The most difficult prose to write is the prose that is easiest to read.
Writing on weighty matters is easy, if you are well-informed on those weighty matters.
But any honest writer will admit—in a cloud of envy laced with a silver lining of admiration—that supermarket paperbacks such as whodunits and stories for kids are exceptionally difficult to write.
Even more difficult are potboiler romances.
My guest today is Milan Vohra—a writer, to be admired for this reason.
About 10 years ago, she was the author of the first Mills & Boon romance to be authored by an Indian. This was no easy achievement.
For years, Mills & Boon has had its principally female-readership in its thrall. Several women have described these romances as a rite of passage sort of thing. It starts around the coming of age. And does not stop.
Of course, curious men have immersed themselves discreetly in these romantic novels…and sadly, learned nothing.
Milan’s writing is not fluffy and sugary. Her writing often pulls to the darker side of emotions and her novels lurk in the murky junction of sex, infatuation and other human emotion.
When you add her quick and underlying humour, the mix is something which regular humans understand.
Now that I have laid bare her soul, let’s meet the person.
Milan Vohra has written five books, ‘The Love Asana’ (with Harlequin,2010), which made her the first Indian Mills & Boon author, ‘Tick-tock we’re 30’, (with Westland 2013, and soon to be seen on the screen), ‘Our Song’ (with HarperCollins, 2019). ‘Head over heels’ and ‘Mates, Dates & Double Takes’ a collection of contemporary short stories about first love (2021). Milan is also a TEDx speaker, a short story writer and an award winning advertising professional.
WHAT'S THAT WORD?! - CARPE DIEM
Co-host Pranati "Pea" Madhav joins Ramjee Chandran in the segment titled "What's That Word?"—or maybe Ramjee forgets to mention its title—to discuss the phrase, its meaning, and of course, its etymology. A delightfully funny segment.
If you have a word or phrase you would like to explore, join us live on the show. Reach us by mail: theliterarycity@explocity.com or simply, tlc@explocity.com.
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If your word or phrase is selected, we'll call you.
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HELP EDUCATE A NEEDY CHILD
The Literary City encourages you to give to those children who struggle to get an education. We ask you to contribute whatever you can to The Association of People with Disability. The link to donate is: https://www.apd-india.org/donations. Visit their site and take a look at the wonderful work they do and find it in your heart to, well, teach a child to fish.