I feel the trick to writing stories is not to look elsewhere but within myself. Our lives have enough plots and subplots and complications to make great stories.
Ashay Abbhi – 5 April 2015
The Back Flap
The Inevitable is a collection of poetry and short stories by Ashay Abbhi. The narratives paint vivid shades of reality interspersed with the humane angle. With a repertoire of themes ranging from noir to drama, the book has a simple message: There is Hope in the End.
About the book
What is the book about?
The book is a collection of short-stories and poetry about various facets of life. Each story is introduced to the reader by a poem, both of which centre around the same or a similar theme. Most stories and poems in the book are free from the boundaries of time, place and identity. Any story here could be about me, you, the reader, or anyone.
When did you start writing the book?
The first story in this collection was written sometime in the middle of 2012. Throughout the time from then until August 2014, different stories popped up at different times and when they started piling up, I decided to get them published.
How long did it take you to write it?
Effectively, it took a little over two years for these stories to get out of my mind onto the computer.
Where did you get the idea from?
Ideas for these stories would come anywhere at anytime. I feel the trick to writing stories is not to look elsewhere but within myself. Our lives have enough plots and subplots and complications to make great stories. Write one story and you get a novel, divide it into many and you have a collection of short stories.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
There were times when I would struggle to get the plot out of my mind onto paper (or monitor). There were times when words refused to be written. But I would usually persevere, revisit the story time and again in my head and blurt it all out in the end. Writing the acknowledgement was particularly hard.
What came easily?
Coffee. And the ideas. That is usually the easier part. The execution is when it gets tricky.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
It is a mix. It always is. Even the Harry Potters and the Hulks of the world have shades of actual people. A story would lose the real touch if it wasn’t for borrowed personalities. Barring, perhaps, Robert Pattinson’s characters.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Mario Puzo is the Godfather of writing for me (pun intended). His work has not influenced but often motivated me to write. Apart from that, I really enjoy reading John Grisham, Jeffery Archer, and the inimitable Ruskin Bond. When in the mood for some poetry, I seek refuge in the works of Rumi, Ghalib, and Gulzar.
Do you have a target reader?
My target reader would be anyone who has ever been scared of anything, anyone who has lost something, and anyone who has ever had anything. I have covered the whole world, right?
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
My writing process is quite simple actually. I have the plot in my head and keep churning it until I can no longer take it and I have to absolutely vomit it all out. I have lost many a workday just because my mind would be preoccupied with stories.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I do outline my stories. But thankfully I have only written short stories so far so the extensive outlining has not happened. Yet.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I wait until I have finished. If I edited it while writing the story, I’d never get past the first word. I am a harsh critic when it comes to my writing and usually most of what I write finds itself in the recycle bin the next day. Only a few lucky ones get through.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
I need absolute peace when I write. There could be a crowd around but nothing that should interest me because, then, I run the risk of straying away from writing. So, music, talking, television, anything with sound is a strict no-no when I am in my zone.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
Well, no agent agreed to take my work.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
After being rejected by all the heavy-duty publishing houses and agents, I decided to go big with the small guys. And it has not been a bad decision.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
The very interesting cover was done professionally by my dear friend, Kirthi Jayakumar, who is also an author. She was kind enough to spare time and thought for this book and came up with a cover as beautiful as she is.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I am taking it as it comes for now. I have planned seminars and talks for people to know more about the book, and of course platforms like The IndieView, are a Godsend for Indie authors like me.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Yes, one thing I would strongly offer as advice to new authors on the block: please do not follow a set formula for stories and novels, rather create your own style and stick to it. There is nothing more impressive than originality.
About You
Where did you grow up?
My father was in a transferable job so I grew up between moving cities and trying to find some stability in life.
Where do you live now?
My physical self lives in Noida, India. But my mind is resting peacefully in the quiet hills.
What would you like readers to know about you?
That I have made mistakes in life. You will be reading about them in the book.
What are you working on now?
Apart from the job that I am supposed to do, I am working on a novel.
End of Interview:
For more, visit Ashay’s website, Facebook page, or the website for The Inevitable.
Get your copy of The Inevitable from Amazon India.
