"Logic takes you from point A to Z. Imagination takes you everywhere. Imagination, a writer's best friend!"

Hi friends,

If you missed the Twitter chat last Friday, no worries - here is a transcript provided by my publisher.  From conspiracy to thrillers to Taj Mahal to writing, the topics were wide-ranging and fun. Have a peek! 

Or go to the Westland Facebook page here 

Westland Books

Hello tweeple, it’s Friday and it’s time to get up, close and personal with your favorite authors. #WestlandChat

Westland Books

We all love to read, but getting to know the person behind the books can be an interesting experience. #WestlandChat

Westland Books

There are two kinds of writer: those that make you think, and those that make you wonder. - Brian Aldiss #WestlandChat

Westland Books

These questions sky rocket after reading #thrillers & #conspiracies. Protagonists, plots, clues, climax! #WestlandChat

Westland Books

“That is the definition of faith -- acceptance of that which we imagine to be true, that which we cannot prove.” - Dan Brown #WestlandChat

Westland Books

Joining us shortly will be the author of The Taj Conspiracy, @manreetss who will be talking about the play of #faith & #truth in her book.

Westland Books

@manreetss wears many hats. She is an award winning copywriter, a trained engineer and has worked in the corporate. #WestlandChat

Westland Books

Her most recent book is about The Taj Mahal or as Rabindranath Tagore calls it "a teardrop on the cheek of time". #WestlandChat

Westland Books

The Taj Conspiracy is the story of a Mughal scholar Mehrunisa Khosa who stumbles on a conspiracy to destroy the Taj Mahal.#Westlandchat

Westland Books

Here’s hoping that all of you take this uncertainty in your stride and enjoy every moment. #WestlandChat

Westland Books

Hi @manreetss, welcome to #WestlandChat:) How are you doing?

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

@WestlandBooks Great! Thanks for hosting me and I'm looking forward to the #WestlandChat

Westland Books

Q - You trained as an engineer, worked in the corporate world & now you are a writer? Tell us about your journey. #WestlandChat @manreetss

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @WestlandBooks initially, yes. But the discipline came in handy when I'd to fight the blinking cursor #WestlandChat

Saltandpepper

Q - @WestlandBooks @manreetss Would you consider yourself a Sikh writer? If you were to do so, who/what would you write on?#WestlandChat

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @saltandpepper #WestlandChat   Nope. I am a writer, simple. Though yes, my experience informs my writing.

Saltandpepper

@manreetss @WestlandBooks What else about engineering helped you / hindered you?

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

@saltandpepper @WestlandBooks  Engineering helps with a work ethic, which is important when you're self-employed :) #WestlandChat

Priyanka Kantak

Q - @WestlandBooks @manreetss What is the inspiration behind writing this book? 
 #WestlandChat

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @priyankakantak A visit to Taj where an ignorant guide fed me legends for facts. I determined then to tell its story #WestlandChat

Ovidia Yu

Q - #WestlandChat Hi @manreetss what was your first impression of theTaj Mahal and was there any thought then you would write about it one day?

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @OvidiaVanda love! Amidst the ignorant guides who fabricate facts, it did seem forlorn, as if searching for a storyteller :) #WestlandChat

Hitesh

Q - @manreetss @WestlandBooks #Westlandchat where do you see yourself in the sea of Indian fiction authors?

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @1ladkahedeewana In the sea, swimming merrily :) #WestlandChat

Hitesh

Q - @manreetss @WestlandBooks #Westlandchat how did you feel after you finished writing this book?

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @1ladkahedeewana Great! And relief, the book took 5 years of research!  #WestlandChat

Hitesh

Q - @manreetss @WestlandBooks #Westlandchat would you call your book a historical fiction or not?

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @1ladkahedeewana It weaves history into present. #WestlandChat

Hitesh

Q - @manreetss @WestlandBooks  how did you deal with the writer's block? Any tips to deal with it? #WestlandChat

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @1ladkahedeewana Write daily, it’s a MUST. Even if you get 1 line done. The discipline will unblock the creative juices :) #WestlandChat

Westland Books

Q - @manreetss @1ladkahedeewana what kind of research went into writing The Taj Conspiracy? #WestlandChat

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @WestlandBooks @1ladkahedeewana Every mention of art, architecture, calligraphy, history in the book is accurate. #WestlandChat

Saltandpepper

Q - @WestlandBooks @manreetss Someshwar brings up an interesting question - is "soma ras essential for writing a book!" #WestlandChat

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @saltandpepper  Not strictly :) But a glass of wine, 1, after a hard day's writing helps refuel! #WestlandChat

Hitesh

Ans - @manreetss @WestlandBooks wonderful can't wait to. Read it now in spite of exams :-)

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @1ladkahedeewana @WestlandBooks you’ll enjoy it! Pre-orders are on at Flipkart etc. Or pick it up on 21 May from a bookstore

Saltandpepper

Q - @manreetss @WestlandBooks Did you read Jayawant Oak on the Taj? What do you think of his theory? #WestlandChat

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @saltandpepper @WestlandBooks I did. And I disagree. #WestlandChat

Saltandpepper

Q - @manreetss @WestlandBooks Economics advice to budding writers? Books and personal finance, please #WestlandChat

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans- @saltandpepper @WestlandBooks Don't gel, and it's a fact. Get a day job, or do a day job that supports you even as you write #WestlandChat

Westland Books

Q - How is copywriting different from writing novels? @manreetss #WestlandChat

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @WestlandBooks Short v/s long form of writing; one road v/s one road with several paths leading off it. #WestlandChat

Saltandpepper

Q - @manreetss @WestlandBooks do you have another job now? Can writing alone support you? Support with your savings to date

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @saltandpepper @WestlandBooks I write for the South China Morning Post. And yes, I did have a corporate career for 10 years. #WestlandChat

Ro

Q - @manreetss Which genre novels do you like the most? #WestlandChat

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @RoccoRockz I enjoy good writing, whatever genre. #WestlandChat

Hitesh

Q - @manreetss @WestlandBooks #Westlandchat why is that. IIM. graduates are turning authors. Many of them have carved a name for themselves too

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @1ladkahedeewana @WestlandBooks Good question! Because they have finally found their passion :) #WestlandChat

Ro

Q - @manreetss Which is that one writer that you look up to for inspiration? #WestlandChat

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @RoccoRockz  Mirza Ghalib and Shakespeare. #WestlandChat

Westland Books

Q - The protagonist of ‘The Taj Conspiracy’ has a unique name, Mehrunisa. What was your major source of influence? @manreetss #WestlandChat

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @WestlandBooks Mehrunisa is half Indian-half Persian, like the Taj. Her name reflects her unique identity and evokes the Taj. #WestlandChat

Hitesh

Q - @manreetss @WestlandBooks #Westlandchat how would you measure the success of a book? No. of copies sold or some other way.

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @1ladkahedeewana 1) Did you write what you set out to, to your highest standard 2) Does it get the praise of people you revere?#WestlandChat

Saltandpepper

Q - @manreetss @WestlandBooks Did you do a course to hone writing skills? Do you recommend one? #WestlandChat

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @saltandpepper @WestlandBooks  No. The best preparation to be a writer is to read a LOT. #WestlandChat

Westland Books

Q - What kind of response do you anticipate for ‘The Taj Conspiracy’ ? #WestlandChat  @manreetss

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @WestlandBooks That it helps them appreciate Taj Mahal for the true symbol of India that it is. #WestlandChat

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @WestlandBooks After reading The Taj Conspiracy a visit to Taj Mahal should not be the same :) #WestlandChat

Westland Books

 Q - The places that you’ve mentioned in your book, like the Himalayas, Agra. Did you visit these places? #WestlandChat  @manreetss

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @WestlandBooks Logic takes you from point a to z. Imagination takes you everywhere. A writer’s best friend is her imagination #WestlandChat

Saltandpepper

Q - @manreetss @WestlandBooks why not create an audio guide to the Taj that is authentic - downloadable to mobile phone at 50 Rs #WestlandChat

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @saltandpepper @WestlandBooks I am a writer, I tell stories because they're the best way to tell the truth #WestlandChat

Hitesh

Q - @manreetss @WestlandBooks #Westlandchat would you publish an only eBook version of your novel 5-10 years down the line?

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @1ladkahedeewana @WestlandBooks Why wait? I'm publishing an eBook soon after :) #WestlandChat

Ashok Banker

Q - @manreetss Wish you all the best with the book and your writing career. :~) @WestlandBooks  #WestlandChat

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @ashokbanker @WestlandBooks Thanks, appreciate it. #WestlandChat

Ro

Q - @manreetss Can "The Taj Conspiracy" be made into a Bollywood film? #WestlandChat

Helen the Mele(o)n

Q - @manreetss @WestlandBooks Do you think that there will ever be a point where there will be nothing more to write about? #WestlandChat

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @Dee_tard @WestlandBooks When there's nothing more to live or love? #WestlandChat

Divya Menon

Q - @WestlandBooks @manreetss #Westlandchat What is that The Taj Conspiracy tries to explore under the cover of crime fiction/thriller genre?

Bindu Menon

Q - @manreetss The name of character is Mehrunissa. Story is based in Taj Mahal. Reason is enough to read your book #WestLandChats @WestlandBooks

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @bindu_enigma @WestlandBooks Aww thanks! #WestlandChat

Ro

Q - @manreetss Name any new writer whose work has caught your attention? #WestlandChat

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @RoccoRockz Mohammed Hanif, Chimamanda Ngozi #WestlandChat

Hitesh

Q- @manreetss @WestlandBooks #Westlandchat any similarities in personalities of the protagonist in your book and you?

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @1ladkahedeewana @WestlandBooks A writer brings facets of her personality to her characters, even the villains :) #WestlandChat

Bindu Menon

Ans - @manreetss *The Taj Conspiracy* Sure will read. All the very best Madam :) @WestlandBooks

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @bindu_enigma @WestlandBooks Thank you! And do tweet back when you've done so :) #WestlandChat

Saltandpepper

Q - @manreetss @WestlandBooks A job, books, and then family.... how does it fit?  #WestlandChat

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @saltandpepper @WestlandBooks Bit by bit :) Some juggling, some help from hubby, desire to succeed, and loads of discipline#WestlandChat

Westland Books

Thank You all for a great #WestlandChat. @manreetss

Westland Books

Thanks you @manreetss for taking out time for us. We wish you all the best for The Taj Conspiracy. #WestlandChat

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @WestlandBooks Thanks all! It was my pleasure :) Look forward to hearing from you after you've read The Taj Conspiracy! #WestlandChat

Divya Menon

Ans - @manreetss The interest has been ignited :) Look forward to reading the book. All the very best to you!! @WestlandBooks

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Ans - @menondivya @WestlandBooks Thanks! #WestlandChat