Thank you for the kind compliments! It really means a lot when an author, such as yourself responds so positively towards us, bloggers! Likewise, it fuels my passion to write better posts. YA dystopia is one of my favourite genres!

What was your inspiration behind your works? How did you started writing?

I have been writing since I was five. Cliché but true. I knew I was going to become an author very early in life. But in my early years it was more important for me to be independent, to travel and see the world. To find myself in some way I think. So I ended up living in Bombay, Singapore, HongKong and then in London. My teen years were spent in Bombay and then HongKong had a big impact on me. When I first landed in HongKong I found my heart would race, beat hard every night... so loudly I couldn’t sleep. I went to a kinesiologist who told me it was because I was someone very in tune myself and landing in HongKong which was the base chakra of the universe... the cradle of all greed, had shocked me. The flower essences she recommended to help soothe my inner self really helped. This experience is what confirmed my faith in the unseen, that there are forces we can't see but can feel, which really play a big role in our life. I started writing properly in HongKong. And my first novel, the Destiny of Shaitan was born there. Perhaps that's why I write dystopian fantasy. Because HongKong is such an urban, contradictory landscape. Then in writing The Destiny of Shaitan... one of the characters Ray, came from a dystopian Bombay. Once I started writing a futuristic Bombay there was no going back. I read a lot of dystopian YA set in a futuristic Chicago, SF, NY... but I think dystopia is today in Bombay. You know what I mean? Its hot, arid, urban, and totally dysfunctional. So what better setting then for a kickass-yet-confused character like Ruby than Bombay.

 So far how many books have you written? And if you can pick a favorite, which one will it be?

The Destiny of Shaitan, The Ruby Iyer Diaries, The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer, have been published. I completed Return to 7 Islands, the sequel to Shaitan, which is complete but not yet published. And now I am writing The Second Life of Ruby Iyer, the sequel to The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer. I love them all... though Ruby Iyer has her own energy. She is one happening girl who has her own mind. Ruby leads and I follow.

What tips would you give to young writers who are just starting to embark on their writing journey? I love writing, but for some reason I can’t write professionally.

Start a blog. Try to blog every week. It helps you find what you want to say, why you are the way you are, and what you are passionate about. It also helps you understand what people like about your writing, and how much you are willing to compromise... or not. How much will you stick to the vision you are seeing and not be swayed by popular opinion. And helps you develop a thick skin... which you need when people don't like your books and your characters.

Writer’s block, how do you overcome it?

I think you have to write yourself out of a writer's block. That's all we can do right? Keep writing. A word, a sentence, a paragraph, a page.... a book. Many books...

Do you have any writer’s pet peeves?

I need to drink lots of hot, chai – each sweetened with at least two spoonful of sugar. It’s my fuel!

I love music! Can you share with us what songs that sings to you when you write?

I listen to electronica music when I write. My favourite is an internet radio station called afterhoursdj.org. It plays sets by little known Dutch DJ's. Very Indie and underground. Yet hugely stimulating. Oh! Yes. I can't write without this music. Other than that my faves are Eminem, 50 cent, Damien Rice (have you heard him? He is awesome), and MJ. Love MJ and Prince.

I love Indie music, they lift my spirits and sing to me personally. My favourite song of Damien Rice is 9 Crimes! 

What was your best encounter with a fellow reader?

My fave meeting was with DDS – Debdatta Sahay – a blogger, who read 260 books last year. She recently broke the Limca book of Records for most books reviewed in India. Wow! That was something. It’s amazing to meet bloggers like DDS and you who love to read. You keep me going!

Tell us something random about yourself!

I love the colour purple. And I am obsessed with trees. Love forests. When I die, I want my ashes to be spread across the roots of #treeoflaxmi. It’s a tree I photograph every day... so I see the seasons come and go around it. But the tree stays there, grounded, firm, holding its own. Gosh that's how I want to be.

Tree of Laxmi! I would love to see it! 

 Besides writing, what are your other passions?

My only other passion is my husband J heheh. Yah. We met at a rock concert... and it was love at first sight. And he is an author and journalist. My idol in many ways too, because he just always knew he was going to do something related to films and writing early in life and he didn’t hesitate to follow his inner voice. So I find that very inspiring.

Aww.. there's nothing that I love more than true love. I am happy that you have a loving husband that is inspiring to you in so many ways. 

Cats or dogs?

Tigers

Sunrise or sunset?

Twilight

Vampires or werewolves?

Vamp-wolves J

Living in the hills or by the beach?

In a forest

Who is your favorite person in the world?

Ruby Iyer

Favorite musician?

Prince

Favorite movie?

Classic: Out of Sight (Clooney and JLo)

Today: Hunger Games

What is your life motto?

Just do it

 Hot or cold?

Blistering hot

 Favorite food?

Ginger Beer J

Okay :P Maybe a teeny bit over the top.