Author Highlight: Dr. Sudhir Dixit Discusses his New Book ‘Safalta Shabdon Ka Khel Hai’ and Stories from his Life

We are back with another author interview. Today, with us, we have Dr. Sudhir Dixit – the author of ‘Safalta Shabdon Ka Khel Hai’. In this interview, Dr. Sudhir Dixit talks about his writing aspirations, the route to getting his book published, and his inclination towards self-help books novels. Stay on...while we chat with him.

What motivates you to write and how long have you been writing?

The basic motivation of writing is to help people with my skills in language. I have been translating English bestsellers for the last 20 years, to be specific, from 1998. I came in translation field, as I felt that readers of Hindi belt should get access to the same quality information which is readily available to the English readers. The motto was to remove the barrier of the language. This prompted me to write and this still motivates me.

How did you feel when your book got published?

I have got so many books published, but I still get a thrill when a new book gets published. The feeling is akin to seeing a new-born child. It feels like I have accomplished and achieved another milestone.

Do you intent to inspire people through your books?

Yes. My book "Time Management" in particular has helped so many people to improve their lives. I want to inspire people to make positive changes in their lives and I want to be a catalyst in the process. If only one person makes his life better due to my book, I will consider the book to be a success. In today's world inspiration and motivation are hard to come by, so for the sake of maintaining our mental health we have to take them regularly through books, like we take a multi-vitamin for our physical health.

We heard that you have translated many books. So, according to you what is easy: translation or writing a book and why?

I have translated more than 200 books including the famous Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling and The Secret series by Rhonda Byrne. But translating is far easier than writing an original book. While translating, you have to simply transfer the ideas or feelings into your native language. But while writing an original book you have to work on the structure and shape of the book; you have to create. Though translating is also a creative work, but writing is more so. While writing my first fiction book "Raja Ajabsingh Ki Premkahani" I had to create a fictional world of fantasy for the love story. It was far more challenging. In "Safalta Shabdon Ka Khel Hai" I decided to compress the whole art of communication into 48 pages, so that people can read it in a single sitting.

So, writing a book is more difficult, because you have to choose the length, the theme, the sub-themes, plot-construction, characterization, which you simply don't have to do in translation.

What inspired you to write this book? Any tales to tell…

I am a Professor of English and one of my students complained that books on communication are so difficult to read and understand. She asked me to write a short book, so that she can understand the complex art of communication easily. This prompted me to write this book "Safalta Shabdon ka Khel Hai".

How do you manage your professional and creative life? Don’t they clash?

O my! They certainly clash! When I am in creative mode, my whole professional and personal lives go haywire. Creative work demands focused energy, so naturally you need to give it your 100 percent focus and more. This is like being an expecting mother; her whole focus is on her child, in the same manner, while producing a book your whole focus is on your brain-child, i.e. your book.

What was your biggest learning experience throughout the writing process?

My biggest learning experience came when the famous Hindi critic Dr. Ashok Bajpayee reviewed my translation of "Who Moved My Cheese?" He advised me to keep things simple; use simple language, use short sentences, don't try to impress readers, try to keep readers first and keep yourself in the shadow. This has changed my whole translation style and mentality.

Looking back, what did you do right that helped you break in as a writer?

Fortunately, I had both Hindi Literature and English Literature as my graduation subjects. That has certainly helped. And then I got early in touch with Manjul Publishing House, when it started. Luck has played a significant part in my success as a writer and when I published "Time Management" I had no idea that it will become such a huge success that it will be translated in three languages.

Any best piece of writing advice from your side that we haven’t discussed?

The best writing advice is simply this: KISS (Keep it Simple, Stupid).

Something personal about you people may be surprised to know?

For the last 15 years, I don't watch TV and don't read newspaper to save time and to keep myself away from negative feedback. I try to always remain with cheerful and positive people to keep my energy level up. I believe that Kindle is the future of books and in the next 10 years physical books would not find many takers and they would become extinct like record players or VCR.

Any future books that you would like to discuss now?

I am planning to write another book on "Time Management" and I am seriously considering the challenge of writing humorous fiction. "Raja Ajabsingh Ki Premkahani" is my maiden love story on Kindle and I would like to write more.

Connect with Dr. Sudhir Dixit:

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/sudhirdixittranslator/

Website: https://sudhirdixitji.blogspot.com/

Email: sdixit123@gmail.com