June 23, 2008
Sonny Kalar wants to be the Asian Guy Ritchie. Of writing, that is. He has self-published two novels and is working on his third, with more adult and children’s books planned.
In addition to his daytime job, he is also chief instructor of a martial arts club, having taught Kung Fu and Stick Fighting for 10 years.
Eventually he wants to turn his novels into films or television drama.
AIM Magazine asked him a few questions.
You plan to launch your second novel called ‘Naughty Indian Affairs’ soon. What’s it about?
Affairs are naughty, sexy and passionate…until they go badly wrong!! This is about 4 Asian couples who find themselves embroiled in the murky world of affairs in today’s world. It is the Asian fatal attraction containing explosive scenes for all the characters, of whom some you will love and others detest with a vengeance.
What was your first book about?
My first book is about a young Punjabi guy who has made some mistakes in the past and after a watershed moment in his life seeks to settle down. He meets a beautiful girl and intends on settling down. The wedding date is set and everything looks sublime.
However his nefarious, murky past threatens to catch up with him and expose his dark secrets. It seems that no matter which way he turns the knives are being sharpened. This rollercoaster of a story then becomes a desperate battle for survival against the odds as he desperately tries to make it out of the wedding alive let alone marry his bride.
Without the backing of a big publisher, how are you going about publishing your books?
After extensive research into the market and book publishing business I decided to have my first few books self published following in the footsteps of a long list of authors before me, including; Stephen King, Virginia Woolf, Mark Twain, D.H Lawrence etc. With these books on the market, selling and being promoted I am working on my next novels (adults & children’s simultaneously) and will now be approaching publishing companies and agents with a view to securing a deal.
By adopting this strategy I am ensuring that my writing style, characters and stories are on the open market for my readers. At this moment in time I am involved in the marketing of my books but am used to doing this as I have been promoting my Martial Arts business for over 10 years where I run Kung Fu and Stickfighting clubs as Chief Instructor.
Why and how did you take up writing?
I have always loved writing and coupled with a an insatiable verve for life, a creative mind, zany imagination, a highly organized approach to all aspects of my life and an ability to conjure up great stories I decided to combine these talents to produce novels that I would like to be talked about and be remembered for a long time.
I want to be known as the Asian Guy Ritchie as a couple of readers have already commented (referring to the fact that all my novels contain thrills, a plethora of twists, sharp dialogue and larger than life characters along with an exciting story as the backbone).
What sort of writing do you like and who are your inspirations?
I read anything I can lay my mitts on, as long as it keeps me entertained then I am good. I feel I have a similar witty writing style to Meera Syal and the gritty realism of Geoff Thompson. I have many inspirations in my life but none other than my late mother.
She was a sui generis and the most amazing person I have ever been privileged to have shared time with in my whole life. I write to perpetuate her memory and to thank her for being the most wonderful, witty, caring and beautiful mother I could have wished for – if only I had more time, if only…