Monday 15 September 2014

Interview with Ankit Author of On a Drive with Life


1. Can you tell us a little about yourself ,your blog(s)/website(s),and your aspirations and your hobbies!!
I was born in Patna, Bihar, the first son of Anil Sinha and Sudha Sinha. I spent my childhood in Patna where I completed my school from St. Karen’s Secondary School and Gyan Niketan. I went on to complete my B.Tech in Information Technology from Amity University, Noida in 2012. Of the few interesting hobbies I have and beyond all the weird stuffs I do to live my passion, wandering alone, though how weird it may seems, was the most alluring for me.  Well of course, it kindled numerous ideas for my stories.
Though I will always be a homesick by heart, I lives and work in Pune. If I am not working on my novel, you can find me reading,
On a Drive with Life, as a collection of short stories, was a concept that passed my mind some 4 years back. Slowly, but with dedication I have added into the collection. The collection includes love, tragedy, adventure, horror, separation, regret, desire, satisfaction, happiness and all the varied emotions. As the name suggests, the collection aims at taking the readers on a drive with their emotions, such that they share the emotions of the character.
 playing cricket, watching TV, or indulging in my unhealthy addiction to hanging out with friends.

2. How you first got involved in with blogging/writing, are you an imaginative person?
Reading always used to send me in a world so fascinating. Surely, it boosted my imagination which started stretching further and under the guidance of my father I started writing. I must add that my school played a great role in promoting such skills. And fortunately I had group of friends who were reading addicts. While there were mistakes, there was learning and slowly it got polished. It has been over six years and still I love to swim into the world of imaginations.

3. What do you find most challenging about blogging/writing about your topic?
The most challenging part for any author is to connect with his readers which can only happen if you are able to stir up their emotions and imaginations. And for that you have to imagine from the readers’ point of perception. Well, it was obviously a challenge, but again, is it not the main punch of writing! It spreads the boundaries of your imaginations even further and then you try to give your best and be as entertaining as you can.

4. Tell me about some of the people you have met while working on your blog?
It has been a long and wandering journey of over half a decade. Writing blogs, articles, stories and then “On A Drive With life!!” was never going to be easy. I was fortunate enough to find help and support from my father Anil Sinha, the Editor of Times Of India Mr. Rajkumar, My teachers like Mr. Parveen Sharma and friends Vidya Nair, Rohan Mundle, SurabhiDangi, Himani and the list goes on.

5. How would (someone) describe your blogging/writing style?
From personal experience, I mean a writer has to feel the emotions to write whatever he is writing. Yet maintaining the right shot through magical realism, horror, humor, adventure and romance and that is how a reader can describe my writing style.

6. What do you do when you are not working on your blog?
Well, wandering alone is the best way to kindle new ideas and themes for your writing especially when you are not exactly writing. But I prefer hanging out with friends, playing cricket and watching documentaries.
7 .Where do you see yourself blogging/writing wise in the next 6 months, and 5 years down the road?
I see reaching out to more and more readers six months from now. I am hoping to get credibility for my writing and planning to write 2 to 3 novels in the next 5 years.
8. What networking do you do that you feel helps your blogging/writing business?
The world of networking is quite huge though I try to reach out to as many of them out there. I mean, to gain attention, you indeed need to make a loud noise and for that I have 
Promotional Page Facebook:

Twitter:

@ankitdriveon
Promotional Trailer Youtube:
Promotional Blog:
Promotional Website:
9. How do you keep coming up with material/content for your blog? Many people struggle with coming up with different articles/posts and they only have one blog.
A nice question though. You have to keep that company which always acts as the driving force in your life. I have been blessed enough to have a good lot of friends. The more you discuss the more ideas you get and the more your work gets refined. For that you do need to always come up with new ideas.  A topic presented with a new perspective and dimensions itself shows the depth and enthusiasm of the writer.
10. Any specific tips you have for newbie bloggers who want to make it in the blogosphere?
There is no magic wand. You have to be patient and must not rush for success. Then it becomes more of a fanaticism rather than indulgence. Concentrate on content, theme and the readers you are targeting.
11. What would you prioritize? Content?SEO?Traffic?Readers?
Well, they all are like pillars without which none of one’s writing is worth in the present world. The most important of them all is your content without which you cannot connect with the readers. So the readers come second. But again your content cannot just fly away and reach everyone. For that one can have a SEO. I will give it third in the priority list. Surely, without promotion 99.99% of the audience doesn’t know about your work. When all the three goes step by step and in synch one eventually starts to get good traffic.
12. Whats the best thing a blogger can give to his readers?
The best thing any writer can give to its readers is a new perspective of thinking. A quality writing that really makes them think, relate and think again.
13. A lot of people are interested in blogging/writing for the money earning potential. What are some tips for people interesting in making money from blogging/writing? What are some realistic expectations in regards to what can be made?
Everyone has a passion and when passion becomes profession it can drastically change your life. Now it’s up to you whether you want to make this change a positive or a negative one. There is nothing wrong if someone wants to earn through his passion. Look at the sportsmen, authors and the actors. The main problem comes when you rush for it, forgetting why you started writing in the first place. The idea is simple, just give a quality work, enjoy it, promote it and you will start getting the rewards. Remember, labor reaps reward! You must always be practical and try to maintain the balance. You cannot have a short cut for success nor can you believe that the success is forever.
14. What motivates you most in life?
The will to get better and better is the only thing that keeps me motivated, moving one step ahead at a time.
15. What has been your strategy for creating visibility to yourself and your blog?
In the present world, nothing is possible if you are not on social media. Again a bit of publicity is also required. The main strategy includes writing a good content and start promoting it.
16. What was the most challenging moment in your blog content development process and why?
The most challenging part was to keep the stories moving yet keeping it to the point. As On A Drive With Life!! is a collection of short stories. Hence, you have to add all the flavors in the content, maintaining the quality of writing. And doing all of that in a short story was indeed challenging.
17. Everyone has a favorite/least favorite post. Name yours and why?
Dan Brown’s Angels & Demons was the best so far for me. Because content was fast, entertaining, yet indulging, mysterious and adventurous throughout.
18. Name some of the bloggers whom you look up to and why?
I always look to Dan Brown and JK Rowling.
19. What is the story behind the name of the blog?
The book “On A Drive With Life!!”is a collection of short stories. The main purpose for it was to put forth stories that portrayed the readers as the character. So that the readers feel being the part of stories, knowing that they also have been at those circumstances during various points in their lives. So as the name of the book goes. Reading over will give them a breath taking experience where they will have their own flashbacks and rollout on a drive with life.
20. Your connection with any Blogger Network like Indi blogger or Writeupcafe or any other and the experience?
I am active in Writerscafe.org and I must add that the experience was quite learning. You write and they give you the reviews and receiving that from proficient writers indeed makes you better.
21. Which genre do you feel gets the raw deal?
I think humor needs some serious attention. Indeed it is one of the most difficult demand of writing but if written well it can quickly connect with the readers.

22. Which one plug-in would you suggest all bloggers to have?
Your target audience is the only game changer. Identify your audience and provide them with the quality writing they deserve.

23. Five adjectives that describe you.
Ambitious, Confident, Diligent, Motivated and Hard Working

24. What book would you say has made the biggest impact good or bad on you?
Harry Potter series was the first book that had an impact. But yes, I also loved Master of the Games by Sidney Sheldon a lot.

25. Do you get easily provoked by positive/negative comments??
Initially I was. But again is it not the process of learning and getting mature! I must admit that I have got more negative than positive comments throughout my writing career. It always comes down to one thing, how you take it. Do you choose to learn from it or do you want to keep justifying yourself. I am glad that I have learnt to take it as ladder that 
will eventually and hopefully take me to new heights.

26. Do you plan to write a book, as every bloggers dream it is?
As you know my recent novel “On A Drive With Life!!” is out in market and is quickly gaining readers. I am in the process of writing another novel which may be out in the market by the end of next year.

27. Are you a judgmental person, do you prefer to take sides instead of standing neutral?
I won’t say that I am judgmental. But when it comes to taking sides between what is right and what is easy, I pray that I take the right decision. But when you are neutral you usually become a mute spectator with no role to play in life. And I mean that is not what the goal of life is. We must always take a stand whenever it is necessary.

28. Your collaboration with other bloggers, are you much into social networking, tell us everything about it?
I have not much collaboration with other bloggers but yes I am very much active on Social networking. I have a facebook page dedicated wholly to On A Drive With Life!!which has quickly received huge number of likes. On twitter I have considerable number of followers. I receive high hits on my blog www.ankitdriveon.blogspot.com. You can also find few trailers of the book available on youtube. You can also find numerous reviews about the book posted online. I have a dedicated website for the same www.ankitdriveon.weebly.com . The world of social networking is never ending and I think I will continue catching up with it.

29. What genre attracts you the most and which genre you avoid?
I like fiction the most, especially fantasy stories. I am seriously not sure that which genre I avoid the most because in my recent book “On A Drive With life!!” I have tried to cover all considering the premises of fiction stories. I would rather say, I have a long way to go and if I am fortunate enough I will love try all of them.

30. Your Views on Contests and increasing plagiarism?
Usually contests are mean to bring out the best on you. But again it doesn’t define your talent as a whole. I may be a very good sportsman but if I am constantly in news for all the bad stuff then I am an overall failure. While contests can be encouraging but they in no sense justify a man’s potential.
When we talk about globalization, in simpler terms we say that the world is becoming a shrinking village. No matter what we want, is available just on the click of a mouse button. I think there should be a proper system in place to have a check on plagiarism.

31. Words for me and my blogs Desire v/s Destiny and Blogger Interviews and my Website www.MyMagicJobs.com
Your interviews play a good role in helping the reader understand the writer and his work.  I must add that the making the voice of new writers heard through is indeed a noble effort. I commend you for that. Desire v/s Destiny, rightly said that it is like two 
fighters on either side. An applause for your work.

32. On winning the Award/s , Are they Really necessary.
I will be honest with you. Awards gives you a sense of achievement. But again it is not about boasting. The love of your fans, their praises and their encouragement is all what a writer needs.

33. So whatsNext in your list?
At present I am still busy with “On A Drive With Life!!” by reaching out to as many readers as I can. I am writing a fantasy novel which I am sure will provide all the flavors. In the meantime I will continue writing blogs and continue being in touch with the readers.

34.Words for your readers and why they should follow you?
I would just convey the message of my book. Life goes on. We all have had our own experiences and again no one is perfect. As reading the book you will know, that whatever you are and wherever you are, you are doing well and are at a better place. The decisions you took in your life were the best, taking the circumstances specific to your own life. So, join me, read it while we together roll out on a drive with life!

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