About The Author

Mayank Kashyap is the author of the engaging novel “The Heart That Was Yours” and the best-selling poetry collection “Fragments of My Imagination”. He had the honor of presenting his books to Madam Draupadi Murmu, the Honorable President of India.

He is 36 years old and living in Ranchi, Jharkhand. His poems have appeared in numerous poetry journals. He graduated from Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is currently working in Corporate Communications at Central Coalfields Limited, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, a Maharantna Public sector, after completing an MBA from the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA).

Mayank believes that life is a magnificent gift from God, and he treasures every second of it. His desire to explore new cultures and regions through travel reflects his curiosity and quest for fresh experiences. He firmly believes in the transformative power of stories and poems to transcend linguistic boundaries, allowing people from diverse backgrounds to connect through the universal language of literature. As a voracious reader, writing serves as a cathartic and enlightening experience for him that helps him gain new perspectives and delve into the intricacies of interpersonal relationships.

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Also Read: Book Review: Odyssey of Daze by Mayank Kashyap – An Emotional Tale of Trauma, Healing & Sibling Bonds

Interview

Q) What inspired you to write Odyssey of Daze and the journey of Rishi and Nitika?

I have always been deeply fascinated by interpersonal dynamics, and after my first two books, I wanted to explore a fresh dimension of human relationships. Drug addiction is a quiet pandemic in modern society. While substance abuse has always existed, its current accessibility and prevalence have increased manifold. 

Alongside this, I realized that while the sibling bond is one of the most vital, lifelong relationships we experience, it is rarely explored deeply in contemporary fiction. When I was contemplating ideas for my next novel, these two concepts merged exploring how a severe crisis impacts the sacred bond between siblings

Q) The sibling bond in the book feels very raw and realistic. Was it inspired by real-life observations or experiences?

Thank you! I am truly glad that the bond resonated with that level of realism. Siblings are unique because they are the lifelong witnesses to our entire journey our successes, milestones, failures, and heartbreaks. Personally, I share a wonderful, supportive bond with my younger brother. However, as a writer, I wanted to explore a completely different, more turbulent dynamic. I have observed real-world sibling relationships that are strained or even terrible. I wanted to reflect that duality: how the person who is meant to be a support system can sometimes through circumstances and poor choices, can become the source of immense pain and despair.

Q) Emotional loneliness and lack of communication play a huge role in the story. Why was it important for you to explore these themes?

I believe that often, emotional loneliness and a breakdown in communication happen not because people don’t want to connect, but because they simply don’t know how to. We live in a highly distracted contemporary world. It is a tragic irony that despite caring deeply for someone, we frequently fail to express it effectively.  In Odyssey of Daze, this is Rishi’s core struggle. Despite his best intentions, he is unable to voice his feelings and connect with those around him. This communication gap becomes the catalyst for his profound isolation.

Q) Emotional loneliness and lack of communication play a huge role in the story. Why was it important for you to explore these themes?

I believe that often, emotional loneliness and a breakdown in communication happen not because people don’t want to connect, but because they simply don’t know how to. We live in a highly distracted contemporary world. It is a tragic irony that despite caring deeply for someone, we frequently fail to express it effectively.  In Odyssey of Daze, this is Rishi’s core struggle. Despite his best intentions, he is unable to voice his feelings and connect with those around him. This communication gap becomes the catalyst for his profound isolation.

Q) Rishi’s transformation throughout the story is beautifully written. Which phase of his journey was the most difficult for you to write?

Thank you so much. Personally, the final phase of Rishi’s transformation was the most challenging one. Writing the pivotal moment where he fully realizes the gravity of his mistakes understanding that if he doesn’t mend his ways, he will lose his sister forever required a lot of nuance. Capturing his public acceptance of fault was particularly difficult. As human beings, our egos often hold us back from admitting our wrongdoing. Crafting his transition so that it felt organic, raw, and completely natural was a delicate balancing act which challenged me the most.

Q)The book explores addiction and emotional vulnerability without glorifying them. How did you maintain that balance while writing?

My primary objective from day one was to avoid sensationalizing addiction. I wanted to portray it with stark authenticity. In reality, addiction is an incredibly lonely, monotonous, and vicious cycle. You experience a fleeting high, and the moment you return to reality, the only desire is to seek that high again to escape to ensure authenticity, I did extensive research. I read numerous clinical articles, visited rehabilitation centres, and spent time speaking with recovering addicts. Seeing their realities first-hand helped me write about their vulnerability with empathy, keeping the narrative grounded in truth

Q) The story balances trauma, friendship, romance, sibling bonds, and self-discovery beautifully. Which theme was closest to your heart while writing? 

Without a doubt, the sibling bond was closest to my heart. Because I enjoy dissecting the layers of human relationships, this novel gave me the perfect canvas to dwell on its complex dynamics.  Writing the full emotional arc moving from an overprotective childhood dynamic to deeply fracturing differences, and finally to a painful but beautiful reconciliation was incredibly fulfilling as a storyteller. 

Q) Were there any scenes in the book that emotionally affected you while writing them? 

Yes, the final climax where Rishi addresses the crowd, with Nitika and Sakshi looking on, profoundly affected me. Writing the moment where he publicly accepts his flaws, apologizes, and explicitly states that the true hero of story is his sister, Nitika, was intense. I kept thinking about how monumental a task that would be in real life, especially for an introverted person. To completely strip away your defence mechanisms, have a brutally honest conversation, and publicly own your faults to save a relationship is a terrifying thing to do.

Q) The climax feels cinematic and emotionally satisfying. Did you always have that ending in mind? 

The sibling bond was definitely the most personal. As I mentioned, it’s a theme that doesn’t get enough space in modern literature.  Funnily enough, finishing this book made me look at my own life with immense gratitude. It made me realize what an absolute blessing it is to have supportive, loving relationships and friendships in a world that can otherwise be so unpredictable. 

Q) What does “home” mean to you after writing this story? 

To me, home is a sanctuary where you can completely unwind, drop your armour, and just relax. It acts as a vital gateway, shielding you from the relentless stresses of society and the outside world.  It is the one place where you can be entirely yourself, finding profound meaning in the smallest joys of life. Ultimately, home is the comforting certainty that no matter how chaotic the world gets, there are people waiting for you who will love and support you, irrespective of the situation or circumstance. 

Q) If you could describe Odyssey of Dazein just three words, what would they be? 

Raw, Poignant, Redemptive

Q) What message or feeling did you hope readers would carry with them after finishing Odyssey of Daze? 

I want readers to take away the realization that while life will inevitably throw brickbats at you and things will get devastatingly difficult but, it is never, ever too late to start afresh. 

If you maintain a positive outlook, be grateful and are willing to actively work toward your goal, life eventually offers you another chance at happiness. I hope it inspires people to pause, look at their closest relationships, and value them a little bit more.  Ultimately, life itself is the most beautiful thing to be intoxicated by. there is no use of any drugs. Just enjoy the life 

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