"Law is my career, but in my heart, I am a story weaver and storyteller." ~ Binendri Perera

Binendri Perera is Author of 7 books. 

She won the award for Best Novel Contribution of the Year in 2009 for her book Nuwanakkari.

"I live and breathe with the characters." ~ Binendri Perera

INTERVIEW

Author Binendri Perera

1. Please introduce yourself to our readers! 

Binendri: I am from Colombo, Sri Lanka. I am a lecturer teaching at the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo. 

I am currently on study leave reading for my D.Phil. at the University of Oxford. 

I have written six books in Sinhala, my mother tongue, and they are published in Sri Lanka. 

Her Truth is my seventh novel and my first English novel. 

2. What inspired you to write the story of "Her Truth"? 

Binendri: I was reading about pro-democracy movements for my academic writings in 2018-2019, and the pro-democracy movements fascinated me.

People came together from within and across countries through social media and street protests for a common cause; they challenged authoritarian regimes armed with police and military powers simply with their unity, bravery, and creativity. 

I wanted to write about the generation that is shaping these movements. I wanted to highlight how women in particular experience and contribute to such movements.

Also, I was writing this book at the beginning of the pandemic, when the lockdowns and COVID restrictions were seeming to threaten the democratic institutions in my country and across the world. 

So I wanted to reiterate my own commitment to democracy in this book.

3. Writers mostly write the characters that work well with every other person. But as per the story, Shreya's unconventional tactics do not sit well with her peers. 

Why have you decided to give a unique twist to the character Shreya? 

Binendri: I have noticed how women are under societal expectation to be ‘nice’ and ‘likable.’ 

Women with strong personalities I have met in my life have always not been universally liked, but they have been amazing in their own ways. 

I have admired them and looked up to them, so I wrote Shreya to be strong and authentic in her own way. 

I also wanted to highlight the bitterness that develops in people who have suffered injustice and when the system is against them. 

I also wanted to show how people can use that bitterness to change their situation and say ‘never again’ to injustice. 

4. Kindly tell our readers something more about your book title, "Her Truth." 

Binendri: I want to highlight that the ‘truth’ in society is often not one thing but a matter of perspective. 

‘Her Truth’ was to spotlight women’s perspectives and women’s experiences. There are two main female characters in the novel, Shreya and Natharie. 

‘Her Truth’ applies to both their stories. The title invites the readers to appreciate their stories and how their stories interact and shape the broader story.

Her Truth by Binendri Perera

5. Writing a book on a sensitive controversial theme containing politics, law, and unconventional tactics is harder as it contains lots of time to draft the plots and polish the content so that readers don't get offended. How did you manage to finish it? 

Binendri: I think my career as an academic is helpful here. I write academic articles on similar themes I have written in my novel, and I present them at conferences to my colleagues. As a lecturer, I also have to facilitate discussions on similar topics. 

In my lectures, I am constantly mindful that I have representation from all of Sri Lanka in my classroom. I aim to challenge my audiences without offending them. 

In my story writing also, I write with similar sentiments. After writing the novel, I shared the first draft with my closest friends, who gave me very helpful comments. I finalized the draft for my agent, the Book Bakers, considering these comments as well. 

6. From where did you start your research and get the data to maintain accuracy while keeping it gentle and readable?  

Binendri: During the period I was writing the book, I had done research on pro-democracy movements for my academic articles. 

I used those source materials to create Tarusti (the fictional county in which my story is based) and its political complexities.

7. How long does it take to finish your book, "Her Truth"? 

Binendri: About four months. I wrote this book in the latter part of 2020, making use of the lockdowns. When I write the book, I am consumed by the book’s world. 

I live and breathe with the characters. So I am able to write regularly once I start a novel.

8. Please share something about the character "Shreya" that is not in the book blurb.

Binendri: Shreya has a crush on a senior at her police academy, whom she thinks is her enemy. 

9. Law and writing are totally two different things. 

You're a lawyer and teach at the Department of Public and International Law of the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo. And you're also doing other great things. 

So how did you manage to start writing a book?

Binendri: Since my career is demanding, I do struggle to find time for story writing.

Since my career is demanding, I do struggle to find time for story writing. Especially these days, I find that I don’t have the energy for story writing after working hard on my Ph.D. thesis. 

But I am always on the lookout for new story ideas, even while I am reading law books and cases. 

Any new experience could also be an inspiration for a new story. So I am plotting storylines at the most random moments and building momentum to write the next novel. 

Law is my career, but in my heart, I am a story weaver and storyteller. 

10. As a lawyer, often lawyers write about crimes, murder mysteries, or laws. But you write extensively on people's pro-democracy movements. 

So what inspired you to write about it? 

Binendri: Because constitutional law and human rights are my favorite subjects in law. I constantly read about these subjects and draw inspiration from them for my stories. 

11. From where can readers buy your book? 

Binendri: My book is available in bookstores in India. It is also available in Amazon Kindle worldwide 

Amazon.in  Amazon.com 

If you’re based in India, you can also order the book directly from Alcove Publishers 

IG: @binendri      X (Twitter) : @binendrip

How Emotion, People, and Success Fooled You by Monika Singh

How Emotion, People, and Success Fooled You

Every author doesn’t get a chance to make their book an international bestseller.

But I’m feeling the luckier one.

I’m on cloud nine while expressing this about my book, How Emotion, People, and Success Fooled You.

I am happy to announce that my book is an Amazon Best Seller now! ❣️🌞

— Monika Singh (@moniread) April 9, 2024

This post might not be like any other to showcase my writing skills.

But it’s about sharing my happiness over an incredible achievement many authors dream about.

I want to share this with my loyal readers and book lovers who have supported me since day 1 and before or after the book launch.

My book, ‘How Emotion, People, and Success Fooled You: 7 Empathetic Threads with 21 Key Lessons,’ has become an international Amazon bestseller twice since its launch, in April and May.

Thanks to people who have decided to get or gift my book on Mother's Day. It became a #2 international Amazon bestseller! 💝 GM! 🌞 pic.twitter.com/cqqYcpeGx0

— Monika Singh (@moniread) May 13, 2024

This is something to celebrate for me, as I’m an independent author.

I didn’t reach out to traditional publishers and couldn’t rely on self-publishers for any service.

I wrote it, edited it, proofread it, and published it all by myself as a hobby and passion.

Before becoming an author, I was a book lover too.

Still, I am a book lover!

I started book blogging and even reviewed 120+ books to understand most of the ins and outs of writing.

It also helped me to understand the bookish industry, ground reality, and how several things work.

I’m grateful to God that he saved me from all the scammers and scam opportunities that seem too tempting.

The book title, ‘How Emotion, People, and Success Fooled You: 7 Empathetic Threads with 21 Key Lessons,’ itself has lots of seriousness.

It increases my responsibility to stay honest and transparent with my readers.

This is something I learned about education and awareness via books in the past 7 years while interacting with people online and understanding more about authors, readers, and books.

This incredible achievement reflects a deeper effect on many readers.

It also reflects the relevancy of my book’s theme in today’s emotionally complex and fast-paced world.

I’m grateful to my readers who decided to buy or download my book, How Emotion, People, and Success Fooled You.

As per the feedback I have received from many people, now I’m sure that many people and readers will resonate with the book.

If you still didn’t get a chance to read it, get it from here or from my website in different formats.

And Kindle Unlimited users can utilize the short-term offer and read the ebook for free.

Be in Touch!

Monika Singh

Sometimes there are things and mistakes we keep doing just because either we are good at heart or we care a lot for some people. ~ Monika Singh 

Often we are ready to suffer in silence with anxiety and negativity. But we never try to think of the other perspective and the reality. 

So, here is a collection of 7 Empathetic threads with 21 Key Lessons, in the form of a unique Book! 

How Emotion, People, and Success Fooled You by Monika Singh (Paperback)

Now, it is available for everyone in multiple formats: Kindle Library, Kindle Unlimited, Paperback, and Hardcover. 

In the Pre-launch, People love it. So, I’m super excited & grateful for all the support and people who never fail to amaze me. 

You can read it on any device (Kindle adjustment supported), including holding the paperback in your hands. 

Kindle Unlimited users can utilize the short-term offer and read the ebook for free. 

Book: 'How Emotion, People,and Success Fooled You' in the multiple formats

Why should you get it?

1. No Fluff, no unnecessary dragging!
2. Direct on Important points.
3. From innocent people to Smartest, there’s something you’ll find helpful and insightful.
4. Explore them to understand your people, and keep them close to you.
5. Read and learn at your own pace.
6. Kindle Format: 232 pages
7. Paperback & Hardcover Format: 158 pages
8. Reading Time: 60–240 minutes.

The reaction of people on 'How emotion, people, and success fooled you'

The reaction of people on 'How emotion, people, and success fooled you'

Feedback by Dr. Priyal

And many more. You can read more feedbacks by critics and genuine people, by requesting a free sample on kindle, before buying the book for yourself. 

Also, the most fantastic thing that happened is that it hit the best-selling tag in Gumroad! 

The woman who loves you can enhance your creativity, can inspire you to heights you have never dreamed of. And she asks nothing. She simply wants your love, which is her basic right. ~ Osho. 

Love Month is here, and so is this special post about women and relationships. This post is part 2 of the previous post realities you should know about women, which you can read after reading this. 

Basic understanding is the foundation of good relations more than capability, right or wrong things. Whether it’s toward a family member, your parents, siblings, spouse, or other loved ones.

So here are some powerful lines by Osho to help you understand more about the Women, from The Book —

The Book of Women: a celebration of women and the female spirit.

32 quotes about women — The Book Of Woman

1. The woman is always more like a child, more full of wonder than man. 

2. Whenever a woman listens, she hears more deeply, more intimately, more lovingly. But a man is very resistant, alert, afraid that he may be influenced, and hurt if his knowledge is not supported.

3. This has been my experience all over the world — that the woman listens, and you can see the glitter of wonder in her eyes. It is not superficial, its roots are deep into her heart.

4. Nine months she suffers, the birth of the child she suffers — and what does the man do? He is not concerned at all about what the consequence will be for the woman.

5. She is constantly living in one season — pain and pain. The seasons don’t change from summer to winter, or to rain. The woman’s life is really hard.

6. Because the woman has been dominated, tortured, and reduced to a nonentity, she has become ugly.

7. The woman that you find in the world is not a true woman either, because she has been corrupted for centuries.

8. When the woman is corrupted, man cannot remain natural either, because after all, the woman gives birth to the man.

9. If she is not natural, her children will not be natural. If she is not natural — she is going to mother the child, male or female — those children naturally will be affected by the mother.

10. Women certainly need a great liberation, but what is happening in the name of liberation is stupid. It is imitation, it is not liberation.

11. Real liberation will make the woman authentically a woman, not an imitation of man.

12. I would like the woman to become really a woman, because much depends on her.

13. She is far more important than man because she carries in her womb both the woman and the man.

14. She mothers both, the boy and the girl; she nourishes both.

15. If she is poisoned, then her milk is poisoned, then her ways of bringing up children are poisoned.

16. The freedom of woman is a must for the freedom of man; it is more fundamental than man’s freedom.

17. If the woman is a slave — as she has been for centuries — she will make a slave of man too, in very subtle ways.

18. She will not fight with you directly; her fight will be indirect, it will be feminine. She will cry and weep. She will not hit you, she will hit herself.

19. A very thin, weak woman can dominate a very strong man.

20. The woman needs total freedom so that she can give freedom to man too.

21. Do you know? The first persons who started talking about equality between men and women were men, not women. The first persons who started talking about it, that they should have equal freedom, were men, not women.

22. The male mind is a cunning mind. The woman is more innocent; she cannot be so strategic, so political. She has always believed the man.

23. She cannot forgive the man for using her.

24. And if you have to compete in the world and prove that you are as strong as men, you have to somehow become more like men. And this will be a loss.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

25. The only hope for humanity is the softness of woman, not the hardness of man.

26. What is needed is that man should become more like woman, rather than woman becoming more like man.

27. Men and women are not equal, because man is missing that womb. They are so different — how can they be equal? They are polar opposites. They are so different, they cannot be compared in terms of equality or inequality.

28. There are women who are not women, who are wolves; and there are men who are not wolves, who are cats.

29. The woman, to be really a woman, has to be more and more feminine, has to touch the heights of softness and vulnerability. And the man, to be really a man, has to move into his masculinity as deeply as possible.

30. When a real man comes in contact with a real woman, they are polar opposites, extremes. But only extremes can fall in love, and only extremes can enjoy intimacy. Only extremes attract each other.

31. The woman can be of immense help in creating an organic society. She is different from man, but not unequal.

32. The truth is that the pain and suffering that women of the world have gone through is a thousandfold more than man has ever known.