Linda’ Book Obsession Interviews Falguni Kothari “The Object of Your Affections” for Suzy Approved Book Tours

Linda’s Blog

 

 

1. What motivated or inspired you to write ?

Falguni: I became a writer quite by accident around ten years ago. Although I’ve been a voracious reader all my life, I never aspired or dreamed of becoming a writer or imagined I’d have the patience to write a full-length novel. Writing wasn’t my childhood dream or passion, and by the age of twenty I was already a domesticated adult taking care of house and hearth and soon after that, raising children.

However, I have always been a storyteller, first as a dancer and then as a mother making up wild tales at bedtime. In that way, stories have been in my blood forever.

 

Then, my children grew up—as they often do—and by the time they were in middle school, I had more time on my hands than I knew what to do with. My mother sat me down then and gave me a good talking-to. She urged me to find something to do that was mine and that had nothing to do with taking care of my family. It’s the only time that I’ve actually listened to my mother’s advice 😉

 

So, I began to explore my options which took me to searching for online classes on literature and history—two subjects that I absolutely love. As I mentioned before, I read constantly and going back to school just seemed like an extension of my reading passion. That’s when I stumbled across a class called Romance Writing Secrets. It was a short six week online class—not daunting at all—and I took it on a whim. And the rest is history.

 

2. How did you go about researching for your book?

Falguni:   I have to say that researching The Object of Your Affectionswas a unique experience in that I had the wonderful opportunity to talk to a gestational surrogate and an intended parent about their surrogacy journeys so candidly. In addition to those first-hand accounts, I’m amazed at the amount of information available online. There are YouTube videos, chat rooms, websites dedicated to surrogacy in all its forms, and from every angle. Different countries, different states have differing surrogacy laws—it’s quite unbelievable. India has different rules and surrogacy laws then the United States. Similarly, New York State has different surrogacy laws then say California.

 

Apart from surrogacy, I had to research how big businesses work and fail. What are stock options and futures? What happens when a deal goes sour? What can go wrong? I come from a business family, so imagining the ups and downs of a business deal, and how the family is affected, wasn’t that farfetched.

Research definitely is a tedious enterprise, but for some reason I love it.

 

3. What are your goals for readers to take away after reading ?

Falguni:  I hope when readers read The Object of Your Affections, they are not only entertained by it but they also come away well-informed about surrogacy, India, the Indian culture, about parenthood and what it means to be a strong, modern woman in this world.

I want readers to think about and discuss Paris and Naira and their unusual life choices.  What would they do in Paris or Naira’s shoes? Most of all, I want readers to understand Paris and her motivations, and realize that even prickly, unlikable people deserve to be loved.

 

4. What is a typical day in your life?

Falguni:  As an empty-nester, I seem to have all the time in the world. These days this is my routine: wake up, check up on family and friends across the globe, especially my mother and father-in-law. Have breakfast with Dear Hubby. After he leaves for work, get down to checking messages and email, posting on social media, writing, reading, researching, gossiping… Watching TV, sleeping. Rinse and repeat.

 

6. What are your hobbies or things you do in your downtime?

Falguni:

Well, I’m quite an active person. I love to exercise—moderately. These days, I’m into Pilates, walking and I’m thinking off joining a jujitsu class. I used to take Latin dance lessons, but I’m on a break from that right now.

 

7. What can you tell us of any new writing projects that you might have?

Falguni:  I’m writing a really fun romance novella right now, titled Star Struck: Take 2. It’s going to be part of an anthology put together by eleven writers from the Fiction From The Heart Facebook group—which we started a little over a year ago. There are actually twelve founding writers in the group, and all but one author is part of the “second chance at weddings” anthology.

Here’s a logline for Star Struck: Take 2

Embroiled in a Bollywood stunt wedding, an A-list manager is torn between doing what is right for her celebrity client or seizing a second chance with the bad boy groom herself.

 

(The anthology will be up for pre-order around the first week of April. Release date is June 11^th.)

 

8. What are your favorite genres of books that you like to read?

Falguni:  I’m a pretty eclectic reader, and will read anything except horror. Having said that, my favorite genres are women’s fiction and romance in contemporary, historical, paranormal settings.

 

9. What advice can you give to someone who wants to be a writer?

Falguni: My advice to a newbie writer is to have patience, be observant, understand the  publishing industry and the market, set yourself a writing goal, and have fun doing all of the above.

 

10. If your book were adapted to the screen, what actors, actresses could you envision for the main characters?

Falguni:  Wow. Can you believe I haven’t thought about this yet? But since you ask… I think Priyanka Chopra would make a fine Paris. I’d love Stephen Amell to play Neal Singh Fraser. And the Indian film actress, Alia Bhatt, would be a perfect Naira Dalmia.

 

11. How would you like the readers to connect with you?

 

Falguni: I love to hear from readers, so do email me or tag me or message me on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram!

Here are my links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/falgunikothariauthor/

Twitter and Instagram: @AuthorFalguni

Website: www.falgunikothari.com

I’d love for you to follow me and like my pages. Also, stay up-to-date about my books and sales and other writerly things by joining my newsletter here: https://falgunikothari.com/website-falguni.html

 

Falguni:  Thank you for having me on your blog, Linda.

This was fun!

Thank you so much, Falguni!! I had a great time as well, and I appreciate your time and wonderful answers!!  Love, Linda