When Prashant Pinge is not writing children's fiction, he enjoys working on animation scripts and watching cartoons. At other times, he loves day-dreaming about magical realms and fantastic adventures. In fact, his most ardent desire is to give wings to his readers imagination, to immerse them in worlds they would otherwise never experience.
Prashant lives in Mumbai with his pretty wife, Avantika. But someday, he hopes to build a small wooden cottage, nestled deep inside a mystical forest. And here s a little secret. Prashant has a talking parrot named Raghu (he calls himself that). Other children s books by Prashant are: Avantika's Garden and Naughty Avantika, both published by Leadstart Publishing.
Prashant Pinge can be reached at:[email protected]
Interviews
Interview With Author Prashant Pinge
Today I bring another interview and a giveaway. Author Prashant Pinge stops by to chat about his writing and his book, Sceadu, (recently spotlighted here on the blog), plus he has a great Rafflecopter giveaway for everyone. So enjoy...
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.
I was born and brought up in Mumbai. I have a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and three postgraduate degrees in management. I started my career at Rockwell Collins in the US but later shifted back to Mumbai to join our family business. I am also a marketing and branding professional and have my own firm, Media Panther.
You’ve recently release a new YA novel, Sceadu. Can you tell us about the book?
A century old book transports four children to Sceadu, a land inside their shadows. The reluctant visitors search for a way back but find themselves chased by the Hefigans, creatures of Sceadu. The stakes are suddenly raised when an ancient prophecy foretells the doom of the world they left behind. Now, the children must navigate the dangerous terrain, overcome grave challenges and unlock the secrets of the shadow, or suffer the destruction of their own kind.
Sceadu is a fast-paced adventure which blurs the boundary between the physical and the psychological, the real and the mythical.
Did anything about the story surprise you when writing Sceadu?
When I set out to write a fantasy, it was meant to be just that. But what pleasantly surprised me was the way I managed to intricately weave together elements of psychology and mythology to create a logical basis for a land inside the human shadow.
As a writer, what is it about the fantasy genre that appeals to you?
I have always been a huge fan of the fantasy genre. It takes me to places that don’t find a place in the breadth of our world but reside in the depths of my imagination. And the best part: I don’t require a passport.
You write in multiple genres (children’s books, young adult, fantasy, historical fiction and romantic comedy). Do you have a favourite, or do you find each has its own merits?
While I started my literary journey with children’s fiction, I enjoy all the genres I work in. I feel the best part about writing in multiple genres is that it challenges my creativity in different ways and helps me grow as a writer.
What is your greatest challenge as a writer?
My greatest challenge as a writer is that my hand cannot even come close to matching the speed at which my mind is throwing out ideas. And this can be especially frustrating when the ideas are not related to the book I am working on at that point in time.
Who has inspired you as an author
I have been inspired by other authors such as Phil Pullman, Agatha Christie, and Somerset Maugham.
What do you enjoy when you're not writing? Any hobbies or other talents?
Apart from writing, I enjoy collecting old coins, reading fiction, travelling to exotic destinations, watching movies, and listening to music. I am keenly interested in psychology, mythology, and ancient history. I have also recently written and produced a short film titled Freedom of Expression.
What’s next for you?
I am currently working on a romantic comedy. I am also doing research for a work of historical fiction.
