Author interview: Jigar Solanki on his latest book 'An Imperfect Set'

There aren't many people who have read the manuscript. Those who have, say it is less dramatic than the first one. It has a sense of realism. Which was exactly what I was going for.

What kind of books inspire you as a writer? Who are your favorite authors?

Anything that stirs something in me. It isn't limited to books. I love stories. Be it science fiction or romance. I like the work of J. K. Rowling, George R R Martin and Stephen King.

Why did you want to become a writer? Who inspired you to become a writer? What triggered you to come into writing?

I always saw stories around me. I loved to hear and tell them. I was just a little late in realising that it was my calling. I was in the last year of my graduation. I was going on some crazy adventure at night with some of my closest friends and I told one of my friends that I was going to write about what we did. He said you must. And thus I wrote a novella on my college life and friends. So you can say it was my friends who made me realise this and nudged me into writing.

What are you doing to let readers know about your book?

The book will be available online so I'll focus on digital marketing. I will run some campaigns. I'm creating a buzz in my friend circle and they will do so in their friend circles. I'll do a giveaway on Goodreads. Then it is all about the quality of your content. Your book should do the rest of the work.

Tell us something about your book. Some highlights.

It is a journey of two unlikely people through an arranged marriage. It is a story of thousands of Indian couples who go through it and make it work. It is a story of Rahil who is stuck at a point in his life and is unable to move on. It is a story about Diya who feels Rahil is the one for her and they can make it work. It is a story about second chances. It is a story about forgiveness and living a life that God has chosen for you.

Tell us something about yourself and your background.

I am your generic middle class guy with dreams in his eyes. I have seen some good and bad days in my life. And it has all but made me a better person. I have dared to dream of becoming a successful writer and I work tirelessly towards that dream. My academics include B.Pharm. and MBA.

Do you plan to take it up as a full time profession if response is good?

It is the plan anyway. If not now, someday. It won't be a heat of the moment decision to leave my current job as it is paying the bills right now. A day will come when I can sustain myself and my family financially whilst doing what I love to do. That day I will pursue this profession full time.