Where are you from?

I'm initially from Odisha in India but born and nurtured in Delhi, India.

How old are you?

14

What and who inspired you into reading and/or writing?

Many authors cum friends of mine, encouraged me, and inspired me to write. At first, I never thought it was my cup of tea but then I just started writing as a hobby and something creative I wanted to do but then I got so much love and support that now, I can't even think of stopping!

What was the first book that you read that started your love for reading?

Honestly, I don't remember clearly but I do remember I had Goldilocks and the bears with me when I was really small and god knows how many times I re-read that but then there were just more and more books coming my way and I started collecting them from every place I would visit and then the next thing I knew was that I developed some serious love and obsession for books! But yes, the Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney and then, Wonder by R.J.Palacio did encourage me to read more and explore more.

What was the turning point in your life that you decided to take your writing seriously?

I think, since it has been just one year since I started writing stories because earlier it would be just poems and creative writing assignments from school, so it was just last year, that at a point I was like, I want to achieve something in this field, in something I really love to do. And I still am working on that because I still am not satisfied or contented with myself but I do feel happy when I write or read.

What is the inspiration for your stories?

Of course, there are many books at first but then I just like to see people like me who love to read and look forward to the place in the books where you can get lost in, that other world. Those people inspire me to write something which can be as intriguing as the other beloved books. If we talk about how I come to the stories I write then there are mostly real-life incidents and experiences which I want to experiment with.

Do you outline your stories or write whatever comes to mind?

I outline the plot, always and then when I start, to be honest, I just stay blank! And then I write whatever comes to my mind if that goes with the plot and most of my dialogues and ideas of proceeding are shower thoughts!

What is your method of beginning to writing a book?

I just think of casual and normal things around me in the beginning and then try to think what can be different that looks appealing and then just go on with the flow.

Do you ever get attached to the characters in your story? If so, what part of their personality or quirks do you find relatable?

Every protagonist and every other character in each of my stories has something relatable to me. I add something in them which is in me, intentionally. It helps you connect and think about how you actually should proceed.

Do you base your characters on people in your personal life, imagination, or both?

Both, of course, and it gives just pleasure when the personal life and imagination blends perfectly.

What is the best part of writing a story?

The same when you read a story. You live the story, you live that world, the characters. It sounds dramatic but it is a fact, indeed, that a reader does live many lives and so does a writer.

How do you deal with writer's block?

I so am miserable at this. I still haven't learned to deal with that thing! And I face it almost every day. It is very annoying when sometimes I want to write so badly, want to update but I can't just think of anything. It happens once in a blue moon that I can think of something to finally write and I would be confident that from now on, I'll update regularly but then it all vanishes after finishing just one chapter. It's awful that I can think of new plots of new stories every day but can't proceed with the ongoing ones!

Would you want to see your story or stories be adapted? If so, who would you want to play your characters?

That's a dream come true for every other writer I guess. I even think about it every day and in every book I've written, I've someone for every character whom I would like to see playing it. In my most recent book published, I even announced the people, I think will do good as the two protagonists.

What kind of advice would you give to an aspiring writer?

Do not worry about the writer blocks! and just write whatever you want. Don't stop writing if you don't get enough votes or support. There will be a time you'll get everything but only if you work for it. Write only what gives you happiness, not just anything popular. Long-story-short, write for yourself.

Are you working on a new story?

Yes. One is published (Sharing The Same Sky Isn't Enough) and two are drafts for now.