Just Married, Please Excuse is a new book written by the multi talented Yashodhara Lal. I have not read the book yet but I have ordered my copy form Flipkart and after reading many reviews of the book, I wanted to interview Yashodhara. Thankfully, I could contact her and she was amazingly kind to respond promptly.
While I interacted with her, I learnt a lot about getting a book published and I am so glad I could finally interview a published author. Read on to know more about the book and the author. You will have lots to take from this IIM-B graduate turned book writer's words. Yeah, you read it right. She is a IIM - B graduate and has a successful corporate career. Isnt this an inspiration?
Q. Hi, welcome to Womanatics. Please accept my wishes on the launch of the book. How do you feel on having published a book on your name?
Hi Surabhi! Thanks very much for your wishes. Having a book published has been a long-standing dream for me, and it really feels great to have Just Married, Please Excuse out now. It’s taken far longer for it to get published than it did for me to write it, so it’s taken a lot of patience over the last two years – thankfully, people seem to be liking it and finding it extremely funny and relatable and the feedback makes the wait all worth it!
Q. I know you are from IIM-B and have had an envious corporate career. How did the thought of writing a book come to your mind?
Yes, I graduated from IIM-B in 2002 and have had ten years of a very interesting career in the corporate world. I enjoy my job, and also have to take care of my three small kids, but I figured that unless I consciously take out the time to actually do what I’ve always dreamed about doing, it won’t happen. The catalyst was a difficult second pregnancy where I had twins and a complication, which made me realize that life is really short and there is only ‘Now.’ So something good comes out of everything!
Q. The book is a work of fiction. But you have used real names from your family in the book. Is this a co-incidence or a deliberate effort? Is the book inspired from your real life incidents?
I get asked this question a lot. It so happens that while the book is slotted in the category of Fiction, and it reads as a fictional story for people who don’t know me, it is very much based on my family and real life. There isn’t so much fictionalization as there is exaggeration of a few incidents, really. It intrigues a lot of people, but I think overall it’s being appreciated, and it makes people able to relate to the book more, simply because it is completely real and honest.
Q. What are the challenges you faced while writing the book? Are you working currently? If yes, please tell me about your time management.
The biggest challenge faced while writing the book is being able to find the time and space for it. You also need to be in a particular frame of mind where the words just flow, as opposed to trying to force them out. This doesn’t always happen – and when the words start flowing, then something else requires your attention. It’s been difficult. I’d say the toughest part was getting a reasonable first draft out. Then it’s just about refinement.
I’m currently on a sabbatical for the next few months. I’m settling my younger twins into play school, working on my second book, trying to spend time with my grandmother and my daughter and to do justice to promoting Just Married, Please Excuse. That pretty much takes up my whole day. I’m also on a fitness drive and experimenting with dieting and Zumba, and have lost several kilos in the last few months. Overall, a schedule to manage my time better is something I am still working on, as of now, I’m kind of trying to take each day as it comes, which isn’t easy for someone who likes to organize things!
Q. Which books or authors inspire you? Tell me about an Indian author who motivates you to write.
I love Bill Bryson – he writes about his own experiences and he’s just so funny. I’ve really enjoyed a bunch of his books, most recently, the Lost Continent. I also like other non-funny stuff – I loved Room by Emma Donaghue, it was hard-hitting. Among Indian authors, currently, I’m in love with the Palace of Illusions by Chitra Devakaruni Bannerjee.
Q. The book has been received well. Who do you credit the success to? What are your next writing plans?
It’s early days yet for Just Married, Please Excuse – but yes, it seems to be getting good feedback. If it does very well, it would be a function of the basic choice of topic – marriage; the style it’s written in – humorous; the editing that makes it a good story; and the marketing aspects of the unique cover and the accessible pricing.
I’m now working on a story which is actually a lot more Fictional in nature – that’s the story of a divorcee and I’m hoping I manage to finish it soon.
At some point in the future, I will be doing a sequel to Just Married, Please Excuse. All in all, I hope to keep writing, although I’m not sure I’ll ever be a full-time author.
Q. Thanks for your time Yashodhara. Is there anything you want to convey to my readers? Also, what do they have to answer to win a copy of your book?
Thanks Surabhi. To your readers, I’d just like to say Hi and say that we’ve got some interesting things coming up for aspiring writers who want to get a short story published. You’ll have to stay tuned on my blog www.yashodharalal.com to know more about that!
For Just Married, Please Excuse, you can get a feel of the book through the sample chapters at www.justmarriedpleaseexcuse.com . You can also read the reviews on Flipkart.
To win a copy of the book, you can participate in a giveaway I’ve got going on here. Two copies are also earmarked for people who comment on this post leaving telling us about any really funny Incident that took place when they were ‘Just Married!’
So people, go on and post a comment on this post telling us about a funny incident that happened with you when you were 'Just Married'. The two funniest entries will win a copy each. The contest ends on 25th August. Please dont forget to mention your email id in the comment.
Cool, Surabhi. Lovely interview. Have been hearing about this book from other blogs too. Have already looked out for it. Anyway, here is a just married anecdote, fresh from the oven, less than 8 months old.
ReplyDeleteOur just married epiphanies got over long before we got married, but there was one just married moment that was special. We had a reception following our wedding during which a session of spiritual songs by a relative and her troupe was part of the evening. I had battled my better half and my parents to be able to dress down for the occasion and was wearing a simple kurta and jodhpurs. This reception was in Kolkata, a city I had left nearly two decades back, and my face had been forgotten by many, including many of the invitees.
I was standing outside the function hall, hoping to recognize cousins and friends that I had not met in years, when the musical troupe arrived in their van. As the elderly men and women started pouring out, I naturally came forward to help and escort them. The leader of the band, who was an aunt of mine, but who could not recognize me, took me for one of the organizers or helpers, and instructed me to carry the equipment. I obliged, while she stood and watched over me, repeatedly telling me to be careful, and hurrying me up.
Once the equipment had been carried up to the hall, she looked at my sweat soaked kurta and suggested that next time when I go to work, I should wear dark cotton so that it doesnt get dirty or look bad. Working people should dress like working people was roughly what she said in Bengali. I nodded.
Once the program started, and we were made to sit in the terribly poky thrones, she saw me, and turned red. The conversation that followed later was the most uncomfortable one I have ever had. Of course, it was followed by much laughter.
Hey Subho..
DeleteThis was hilarious.. :D And I can totally imagine the after-conversation you had with your aunty.
Hi Surabhi, I think of this incident.
ReplyDeleteAs a newly married, I moved to my in-laws house. On the 3rd day we had a power failure and inverter also stopped working. I was in jewelery and heavy saree and was sweating badly. My hubby took pity on me and started waving a hand fan. I was smiling and reveling in the mild, gentle breeze of that fan and suddenly all the younger ones emerged in the room bursting in laugh. They told us that they were watching my hubby sweating himself but waving fan at me. Also, they found it amusing as my hubby otherwise comes across as a very serious person and before marriage he had declared that he wont take care of his wife, instead she would take care of him and his family. :D - Neha
Hi Surabhi,
ReplyDeleteI want to win this book! You already know about it but I will write it here.
We were newly married and I had an arranged marriage so we both were still shy with each other. When we left for honeymoon, my sister-in-law gave me a gift and said that I shud open it only when I reach the new place. I did so and when I opened it, I just started laughing. It was my husband's childhood photograph where he was naked, crying and pouring nosey from his nose! But it was a cute pic. My hubby wanted to take it away from me, but I didnt give it to him. He was very embarrased but it helped us in opening up a lot. I thank my sil still for the same gift. - surbhi, your neighbor.. he he he..
My funny incident starts when we “Just Married” (Fifth Day of our Married Life).
ReplyDeleteBecause of urgent requirement of Marriage certificate we have decided to postpone our honey moon trip and went to her native place (Marriage Registrar Office) to get Marriage certificate. We applied for marriage certificate and because of some legal issue we have been asked to receive the certificate next day second half. Then we decided to go to KANHA (National Park Tiger Reserve) just to spend some in Jungle after hectic schedule of Marriage ceremony.
Generally people go there to see wild life and animals. A trip to KANHA Reserve directly takes you to the widespread arena of the lush habitat of wild creatures. With elephant and jeep safari an encounter to all these species is really generous and worthwhile. At KANHA National park jeep safari can be done in the early morning around 5:00 AM.
After we reached there booked a room in a resort, A care taker from Resort picked our luggage and located us to the room, Before getting out to the room He asked for the wakeup call for Safari, Instantly my wife replied 9:00 AM. He was shocked because entry timings for safari are fixed starting from 5 am to 6 am. He asked the same question again and again. Finally I started laughing and asked we are not here for Safari we just want to relax so Please do not Disturb we are “Just Married”.
Archana & Shishupal
hi:)
ReplyDeletei am priyanka mansotra n my husband is karan mansotra.my email id is charu_graceful@yahoo.com
this funny incident happened when we were off to our honeymoon in nainital.it ws evening time n we were just roaming around the market.now i don't knw if u knw abt a roasted papad we get here.its a big papad with sm chutney on it.i wanted dt n my hubby bought me dt.a mild breeze ws blowing n dt is y i ws holding dt papad horizontally(so dt wind doesn't break it).while eating i handed it over to my hubby as i wanted to tie my loose hair. he held it vertiaclly n the papad ws all broken due to wind n a small piece ws left in his hand.i laughed like nything n his expression ws worth seeing.n still whenever we remember dt incident it bring smiles on our faces.now its been 15 months to our marriage n we r still dt honeymoon couple:)
he he he.. Priyanka.. I can totally imagine his expression.. :D
Deletehi dere:)
ReplyDeletei won ds lovely book n yesterday only completed it reading n i mst say i really liked it n thank u so much fr it:)
Hi Charu.. thanks dear. I am glad you liked it. :) The book indeed sounds a great read.
Delete