Shikha Sharma Speaks to Spectralhues

Shikha Sharma is a nineteen year old student of Delhi University. Her debut novel “I Loved too Much… He Loved too Many!” will hit the stores early next year. An avid reader, Shikha works as an Editor and has edited many books. She considers writing to be her most profound passion and thinks that “a day spent without writing is a day wasted.”

Spectralhues got in touch with Shikha; in an interesting conversation with Susmita Bose, Shikha reveals her plans, herself and her upcoming book.

Congratulations on your debut novel “I loved too much… he loved too many”.  Please Tell us briefly about the book…

Thank you so much. The book is an urban fiction which revolves around modern day relationships, teenage, possessiveness, jealousy, infidelity, obsessions and a lot more. It is the journey of the protagonists in discovering love, the journey which had a lot more stored for them. Plus, being a Delhiite, how could I miss the mention of Delhi? So the book portrays the Delhi of 2011.

Shikha Sharma

What was the inspiration for this story?  Is the story taken from real life incidents?

I wanted to write a book since I was nine! So there was no need for inspiration, just the need of pushing back my laziness was there. There are some incidents that are borrowed from my life and from the people around me but I have weaved it all in an entirely fictitious plot.

Are you tense as your first novel is about to enter the market?

Yes, but more than tensed, I am excited! I am just keeping the fingers crossed and just hoping for the best.

The title is interesting and tells a lot by itself! What made you settle for it?

(Laughs) Since the title came out; a lot of people have appreciated it and with each appreciation comes another reason to smile. During the writing phase, I did change the title about five-six times but once, this title, “I loved too much… he loved too many!” came up, I could not settle up for anything else. I wanted something catchy to be the title and I hope it fits the bill.

What kind of response are you expecting from the readers?

Well, I am a day dreamer and a die-hard optimist. I want the readers to love this book, the way I do (laughs). I just wish that it meets the expectations of the readers.

Have you targeted any particular type or group of readers?

No, not exactly. I want people from all age groups to read this book. But I guess that the majority of readers would be teenagers or the people in their 20’s.

Considering that you are a debutant author how is your experience with your publisher?

Well… it was not that easy but still I consider myself to be lucky that I met all the right people at the right time. Since I was already working as an Editor so things became bit easy for me, plus, I am indebted to Mahaveer Publishers for all their support and guidance and also for bearing with my impatience.     

Could you tell us something about yourself: your ambitions, goals …?

When I was a little girl, my mom wanted me to be a Magistrate, dad wanted me to be a doctor, I wanted to be an actress, so I used to tell mom that I will manage all the things together and she used to laugh and tell me that it was not possible but it was really tough to make me understand. Today I am an author (almost! The book would be out in January), an Editor, a content writer and a student too. So it feels great to pull four things together. But I wish to make a mark in IT or Telecom Industry in future but it is for sure that I won’t ever give up writing.
 

Apart from writing, what other interests or passions do you have?

Apart from writing, I love to read, I am the kind of reader who would read whatever and whenever I can but being a workaholic leaves me very less time for it these days. Moreover, I love being with my pets, i.e. my two rabbits and they keep me on my toes, whole day long. So all this makes sure that there is no time to even think about other interests.

Please tell us about the books and authors that have inspired you as a person, a student, and an author…

My Maternal Grandfather was a writer; I guess it’s all because of him that this urge to pick up the pen happened. I came across “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte during my First year in English Honours and yet the fascination for it hasn’t ended and I absolutely love the work by Dan Brown, Cecilia Ahern, Shakespeare, Stephenie Meyer and the list is endless. And among Indian writers, I simply adore Ruskin Bond and Vikram Seth. And I admire Novoneel Chakraborty’s way of writing a lot.

And finally, any message for readers who would buy your books…

I would just wish them a happy reading! I would love to hear from them and would welcome their feedbacks, no matter good or bad, with a smile.

Thank you very much for your time. Happy Dusserah, Shikha! Wish you all the best.

That was Shikha Sharma! Spectralhues wishes her all the very best for her debut novel as well as for her future endeavors.

• About the Author

About Sprightly Spirit

“I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares more is none”. And all, may be. It may be the vigor. Or the spirit. Or the courage to avoid being “politically correct” or bent. And, ban all averse with immaculate overture of graciously fathomable words firm in views. Subtle. Justifying the undying conscience. Values. Knowledge. And, dares to stay true. True to own. True to the world. And, to the words. With a dream in eyes it exists. In you. In me. In all. The sprite that never shies away. The spirit that never dies!