in 2011 that I mustered enough courage
to knock on the doors of publishing houses…and that’s how I was picked up by
Westland. But the whole experience has been wonderful – it gave me an
opportunity to understand the publishing industry at a ground level.
research is always a challenge – especially when one is weaving fiction with
non-fiction. The other challenge I faced
(or chose not to face) was rather peculiar. I finished my manuscript in 2009. I
realized genre fiction in India was few and far between, and was absolutely
convinced that none of the mainstream publishing houses will even look at my
project. I did not send out my manuscript at all; instead I chose to self
publish through CinnamonTeal. It is only in 2011 that I mustered enough courage
to knock on the doors of publishing houses…and that’s how I was picked up by
Westland. But the whole experience has been wonderful – it gave me an
opportunity to understand the publishing industry at a ground level.
Q11. Do you see writing as a career?
Mark
Twain, in Tom Sawyer, observes “Work consists of whatever a body
is obliged to do, and Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged
to do.” So I guess slotting writing as ‘career’ would make it a chore. But
I won’t be pretentious; I guess the ideal situation is when your hobby starts
making money too.
Twain, in Tom Sawyer, observes “Work consists of whatever a body
is obliged to do, and Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged
to do.” So I guess slotting writing as ‘career’ would make it a chore. But
I won’t be pretentious; I guess the ideal situation is when your hobby starts
making money too.
Q12.Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Of
course. Every sentence is a challenge. It is a torment to capture and translate
what goes on inside your head to bland alphabets.
course. Every sentence is a challenge. It is a torment to capture and translate
what goes on inside your head to bland alphabets.
Q13. What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Everything.
Yeah…just about everything. Starting from the title, to drafting Chapter 1, to ‘The End’ -everything was
laborious.
Yeah…just about everything. Starting from the title, to drafting Chapter 1, to ‘The End’ -everything was
laborious.
Q14. Do you have any advice for other writers?
Find
your own voice.
your own voice.
Q15. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Nope.
I can only hope they enjoy the book.
I can only hope they enjoy the book.
Q16. What are your current projects?
I’m
currently working on psychological thriller and a short stories collection.
currently working on psychological thriller and a short stories collection.
Q17. Where can people find you on the Internet?
I
blog at http://kaapizone.blogspot.com
blog at http://kaapizone.blogspot.com
I’m
not on twitter.
not on twitter.
Q18. What’s next up for you, writing-wise?
I
should wrap up the psychological thriller by this year end.
should wrap up the psychological thriller by this year end.
Q19. Before you go how about an excerpt from your book to intrigue and
tantalize us.
tantalize us.
Stalk her @
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Great to know how you go about your writing – the way you create your plot and characters, Sumana Khan. I just loved your book. Looking forward to your psychological thriller soon. Great interview, Nikita 🙂