Author Sailee Tiwari recently won Sri Aurobindo Indian Literary Award, 2022 for her excellent contribution to Literature. Cherry book awards believes she is a star of Indian Literature. We caught up with her for an exclusive interview. Here it is:
1. What inspires you to keep inspiring people through your literary creations?
For a writer, to be able to express in the form of words is the most beautiful thing. This is an inspiration in itself. And I feel I am utterly honest when I write and perhaps connect with the similar emotions of readers.
2. Share about your published books.
I have published a mix of short stories, and poetry as well as a novella. In all, there are 4 books under my contribution. ‘Extraordinary’ is my debut novel, others are ‘The Crooning Wishes’, ‘Eternal Trudges’, and ‘Sparkle In You.’
3. What are the qualities of a good author?
A good author must be filled with a plethora of ideas and creativity. And must be eager to learn, grow, seek and nurture. An open and keen mind and a craving for knowledge would be an add-on.
4. Share some of your major literary achievements.
She has won several awards like India Prime Icon Award 2021 in association with Foxclues, Kalam Ratna Awards, ‘Special mention’ in Cherry Awards, Spectrum awards for ‘Inspiring Women 2021’, Writer’s Ink Awards 2021, Sahityakosh Samman 2021 and so on. Team Storiyan has also interviewed her.
She is featured on various news channels and magazines like Outlook India, The Week, The Inspirant, DailyHunt, Taare Zameen Par, Menafn, The Celeb Lyf, and Nagpur Oranges. She has also contributed to one of the top podcasts for authors called ‘Reading The Author’.
5. What is your advice to young and budding writers who want to publish their debut books?
Writing is meditation and an inward journey that connects you to your mind and soul. I would suggest writing with passion and earnestly without setting expectations.
6. What kind of books do you love to read? Name any three books apart from your books that you would recommend to all.
I love thriller, fantasy genre, and contemporary fiction. And self help books sometimes.
A few of my favourites are ‘The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari’, ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’, ‘Brida.’
7. As an author, is it important to write in simple or high end language, and why?
It must come with the author’s writing style that naturally comes with flow and lucidity. I don’t think that only rich language can convey aptly and touch the readers. It all depends on the skill and creativity of the writer.
8. In your opinion, how can the decreasing readership trend, especially in India can be stopped from further decline?
It could be sustained by the use of more libraries in schools and colleges and towns as well. And encouraging the youth to be reading more books instead of digitally taking the essence. It could be by sensitizing the beauty of reading and connecting with the books.
