Reading helps you in ways you don’t even realize: Sumrit Shahi

Popular author Sumrit Shahi interacts with Spectralhues about his books, his desire to explore other genres, pivotal factors for a bestselling book, and a lot more. Below are the transcripts of the interview:

1. How was it penning your first story at the age of 17? Was it planned or accidental?

As accidental as it could get. I was always a reader but never really thought of penning down a novel, but it happened. And that changed everything.

2. Were you underestimated at that time when most people trivialized youngsters? Do you think the scenario has changed now?

To an extent, yes. I think it’s the media image of being a youngster that causes the problem. But today, the youth isn’t associated with being trivial and frivolous. Today, you have so many youngsters doing such great things and there’s a change in perceptions. Not the greatest, but yes there is a positive shift for sure.

3. Do any of the books have a semblance to your personal experiences?

(Laughs) That’s for you to find out and me to hide.

4. Are you planning to explore any other genre apart from romance for your upcoming books?

I want to do that, you know, I really want to do that. In my opinion, good writing comes from travel, experience and reading and when I think I’ve travelled, experienced and observed enough, I’ll write about something that I’m not comfortable with.

Romance for now, by default, happens to be an emotion, that, I  as a teenager, first, and now as a twenty-year-old- something can associate and identify with. Hence, the comfort with the genre.

5. You have taken script writing now and your shows have been all the rage. At such a time what fascinates you – writing books or television scripts?

You really can’t compare the two. While writing a book guarantees ultimate creative freedom, scriptwriting is another experience altogether, because it deals with catering to a larger medium and seeing what you’ve written visually. So, both fascinate me for different reasons.

6. What do you contemplate on while writing a book?

 I need to tell a story that I’d like to read. Also, the whole process of creating a world with characters, situations- you’re God. And that’s an intense feeling.

7. What, according to you, is pivotal for a book to be a best-seller?

I wish there was a formula for a book to become a bestseller. What I know is that you should write an honest book, share a story that you really want to share and are not expected to share.

8. Who do you look up to in the field of literature?

John Green, J.K Rowling and David Levithan.

9. How do you handle criticism?

 I sleep it off.

1. Who is Sumrit Shahi, apart from being a writer?

Just another young guy, with the same vices and aspirations, who is trying to do what he loves doing.

1. What does it feel like to be a role model to so many youngsters?

It’s scary because your unwanted actions in your personal capacity can also influence the people who are looking up to you. But then again, it’s a choice I’ve made and I completely love it.

2. Any message for our readers?

Please read. It helps you in ways you don’t even realize. Also, if you want to get published, don’t just write a book because it’s cool and you’ll become famous. Write a book only when you really have a story to share.  And most importantly, don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not capable of doing it.

Thank You!

• About the Author

About Pratiksha Acharya

Pratiksha is tolerating her progress into adulthood with great difficulty. A bookworm to the core, she loves reading and debating. When her head is not stuck in a book, she likes to cook, dance and shop. For her, reading is more than a hobby. P.S.- She hates losing out on arguments.