Readers would like to know more about you.

 

I am Sudhir Mittal, 36, male, an author from India having no distinctive pen name. I was born in a simple middle class family and I underwent schooling in Faridabad, which is a southwards town from Delhi. More than a decade before, having had an excellent academic curriculum, I submerged in the struggle for making a career in finance and commerce profession. And I made it too. For past eleven years I am happily married to Sweety Mittal and we have two young sons, both wonderful and amazing. Presently I live in Gurgaon and everything is just wonderful in life.

 

I have admired foreign authors such as Mitch Albom, Dale Carneige, Randy Pausch, Louis Fischer, Neale Donald Walsh and more. Among Indian authors, I originally marvel Ved Vyasa; and Paramhansa Yogananda, Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Rama too. In Indian ancient literature, I have been an avid reader of different commentaries on Bhagavad Gita. I also marvel the ancient book 'Yoga Vasistha'.

 

 

You spoke about finance and commerce, then how did you get these kinds of books in your life? Did writing start right away?

 

I think it's alone the inspiration which takes you through anything in life. My case as an author is also unique. I remember that until 2010, I was so engrossed in grooming my professional career that, forget writing, even a habit of book-reading was wildly remote from me. Writing had never sprung in the mind. In my professional career, the pace at which I was blooming was phenomenal. But lately I had also begun to realize the insipidity and hollowness. God was kind upon me that He didn't let me stray elsewhere. Instead, He filled this hollowness with books. As I remember, it was exactly on December 30, 2009, that I traveled by bus and paid my first visit ever to a bookstore. In that store, I think being surrounded by countless book-shelves was the turning point. Those were not books, but as I felt, each individual book was a spirit in itself. That day for my reading, first time in life, I bought the first lot of four books. In this way, my following couple of months went in a sort of enlightenment. Connecting the dots, I think the inspiration which had started in early 2010, was the entire basis of having books in life. Since then, I must tell you that it has been quite an enjoyable journey.

 

Further to your question, while I tell you my story about starting in writing, let yourself decide whether it happened right away or not. Writing was not the intent behind my newest inclination towards book reading. It's today when I wonder as to what made me select those four books of particular kind. This hidden background of my thoughts sometimes seems like a mystery. Though it remained only oblivious to me in those days, but actually it's now when I understand that I was in search of myself, in fact in search of many questions which had been playing around me for quite some time. Following that visit, it took me around hundred days of reading the inspirations. Only in this period I started considering writing also. It happened spontaneously and automatically, and never with a plan. The first few pages I wrote, was a direct result of the inspiration sparked through these books. And I never meant writing my first book as such. My initial writings, you can say that, was my first experience with God; the One Who inhibits inside me. In those days I used to write in the solitude of night and with an ink pen, and not on computer the way I usually do today. Night after night, I kept on exploring and writing down the questions and answers within myself.

 

 

Then how occurred your first publishing? Also tell when and how your first print book came out?

 

Initially it was cyber publishing. By the end of year 2010, I had become quite serious about writing; but I must say that becoming a print book author was nowhere in mind. My stint with writing actually started with a free reading website, which, in lack of finance and resources, I had to technically develop myself. It is www.iamtheordinaryman.com. Perhaps by reading the name of website, you can sense how passionately I would be going about it. Day and night I was writing for this website; and I was taking pride in getting my work available to numerous readers for free. Presently I have integrated www.iamtheordinaryman.com with my other flagship website, which is www.sudhirmittal.in. Even to this date, much of my early work is available here for free reading.

 

About first print book, it was also a pleasant series of developments. By end of 2011, I was ready with my first intended book, of which I seriously wanted a print edition. The book's name was 'Life Again', and it was a wonderful and interactive 'write your own journal' kind of book. In my quest for searching suitable publishers, I came across a Delhi based publisher who took immense interest in my work. I showed him my manuscript and he immediately agreed about the editing tasks. In those days, the World book fair 2012, Delhi was falling due in the month of February. It was such a nice turn of events that my publisher friend happened to read my other work 'Sud & Me', which I had already published on www.iamtheordinaryman.com. 'Sud & Me' was, I must remind you, the same book which I had written with an ink pen earlier. Publisher was so impressed with my work that he quickly wanted to print 'Sud & Me' before the World book fair. Almost on war footage, I worked with him on editing and book design part. Finally, he was able to make it. No less than a miracle as it was, my first day ever visiting a book fair of any kind, was actually the day when my first print book was being released in a ceremony organized midst the World Book Fair, 2012, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. I owe this entire credit to my said publisher friend, Mr. Kaushal Goyal. I've written a page about him in 'Sud & Me'.

 

 

How many books you've worked on so far?

 

Writing can come only natural to me. I do not press over. The days when ideas flow in my mind, those turn out to be flood; otherwise I meekly amble in desert. As of the date of this interview, I have written ten books in all. Maybe the list interests you:

 

(i) Life will Smile at You

(ii) See You God

(iii) Lead Like A Master

(iv) Invoking The Self

(v) Sud & Me

(vi) The Life You Choose

(vii) Life Again

(viii) 365 Gold Coins

(ix) The Secret World on the Other Side of Mind (in editing process as of this writing)

(x) God and the Householder (in editing process as of this writing)

 

 

Oh! That's quite some books; that too in such a short time! Do you ever think about stopping writing?

 

I must disclose that throughout this period, I've never been particular to my plans for writing. I do not write, but writing happens when it comes naturally to me. Neither do I marvel seeing this list. To me, it's just like a dream, where everything is happening automatically. Inspiration and ideas always occur to me through reading the great legendary works. I just can't imagine stop reading; and in this way I think, as long as I would continue reading, inspiration and ideas would also continue to occur. Writing books from my side, I believe, may happen only automatically.

 

 

Do you write fiction as well? Which one of your books interests you most? Also tell which one you think will delight your readers?

 

Yes, five books out of the mentioned list are fiction. But the kind of fiction I write is quite different. It's more about 'Direct Philosophy' and spirituality. I must add that 'spirituality' in my work is beyond the religions. As always pictured by my books, spirituality is universal, unifying, and utilitarian.

 

About the book which interests me most, is the one that I am writing new.

 

Regarding readers' taste for my books, if it's fiction, I think 'See You God' will mesmerize them. 'Life will Smile at You' is also fiction but I think that is for quite mature readers. In non-fiction, I trust 'Lead Like A Master' will overwhelm the readers. This book contains 500 different techniques of getting one a five star rating at his workplace and life. Further there are more books; I find each of them unique in some or the other way.

 

 

Ok! Tell us what's your best part while ideating a new concept? Do you think you're fearless in your writing? And if it is so, what makes you that?

 

Well, you might marvel hearing this. It's that - I have no memory at all about creativeness. Because entirely my ideation is around 'Direct-Philosophy' and spirituality, this attribute of 'no-memory' actually assists me greatly. I mean I do not carry a baggage. Instead of memorizing a spiritual or philosophical doctrine and becoming numb towards it shortly after, I rather find it newly every time I reread. I can ideate an altogether new concept around the same doctrine, which I have already meditated on some time back. Indeed my memory doesn't go well with the baggage of knowledge. I am ever passionate for every piece of inspiration, even if it is repeated. You know, true inspirational subjects never get old.

 

About fearlessness, yes, I am superbly fearless in my writing. I often meditate on this question. I've found that this fearlessness comes from the 'faith' which I have preserved in the 'end-purpose' of my writing. This faith is nothing but the sanctity of my intent behinds writing these books. In course of writing, I never feel insecure about the commercial success and therefore employ the ugly or ungraceful characters, plots or stories. Commercial success is not a butterfly which you can chase, but it's a tree which is well set in the ground. You just have to be around and be patiently caring about it throughout, unless you start reaping the fruits.

 

 

Having authored around ten books so far, what you think is your responsibility in this new world of words?

 

This is quite a sensitive question. I think in our modern societies, it's only human to trust the written words more than the spoken words. For example, people always take the reports of newspapers more seriously than the life taking place in front of their eyes. In such atmosphere, an author's role becomes more sensitive. I have strongly believed that writing a book must have firmer motives than to create a marketing stir alone. Especially in the books trade, it has been a trend that whichever book magnets more controversy, it gets more commercial success. It's a dangerous scenario, especially when it is being over done by all. Creating controversies, that too around the greed behind a commercial break out, is seduction. The main question is that, whether through the hardship of an author, any value will also be added to the lives of readers? Book writing, I think is a creative passion. It is nobler than making a big budget Hollywood film. Book writing must not be seen as merely a yardstick about the commercial success. Authors must bear the responsibility of the fact that their written words will be taken seriously; those will influence reader's lives. Nobility has to be mirrored in the pages. Authors, on their individual parts, must be willing to embrace only a fair life. True art always originates out of the simplistic lives; and not from the pomp. Significance of success cannot be disdained, but neither should it be conspired by one.

 

 

Since you are a new author, what you say about the commercial part? Also tell about the subject which personally interests you most.

 

Commercial aspects are also important, but see! Here's the trick. It is generally seen that most of us rush behind commercial success blindly. Why this chase is always blind, I am just telling you. Actually for any one, it is easy to define 'commercial survival' than defining 'commercial success'. I hope you understand where I am coming from. We all want commercial survival, but we end up chasing the success. Especially when we do it blindly, we never reach our destination of bliss. In my case, I've already defined my commercial survival. And after I've attained that, I will be happiest man on the earth, if my entire work sells for free. I pray that the price tag of my books, must never come in way of my higher motive, for which I forsook my glistening professional career and chose about writing.

 

About the subject of my personal interest, it's myself alone. Put more clearly, it's the subject of my 'Self'. The very moment I start exploring the facets of my own existence, the stories I write become most interesting. And I claim that my individual story is no different from the billions of other stories being lived on this planet. The most interesting subject to me is nothing but studying and writing about the humankind, that too not in some kind of mythological flavor, but the very way it exists in our modern societies and world.

 

 

And something from your personal life? Any feedback of your books that you would like to mention here? Also tell, do you have a publisher as well.

 

I am quite a simple person living next door. Trust that, not even most of my neighbors are aware of my writing endeavors. Perhaps I am too weak in marketing... ha..ha..ha. Actually I love solitude, that too without much of necessary homely facilities. At some point of life, I would like to experience living without phone, internet and even electricity. The completeness must come from within me.

 

More than speaking in public I love speaking to the individuals, for I turn out to be more inspiring in that way. Talking about family, at my home in Gurgaon, India, my wife Sweety Mittal is a housewife and both the sons have started going to the school. My religious parents live with my younger brother in another town. I often drive to them. I have very close circle of friends, for I am understandably poor at networking. In my mind and intellect, I am dedicated to the spirituality. My all time favorite book is the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita and so far I've read quite a handful of commentaries of same. I have high regards for kind of religions and their holy books, but being myself a Hindu, Hindu scriptures come natural to me. Originally I feel that spiritual philosophies of all kinds across the globe, finally reach at only one destination. As of this writing, I haven't found my preceptor, but if you really ask me, in books, I've found plenty of them. Only because of my such preceptors, I aspire to live in God all the time.

 

About feedbacks, yes, there have been many. But I think this space would be insufficient to mention all. I have updated those on my website www.sudhirmittal.in and if you browse, you can easily trace. However here I would like to mention only one negative feedback, which is actually hilarious too. It happened some time in 2012. Only a week after when 'Sud & Me' was officially published, I gifted a copy to my colleague cum friend. It happened so, that instead of my friend himself, his wife got a hand-on reading. Only in few days, a kind of her remark reached me, at which I can't stop laughing. She said, "What kind of man he is? It seems that he makes impact neither at his home and nor in his office." I actually admire this remark, for it's truly the way the most people secretly think about themselves. However, 'Sud & Me' presents answers as well to these kinds of wonderments.

 

As you also asked about having publisher, yes, initially I had one, who published my four books in the beginning. But then sales and marketing were the kind of challenge we couldn't reconcile upon with each other. Lately I felt that in this modern age of internet, publishers are actually not as relevant as those were a decade before. For some time I have been successfully publishing myself as indie author. Not only in India, but my print books are available in US, Europe and other parts also of the world too. Availability of my ebook editions has also been excellent round the globe. Nowadays at least to start with, I am considering about narrating myself an audio-book. Wish, if I could have more than 24 hours in a day, so that I could have made things even faster. Given all challenges of my life, I must say that I am truly a happy man. I love the way life is coming to me. I take pride in what I am doing. While working day and night on my small table at home, I know, I am creating only gems.

 

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