About The Author
Abhik Kumar Roy is an IT professional, hustling through his day job for the last 16+ years.
When he is not thinking about his work, his retrospective mind indulges in going back to all his observations
with a keener insight and tries to find a justification logically. That manifests into so many possibilities
of making so many different outcomes.
He is also a fan of all those stories, real or fiction which brings out the winner in a character despite adversities.
Life is tough at times, and the best way to handle them is to patiently let yourself get tougher than those.
Also Read: The Unlove Letter by Abhik Roy – A Captivating Tale of Love and Intrigue – Book Review
Interview
Q) Tell us about the idea behind the book?
Ideas struck like lightning, at the most unexpected time or place and then remained stuck inside your head.
The same thing happened with me for this story. I was returning from Office in cab sometime in 2014 in Kolakata listening to a FM channel and the RJ was discussing about a rape incident and in general about their fate post that accident.
To read or hear about such a thing wasn’t the first time, but that day something was different.
Thinking about the mental state of such a person was with me for the next few years in a subconscious state.
Switching to 2018, I was blessed with a daughter and a fear struck me about anything wrong shouldn’t befall her.
I was in Bangalore then and was lucky to have a colleague who is well read in spiritual and philosophical matters.
All these helped me shape my first story.
Although the original story was split due commercial reasons and this book as a result became 1st of two parts.
I hope that comes out soon making the story complete.
Q) How much time did it take in the process of writing?
Writing was pretty fast from the time actually when I started. I started somewhere in mid of 2019 and finished by end of 2019. Before that, as I said earlier, the thought had germinated to find a home in my mind in 2014, then ideating and the philosophies which I wanted to talk about took most of the time.
Q) Your favourite character from the book ?
Many readers would find Agam as their favourite and he is the main protagonist of course.
But my favourite is Vishakha. While writing about her and her father I felt that connection which I have with my daughter. And she became so endearing to me. Every bit of her pain and struggle I felt as my own being a daughter’s father.
Also, when the second part comes out you would know why she is my favourite.
Q) What did the process of writing this book teach you?
One has to pass through the same joy or pain as the character goes through. Otherwise you can’t think what exactly they maybe thinking or would behave like. And to switch between two different characters you have to also switch your mood. Like; if one character is clueless you should be asking as many stupid questions being clueless and then when the other character who answers all, you have to also become the source of that universal knowledge. This switching roles has been tough but I enjoyed it. In short you must be all the characters of the book and they should bear no resemblances to each other.
Q) What inspired you to write this book?
Two things: 1st – This subject of rape, and when people talk about it they either shame the victim or sympathise with her and both the things diminish her self esteem, and chances to get back to normalcy. So I tried to portray what should be actually done in such cases.
2nd – Some inherent philosophies of the very land where we are born. We are easily forgetting the philosophies of that way of life. An attempt to revive those.
Anyway there is no dearth of fast paced, thrillers, murder mysteries with sex and gore. I was very clear to stay away from that type. We miss stories which convey morals, nowadays.
Q) Which is your favourite part from the book?
Actually there are a few. The simple philosophies like adding Re 1 to 10 or 20 or 50 or 100 or similar denominations while offering as prayer to god or as blessings. What is the logic of that? How is that relevant in our lives? Or, the concept of why good people suffer and does evil get punished? Similarly the scene where Vishakha’s father sits beside her unconscious body and goes through reminiscing her childhood and her present situation. It was straight out of a father’s heart.
Q) A book that had an impact on you, which helped you in writing this one?
One book cannot help or inspire one. The most important aspect which I tried to incorporate in this story is about human character and values, love and respect with so many shades of human nature. O Henry or Ruskin Bond or RK Narayan and their short stories used to do that in such a simple and sweet way.
Q) How do you plan your story? Do you first go with the plot or sketch the characters?
For this story if I have to say. I knew I had to talk about what, the heinious crime – rape, human relations and values, and our philosophies. Then was the start determined and an end which was very vaguely visible. Next, I depend on the characters after drawing out what is going to be the main trait and motivation of each of my characters. Then I let the story flow and let my characters decide and not me on how they want to channelise the flow of their emotions which ultimately drives the story. It is more like the characters are dropped in a simulation with their own intellect, values, behaviors and emotions to act and react in their own ways.
Also Read: Interview with Sandeep Madadi – Author Of Nanda Devi
Q) Tell us about your plans. Planning a new book?
As I already had clarified, this is part one of the original story after a split. So the sequel is already a tacit declaration. Apart from that there is one more story which is also ready and needs to find a publisher, but that is a different kind of love story and definitely not like regular ones. But expect no thriller. Next I have some broadly outlined stories which will develop with time. But, yeah I am not here to just write some 9-10 books and be content. I want to write more and more, but they would surely be aimed with one or the other pertinent message in it.
Q) According to you what makes a Good Story?
First, which gives a message which you can’t ignore, which could be shared with your family, old or young alike and still be relevant for them. Second, as someone said there is no story left that is not told, but still something could be done differently to tell it differently. And third, rather than just jolting the mind if it finds place in the hearts of the readers and they connect with it and its characters.
Q) How your life changed after the book was published?
Nothing has changed yet and I don’t want anything to change except that more and more people know about my book and read it. Because if my life changes, probably that could change me even if by any little amount, it would still affect me as a person and that would change my ideology and finally my stories and writing. So, I want to remain unchanged.
Q) What is a literary success for you?
When your stories reach far and near. It and its characters become relatable to the readers and stays within their consciousness. When readers discuss your book even after decades and how it could dispense a certain message and remain timeless.
Q) A message for all the readers.
To readers to bring more non-readers in the community. Also, to current generations who find certain things as boring to slow down on their pace and dig deep to derive the real tone and meaning. Applicable to life and stories, alike. Like when we complain that the level of movies degrading these days is attributed to audience choices, similarly the literature could fall victim to a penchant for cheap thrills.
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