From Raja to Oscar

The book, Slumdog Millionaire, written by Vikas Swarup (who's a high-flying Indian diplomat btw) was called Q&A when it was first published. Swarup wasn't really happy with the change of names, but since it sold better, he let it go.

These are some astonishing facts I'd like to share with you:
1) The book was written in 4 months, 6 years ago (!!!)
2) It barely caused a ripple when it was first released in Singapore in 2005
3) Fewer than 100 people turned up for Swarup's reading in Singapore (Imagine those who went and got their books autographed!)
4) After the film's success, MPH has sold 15,000 copies since the start of last month
5) At a warehouse sale at MPH last year, the book was sold for only RM18.50 (The price is doubled now!)
6) The male protagonist's name in Q&A was Ram Mohammad Thomas, and not Jamal Malik

And I learned something from all this:
Believe in your passion and work on it with all your heart. Stop giving excuses to yourself. If you're already working on it, good on you! If it doesn't seem to be taking you anywhere, don't give up. You'll never know what God has prepared for you.

As they say, luck is when preparation meets opportunity :)

Images taken from: redhotfreebies.co.uk (Slumdog), fantasticfiction.co.uk (Q&A)