About Shunila Prim:
She is a nature lover and includes her observations in her poems and stories. As a teacher she tried to inculcate the habit of conscious observation, love for nature and minimum waste in her students. She believes there is a child alive in every adult who wants to enjoy every stage of life, glance back and relish the memories too!
LiFT: Tell us about your book, the journey of writing it and its content.
Shunila: Quite often I shared vivid memories and precious moments of my childhood, school and college life with my daughter. Memories that left a lasting impression on my life and growing years. She suggested I write a story based on my memories. The result is my very first book, ‘The Trail.’
This book is a piece of fiction, a story woven around unforgetable memories. A story about girls in the 1970s. They belonged to different cultures and economic backgrounds, met, studied and grew up in a healthy environment.
The readers will surely be reminded of their own childhood incidents, secrets and friends, now just a memory.
LiFT: Why you chose this title?
Shunila: The title of my book, ‘The Trail’ represents the journey of each girl in the story who left her home to pursue an education which shaped her future.
LiFT: When did you realize that you want to be a writer and what’s your inspiration behind it?
Shunila: My daughter is the inspiration and the driving force that turned me into an author. She coaxed me into penning down thoughts on paper and even edited my work.
LiFT: Where do you see yourself ten years down the line in the world of literature?
Shunila: I would like to continue writing stories and poems as long as thoughts and ideas, inspirations and observations inspire me to write.
LiFT: How much do you think marketing or quality of a book is necessary to promote a particular book and increase its readers?
Shunila: A well written book and a compelling , relatable storyline will definitely attract avid readers.
Marketing helps to spread the word and would surely attract more readers.
LiFT: What is the message you want to spread among folks with your writings?
Shunila: Pick up a book and read, it’s a healthy habit.
Observe your surroundings, consciously think about and act for – minimum wastage and conservation of nature, in your home and neighbourhood.
LiFT: What do you do apart from writing?
Shunila: After working as a High School teacher for about thirty three years, I am now a full time homemaker and enjoy writing in my free time.
Reading is a hobby and habit since childhood.
Stitching is another creative outlet that relaxes me.
LiFT: What are the activities you resort to when you face a writer’s block?
Shunila: Observation of my surroundings has been a childhood habit that I gain inspiration from. I usually draw and sketch when faced with a writer’s block.
LiFT: What if your story will be adopted as a movie? Whom would you want to work as a director or actors in it?
Shunila: The director of ‘3 Idiots’ or Amir Khan will be able to do justice to ‘The Trail’.
Juhi Chawla as Mohini would, I feel, bring the character to life.
LiFT: Are you working on your next book? If yes, please tell us something about it.
Shunila: My next book is almost ready. It’s a collection of short stories and poems.
LiFT: What are your suggestions to the budding writers/poets so that they could improve their writing skills?
Shunila: Mind your grammar and refrain from writing in slang language.
Be an avid reader, read a variety of subjects not just fiction and comics.
Click here to order Shunila Prim’s Book – The Trail
