Anurag Anand is a corporate professional with a career panning across sectors like pharmaceuticals, banking and FMCG. Writing is his passion and he insists that having a day job alongside allows him to focus on stories he wants to tell. Anurag’s literary debut in 2004, Pillars of Success, was a self-help book. He recently came out with his eighth book Where The Rainbow Ends.
What inspired you to write this book?
Where The Rainbow Ends is a story based on human relationships. I have tried to spice it up with elements of suspense, drama and humour. However, subtly entwined with the story is a social message pertaining to cervical cancer. I came to learn how lack of awareness about this disease is helping it expand its monstrous reach through my wife Neeru who works with a pharmaceutical major.
What are the challenges of writing on social issues?
Writing about any issue affecting society at large requires an author to exercise a fair degree of caution and sagacity. However, sadly, with the growing intolerance in our society today, authors are being forced to stay away from using this tool effectively for the larger good of the society.
How did you research on the subject?
My wife was my first source of information on cervical cancer. Fortunately, my father being a doctor also helped. For secondary data and information I relied heavily on the internet. However, since I am not an expert in medicine, I haven’t tried to go too deep in talking about the disease or its causes.
Have you ever struggled with writer’s block?
A writer’s block is nothing but a term of convenience used by some of us authors to momentarily excuse ourselves from the rigour of writing. If you know what you need to write and you possess a certain degree of language proficiency, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to deliver.
Any tips for aspiring authors?
The only thing a writer is known for is his/her body of work. If you have a story to tell, do a good job of putting it on paper! All other considerations like finding the right publisher or marketing the book shall take care of themselves if what you have written is worthwhile.
