Hello Readers,

Welcome to Meet the Author! This month, I am  thrilled to have Shakti Hannie as our guest. She’s the brilliant mind behind “Colours of a Cultural Chameleon,” a book that beautifully captures her love for travel and writing. We connected on Instagram during the May on the Move challenge, and it’s fascinating how we share a passion for train travel in India. 

Coincidentally, I discovered another fascinating parallel in our lives: Shakti’s mother bears the name Usha, while the protagonist of her novel is called Kamala—a charming synchronicity considering my own aunt also bears the name Kamala.

Based on this extraordinary connection and a shared passion for storytelling, I had an enlightening conversation with Shakti, an author who blends travel, culture, and human connections in her work.

Let’s dive into Shakti’s world of storytelling and inspiration!

Usha: Welcome Shakti, why don’t you start by telling us a bit about yourself ?

Shakti: I’m Shakti Hannie, passionate about writing and travelling, and being part of our wonderful multicultural world. I’m multilingual and was brought up in both India and the Netherlands. 

I published my debut novel Colours of a Cultural Chameleon in November 2020 on Amazon.The essence of my book is growing up and seeing the world through personal interactions and intercultural mingling.

Usha: What do you prefer: reading Fiction or Non-fiction? Any particular favourite?

Shakti: I am an avid reader. I love books by authors like Khaleid Hosseini and Jhumpa Lahiri or Tatiana de Rosnay. These authors have in common that they too have multicultural roots or have moved countries and tell stories about people’s lives and their experiences. I guess I’d call such stories ‘Human interest stories’”; if that’s a genre then that would be the one I read most. I guess wanting to know more about other people’s lives is why I love reading biographies too. The biography written by Obama, where he talks about his childhood and his multicultural background/upbringing I found touching, genuine, intriguing and very interesting to read. Currently I am reading a biography on the well-known scientist Marie Curie. Books that explore diverse lives and experiences truly resonate with me.

Usha: How much of Shakti is in Kamala?

Shakti: Many have asked me this question. All fiction has a bit of the author in the characters they create. So to answer that honestly, Kamala has quite a bit of Shakti, but Kamala is also her own person; a creation of my imagination and creativity. I was not born in Belgium, but I am Belgian by nationality. In my book I allowed Kamala to be born in Belgium and live there for a while, unlike my own childhood. For my book I have very much drawn inspiration from my life experiences, for instance for Kamala’s first day at school, the train travel experiences in India, etc. My experience as a spouse in Boston, where I encountered and connected with many people in a similar situation was a turning point. That’s when I realised we all shared having (had) intercultural experiences. My own story and that of others is what I incorporated in the book Colours of a Cultural Chameleon.

So to be honest Kamala is not very different from me and my personality. Yes, she is quite similar, but she’s not me. Many of our traits are similar, but as an author I have permitted us to differ. I hope I have answered the question, from my perspective it’s very difficult to give a clear yes or no answer. An interesting fact is that my own memories are now distorted by my writing. Now, when I read my book Colours of a Cultural Chameleon  some of the fictional parts read like non-fiction. Which is really absurd, right? Some parts in the book, of which I know most certainly have not happened in real life, I’ve actually (briefly) believed to have been true. A surreal experience, I must say. 

Usha : What do you prefer: paperback, hardback, e-books or audiobook, and why ?

Shakti: Audiobooks. As a mom and busy entrepreneur, audiobooks allow me to ‘read’ more often. I don’t really enjoy e-books, but I must say I haven’t tried too many, maybe I should give it another try. I love paperbacks. Having said that,  in the case of audiobooks the sound/tone/intonation/accent/melody of the narrator is of utmost importance.  If I don’t like a narrator’s voice then I tend not to want to listen to the story. On the contrary I’ve listened to Julia Baerd’s book Phosphorescence, which is a wonderful book made more magical because it was read by the author herself.

Usha: What is the first book you read that you remember?

Shakti: I can’t quite recall the very first book I read as a child, but I vividly remember the joy of immersing myself in the world of books. Two particular books stand out from my growing-up years, and I distinctly recall the captivating experience of reading them. One of them was “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”I’ve also described this in Colours of a Cultural Chameleon . I don’t know whether I experienced the same sensations as I’ve described in the book, but I do think they were quite similar. A feeling of being flabbergasted and in shock that such practices took place in the (grown-up) world and wondering whether such inhuman practices were only common in the US or in other countries too.

The other book is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, given to me by my mother at a young age. When she gave me the book I remember I was not very keen to read a period piece or some story about the need for girls to find themselves husbands. I couldn’t quite figure why she gave me the book, but later on when I started reading it, the book took me by surprise. Who doesn’t love the mysterious Mr Darcy, an extraordinary character, but the book is also about the sisterly bond between Jane and Elizabeth Bennett. Eloquence of British language and interesting insight into a specific time period also captured my attention.

Usha: What is the inspiration for your writing ?

Shakti: My main driver to write is for the sheer joy of writing. I would not want to lose that. When I set out to write, my intention was to write a memoir, but as I started writing, it evolved into more of fiction and a novel. I loved and enjoyed the process of writing the novel. I did not write with an intent to publish, it wasn’t one of my concerns to think about whether anyone would want to read it. I just wrote. Once I decided on publishing though I wanted to get it right, so I got an editor to vigorously go through the book. I am glad I took on this professional attitude; I hate it when books contain grammatical errors. Once I published the book, I was moved by the response and feedback I received on the book. It really moved me to hear that people could connect to my story, that they could relate to it and it reminded them of their own childhood and experiences, even though their circumstances were so different from mine. There was a common ground and a connectedness. The ability to be able to connect with people through my words gave me the inspiration to write more. Now I am ready to write more and get those books published too.

Usha: Do you have a specific place /desk to write? Is there a special place where you love to write?

Shakti: I have a specific desk to write, but I write as and when the inspiration or idea strikes. Sometimes I write on the train, in a park or when I am in the garden. Often I try to write a scene in a specific place, for example I experience the train ride (as I’m travelling) and then try to write down exactly how the character in my book would experience this. Or I listen to the leaves in the wind, feel the wind on my skin and describe it.

Usha: Have you taken any Literary journeys or would you like to take any literary journeys?

Shakti: Not yet, never really thought about undertaking such a ‘pilgrimage’, but now I have been triggered …though I don’t yet know which author’s home I’d like to visit. 

Usha: “Trust a stranger and new doors open” Please shed some light on (why this is) Kamala’s mantra. It seems to be your mantra too.

Shakti: Yes indeed “Colours of a Cultural Chameleon” echoes my mantra, a guiding principle that has shaped my life’s adventures—trusting strangers. Throughout the book, I carefully curated anecdotes that illustrate the transformative power of openness and trust. As I reflected on my own journey, one particular incident stood out vividly. A friend once remarked, “Adventures always befall you,” to which I replied, “It can happen to anyone, just a matter of right place and right time.” However, she disagreed, stating, “In the same situation, it wouldn’t happen to me. You talk to strangers, I don’t. You’re open and trusting. Her words struck a chord, prompting me to introspect. It dawned on me that she was right. By embracing openness and trust, I opened myself up to extraordinary experiences that others might not encounter. The willingness to engage with strangers and embrace their stories has allowed me to immerse myself in unfamiliar places, learning about diverse cultures and connecting with people on a profound level.This approach has enriched my life in countless ways. I’ve discovered that seeking common ground and forging connections with people from different walks of life not only offers unique insights but also fosters a deeper understanding of our shared humanity. Each interaction becomes an enriching chapter in the story of my life, painting it with vibrant hues and shades.

 In “Colours of a Cultural Chameleon,” I invite readers to embark on a journey where trust in strangers opens doors to captivating adventures and expands horizons beyond imagination. The book celebrates the beauty of genuine human connections, proving that the world becomes an awe-inspiring tapestry when we embrace the unknown with an open heart and mind.

Usha: I noticed on your instagram an interesting post about a research as a part of the process of writing. It was trying out a recipe. I was very interested in the different kinds of research endeavours you have taken to write and if you could share with us some of them?

Shakti: Yes sure. 😀To craft the scene where Kamala visits a discotheque in the 90s (in my upcoming book) , I immersed myself in the era’s ambiance. I played 90s music to set the mood, allowing the beats to guide my writing. I swayed and danced to the rhythm, endeavouring to capture the essence of Kamala’s experience on the dance floor—the movements, the feelings, and the pulsating beats that filled the air.

Additionally, I delved into researching Kerala’s delectable food dishes, noting the unique ingredients that make them truly special. The regional culinary delights added depth to the story of the cultural chameleon, infusing it with the rich flavours of Kerala’s gastronomic culture.

Furthermore, I explored the housing landscape of specific localities to understand the surroundings in which Kamala’s journey unfolds. This research provided valuable insights into the architectural nuances and the ambiance that shaped her environment, offering readers a vivid sense of place.

Usha: Can you share with us about your upcoming book?

Shakti: My upcoming book, is a sequel to Colours of a Cultural Chameleon. We’re still following Kamala on her journey through life, but this book begins when Kamala starts working. The sky is the limit, but for how long, how much can she handle and can she manage both at work and at home as a young mother. Will the stress make her crumble and break down or will there be strangers helping her along the way? Currently I’m still writing chapters in ‘Kamala’s Entropy’, hope to finish writing it this summer, then spend some time rewriting and send it to an editor. Hopefully it’ll all be ready by the beginning of 2024, in time for my birthday… The envisaged publication date 😊. 

Thank you, Shakti, for this enlightening chat and for sharing your wisdom with us. I found your thoughts on strangers and the power of connections truly intriguing. I wholeheartedly agree that these encounters have the remarkable ability to enrich our lives. As an introvert myself, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the wonderful friendships that can blossom from such interactions with strangers.

This brings us to the end of the Q and A.

Thank you very much Shakti for your time on this Meet the Author and letting us get to know you.

Find out more about Shakti and her writings on her website.

https://shaktihannie.com

You connect with her on Instagram

https://instagram.com/coloursculturalchameleon?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

That’s all folks from me on this month’s Meet the Author.