1. What are the things
that your readers would be most surprised to learn about you?
·
I wake up
at 3:30 am to read, write as well as to design my architectural projects. I have
followed this regimen for more than 20 years.
·
I had
heart surgery when I was 29 years-old to fix an electrical problem (ventricular
tachycardia). I watched as the cardiologist made an incision into my heart, insert
a catheter and then felt the tip of the catheter burn the faulty nerve inside my
heart.
·
As an Architect,
I have designed over 400 projects across India including homes, offices,
factories, exhibitions and even a Tibetan Nunnery near Dharamshala, in North
India. And ironically, I still live in a rented accommodation – and dream about
designing my own home one day. Such is life!
·
I once
worked to document a far-off Buddhist Monastery (Hemis), located in the frigid,
silent mountains of Ladakh for nearly two months along with twelve other Architects.
Since our cook ran away at the end of the first day, besides doing my
Architecture work, I also became the chief cook for the entire duration of the
project (and secretly added vodka to everything, which went down very well with
everyone!).
·
I was Captain
of the Cross-country team in my senior year in high school in New York, and led
my team to their best (unbeaten) record in the 80-year history of the school.
·
I bought
a black & white glass painting in 2008, because I believed that I could see
the face of my future daughter in it. My daughter – Sophie – was born in 2013
and looks exactly the same – she is ethereal and magical! In fact, it was she,
who in a prescient other-worldly moment quoted Socrates when she was all of 18
months old. And forthwith set me down the path of writing and completing this
my first book.
2.
Do you like to travel?
Which country fascinated you most?
As an 11-year-old
living all by myself in New Delhi, I used to spend every Saturday morning travelling
to the diplomatic enclave, nearby. I would walk to a few embassies every week, collect glossy travel
brochures and then carefully read through each one, dreaming about travelling
to each one of them - one day. I think it was then that I caught a life-long travel
bug, which began with me running away to New York when I was 13 years old -
alone. Till date, I have travelled to over 40 countries across the world, a few
of them several times over. And although I live in India, in my heart and soul –
New York is still home!
3.
Did you learn anything
from writing this book? If so, what?
‘The Universe always (eventually)
listens to an obstinate, stubborn heart (and soul).’
The five years
spent writing – APOPHIS – I learnt to be ever more patient and resolute with
the process and the journey of writing the book. And beyond all my
life-travails (which I assume was a rather long and difficult test), the
Universe finally did listen and permit.
4. E-book or Print? And
why?
Both! At times,
one makes more sense than the other. But at all times, I would like to possess
a copy of a book in both formats.
5. What is your favorite scene
in this book?
The moment, when
the five sentient 9-year-olds (the primary protagonists) discover that they
have to travel across time inside a time bubble.
BLURB:
January, 2022: A dark monstrous
twin-headed apparition – Apophis – feverishly races past the expanse of the
Milky Way galaxy and bolts to the edge of the solar system. Recklessly
accelerating, the sinister rock-dyad enters the gravitational keyhole of the
blue planet and continues its resolute inebriated journey – to soon arrive with
an apocalyptic impact on Earth.
December, 2012: Five sentient beings born in different cities – New
York, Hong Kong, New Delhi, Azores Islands and Istanbul, discover amongst
haunting memories of their phantasmal past lives, that it is their destiny to
save humanity from the evil forces unleashed by the alien fiends – the
Skyllats.
And now, the reincarnated 9-year-olds must rely on their shared, ancient
wisdom to prepare humanity for the war across the galaxy that is imminent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Savinder Raj Anand is an architect and has
been teaching Architecture & Design at various Universities in India for
more than 12 years. A long-distance runner with a wanderlust to explore the
world, and write stories that traverse across diverse cultures. He lives in Goa
with his daughter, a dog, and two cats.
Inspired by his then 18-month-old daughter –
when she quoted Socrates – while they together sat in a children’s bookstore in
Bangalore (LIGHTROOM) in early January of 2015, he has completed this – his
first book – as she turns 7 years old.
The book is $0.99 During the Tour
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat post - thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your release and thanks for sharing your great book.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the interview! This sounds like a great book to read, thanks for shairng!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, I enjoyed reading it!
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