Interview with Milind M. Kulkarni

Published 2017-10-22.
What's the story behind your latest book?
I had this fictional topic in my mind for a long time (almost for four years) and finally decided to develop it to its full length. I was initially procrastinating writing this fiction due to my accounting profession, but as ideas kept coming my mind, that stimulated a desire to complete and publish the fiction as an e-book.
You say it is a romance, but from the sample one just gets to read about a formal relationship of customer and vendor.
This is just a beginning of the relationship and as you read on subsequent chapters, you will see how they come closer to each other and their relationship develops. This fiction is about a journey from formal introduction to intimate relations. Unfortunately in the free sample, people get to read only that part where their relationship starts and is more formal. You can't judge looking at New York, how will Las Vegas be like.
You have republished the book. What changes have you made in it and why?
I have republished the book and also added a new cover page that suits more to the soul of my story. I have also added an erotica between the lead characters towards the end of the book which will add spice to the joy of your reading. due to all these reasons, I decided to republish the book.
If your protagonists are Indian, why should Americans read your e-book?
It is not fully correct that the protagonists are Indian. The female character is born in USA and had never been to India before she meets her love. Secondly, I would rather say, just substitute American names in place of the Indian names and you will absolutely enjoy the story. The only reason of putting Indian names here is the hero (male lead character) comes from Indian middle class background and I wanted to show clash of two cultures in my fiction, one originating from more conservative family oriented tradition and the other being freedom oriented business minded pragmatic personality. No one wins or loses in this clash, but both accept each other's beauty heartily while affirming their love.

The readers will definitely enjoy this and relate to some of the uniqueness in American society also. For example, the girl initially tries to show the boy down and calls him H-1B in jest over his work visa. The boy being from a conservative background, is reserved in nature whereas the girl being an affluent American, is outspoken and blunt. Through their confrontation, their relation develops and how they come closer is a not-to-be-missed.

I believe love is a universal feeling and no country has a copyright over it. So, be it American or Indian, this fiction has been written such a way that everyone will absolutely enjoy it. Lastly, there were several Hollywood movies which had no Indian connection whatsoever, but have made blockbuster business in India. The list includes Home Alone and Titanic. If something totally American can be so well accepted in India, why can't be a partly Indian story accepted in America?
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes. of course. It was written in employees' blog where I was working that time. It was a humorous story with a sad end and was not received so well by my colleagues. I realized the anomaly and changed its end after which, I got many encouraging comments.
What is your writing process?
There are certain topics which possess my mind and as I start developing story around it, I start getting new ideas to proceed along. Many times, I think some punch lines or some dramatic sequences when I am walking alone or am in a moving vehicle. There was a blog post I was writing which I wanted to end with a twist, but didn't know how to do that. I was traveling in a bus around that time. As the bus took a right turn, suddenly an idea came my mind and that became the end of my blog post. After I have a sizable stuff to write, I sit before my computer and key in.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
We humans naturally love hearing or reading stories. As a child, I used to love hearing stories from elders. Perhaps that was my first encounter with stories. Later, when I started reading, I used to love reading stories (fictions). But I don't exactly remember when it was that I read my first story. What I am sure is that it was in my mother tounge Marathi.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I am an accountant by profession and my profession is a huge source of my input material to base my literature on. However, I use a lot of imagination and intuition (whatever I have) in writing my work. I like to day-dream a lot, which also has some connection with my writing work.
How do you approach cover design?
Though I would like to groom myself better for cover design, I ensure to make it tasteful and coherent with the topic on which, my e-book is based.
What do you read for pleasure?
For pleasure, I like to read fictional pieces, novels, blogs of some of my favorite authors, etc.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I am more comfortable with a large computer screen, but it depends on person to person how he/ she wants to read e-books.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
I have some of the social connects on facebook, twitter, Google+ which I count on to market my books.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in city of Mumbai where professionalism is order of the day. Literature, writing, etc. were supposed to be sure ways to ruin your life. I had to control my longing for literature and pursue my profession of accountancy. As I shifted to a comparatively peaceful city of Pune, I can now pursue my desire of writing which is another side of my life in addition to being an accountant. Both are two sides of my life and it will be incomplete without any one of them.
What do your fans mean to you?
My fans mean a lot to me. They are my world and I am because of them.
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