This week, we interviewed the talented Mohan Krishna Shrestha, author of Three Decades in Diplomacy. We spoke about Mohan’s writing experience, what they might change and challenges they faced!
If given the opportunity to do it all over again, would you change anything in your book?
Nothing. My book contains all my personal experiences while serving as a diplomat of my country starting from the position of Second Secretary. I have enumerated all practical experience encountered during my service in many countries and visits to many cities around the world.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Yes, it was a tough job to write against my seniors at one time in our Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There was very nasty guy. He was very narcissistic and always boasted of the hoary past achievements of his forefather. He used to think that our citizens are as his subjects. I always defied and challenged him.
He did very bad karma against me, but I took it calmly not jeopardizing the prestige of my post.
Besides this, I took it easily to write my diplomatic experience gained while serving for 31 or more years in diplomatic service. In totality, I find myself lucky to have joined the service and served our people up to the mark. Result is recorded that I am being remembered in those capital cities even after so many years. I hold the view that every public servant must hold a positive attitude and serve the people without any discrimination.
Writers are often believed to have a Muse, your thoughts on that?
I never encountered any kind of ‘Muse’ during my writing. Rather it was tiring, indeed. In those tiring moments, I would refresh the music of my choice or some jocular episodes. It really reenergized me and I began writing again.
Do you have a day job, and if so, does ever get in the way of your writing?
No, I am retired now. After I returned from France upon the completing of my tour of duty, I got some free time. With free time, I wrote this book!
I have totally had free will and time to write this book. I put all my efforts into it as it was the first time I have wrote book. Now, good reviews and comments from far and wide respected people have encouraged me. An old guy recently told me that he found my book interesting and full of facts in every chapter he read. He even thanked me for writing such an excellent book. My book has become the talk of the town!
Do you have a daily habit of writing?
No. I do not write on daily basis. I write when I have an intention or time to do so. For days, I could not write a single word due to other excessive works.
But when I decide to write, I do not count time and kept writing incessantly. That is my style.
Do you believe attractive book covers help in its sales?
Yes, attractive book cover also helps the sale of the book. But the contents are the deciding factor. There is a saying: Beauty strikes the sight, but merits win the heart. It applies in the book business also to some extent.
How do you see writing? As a hobby or a passion?
It was my first book and due to its immense popularity and praises heaped on it, I considered becoming a professional writer on other topics. But writing is not that easy of a job. But if I take writing as a passion, I can become successful because I have several other topics to write on societal matters.
If you could review Olympia publishers in a few words, what would they be?
It is my first encounter with Olympia. I am pleased to be associated with such a reputed publishing house. People working here are friendly and very responsive.
I get a quick response to my queries.
One more important part of my exercise is that when I was in communication with the editor, he responded to all my queries and at last he asked whether I had exhausted my queries. It showed how professional and responsive Olympia is!
If you enjoyed our interview with Mohan Krishna Shrestha, take a look at his book, due for release on the 26th of April 2018.
