Join Me For A Twitter Chat 5 March 4-5pm IST!

Don't forget to use #TheHuntForKohinoor hashtag in your tweets!

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"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

Join Me for a Twitter Chat on Friday, 11 May, 1-2 pm IST

Hello friends,

My publisher is hosting a Twitter chat this Friday, 11 May, between 1-2 pm IST with yours truly. We will discuss my upcoming thriller The Taj Conspiracy, my writing journey and - whatever else you might want to know!

Yup, you can send your questions in advance using the hashtag #Westland Chat and take home a free copy of The Taj Conspiracy! How cool is that?!

More information here.

Meanwhile, if you're wondering what The Taj Conspiracy is all about, check these trailers we made for the book :)

This is a trailer for The Taj Conspiracy, Book 1 of the Mehrunisa trilogy by Manreet Sodhi Someshwar. When a young Mughal conservator stumbles on a conspiracy to destroy the Taj Mahal, she must battle her inner demons and overcome a prejudiced police to decipher clues that will unmask the mysterious conspirator.

What does a tween think of The Taj Conspiracy, Book 1 of the Mehrunisa trilogy, by Manreet Sodhi Someshwar. We asked one tween - watch the video to know more!

Look forward to chatting with some of you on Friday, Cheers!