Pritthijit Datta
United Kingdom
Age 42
One day, I was attending an University seminar. It got busy downstairs. Once the seminar was completed, I rushed upstairs sitting on some benches. I started to read a crime fiction thriller novel by American author Michael Connelly. I was so absorbed in the book. My interest in reading started to grow. I started to give it a go at writing. I submitted a copy of one book. It received positive comment” That is very engaging.
My main specialist books will be short stories, quizzes, and a few novels. It is a new venture that I want to pursue.
Romelia: WHAT IS THE MOST VALUABLE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN ABOUT WRITING?
Pritthijit Datta: Be yourself. Write using your own style and not copy others.
Romelia: HOW MANY HOURS A DAY DO YOU WRITE?
Pritthijit Datta: 4 hours a day.
Romelia: WHEN YOU ARE WRITING AN EMOTIONAL OR DIFFICULT SCENE, HOW DO SET THE MOOD?
Pritthijit Datta: For an emotional scene, I let it out. In my life, I have experienced plenty of emotional times due to my dyspraxia at school and workplaces. Writing emotional scene can come naturally to me to write.
Romelia: WHOM DO YOU TRUST FOR OBJECTIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM OF YOUR WORK?
Pritthijit Datta: My best friend and wife always look at my work and give me constructive criticism on how I can keep improving.
Romelia: HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED WITH THE SUBJECT OR THEME OF YOUR BOOK?
Pritthijit Datta: The book written is about the 1980s decade. I was born and raised in that decade. I like to relieve the nostalgia of the decade. Love the music and great memories I share of the decade. This prompted me to write a book about the decade.
Romelia: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE IN YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD OR GENRE? IF YOU WRITE MORE THAN ONE, HOW DO YOU BALANCE THEM?
Pritthijit Datta: The book gives insights about the 80s decade. Due to my upbringing in the decade, I wanted to write a book about the decade. I find the decade fascinating. Many have great memories of the decade such as the awesome music, cool movies, great tv shows, brilliant cartoons and iconic moments.
Romelia: WHAT CULTURAL VALUE DO YOU SEE IN WRITING?
Pritthijit Datta: N/A.
Romelia: HOW DOES YOUR BOOK RELATE TO YOUR SPIRITUAL PRACTICE OR OTHER LIFE PATH?
Pritthijit Datta: N/A.
Romelia: WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS AND INTENTIONS IN THIS BOOK, AND HOW WELL DO YOU FEEL YOU ACHIEVED THEM?
Pritthijit Datta: To be one of the best book about the 1980s decade.
Romelia: CAN YOU SHARE SOME STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE YOU MET WHILE RESEARCHING THIS BOOK?
Pritthijit Datta: I wrote the book based mostly on my own experiences. I contacted a few people raised in the decade to share the experiences of what it was like being born in the decade.
Romelia: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REFERENCES THAT YOU USED WHILE RESEARCHING THIS BOOK?
Pritthijit Datta: Accessed information from various 1980s websites.
Romelia: WHAT DO YOU THINK MOST CHARACTERIZES YOUR WRITING?
Pritthijit Datta: Keeping it simple and easy flow without complicating.
Romelia: WHAT WAS THE HARDEST PART OF WRITING THIS BOOK?
Pritthijit Datta: Narrowing what areas to focus on. The 1980s is eventful decade. There is so much you can write about. I did not want to write a big essay about the decade. I chose certain themes that characterize the decade and identified six areas relating to my experiences and researching in the areas in detail.
Romelia: ARE THERE VOCABULARY WORDS OR CONCEPTS IN YOUR BOOK THAT MAY BE NEW TO READERS? DEFINE SOME OF THOSE.
Pritthijit Datta: I do not think so.
Romelia: ARE THERE UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS OR IDEAS FEATURED IN YOUR BOOK? IF SO, DISCUSS THEM.
Pritthijit Datta: No.
Romelia: ARE THERE MISCONCEPTIONS THAT PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT YOUR BOOK? IF SO, EXPLAIN.
Pritthijit Datta: Not at the moment.
Romelia: WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOUR SUBJETC/GENRE, THAT THEY NEED TO KNOW?
Pritthijit Datta: The book is an insight about the 1980s.
Romelia: WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Pritthijit Datta: Felt like writing something I am knowledgeable about and share with readers who may have the same experiences as me about the decade.
Romelia: HOW DID YOU GET TO BE WHERE YOU ARE IN YOUR LIFE TODAY?
Pritthijit Datta: I am self-taught writer. I did not do any writing courses. I learned from reading other works about the 1980s and looked at what I can do different.
Romelia: WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS THAT YOU FEEL WERE INFLUENTIAL IN YOUR WORK? WHAT IMPACT HAVE THEY HAD ON YOUR WRITING?
Pritthijit Datta: David Nicholls’s book starter for 10 is one of famous modern literature books. The books takes us on a nostalgic journey to the 1980s. It help me to give insights about the decade.
Romelia: WHAT DID YOU FIND MOST USEFUL IN LEARNING TO WRITE? WHAT WAS LEAST USEFUL OR MOST DESTRUCTIVE?
Pritthijit Datta: Be yourself in writing. Do not try to hard. Be relaxed. Do not be too blogged down. Take breaks to refresh your thoughts and you gain momentum.
Romelia: ARE YOU A FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME WRITER? HOW DOES THAT AFFECT YOUR WRITING?
Pritthijit Datta: At present, I am a part time writer. I work as a charity fundraiser during the day.
Romelia: WHAT ARE SOME DAY JOBS THAT YOU HAVE HELD? IF ANY OF THEM IMPACTED YOUR WRITING, SHARE AN EXAMPLE.
Pritthijit Datta: It is afternoons I devote after my charity work.
Romelia: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT EBOOKS VS PRINT BOOKS AND ALTERNATIVE VS CONVENTIONAL PUBLISHING?
Pritthijit Datta: I prefer print books as opposed to ebooks. You can gain the real experience through reading print books. I prefer the conventional publishing root. If the publisher like your book, then that great news as it opens up new window of opportunities.
Romelia: WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE FUTURE OF READING/WRITING?
Pritthijit Datta: I feel strongly that not many read today due to the distractions of modern life. Not everyone is in reading and writing. It starts from parents to encourage children to read and write.
Romelia: WHAT MAKES YOUR BOOK STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD?
Pritthijit Datta: I writie books that I want to engage with audience. My books are quiz books. They give insights about a subject and then I set fun and enjoyable games to see how much they know. For example, the 1980S Interactive game book is aimed at people who love the 1980s and would enjoy playing trivia quizzes and other games. Not an essay book, with huge chunk of details.
Romelia: DO YOU WRITE MORE BY LOGIC OR INTUITION, OR SOME COMBINATION OF THE TWO? SUMMARIZE YOUR WRITING PROCESS.
Pritthijit Datta: I write by logic mostly.
Romelia: WHAT IS YOUR ROLE IN THE WRITING COMMUNITY?
Pritthijit Datta: I do the writing to express my interest.
Romelia: WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE PRESENT? WHAT DO YOUR PLANS FOR FUTURE PROJECTS INCLUDE?
Pritthijit Datta: Next book I will be working is Disney interactive game book and a feature novel.
Romelia: describe yourself in a few sentences. Tell us something we do not know about you and something you hate about the world.
Pritthijit Datta: I am dyspraxic. Dyspraxia has affected my education and work life. I have worked hard to get where I am now with my charity and writing work. I hate selfishness in the world. Give the situation we are facing with covid-19, I feel many people are behaving selfish and not thinking about others.
Books for Life 