My Heritage and my Writing By Shobhan Bantwal

I was born and raised in a large, conservative Hindu family in a small town called Belgaum in Southwestern India. I was the black sheep of the family, the only tomboy and hellion in a family of five girls. My four sisters were angels—good little Brahmin girls with the perfect mix of academic achievement, modesty and deportment. Needless to say, I single-handedly gave my parents every gray hair they possessed, but they were wonderful parents and to a large degree I owe everything I am today to them. The most valuable things they gave me were an outstanding education and the love of reading.

An arranged marriage to a man who happened to live in the U.S. brought me to New Jersey several years ago.

My Indian heritage became the natural basis for my writing. As an Indian-American woman, I straddle two distinctly different cultures, both equally rich, both with their share of woes and quirks, yet both equally intriguing.

When I started to write, I decided to base my first story in India, and use my hometown as the backdrop. I gave it a fictitious name so as not to offend its denizens, but I had a perfect town with all its gossip and conservatism and color and sharp contrasts to draw upon for my stories. My characters are not based on any real people, but I could easily picture them living in my hometown, doing the things I did when I was growing. Even the convent, which my protagonist in my second book uses as a safe haven, is fashioned after the parochial school I attended as a young girl.

THE DOWRY BRIDE, my first book, was released by Kensington Publishing in September 2007. THE FORBIDDEN DAUGHTER, released in September 2008, is my second book and the one I am touring to promote at the moment. Information about my books and other writing is available on my website: www.shobhanbantwal.com

For more information about Shobhan Bantwal’s virtual tour, visit – http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/09/forbidden-daughter-by-shobhan-bantwal.html

The Forbidden Daughter can be ordered at: http://www.amazon.com/Forbidden-Daughter-Shobhan-Bantwal/dp/0758220308

The Forbidden Daughter by Shobhan Bantwal

I'm very glad to be hosting Shobhan on the first day of her virtual blog tour with Promo 101 Virtual Tours. She has a writing style that I think you will like and she isn't afraid to tackle the hot button topics. Read on to learn more about Shobhan Bantwal and The Forbidden Daughter.
What inspired the book?

A deep interest in women’s issues combined with the love of fiction inspired me to write a book about gender-based abortions in India. I had an opportunity to bring awareness to the issue by weaving it into a story of romance, intrigue and drama.

What makes this book special to you?

It allows me to voice my opinion on a social issue in a highly creative way. If I had written a non-fiction book on the subject, it would have been boring for me to write and very few people would have read it. A novel is a way to reach a broader audience.

What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

Many Americans, although aware of the general societal patterns of other countries, very rarely know about the more subtle social issues, both good as well as bad. THE FORBIDDEN DAUGHTER will provide them a rare glimpse into a culture that remains very private about certain negative elements.

What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

Daily newspaper and TV stories are a great source of creativity. For some odd reason, driving on the highway seems to trigger it for me, but sitting in front of a computer makes my creativity plunge to zero.

What has been the biggest stumbling block in your writing? Can you share some tips to help others get past similar problems?

My biggest stumbling block is my lack of computer savvy, which hinders my ability to use the Internet to optimum capability. Amazon optimization, blogging, chat room discussions, etc. are not something I can utilize for promoting my book mainly because of my inability to use technology.

What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

I believe people become authors because of their deep love for expressing their ideas and opinions to others. It is a way of communicating, by being a storyteller and narrator. For myself, my motivation was to acquire a hobby that would keep my mind alert and provide an outlet for my active imagination and creativity. When I took up creative writing, I had not really dreamed of being a published author, but as I wrote more and more, my ambitions expanded.

Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

I honestly wish I could think of something unusual to do, “outside the box” as they say, but so far I have done only the most traditional things.

FICTION - If there is a setting, tell us how you decided on that setting and what you did to create a complete and vivid setting for your readers?

I like a small town atmosphere, like the kind I grew up in, so I created a fictitious small town that is very similar to the town I was raised in. It made the visualization much easier, without having to struggle to build a new one. The descriptions came easily and the culture of course is latent to me, so that was not an issue.

FICTION - What inspires you about the hero or heroine in your book? What makes them memorable for the reader? What motivates the hero and/or heroine? You can include information about both if you want.

Both my hero and heroine are people of strong convictions and generous natures, and they act on them without regard for tradition or personal gain. I find that very inspiring. Their strength and ability to fight and survive, and even win in the face of adversity is what makes them memorable. The main motivator for my heroine is the need to protect her children at any cost. The hero is motivated by his inherent desire to be the ideal doctor – help people in trouble.

FICTION - Is there a villain or something that causes friction in your story? Tell us about what or who it is and how that contributes to the story. Any details about conflict and friction is good information to know.

The obstetrician who first suggests an abortion and later resorts to more serious crime is the one who first introduces friction in THE FORBIDDEN DAUGHTER. There are secondary villains who augment the main villain’s deeds with their in their own twisted way. They all serve to add tons of friction that lends plenty of action and drama to my story.

For more information about Shobhan Bantwal’s virtual tour, visit – http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/09/forbidden-daughter-by-shobhan-bantwal.html

The Forbidden Daughter can be ordered at: http://www.amazon.com/Forbidden-Daughter-Shobhan-Bantwal/dp/0758220308

You can visit Shobhan Bantwal at her website – www.shobhanbantwal.com

Promotional Interview with Shobhan Bantwal

You have been invited to share you experience with our readers.

Name: Shobhan Bantwal

Tell us about yourself - where you are from, how you got started writing, what you do when you are not writing (or anything you want our readers to know)

I was born and raised in India and immigrated to the U.S. as a young bride in an arranged marriage nearly 34 years ago. Writing is something I'd never dreamt I'd do. The creative bug got me rather late in life, when I hit 50. Yo-yo-ing hormones suddenly turned into a creative spark. I call it my 'menopausal epiphany'. When I'm not writing I'm working at my full-time career: working for the government.

What inspired you to write your first book?

When I wrote some articles for a number of Indian-American publications and they were received well, I started writing short stories. One of my stories won the top prize in a fiction competition and two of them won honors in other competitions. That gave rise to bigger ambitions and I took a creative writing course. The first novel started out as a short story for my class project. Later on I built on it and it became my first novel, THE DOWRY BRIDE.

How many books have you written?

About five, but only one has been published so far.

How do you decide on their topic?

No particular rhyme or reason. My imagination goes crazy at times and I just go with the ideas whenever they strike. I never write an outline, so I wing it as I go along. The story changes course a hundred times.

Do you write to make money or for the love of writing?

Mostly for the love of writing, but money doesn't hurt, does it?

What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used to gain visibility for you and your book(s)?

Book signings and author chats, and of course those boring bookmarks and postcards. I'm not very good at PR and marketing I'm afraid. That's why I'm seeking professional help from women like you and Dorothy Thompson.

What are some unique methods?

Giving away a 'Dowry Bag' through my website and at my signings has been a great method for me. The giveaway itself is not unique at all, but calling it a Dowry Bag was an idea that M.J. Rose, mentor/teacher and bestselling author, suggested to me, and I ran with the concept. It fitted in beautifully with my book's title and theme. My readers seem to love the term too. By the way, my Dowry Bags contain one signed copy of my book and a small variety of Indian gift items like spice mixes, a pashmina shawl, tea samplers, etc.

Do you sell through a website?

No. Traditional bookstores and standard on-line booksellers are the only way the book is being sold.

Do you plan on writing additional books?

Yes. I have a two-book contract with my publisher, so I'm rolling around some ideas for the second book with my editor.

Thank you for inviting me as a guest on your blog. It's been a lot of fun chatting with you.

Interview Presented by
Nikki Leigh - Author of Book Promo 101
www.nikkileigh.com/book_promo_101.htm
Book Promo 101 - Learn the Basics of Book Promotion