#Author Interview

We caught up with Prajakta Koli and asked her about one thing only, her experience as a first time author. What surprised her the most? What was harder than she expected? And what did publishing her first book actually feel like? If you’ve ever wanted to write a book someday, this one’s for you. And if you’re a MostlySane fan, you already know this is a must watch 🫶📚 Watch till the end for her most honest moment. . . . . . [prajakta koli, mostlysane, first time author, debut author, indian authors, author experience, publishing journey, writer life, aspiring writers india, bookstagram india, mumbai bookstore, fictionary books, author interview, book lovers india, reel interview, youtube creator author, behind the book, writing process, viral book reel]

Let’s get to the bottom of this 👇 If you’re worried your book is too similar to Fourth Wing, Game of Thrones, or another popular title in your genre—remember that EVERY story borrows elements from stories that came before. Writing is about exploring parts of our human experience that we all recognize. Your job isn’t to invent an experience no human has ever lived through—it’s to tell a story through your *own* unique lens. (📚 Comment “OUTLINEMYSTORY” for my free outlining toolkit to help you develop your story!) To make your story stand out, ask yourself these 3 questions 👇 1️⃣ How are your characters’ goals different from those in similar stories? Go beyond surface-level plot. What does your character really want, and what emotional journey are they on? EX: In Twilight, Bella isn’t just trying to fall in love with Edward—she’s grappling with the desire to belong to both the human and vampire worlds. 🧛🩸 2️⃣ What unique theme or message are you exploring? Even if your plot feels familiar, your themes can set you apart. What universal or deeply personal ideas are you weaving through your story? EX: Twilight explores identity, loyalty, sacrifice, and family—adding layers beyond the romantic plotline. 3️⃣ What’s distinctive about your world or setting? Your atmosphere and world-building give readers an experience they haven’t had before, even in familiar genres. EX: Forks’ small-town vibe, the overcast weather, and the mystical vampire + werewolf mythology create Twilight’s unique, moody atmosphere. 👉 Of course, never intentionally copy another writer’s work—but when it comes to making your original ideas stand out in crowded genres, these questions will keep you on track!

As if writing three books a year is not challenging enough, Freida McFadden has set herself a new challenge… Seeing if she can solve a Rubik's cube while being interviewed by me. Here's a teaser for what's to come later in the week... #bookstagram #johnmarrs #freidamcfadden #thetenant #authorchallenge #authorinterview #rubikscube #bookish

We got a chance to chat with poet Whitney Hanson, author of Home, Climate and Harmony. She talked about what makes a poem a poem, the author/reader connection and her impetus for writing. Interesting stuff from a thoughtful person! Join us for Whitney’s author event this Thursday, July 10 at Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing! #powellsfaq #authorinterview

If you know The Kindred's Curse Saga, you know Penn Cole. And if you don't, well, no better time than now to get into one of the hottest authors out there. Check out the video! #powellsfaq #authorinterview

1. It’s an incredibly difficult profession to pursue. Only the top, bestselling authors, or the ones with strong agents, are able to build a professional career in writing books. 2. Despite the fact that I love writing, I also find it very difficult to do even after having written books- it’s often hard to find motivation, time and the stamina to write. Even if you have done it in the past. 3. From writing the book to marketing it, you’re often on your own. While in other professions you get to swim in a team, this is a solitary profession so as important as it is to have a community, you’ve to learn to be okay being on your own. 4. Sometimes, writing books makes you distant with the very thing you loved about it- books. It’s hard to read a lot of books because you always want to have time for writing. You also start to read from a writer’s point of view. 5. There’s much that I would change in my books if I had a chance to redo. I am proud of what I have written, but over the years I’ve tried to grow as an artist and have different sensibilities now. 6. No matter if you think your book is ‘better’ than many books out there, while writing, you have to attempt to write the best book that you have the ability to write. I think I would be very dissatisfied if I write books that I myself consider average, so the ultimate competition should be with yourself, to see how you can perfect the craft. 7. Often, what you want to write and what is demanded to be read can be at odds. The only way forward is to ignore that and write the story that you can best write. What else would you like to know about writing? Comment here and I’ll try to answer :) The Amazon links to Once upon a Curfew and Lallan Sweets, my two novels, are in my bio. . . . #author #bookstagram #authorsofinstagram #bookish #indianauthors . . . [Lallan Sweets, Once upon a Curfew, writing advice, writing tips, being an author, Indian authors, romance novels]

1. Stop worrying so much about your first draft. First drafts are meant to be messy. No matter what publishing path you choose, your book should go through a lot of editorial and will change for the better. Allow your first draft to be “bad” and just go with the flow. The most important thing is getting words on the page. 2. Being a full-time author is both about craft AND business. Indie or traditionally published, bringing a book into the world involves a lot of marketing and promotions. If you care at all about selling your books, understanding and evolving as a business person in tandem with the craft will help your career grow. 3. Not every reader is your reader. Some people are going to love your work, some will hate it. That’s OK. Find the people you are writing for and stop worrying about people you’re not. 4. Make peace with rejection. I say this as someone who was rejected by 111 agents just starting out and has faced countless other rejections throughout her career. Rejection is part of the process. If not agents, or editors, then readers who just don’t like your book. Grow from it and make peace with it. 5. You will always wish you were “better.” Your next book is your best book, because you’re continuing to learn and grow and improve as an author. Wishing you were better isn’t a sign of failure, it means you care and are still committed to honing your craft. If you want more publishing and writing tips, I have a free newsletter that I send out every month where I deep dive into an element of being an author. Check out the link in my bio to subscribe. Good luck and happy writing! #authortips #amwriting #authorsofinstagram #writersofinstagram #author #authorlife #writerlife #writer #writingcommunity #protips

The saddest part of becoming an author is… 📚 1. Believing in yourself before anyone else does. It’s really lonely. Staring at the word document in tears because you want to do your story justice but wishing someone else would write it for you… knowing no one is coming to save you. 📚 2. Losing the love of writing because now it’s “work” Having to force yourself to write is one of the worst feelings in the world. Forcing yourself to do something you once loved is so disheartening. 📚 3. The dread of never getting an agent or publisher. You try not to think about it… But it sits in the back of your mind every time you open your laptop, wondering whether you’re good enough to get your dream or not. 📚 4. Feeling like you never know enough. No matter how much research you do you feel like you’re never reading enough, not going to enough conferences, not having enough information, not having all the answers and it just eating away at you. 📚 5. The war of comparison. You’re happy for them…that they got the dream publisher, wrote 100k words, their video went viral… or you feel your supposed to be happy for them. But deep down you keep asking “why them and not me?” and feeling horrible for asking that question I still struggle with these but there’s a sweet sad kind of beauty to all of this and the journey of overcoming it. If any of this resonated with you, please follow and comment what point you felt the most! #AuthorJourney #WriterCommunity #AspiringAuthor #IndieAuthorLife #Beachy #FloridaKeys #Friends #Family #bookstagram #books #booklover #book #bookworm #reading #bookish #instabook #booksofinstagram #Author #readersofinstagram #read #bookaholic #bookshelf #booklove #bookreview #bookcommunity #booklovers #reader #igreads #booktok

The hardest part about being an author? For me, it’s marketing! I can plot out a whole novel, sort out messy drafts, or even do complete rewrites. But telling people about my book is a whole other skillset that takes a lot of work! Any other authors out there feel the same? #authors #authorsofinsta #writinglife #writing #indieauthor

If it isn’t fun, why are you doing it? 😉 Writing a novel is hard but it’s also soooo much fun! Try not to stress yourself out over it, just enjoy the process! #Author #indieauthor #writinganovel #writingadvice #reader #indiebooks

“You are going to have to allow yourself to write badly, or your ideas will die with you.” Best-selling author @katherine.rundell gives her advice to budding writers on Radical with @AmolRajan Listen on @BBCSounds

These books shaped how I write, teach, and coach authors to finish drafts without making their lives unnecessarily stressful. If you want the process and prompts I recommend every writer start with, comment FORMULA and I’ll send ‘em to you! And grab these books (and follow their authors): @janefriedman @tiffanyyatesmartin . . . . . #womenwhowrite #publishing #writingcommunity #womenwriters #authors #amwriting #authorssupportingauthors #bookwriting #indieauthor