Here's a coffee chat with Retd. Col. Sujit Dutta, the author of 'Vignettes of Life'

1.     This is your first published book...what made you compose this one?

Ans 1:  I had been writing short stories over the past 10 to 15 years and many of these were published in in-house magazines. Some were also selected  for recognition too. Having travelled the length and breadth of the country, it dawned on me to distil some of my experiences in fact and fiction and create a bouquet of short-stories into a book. I have been a fan of the renowned writer, Sudha Murty and read most of her books and that was certainly an inspiration.

2.     What are your two most favourite short stories from your debut book?

Ans 2.  “ The Gift of Love” and “Lost Memories”. Love transcends myriad odds in life and “Gift of Love” is based on a true event of Dharavi, although fictionalised. In “ Lost Memories”, we would like our readers to be sensitive to the growing cases of dementia in society. I have tried to depict the sublime love of a daughter for her father afflicted by such a disease.

3.     Stories not novel, why?

Ans 3: Personally I have never been a fan of novels, particularly fiction, since to create a engaging story-line and sustain it over 50,000 to 60,000 words seemed rather daunting. I have always preferred the short-story genre, which is not only informative, but engaging to the reader and each story can be read in short time-frames, such as during air travel or office commute or even as late-night bedtime read

4.     Will modern readers accept your stories - What are your expectations? 

Ans 4:  My previous published short stories have seen literary recognition and I believe that over the past two years, I have attempted to create storylines which readers across our diverse country and also our diaspora located abroad will find resonance in their lives. All the 14 stories in this book address real life situations and readers will be able to emotionally connect to these

5.     Any message for Literoma community members and readers?

Ans 5. Literoma provides a wonderful platform to the entire literary ecosystem, particularly so for budding authors, which often pedigreed publishing houses ignore. I believe, that Literoma has immensely benefitted the entire community in finding a voice. If the content of the book or offering is good, readers will surely patronise by endorsing the book in reviews and prompting reprints.