Author Interview with Samita Sarkar

Travelogue


Samita Sakar
, freelance writer and editor from Toronto, Canada, is today’s guest for an author interview.  We asked her about her debut travelogue:


Samita, how would you describe your book to someone who has not yet read it?

I Am the Ocean is a spiritual travel memoir about a solo trip I took along the east coast of the United States in my early twenties. Limited by budget, I travelled by bus, slept on couches, and stayed in hostels. I packed very light, bringing mostly just clothes, a travel journal, and a copy of the philosophical treasure The Bhagavad Gita. I saw many amazing sights and met fascinating people, but most importantly this journey was an important time of spiritual growth and personal development for me.
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Meeting people while traveling, are you sometimes tempted to write a story about them, and use them as a protagonist in a novel?

I met so many interesting characters, especially in my final destination, Miami. I spent most of my time around three European girls who all had very distinctive personalities, and I’ve gotten feedback from readers that it was fun to read about their character development. I also met a man who had been travelling for years, mostly around Latin America. It takes a special kind of person to do something like that, and a lot of people would want to read a book from the perspective of someone like that.

That trip inspired my writing so much. If I had never taken it, not only would I not have written this book, but I also wouldn’t have met all these amazing people or had all these great life experiences.
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If you would have to choose between traveling to big cities or to rural small towns, which would you choose?

In my youth, I used to love the bright lights. Now, I prefer the countryside. I love the smell of the air, the friendly people, the lack of traffic jams. I find rural areas better for relaxing getaways.
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Antique-Car

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Can you imagine to travel full-time, while writing as a digital nomad?

For a while, yes. For example I’d love to do a writer’s residency somewhere warm. As a freelance writer and editor, I have the liberty to work from anywhere; however one day I’d like to lay down roots and have somewhere to call home. Preferably somewhere in the country, where I can set up an animal sanctuary, have lots of fresh air and writing inspiration around me, and look after rescued animals. If I can make that a reality I can even offer a writer’s residency!
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What was your very best travel experience so far?

I left my heart in the South. I felt so comfortable with the slower pace of life, the warm weather, and the charming accents and people. Surprisingly, it wasn’t too difficult to find food as a vegetarian. Okra, grits, and lots of fruits.
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Did you take notes while traveling by hand (diary) or did you use a dictaphone or use the speech to type method in your laptop / iPad?

I brought a travel journal. Actually,  the cover art for my travel memoir features the same travel journal that I took on my trip. Now I never travel without one.

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Do you agree:  The Journey is the Destination?

Yes. A trip isn’t memorable unless there is something special about the journey. The purpose of my trip was to explore a new landscape while also finding time to introspect and develop spiritually. It was about far more than taking a vacation, although it was about that as well.
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What’s you next country / area you would like to travel to?

I want to see the east coast of Canada. I travelled around most of the country, including even remote parts of the Northwest Territories. But I’ve never been east of Quebec.
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Deep-South

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What is your favorite book?

The Bhagavad Gita. It’s a philosophical book spoken by the Lord that teaches us how to live our lives. The main message is to realize that we are souls, not our temporary physical bodies. Because life is so fleeting, this book is a reminder of how important it is to live in the present.
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Is there a message in your book that you want your readers to grasp?

I want my readers to know that it’s okay to not be in control. We get so caught up in living our lives a certain way and fulfilling expectations. One of my favourite quotes from The Bhagavad Gita is “to follow another’s path is dangerous” (3.35).
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Give us an excerpted quote from your favorite review of this book:

I love this review from fellow author John Findley, because it shows how someone with completely different life experiences related to the book:

“Samita’s book is more than a travelogue, from her home in Canada to several cities along the east coast of America. It’s also a look at a young lady’s life and the decisions she has made to shape her into the person she is today. The book she dedicated to The Supreme Controller, her friend and well-wisher, Lord Krishna. I am a seventy plus older man, a Christian, and I commenced reading with an open mind. As the chapters rolled by I enjoyed Samita’s stories about the people she met, her sight-seeing and I must admit I admired her outlook on life.”
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Samita-Sarkar

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Where can people learn more about your writing?

I Am the Ocean is available on Amazon.  Watch the book trailer at YouTube.  I am also currently working on a follow-up travel tale for I Am the Ocean and a non-fiction book on animal rights, and readers can stay updated through my blog, http://samitasarkar.com.  I post about all kinds of things, but mostly animal rights.  My day job is editing books and freelance writing.

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