Quotes from Amish Tripathi

I am a voracious reader, so it's difficult for me to give a list of my favourite authors of all time.

I think it's a fallacy to say that a good book sells itself. It doesn't happen. I'm a voracious reader and I can give you a long list of books which should have been best sellers but they aren't. How can you buy a book if you haven't heard of it?

Fortunately, I grew up in a traditional family where questioning was encouraged, particularly by my pandit grandfather. We are all voracious readers, seeking knowledge. I learn a lot from discussions with my wife, siblings and parents.

I loved history in my school days, and I have always been a voracious reader. But in India, you end up doing MBA, engineering or medicine.

When I was young, I never thought I was going to be a writer! I was academically orientated and active at sports, but I didn't have one creative bone in my body.

I never really wanted to be a writer. I know it sounds strange, but I honestly believe that I didn't pick the story; the story has picked me. I've written absolutely no fiction before 'The Immortals of Meluha.' Not even a short story in school - absolutely nothing.

Creating music is a wonderful way to celebrate our devotion for Lord Shiva.

This attitude is basic human nature. We'd rather look outward and blame others for ills that befall us than point the finger at ourselves.

I don't believe anything till I have seen the proof. For anything without proof, I think we should believe the theory that gives us peace. It doesn't matter whether the theory is true or not.

If you have to write a fictional adventure to convey a philosophy of evil, the best person is the destroyer of evil himself, Lord Shiva.

There is your truth and there is my truth. As for the universal truth, it does not exist.

As a writer, its important to stay true to your story without giving a hoot about publishers, critics and readers. You should do your karma as an author the way you want to, and rest is up to God.

A person's ethics and character are not tested in good times. It is only in bad times that a person shows how steadfast he is to his dharma.

I don't think I'm any competition to the already-existing canon of writers in Kannada. How can I ever even think of comparing myself?

A writer can't afford to just focus on writing and leave marketing aside in today's competitive market.

There is a wealth of readership for regional language literature in India that is not given importance. We must give respect to our own languages.

In India, it is not a contradiction for religion and liberalism to co-exist.

The opposite of love is not hate, its apathy, when u simply don't bother about that person!

The most powerful force in a woman's life is the need to be appreciated, loved and cherished for what she is.

I'm one of those lucky guys making a living out of something I really enjoy doing. That's a blessing. But you never know. What if my subsequent book series flops? I don't come from a wealthy background, so I'd be left with no choice. I'd have to go back into banking!

I am a disciplined person. When I am writing, I write for 7-8 hours.

My father's family hails from Banaras. My grandfather taught mathematics at Banaras Hindu University. Banaras is also dedicated to Lord Shiva, home to one of the great jyotirlings, the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Nothing is more important than life. Nothing. You realise the simplicity of that point only when you confront death everyday.

India is a musical country, so it would appear obvious to use our collective passion for music to promote a book.