Client: _abhipreeti_
Interviewer: Nyxprimroseaspen
First off, congratulations again on both your Sapphire win and all the recognition your story "Teller of lies" has received! How does it feel to see Calix and Isha's journey resonate with so many readers?
Thank you so much! It was wonderful to see "Tellers of Lies" win in the Romance category of the Sapphire Stories Awards.
When I had first started writing "Tellers of Lies" towards the end of last year, to say I was nervous would be an understatement. "Tellers of Lies" was my first attempt at Romance as the main genre hence I didn't know whether the characters and plot would be able to resonate with the readers. But when it began receiving features from Ambassador genre profiles, cool user-run communities, being in the top 3 in user-run awards and also moving forward to the final round in The Ambys 2024, it was truly surreal. Besides when readers began reading and commenting, and also silent readers started adding this story to their reading lists titled "best works on Wattpad," "finished reading", etc., it truly was an amazing feeling.
It sounds like "Tellers of Lies" has truly resonated with readers and gained such well-deserved recognition! Since this was your first attempt at Romance as the main genre, what inspired you to dive into this genre? Did any specific stories, themes, or personal experiences help shape Calix and Isha's journey?
I don't think any specific story inspired me to try out writing romance. I have always been interested in diving through a variety of genres with the exceptions of a few so it's hard to tell whether any particular story inspired me. All I remember is I truly wanted to create something in romance and challenge myself to see if I can do it and I guess, that's how I began my journey one fine day suddenly. Haha.
That's such a bold approach! Since you wanted to challenge yourself with romance, what was your process for creating and developing Calix and Isha's characters? Did they evolve as you wrote, or did you have a clear vision of them from the start?
I believe I am a plantser (plotter + pantser). I do create a few basic things and note them aside before writing the first chapter. Then I create notes of what I want in the next few chapters. Sometimes they change, sometimes they do not. But mostly, I have a tendency to go with the flow and have the words pour out right at the moment. I had the tropes ready, a brief summary ready which went through several changes, and character personalities before I began writing.
It sounds like an exciting process, letting things unfold naturally! Looking back, do you have a favorite scene or moment between Calix and Isha that was especially fun or meaningful to write? And was there a scene that turned out to be particularly challenging?
I really enjoyed writing chapter 19 where Calix and Isha have a fairytale-like moment dancing alone in a ballroom. The descriptions that I wrote truly transported me as if to the setting. They also have their first kiss in this chapter 🤭. I think, looking back I enjoyed writing most the wholesome and sweet moments. Personally I thought I would struggle with writing explicit sexual content since it was my first time but it actually turned out sweeter and easier than I had expected.
What I did struggle with were the angst scenes which dealt with more negative emotions, traumas, anger, arguments, etc. It also needed more time and focus for me to just get into those emotions and slowly deliver them into the chapter.
If you could describe Calix and Isha's relationship in three words, what would they be?
Ooh I like this question. But I am so bad at these types of questions. I'll try nonetheless. So let's see, they would be imperfect, loving, trustworthy. They are both imperfect and I think they will always be but Isha and Calix will face obstacles together, and help each other grow out of their imperfections as they progress in their relationship. Why? Because the love and trust they have for one another are infinite and unimaginable.
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Non-FictionEvery writer has their own story behind those wonderful works of art. Brilliant, lustrous, and colorful. That is what they are. As powerful writers, our strongest weapon is our words and the stories behind them. It's only up to the writer what you d...
