DR. MEL'S MESSAGE - From my novels to my other projects, no telling what you will read. This is the only place you will get to read about how I developed a screenplay into a novel and what is the driving force. I will talk about many things from films to books to acting to producing. It really will depend on where my mind takes me. I hope you will join me on this journey.
There is something to be said about unconditional love -- it's a perfect love. When you love someone unconditionally that means you accept the good and the bad. Is it difficult to love someone unconditionally? You bet it is. What does unconditional love look like? I'm afraid that answer is difficult and I can only thing of two examples -- God's love for us and more down to earth, the look on my cat's face when she sits in my lap purring and look's up at me. If you need an example of unconditional love, think of our furry friends, especially dogs. Both of my fur babies are waiting for me at the Bridge at Heaven's gate. However, when I was blessed with their presence, no matter the mood I was in, no matter how busy I was, no matter how long I had been gone from the house, they greeted me happiness and wagging tails. I knew they loved me unconditionally.
This Christmas I think we need to focus more on our ability to provide unconditional love, for self and toward others. Is it going to be easy? No! However, today's author, Ankit Singh Gehlot, gives us a wonderful insight into unconditional love in his book "The Duty." Please know this isn't a self-help book, rather it is a novel with a story.
May your day be filled with unconditional love and peace,
Dr. Mel
P.S. My mom is feeling a little better today. I know it is because of the 300,000 people who lifted her up in prayer yesterday. Thank you all for sending me your emails and prayers my way. I am truly blessed with the best authors and readers surrounding me in my life.
In life, sometimes we come across situations, where in spite of our capability, we get into a dilemma, whether to take up a task or not. "The Duty" is a story of Rachit, a young city lawyer who is in a dilemma about a case, he takes up on someone's recommendation. How he deals it? What happens? Is he able to save his client? Though a legal thriller novella, "The Duty" has a flavor of True Love/Romance, too.
Ankit Singh Gehlot
The Duty
Tell your readers a little about yourself,
where you grew up, where you live now, where you went to school etc. Let them
get to know the personal you.
I am an ordinary human being, being brought up in a city in
India, often called as the Sun City, which is "Jodhpur," the place
known for its heritage and culture. I was born and brought up in Jodhpur
itself, did two of my academic degrees - Bachelors in Pharmacy (B.Pharm) and
MPA (Masters in Public Administration) from there itself. Presently, I live in the Rajasthan state's capital city - Jaipur, heading
toward my third degree which is in Legislative Laws (LL.B). I am also a blogger
and I share my thoughts, insights, ideas, updates on my blog. I am also a
freelance writer and amidst completing my college assignments and attending
lectures, I take out some time for some freelance writing/editing projects too
for my clients.
I have written my debut book - The Tree's Sister in 2015, and The
Duty is my second book, which belongs to the Legal thriller genre and
contains flavors of Unconditional self-less love.
What inspired you to author this book?
My belief greatly inspires this book in unconditional and selfless
love. I believe such love still exists; the forms may vary. Be it the love of
your parents or your life partner, anything can go unconditional, once the
conditions are eliminated. You love someone and that's it. Your happiness is in
their happiness.
Regarding the genre (legal thriller), it is inspired by the education imparted
at my law school (St. Wilfred's College of Law, Jaipur) and my inclination
toward the genre. I believe we, as authors have a powerful tool (pen) to
express our thoughts and convey our messages to the public at large.
Where did you get the inspiration for your book’s cover?
The story almost fully inspired by the book cover. The story is
of a young city lawyer, Rachit, and so the cover indicates the life of this young
lawyer. The silhouette picture along with the collage of life events in the
life of Rachit was added to give a hint of the story to the reader/prospective
reader with the cover itself.
For the purpose, I am much thankful to the Canva Team, that enabled
me to design a cover for my book, without any issues.
Who has been the most significant influence on you personally
and as a writer?
Personally, I am very much influenced by every person who is and
was there in my life. They entered my life, chose to stay in it, or may have
left for something more better - all this influenced me a lot and helped me to
shape my thoughts, helped me to refine my writings, refine my views, etc. I am
a firm believer in God's Plan, and I believe it's his wish to make us strong,
make us more refined, make us more understanding.
You are his child and he will take care of you by rewarding you for your
achievements, scolding you for your mistakes, and ensuring that you don't do
that in the future. My biggest personal influential being is Almighty.
Then comes my parents, Dr. Tulsi Ram Gehlot and Mrs. Rachana Sankhala (Gehlot),
who are the reasons, I am here in front of the readers with the story. Their
unconditional love and support for me are like my heartbeat. Love you both from
the core of my heart!
As a writer, I am inspired by my thoughts. Frankly speaking, I am not an avid
reader and so I haven't read much except those textbooks, we have to study as
part of the curriculum. However, I believe in one thing -- every writer, whether
he/she is a best-selling one or not, has a story, and he/she does their best to
spread the message in the best way possible. And my "Best wishes" for
all of them.
What were your struggles or obstacles you had to overcome to get
this book written?
I wrote this book well much before the release date and also had
the bookmaking process completed, but something and other was stopping it from
the release. I believe in the thing that the Almighty plans everything, and I
suppose that this too was planned.
This was God's plan that this book is presently available to read by the
readers and I am much thankful to God for the same. May God bless us all.
Tell your readers about your book.
In life, sometimes we come across situations, where in spite of our
capability, we get into a dilemma, whether to take up a task or not. "The
Duty" is a story of Rachit, a young city lawyer who is in a quandary about
a case; he takes up on someone's recommendation.
How he deals it?
What happens?
Is he able to save his client?
Though a legal thriller novella, "The Duty" has a flavor of True
Love/Romance, too.
Who is your target audience, and why?
Specifically, this book can be read by anyone who has the heart
to read and a weekend. As per the reviews I received from my readers, friends,
family and loved ones, this book can be easily read in 3-4 hours
uninterruptedly. It can be read over on the weekend.
I would recommend that anyone irrespective of interest/disinterest in the
Thriller/Legal and/or Romance genre can try this, and I hope you will like it.
What do you consider your greatest success in life?
I haven't yet achieved the success, which I desired in my life.
I am presently on the way to a destination, which may or may not lead to the
success ladder. But yes, I promise to continually try and be persistent with my
approach towards the same. "Success" is when you achieve whatever you
wish to in life.
What one unique thing sets you apart from other writers in your
genre?
I am not an avid reader, and so what I write comes just like
free thoughts, and they are AS IS penned down by me in the book/text, which I
write. This comes as an advantage sometimes when some readers say that -
"Your book is very much easy to read. I am learning English and still, I
could read it fully".
Sometimes some qualified literary writers also say - "We
weren't able to find that literary tone, like that of the established literary
stars in your book. Yet. it is a good read because it conveys a message
well."
For me, both the feedback are equally important. I believe a
writer's main task is to convey the message they want to convey through their
book.
For instance, when I wrote my first book - "The Tree's Sister," the
main objective was to convey the message of emotional bonding and environmental
conservation.
Additionally, my latest book, "The Duty," is all about
the message of unconditional and selfless love. If I can convey my message to
the readers well, I am getting real success as a writer. That's what I wish to obtain.
