Thursday, November 26, 2015

SEEKING REDEMPTION by Dr. Madhu Vajpayee

SEEKING REDEMPTION


Book Blurb:

Story of a girl Meera, who is unwittingly drawn into a conflict from where she finds it difficult to emerge unscathed. It's her journey from being a simple, medical graduate belonging to a middle class family to the uncharted territories of corruption and caste based politics. Her path is crossed by the two men, both compelling yet completely contrasting characters, who are forever going to change her life. If it is Aman who can challenge her ideals and defy her resolves, and makes her the person she finally becomes, it is Abhay's sublime love which enables her to go through the vicissitudes of life. It's also the story of her loss as well as triumph against her own demons to find her true self.
Buy a Copy from Amazon

About the Author:
Dr. Madhu Vajpayee- the writer was born somewhere in those hospital corridors where she has spent the last two decades of her life. Witnessing life at such close quarters pushed her to capture its enigma in her words and slowly it became her passion. After writing several scientific papers and chapters in books, this book is her first step in literary world.  
Having done her graduation, MBBS from King Georges Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow she went ahead to pursue her post-graduation, MD from AIIMS, New Delhi. She was a consultant at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi having been associated with management of patients living with HIV/AIDS. She is now settled in Melbourne, Australia with her family, where she is devoting most of her time to writing, the passion that she couldn’t pursue earlier because of the demands of medical profession and commitment it requires.
When not creating stories, Madhu enjoys reading and travelling.

Reviews for the Book:

It was a perfect book and can motivate one. ~ Nidhi Author on Goodreads

Wonder full book.Clearly highlights the current problems faced in India as a result of reservation! ~ Nikhil Dave on Goodreads

It is one of the amazing fiction I have read in the near past. Highly recommended. Cocktail of Corruption, politics and love. ~ Akshay_Tripathi on Amazon

What Madhu does well with this story is to highlight many factors that need change. She brings out facets like reservation. She talks about the more rigid mindset of an Indian family ~ Vinay Leo @ Booworm's Musings

Contact the Author:

Brief synopsis of your book: Story of a girl Meera, who is unwittingly drawn into a conflict from where she finds it difficult to emerge unscathed. It’s her journey from being a simple, medical graduate belonging to a middle class family to the uncharted territories of corruption and caste based politics. Her path is crossed by the two men, both compelling yet completely contrasting characters, who are forever going to change her life. If it is Aman Sharma who can challenge her ideals and defy her resolves, and makes her the person she finally becomes, it is Abhay Bharti’s sublime love which enables her to go through the vicissitudes of life. It’s also the story of her loss as well as triumph against her own demons to find her true self.
Book title: Seeking Redemption

Current book or project you’re working on:
What moment or event sparked the inspiration for your novel?
Any crisis in life is also an opportunity to know an indestructible part of you hitherto unknown to you. Incidentally a professional crisis in my life that almost changed the course of my life including my relocation to a foreign land forced me pen down the things that was until now remain buried in life’s ongoing drama. For me, this was one such opportunities. Instead of losing myself in confusion and dilemma, I tried to channelize my energy into something that I always loved but never got enough time to pursue. And the book Seeking Redemption happened.

Please share three interesting facts about the characters in your book.
1) Never giving up attitude of Meera
2) Understated style of Abhay
3) Recklessness of Aman

What is the most complex issue you dealt with, as a writer, in your current novel?
Caste based reservation. I had to be balanced and for that I had to invent and execute events that should justify my stand about the issue.

Is any part of your story based on real events?
Yes, there are. Suicide by a student of a backward caste. Instances of corruption in medical practices that book describes.

If you could pick any well known or famous author to review your book who would you pick and why?
Ayn Rand. I always consider her as an author who had very clear views about existing political situation in Russia. And she had written great book where these contentious issues have been beautifully captured. I guess she would do justice with the review.

Since your story involves a medical graduate, did you need to do any research into the medical profession or a particular field?
I belong to medical profession. Being a medical student myself, I exactly knew what is to be like a medical graduate and I never needed any research for this.

Genre/Author/Reader:
What genre and age group does your book fall into?
Drama/Romance

What is the first book you remember reading that changed how you thought or felt about something?
Fountainhead

Name a lesson you learned about writing while working on this book?
The first draft is only the beginning, directly from the heart. It takes lot of patience and time to take it to final form which generally happens through mind which is logical rather than emotional.

How does politics play into your story line and does it parallel any political issues going on today?
It’s a love story against the backdrop of resentment and dilemma faced by youth because of caste based reservation in the country. The book although a fiction title does highlights the problems of the reservation system and its impact on the lives of youth.

How do wealth and financial losses or gains affect your character?
I believe that wealth is not a measure of a person’s class or values. The same reflects on my characters. They might get affected temporarily but it could never affect their integrity or change their values.

Have you learned any lessons about fighting ones demons, while writing this book?
It’s not once, every day we have to fight our demons. Well, perhaps I did learn to never give up whatever may be the circumstances while working on this book.

The process:
How many books have you written?
2

Which book is your favorite and why?
Seeking Redemption is my favourite book and being my first creative attempt, it obliviously is closest to my heart.

Do you write everyday or only when the mood strikes you?
I only write when I feel like. I try to make it as a routine but somehow I am never successful.

What were three challenges you faced when writing your book?
1) Becoming identified with one character and unable to do justice with other characters.
2) At times, unable to exactly express hat I felt as a character
3) Writer’s block

What keeps you going?
Nothing except my passion. Writing is very lonely job and there is no certainty that your work will see the light of the day. Only thing that keeps you going is your love for the writing.

Was there a time when you felt possessed by a character when you were writing? If so from which book and which character?
Yes. Meera from the book Seeking Redemption.

What part of the writing process is your least favorite?
Editing.

What part of being an author excites you the most?
Any idea that suddenly flashes in mind and excites me to think of a plot for my new story.

Do you have a writing process or do you just write?
I just write. I have never been formally trained in any writing process. I have never attended any workshop or training program. I write because I want to write.

Which book to movie conversion is your favorite?
Fault in our stars.

If you could spend one day with one person who has passed on who would you choose and why?
Abul Kalam Azad for his integrity and simplicity.

What do you think is the best social media that an author can use to promote their books?
Facebook and Goodreads.

Personal favorite info:
Drink – Tea
Food – Anything sweet
Vacation – New Zealand
TV show – Grey’s Anatomy
Movie – My Left Foot
Animal – Dog
Sport – Cricket
Book – The Notebook
Comedy – Kapil’s Comedy Show
Struggle – Insecurities
Addiction - Exercise

How can people connect with you?
Website/Blog: http://madhuvajpayee.blogspot.in/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadhuVajpayee
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madhu.vajpayee
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7349761.Madhu_Vajpayee

Where can readers find your book?

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