As a writer you’d want to write about different things, but I keep coming back to write about Mumbai. This city is in my soul,” says Neelam Kumar, whose latest book Myra is set against the backdrop of Mumbai. The book is an omnibus, covering four genres — thriller, film script, self-help and autobiography.
Apart from being a scribe, Neelam also works as the deputy GM for a corporate house and even conducts workshops on how to write a book in six easy steps.
Ask her why she chose to write an omnibus for her latest venture and she says, “Every time I read books, I felt that they should be a reflection of every aspect of life. For example, a romance novel would limit the scope of life as an experience, as life isn’t divided into genres. So why should a book?”
Explaining how it works, she says, “Myra, the thriller, is about a young girl, who comes to Mumbai to avenge herself, while the theme of the film script is that of love striking you in the autumn years of life.”
She goes on to add, “Then comes the self-help book followed by the autobiography, which works like a survivor’s guide to life. “Life’s given me several gems of wisdom, which I want to share with others who are flying solo.” Neelam’s last book, Our Favourite Indian Stories, published in 2002, was co-authored by Khushwant Singh. About working with the veteran novelist, she says, “Before I met Mr Singh, I thought I knew how to write, but after meeting him, I realised I didn’t know anything. He is a literary giant of our country and is like family to me.”
{{/usCountry}}She goes on to add, “Then comes the self-help book followed by the autobiography, which works like a survivor’s guide to life. “Life’s given me several gems of wisdom, which I want to share with others who are flying solo.” Neelam’s last book, Our Favourite Indian Stories, published in 2002, was co-authored by Khushwant Singh. About working with the veteran novelist, she says, “Before I met Mr Singh, I thought I knew how to write, but after meeting him, I realised I didn’t know anything. He is a literary giant of our country and is like family to me.”
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