Who said destiny doesn't have to have a sense of humor? Let's talk about destiny for a minute. Have you ever looked across a restaurant and instantly you felt as if you knew that person? Would that be fate or destiny, if five years from now, the two of you married? I'm not here to debate this, but to tell you about a wonderful new book by Sri Chinnamatur called "How I Met You." If you love romance, you'll love this and its unexpected storyline and it will be out just in time on Valentine's Day. This is the perfect gift and you can pre-order it now on Amazon. The one you love, will thank you for it.
About the Book
How I Met You Kindle Edition
Few Excerpts from “How I Met You”
· I felt
as if the sun had suddenly risen in the dark Hyderabad sky. And then I simply
froze. It was her, though the truth still seemed surreal. Gracious, was this a
dream? I rubbed my eyes and checked again carefully. I was not dreaming. Yes,
it was indeed her. ‘Angel Eyes,’ the one who had filled my dreams for years. I
wanted to jump and pump my fist in the air. I had tried to find her whereabouts
for years and there she was, right in front of me. God had given me this golden
opportunity, and I was determined not to let her go this time.
·
All the
streets looked the same. Narrow, dark, and filled with filth and misery. I
covered my nose and took a turn as per the instructions scrawled on the scrap
of paper in my hand and searched for the location. It was no wonder this place
was a safe haven for goons and mafia. I had heard that even police were scared
to enter.
·
The
stairs opened to a wide hall filled with the stench of cigarettes and alcohol.
All the windows were closed, and I was hardly able to see anything. A few
tables were placed about, and people were seated at each. Some played cards
while others talked in low tones. Did they even know that there was something
called a haircut and a shave that had been discovered ages ago? I tried to look
past the disturbing lack of pride and hygiene and focus on my mission.
·
Perhaps
she realized that I was staring at her as she slowly looked back to her book.
· And
there I was, my gaze locked on to her, pretending to read the magazine. Those
deep, sparkling eyes…I had never seen such eyes before. This was a new feeling.
It had never happened to me and left me feeling way out of my depth. All my
youthful—and often swaggering—assurance had gone out the window. I wanted to
talk to her but being an introvert when it came to the girls, it was out of the
question.
·
I would
let destiny take its own course. I don’t have the strength to face a rejection.
If I am in thoughts, I always win. Reality may not be as sweet. Let me live in
this little imaginary world of mine where I control everything
· I could
hear the sound of vehicles passing by, which meant they were going around me
with no intention to stop. I felt so helpless and miserable. Would I die there?
·
I
wanted to laugh. I was getting a taste of my own medicine and yet I found it
too bitter to swallow.
·
What
kind of human being had I been in the past? I asked myself. Time was running
out, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to bear the pain for much longer. A fresh
bout of agony made me grimace and I snapped my lips shut. Slowly, I tried to
get up, but I quickly realized I wouldn’t manage. Colorful spots appeared in
front of my eyes, and I hoped desperately that someone—anyone—would stop and
help me.
SRI CHINNAMATUR
"How I Met You" Author
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 grew up in the southern part of India, where I made some wonderful memories. I currently live in New Jersey, USA. Traveling to New York City every day for work, I see many people and often think that everyone has a story to tell. Some stories may be inspiring; some may be fun, and some a mix of everything, but there is a story for everyone.
What inspired you to author this book?
The inspiration to write a book
and publish something comes from my Dad who was an author himself. When I
wanted to write something, I had a lot of ideas—some of them serious, some
inspirational. Those topics didn’t define the fun-loving guy that I am, so I
wanted to craft a story based on some real incidents and close to my heart. The
truth is often stranger than fiction!
Where did you get the inspiration for your book’s cover?
I worked with several designers to get my cover page done. Third isn’t always the charm. I had more than twenty designs before I finally zeroed in on this version. I had something in mind that the initial artists were unable to depict on canvas. I didn’t want to use stock pictures but instead conjure a unique look and feel that will depict the story. I now have a beautiful cover, thanks to the artist who did a wonderful job.
Who has been the most significant influence on you as a writer?
There is not one person who is a significant influencer for me. I am in a constant learning mode, and many people have influenced me throughout my journey. As a writer, I would say it is my keen sense of observation that motivated me to write something.
What were the obstacles you had to overcome to get this book written?
Getting an idea to write a book was easy, but finalizing the storyline was challenging. Once I started writing, it was simple enough to write about real incidents, but it got a little difficult when I intertwined reality with fiction. The other struggle was the first-person narrative. The protagonist narrates his life story to his friend, and it was a challenge, as there are several sub-plots which I had to carefully craft. Overall, the ride was fun!
Tell your readers about your book.
The book is about unconditional love and how it can positively impact one’s life. It recounts the journey of a young man’s life—how he discovers himself, how the people around him influence, and how his priorities change.
Who is your target audience, and why?
I would say this book is meant for anyone who savors reading and cherishes the “aftertaste” as much as anything. I’m sure that readers will fall in love with the characters, just as I have.
If you were going to give one reason, why should a browser buy your book?
Anyone can identify with the protagonist's character at one point or
another in the story. The story illustrates how you can follow dreams to
achieve anything, and how important it is to have a strong family and friend
support system in your pursuit for excellence.
What do you consider your greatest success in life?
My greatest success I share with my wife while raising our daughters in the United States, thousands of miles away from our families, while striking a balance between western culture and Indian traditions can’t be topped down the road.
What one unique thing sets you apart from other writers in your genre?
I am just starting my journey and am not in a position to compare myself with other writers, but one thing I can promise my readers is that my books will always remain true to life. I intend to experiment with multiple genres, but my main intention isn’t going to change which is depicting life as a wonderful gift from God.
How do you overcome writer’s block?
I do multiple things: go to dinner or a movie with my family, play with my dog, listen to my favorite music, and sing my heart out. Sometimes calling a school friend and laughing at nothing has helped. Equipped with a sense of humor, one always remains on one’s feet to press on.
What one piece of advice do you have for new authors.
If you want to write, just write. Don’t wait. Ideas will flow.
Tell your readers anything else you want to share.
Don’t take anything in life for granted. You would know the value of something only when you don’t have it. Nothing is worth worrying about. Spread positivity. I promise it will come back to you. If you want to do something, go ahead and do it without worrying about the results.
What do you consider your greatest success in life?
My greatest success I share with my wife while raising our daughters in the United States, thousands of miles away from our families, while striking a balance between western culture and Indian traditions can’t be topped down the road.
What one unique thing sets you apart from other writers in your genre?
I am just starting my journey and am not in a position to compare myself with other writers, but one thing I can promise my readers is that my books will always remain true to life. I intend to experiment with multiple genres, but my main intention isn’t going to change which is depicting life as a wonderful gift from God.
How do you overcome writer’s block?
I do multiple things: go to dinner or a movie with my family, play with my dog, listen to my favorite music, and sing my heart out. Sometimes calling a school friend and laughing at nothing has helped. Equipped with a sense of humor, one always remains on one’s feet to press on.
What one piece of advice do you have for new authors.
If you want to write, just write. Don’t wait. Ideas will flow.
Tell your readers anything else you want to share.
Don’t take anything in life for granted. You would know the value of something only when you don’t have it. Nothing is worth worrying about. Spread positivity. I promise it will come back to you. If you want to do something, go ahead and do it without worrying about the results.
FOLLOW THE AUTHOR
