Today, for the Literary Exhibitionist exclusive interview, I’m speaking with Kaye George, a novelist and MTW_2017 participant who lives in Knoxville, TN. Her newest book is Death on the Trek, an alternate prehistory mystery. I asked her to summarize the plot, since this is a genre that is new to me: The Neanderthal tribe of Enga Dancing Flower must trek south to flee the approaching glacier, but the distance is long and the food is scarce. When a venerable elder drowns crossing a flooded river, Enga suspects that it was not an accident, and that a murderer travels with them. Sounds great. Tell me something that the blurb doesn’t reveal: This is the second in my People of the Wind series. I’ve used North America for the setting of the books, although Neanderthals were unlikely to have ever lived there. I did that because I love the mega-fauna in North America of 30,000 years ago. The mega-fauna didn’t disappear until about 10,000 years ago, but the Neanderthals, as a recognizable separate people, were gone about 28,000 years ago. My goal in writing this series is to let everyone who doesn’t already know that recent discoveries have drastically changed old perceptions of these people, at the same time as providing an entertaining read and a mystery puzzle. What was your favorite or most surprising comment/review about the book? Why? My favorite comment is one that several people have made (including a couple of agents who didn’t take on the project because they said they didn’t know how to sell it), that my books are better than Jean Auel’s. How could I not like that? If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet? One I would like to know would be Charles Dickens, if I could only pick one. If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? That’s a tough question! Neanderthals are physically different from modern man, so a lot of movie magic would have to happen, to make them look wider and stronger. Maybe Ben Affleck could play Tog Flint Shaper, so I could meet him. For the same reason, I’d like Abigail Spencer from the TV show, “Timeless,” to play Enga Dancing Flower. On second thought, I’ll have her co-star, Matt Lanter or Tog. Enga has flaming red hair and Tog is dark-eyed, but that shouldn’t be a problem for Hollywood. What other jobs have you held (even what you’re doing currently): I’ve done tons of different things, but my second favorite job (writing is my first) was being a contract computer programmer. I told one of my bosses that, at that time with kids still in the house, my favorite thing to do after they all got off to school was to sit and have a second cup of tea and work crossword puzzles in the paper. And there I was, I told her, having tea and working gigantic puzzles, and being paid for it. What gave you the idea to write this book? The incredible new discoveries about Neanderthals. Some of them have been because of the sequencing of a genome belonging to one and some have been because of new excavations. As I delved into the research for this project, I found out that almost every theory and every interpretation of new discoveries are argued from at least two angles. This gives me the freedom to pick the theory that suits my purposes. The discovery of flowers with a body has been said to mean that they their dead with ceremony. This also infers some organized spiritual beliefs. I chose for them to bury only the tribe leaders like this, and for them to be developing spiritual beliefs over the span of several books. What percent Neanderthal are your own genes, if I might be so bold as to ask? I’m 2.9 percent according to the 23 And Me test. Everyone who has European ancestry is between 1 and 4 percent Neanderthal, the result of interbreeding long. long ago. I love the thought that I carry them around with me. Wow, that begs the question as to whether or not you were offended by the old Geico Cavemen commercials, but I digress. Are you traditionally published or self-published and why? Yes. I self-publish one series, have two series published by small presses, and was lucky enough to land a series with Berkley Prime Crime (Penguin Random House). Why? I guess it just happened that way. My self-published series was with a small press, but I was unhappy there, so I took it back after one book and put out two more myself. The two small press series were queried and didn’t find agents, but found homes with Barking Rain Press and Untreed Reads. I’m very happy with both of them. I’m grateful to all three of my publishers for getting my books out there. What former author training/writing have you had, if any? I did take fiction writing courses at Northwestern University, eons ago when I attended there. I graduated with a major in Russian Studies, but that’s a whole ‘nother story. More recently, when I decided to write full time, I’ve taken online courses from Margie Lawson, Mary Buckham, as well as many others through the Guppies Chapter of Sisters in Crime. I’ve also attended, in person, weekend workshops with Mary Buckham and with Donald Maass. Do you belong to any writer’s groups? Which ones and how have they helped you? I belong to the above-mentioned Guppies. It’s the online chapter of Sisters in Crime, originally formed by unpublished writers to help each other get published. It’s been a great help to my writing career. I’ve served as treasurer and as president. When I’ve lived where there was a local Sisters in Crime chapter, I’ve belonged to those, too, and miss being where there is one! I also belong to the Short Mystery Fiction Society, a big help to my short story writing. I’m a member in absentia of the Austin Mystery Writers, a critique group I belonged to when we lived there. What conferences have you attended and what value have you found in attending conferences? Ever since my first one at least 12 years ago, I’ve attended Malice Domestic. The networking is fun and valuable. I love meeting people I’ve only previously connected with online. It’s also a great time to sit and talk with other writers, for ideas and inspiration and support. I’ve also attending a couple of Left Coast Crime conferences, and several others that have gone by the wayside. I’ve loved all of them. Where can Readers Find You? I’ll be participating in Mystery Thriller Week on February 15, 16, and 17. On the 15th, I’ll give away Choke, the first book in the Imogene Duckworthy humorous Texas mystery series. On the 16th, I’ll give away Eine Kleine Murder, the first in the Cressa Carraway Musical Mysteries. And on the 17th, I’ll give away Death in the Time of Ice, which is the first in the People of the Wind series. Kaye was kind enough to share an excerpt of Death on the Trek with us:
Enga Dancing Flower watched the progress of the boy who was making his way down the hill from the Holy Cave. This was the last time he would bring the fire from the small mountain to the Paved Place for the nightly meeting in their long-time home, the last time he, or any of the tribe, would ever visit the Holy Cave. For many seasons, it had been the task of Akkal to tend both the permanent fire in the Holy Cave and the community fire in the village. When rain sometimes put out that fire, the black-haired Fire Tender diligently prepared the pit at the center of the meeting place and brought new fire down before the next meeting time. The warm and cold times cycled, as they always did, and the most warm time was coming. The night breath of Mother Sky held only a trace of chill. The birds in the woods surrounding the village were making soft peeps while they bedded down so that they could rise up again with Sister Sun, completing that cycle, and sing at full voice. The fire Akkal carried lit his face from below, its light throwing flickering shadows across his young features and glinting off his long dark hair and eyes. Smoke trailed after him. The leader of the tribe, Hama, the Most High Female, had summoned them after they ate their evening meal, as usual. But this was far from the usual meeting. The meal had only been a few bites and that was not usual either. Although it took place at the normal time, soon after Sister Sun disappeared, this meeting was different. The tribe knew that this was their last time of no sun in the place most of them had lived for all their days. At new sun, they would depart. Most of the huge mammoth they had always hunted had fled. Moons ago, before this last dark season, a group of males had journeyed far enough to see the gigantic, looming field of Great Ice. It was moving, very slowly, but the movement was toward them. The animals the Hamapa tribe depended on, which were mostly mammoth, were scattering. Some had migrated toward the ice, onto the barren, frozen land that lay before it, in its path. The tribe could not live in that place. Some animals had fled to places with more warmth. That was where they would go. This decision had been made after much discussion and pondering. The decision had not been easy, but all were satisfied that it must be so. They must depart. Every heart was heavy, every brow worried, even though they knew it was a necessary thing they would do. Everyone, males, females, children, had spent their time packing up what they would be able to carry with them. At new sun they would depart. Enga felt the heavy sorrow. Even though each one cloaked every thought in the darkest colors of night, their grief was heavy enough to drip through. Enga looked up, almost expecting to see a black cloud of dark thoughts above the gathering. Mother Sky looked down on them with her many twinkling eyes. Brother Moon, almost at his fullest, seemed to smile and say he would be with them on their travels. The fire pit sent out a familiar warmth and the comforting smell of smoke, as it always did. These were not enough to lift the spirits of Enga. Hama stood. Before she was elected leader, her name had been Rho Lion Hunter because she had killed a lion by herself. She was thick of body with dark, intelligent eyes. She sent out a public thought, bathed in brightest red so that everyone could receive it in their minds. Singer will sing a Song of Asking for our long journey so that the Spirits will be kind as we travel. Lakala Rippling Water, the Singer, started with a Song of Blessing to Mother Sky. Her voice, usually confident and fluid, wavered with fright. When she finished, she next sent a Song of Asking into the night air. She gained strength, tilting her head upward so that her trilling notes surely reached to Mother Sky and beyond, to her child, the Most High Spirit Dakadaga. The Singer asked for safety, strength, guidance, and success in finding a new home for the tribe.
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Win a free copy of my kinky, real estate-related psychological thriller, Expired Listings by entering my Amazon Giveaway!! Limited time only, enter today! Good luck and Happy 2017! Today’s exclusive interview with with author and MTW_2017 participant, Sherrie Whaley Frontz who writes as S.W. Frontz. Sherrie hails from Johnson City, Tennessee and her most recent book is titled, Don’t Look Back (Book Two in the Land’s End Series. It’s available in both Kindle and paperback formats. Let’s take a sneak peek at the blurb: Last autumn Sheriff Andy Patrick rescued his wife, Samantha, after she was kidnapped by Matt Ruiz. Samantha has retreated into a protective shell, afraid to leave home and pushing away the people who love her. Her daughter enlists the help of family friend, Kellyn. Kellyn has plenty of experience dealing with victims of sexual crimes. Kellyn comes to Land’s End to help Samantha, but she brings trouble with her. By saving Samantha, will Kellyn be able to save herself? Tell us something(s) about the book that the blurb doesn’t reveal: One of the villains in the book actually does a good deed. I’m not going to say more, I don’t want to give away any secrets. Any Upcoming Promotions/Giveaways/Events We Should Know About? December 19-January 19: Goodreads giveaway for Don’t Look Back What was your favorite or most surprising comment/review about the book? A reviewer said that my story kept her on the edge of her seat. It made me feel good because that’s what I want to do. If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet (have met) and why? Margaret Mitchell. She wrote Gone with the Wind. Do I need to say more? If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? Kelly Giddish as Kellyn, Tom Selleck as Blake, Jason Beghe as Dalton, Molly Hagan as Sam and Enrique Iglesias as Madison When and why did you decide to become a writer? My parents gave me a portable typewriter for Christmas when I was 12. I started a novel then but never finished. I wrote short stories and poems throughout my teens. Life took over and it wasn’t until about four years ago a good friend and author convinced me to start writing again. I began working on my first novel, When the Morning Comes, in 2013, but I kept changing it and putting it away until early 2016. I focused and I finally finished and published When the Morning Comes (Book One in the Land’s End Series) in late April of 2016. What other jobs have you held? I was a secretary for 10 years, then a sales agent for 3 and I’ve been a homemaker for 21 years. What are you working on next and when do you expect it to be on the shelves? I’m working on Book three, as yet untitled and I hope to publish by May of 2017 Are you traditionally published or self-published and why? Self-published. I can set my own deadlines. Do you belong to any writer’s groups? Which ones and how have they helped you? I just recently joined the Mystery Thriller Week group. Everyone that I’ve had contact with has been super supportive. If you were going to dabble in a different genre, what would it be? Southern humor Today’s exclusive interview is with novelist and MTW_2017 participant, Judy Penz Sheluk. Writing from her home in Toronto, Judy’s most recent mystery is Skeletons in the Attic: A Marketville Mystery #1 (August 2016, Imajin Books), which is available in both Kindle and paperback formats. Here’s the blurb: What goes on behind closed doors doesn’t always stay there… Calamity (Callie) Barnstable isn’t surprised to learn she’s the sole beneficiary of her late father’s estate, though she is shocked to discover she has inherited a house in the town of Marketville—a house she didn’t know existed. However, there are conditions attached to Callie’s inheritance: she must move to Marketville, live in the house, and solve her mother’s murder. Callie’s not keen on dredging up a thirty-year-old mystery, but if she doesn’t do it, there’s a scheming psychic named Misty Rivers who is more than happy to expose the Barnstable family secrets. Determined to thwart Misty and fulfill her father’s wishes, Callie accepts the challenge. But is she ready to face the skeletons hidden in the attic? Tell us something about the book that the blurb doesn’t reveal: Arabella Carpenter, one of the major characters in The Hanged Man’s Noose, the first book in my Glass Dolphin Mystery series, has a role in Skeletons. It was fun to include a crossover character. What was your favorite or most surprising comment/review about the book? The most exciting was a surprise review by Dru Ann Love of Dru’s Book Musings. She’s an icon in the mystery community and while she hosts an author a day, she seldom reviews books and doesn’t accept review requests. When she wrote on her blog that she loved Skeletons, it made my day, week, and month. If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet/have met? There are so many! Truman Capote, because In Cold Blood is one of the finest works of crime non-fiction, and I’d like to know what it was like pre-internet, to research and write. Sue Grafton, Tana French, Michael Connelly, John Sandford because their books take me to another place...I could go on and on! If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? Jennifer Lawrence as Calamity (Callie) Barnstable, the protagonist in Skeletons. Chris Noth as Leith Hampton, the lawyer. Bradley Cooper as Royce Ashford, neighbor and love interest. What gave you the idea to write this book? The idea for Skeletons in the Attic came to me while I waited with my husband, Mike, in our lawyer's office. We were there to update our wills, and his Goldendoodle kept us company while our lawyer was detained at court. The opening scenes of this book are culled directly from that experience. Let that be your takeaway from this: everything that happens in a writer's life may end up in one of their stories. Do you have pets? I have a 14 month-old Golden Retriever, Gibbs (named after Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS). He is my fourth Golden, and as a kid I had a Golden mix. I love the breed (though not the dog hair!). My previous dogs were Sandy (mix), Einstein (named after the dog in Dean Koontz’s Watchers), Ranger, and Copper. Copper was 12 ½ when he died, and I’d forgotten how crazy puppies can be, but Gibbs is coming along nicely. I can’t imagine a house without a dog. Are you traditionally published or self-published and why? Both my novels are traditionally published, though with two different publishers. I made that decision because I have two series and I didn’t want to place on my books in one publisher’s basket. I have two short story collections that I self-published. They are small collections, which I basically put out to test-drive how to do it. It was incredibly easy. I have an idea for a novella series. I think I will self-publish, but I’m not sure. First I have to write it! What conferences have you attended and what value have you found in attending conferences? My first writer’s conference was Bloody Words in Toronto, 2012 and 2014. I was unpublished at the time and learned a lot. Unfortunately 2014 was the last year for Bloody Words. In 2015, I attended Bouchercon in Raleigh, NC, as a debut author, and in 2016, Malice Domestic in Bethesda, MD as a debut author. They are very different – Bouchercon is huge and Malice is more intimate – but both were very worthwhile. If you attend thinking you will sell enough books for the money spent, you will be very disappointed. It’s more about making connections, getting your name out there, and learning more about the business. Where Can Readers Find You? You can find me at www.judypenzsheluk.com, where I blog about the writing life and interview and showcase other authors. You can also find me on Goodreads, Pinterest, Twitter (@JudyPenzSheluk), Amazon, and on my Facebook author page (Judy Penz Sheluk) Judy was kind enough to share an excerpt of Skeletons in the Attic below:
Leith let out a theatrical courtroom sigh, well practiced but over the top for his audience of one. “You haven’t really been listening, have you, Calamity?” I was forced to admit I had not, although he now had my undivided attention. Marketville was a commuter community about an hour north of Toronto, the sort of town where families with two kids, a collie, and a cat moved to looking for a bigger house, a better school, and soccer fields. It didn’t sound much like me, or my father. “You’re saying my father owned a house in Marketville? I don’t understand. Why didn’t he live there?” Leith shrugged. “It seems he couldn’t bear to part with it, and he couldn’t stand living in it. He’s been renting it out since 1986.” The year my mother had left. I’d been six. I tried to remember a house in Marketville. Nothing came to mind. Even my memories of my mother were vague. “The house has gone through some hard times, what with tenants coming and going over the years,” Leith continued. “I’ve done my best to manage the property for a modest monthly maintenance fee, but not living nearby…” He colored slightly and I wondered just how modest that fee had been. I glanced back at the photo of his vibrant young family and suspected such treasures did not come cheap. There was probably alimony for the other trophy wives as well. I decided to let it go. My father had trusted him. That had to be enough. “So you’re saying I’ve inherited a fixer-upper.” “I suppose you could put it that way, although your father had recently hired a company to make some basic improvements when the last tenant moved out.” He flipped through his notes in the folder. “Royce Contracting and Property Management. I gather the owner of the company, Royce Ashford, lives next door. But I’m not sure much, if anything, has been done to the house yet. Naturally all work would have stopped following your father’s death.” “You said he wanted me to move into the house? When was he going to tell me?” “I think the initial plan was that your father was going to move back in there. But of course now—” “Now that he’s dead, you think he wanted me to move there?” “Actually, it’s more than wanted, Calamity. It’s a provision of the will that you move into Sixteen Snapdragon Circle for a period of one year. After that time, you are free to do what you wish with it. Go back to renting it, continue to live there, or sell it.” “And if I decide to sell it?” “Homes in that area of Marketville typically sell quickly and for a decent price, certainly several times your parents’ original investment back in 1979. You’d have to put in some elbow grease, not to mention some basic renovations, but your father left you some money for that as well.” “He had money set aside? Enough for renovations?” I thought about the shabby townhouse, the threadbare carpets, the flannel sheet covering holes in the fabric of the ancient olive green brocade sofa. I always thought my dad was frugal because he had to be. It never occurred to me he was squirreling away money to fix up a house I didn’t even know existed. “About a hundred thousand dollars, although only half of that is allocated to renovation. The balance of fifty thousand would be paid to you in weekly installments while you lived there rent-free. Certainly enough for you to take a year off work and fulfill the other requirement.” Fifty thousand dollars. Almost twice what I made in a single year at my call center job at the bank. Leaving there would definitely not be a hardship. And my month-to-month lease would be easy enough to break with thirty days notice. “What’s the other requirement?” Leith leaned back in his chair and let out another one of his theatrical sighs. I got the impression he didn’t really approve of the condition. “Your father wants you to find out who murdered your mother. And he believes the clues may be hidden in the Marketville house.” Copyright 2016 Judy Penz Sheluk. Reprinted with permission. Today’s exclusive interview is definitely my most long-distance author dialogue! Armaan Singh Dhillon lives in New Delhi, India and his most recent novel, A Nazi War Criminal in India is a Mystery/Thriller that’s available in both Kindle and paperback editions. Here’s the blurb: Just after the end of World War II, Adolf Eichmann’s best man, Alois Brunner, fled to West Germany, then Egypt, and finally lived in Syria with the help of the government in return for his sharing of the torture techniques the Nazis used during their Reich. But did he actually die there? Simon Wiesenthal claims that yes, he died there when the civil war started, but the location of his grave was unknown. But there is no substantial proof of his death! What if, to avoid the Civil War and any threats to his life, Alois Brunner never died and in fact fled to India with the help of his contacts in the Syrian Government? Alois Brunner comes to India with a new identity and settles down in New Delhi in a locality where he meets a college student (Rohan) and befriends him. Does Rohan discover his real identity? What manipulations and betrayals occur? Tell us something(s) about the book that the blurb doesn’t reveal: There is Rohan’s girlfriend who is not directly a part of the story but plays in the background of it. She is ‘used’ by Rohan during stressful times. What was your favorite or most surprising comment/review about the book? Why? Someone told me, “Man, I can’t believe that you connected a Nazi guy to an Indian college student.” I believe that it was the most difficult part and something that has never been done before. If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet/have met? No one in particular. Though I would love to meet all those who have passed away many years back. I’m sure they must have had something in mind that would have taught me many things that I otherwise would never be able to know. If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? Rohan - Vivaan Shah Alois Brunner - Naseeruddin Shah Dhruv - A New Actor (Unknown) Girlfriend - Alia Bhatt Army Officer - Jimmy Shergill Professor - Anupam Kher Mom - Dimple Kapadia What gave you the idea to write this book? Nazis have always fascinated me. Although I strongly believe that whatever they did during their regime was wrong and I condemn it, the way they controlled everyone and everything--their uniforms, banners, salute and their way of acting towards an issue--was just unique and different which mesmerized me. The movies that I have watched related to Nazis have always made me want to write something of my own. So relating Nazis to India was a big task but I worked on it for a very long time and came up with this story. And I do believe that I have done justice to the whole concept of my story. What is your favorite quote from the book and why? “I believe that some birds are not meant to be imprisoned. And you just cannot see them when they fly away as their feathers are just too bright. I hope for a peaceful life for that old man.” Because this is when Rohan realizes that not everything will go according to him and shows a sign of recovery. What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of publishing today? In today’s world it is very easy to get published. As far as you have a well-written novel, no barrier should come your way. Also, self-publishing has made it even easier. Though, due to high number of published works, it is harder to get your book out there. In fact, the main work starts after your book is published, with marketing, promotion etc. What advice do you have for other writers based on your experience? This is my first book and I’ve yet to learn a lot from experienced writers but I can tell one thing for sure--there will always be people who will tell you to write what people love to read. DON’T LISTEN TO THEM. Do not kill your creativity. Write what you want to. And do not think twice before writing on a specific topic. After all, it’s your point of view, your story! If your work is good, people will read it! Have confidence in yourself, the rest will follow. Never Stop. Keep Writing. All the best. Where Can My Readers Find You? For all the promotions/giveaways/events, updates will be made on my Facebook, Goodreads and Amazon author page Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cdtArmaan Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16232436.Armaan_Singh_Dhillon Amazon Author Page: http://www.www.amazon.com/author/armaandhillon E-mail: armaan619hbk@gmail.com Here is an excerpt from A Nazi War Criminal in India that Armaan was kind enough to share:
CHAPTER 1 The Remnant Me 21st July 2011 I was tired, exhausted and my mind didn’t seem to work at all. I stared down at the cigarette grasped effortlessly by my fingers. I debated with myself whether or not to smoke it, but eventually gave in to my craving for that nicotine hit and decided to light it in just a bit. I didn’t even realise that I had reached my college after walking for 15 kilometres on an extremely sunny day. I looked up consciously for the first time since I started walking from “that” house. I was sweaty and thirsty. There were a few acquaintances who said “Hi” and “Kaisa hai Rohan Ahluwalia” to me, to which all I could respond was, with mere expressionless stares. I saw a board which said that the renowned film director ‘Ayush Mehra’ is visiting our college to present a motivational speech. I looked at it for a few seconds and later walked towards the college auditorium where the event was to take place. Suddenly someone patted my back with a little force. I looked back and saw that it was Mehak Kapoor, my girlfriend? My senses seemed too occupied to figure out my exact bonds around. It was a muddled day for me, especially after what I saw and read in “that” house. Mehak said “You bastard, I knew you will never call me after I visited your place”. I looked at her cautiously and silently. “Are you going to say something or not?” she sounded quite noticeably exasperated. “No”, was the only word I uttered. I couldn’t get my own mind together, and was far capable of dealing with anyone else. Mehak left, her eyes filled with rage. I looked down at my right hand and saw the cigarette still sitting between my fingers. I had forgotten to light it. I went outside the auditorium and walked to a secluded corner which was used as a smoking area for people out there. I frisked into my pocket and realized I had a lighter, lit up my cigarette and took an exceptionally long drag. A guy next to me, who was smoking a joint, got taken aback while looking at the way I took the drag. “Bhai, are you alright?” he asked with an inquisitive voice. “Yes”, I whispered in doubt, “I guess”. “Hmm” he started to enjoy his joint again. I took a couple of drags more and threw the cigarette bud into a bin. I started walking towards the auditorium and reached there, noticing that there was a long queue to get inside. I stepped behind a nerdy girl who was holding a book in her hand and was impatient to get inside. After waiting for twenty minutes behind her I saw my friend Dhruv Kashyap standing near the entrance door and luckily he saw me too and waived his hand at me. He asked me to come in front and made me enter just along with him since he knew one of the event managers. He asked me to sit in the first few rows of the auditorium along with him where the stage was unobstructed and I could clearly see it. One podium was kept at a distance of a few steps from the table and chairs where the guests were supposed to be seated within half-an-hour. There was quite a commotion among students to watch and listen to such a big name of the Indian film industry speak live before them. It was going to be all about different aspects of life through his personal experiences. “I thought you would skip this event and will be doing some shit with that bastard, who got my best friend, my brother killed” Dhruv said to me with the most hateful expression that I had ever seen on his face. I knew that he was not wrong. I kept quiet for a while and then replied “Whatever happened was tragic and I hate that guy for all that he did to us”. After a few minutes, the Dean arrived inside the auditorium with the guest of honour, the man himself, Ayush Mehra. He came along with two of the more familiar faces of the industry who are not known much for their work but instead just familiar because they were friends to Ayush. Everybody in the audience welcomed them warmly with a standing applause. Within no time the Dean of our college started speaking about the event and introduced Ayush to the students. He greeted him with a bouquet and requested him to speak a few words for the student of our prestigious college. Ayush got up from his chair and walked towards the podium, one could clearly make out that he was a humble gentleman by his body language and walking gesture. “Good Afternoon friends”, Ayush said. Everybody in the audience responded positively. Ayush started speaking about himself when he was in a similar phase of life as we were and within no time he got into serious topics like career management, professional growth, financial stability, etc. I was very impressed by his views on these topics. A statement he gave just before ending his forty eight minute speech duly caught my attention. It clearly depicted him to be a typical business man while he spoke, but trustable one. “I’m an explorer and by that I mean about exploring new stories everywhere I travel. I am sure, you people at such age have a variety of experiences to share with me here as well. I would be highly obliged if some of you will show up to me for telling your experiences which you believe could end up in a film. My office gates are always open for such people.” Ayush said. I got stuck to this statement of his and I was not sure but something inside me kept on telling me that Rohan you have to visit this person soon. “But visit?” I asked myself in doubt. I’ll end up revealing everything about what happened with me in the last couple of days. I have to make a plan of some sort where I deliver the story to him without revealing my identity. 2016 Armaan Dhillon. Reprinted with permission. |
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