INTERVIEW: Shreyan Laha~ author of 'Never Again'

On the occasion of 20,000 views on Lavender Orchids, here is an author interview that would help all my readers to know about this wonderful author. Go ahead, read and enjoy the conversation. Feedback/ criticism and suggestions are welcomed.

Hi Shreyan,

I am really glad to be interviewing you on this happy day.

1.     Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I am Shreyan Laha, a final year student in Xavier School of Rural Management, XUB. I completed my graduation in commerce from Ravenshaw University, Cuttack. I hail from Jamshedpur – an alumnus of Loyola School, 2011 batch. Since childhood, I have loved creating stories but never found the courage to shape it up in form of a novel. 

Also, I love football and have a flair for learning languages- especially French.

2.    What were you like at school?

A child who used to help others! Ours was a school which was all-boys till 10^th and then, the higher secondary was co-ed. I was liked by all during my younger yester-years. Everyone found me unique but I was hated by most girls in my higher secondary days as they found me hideous and creepy.

3.    What are your ambitions for your writing career?

To write one novel each in every genre and earn some gigantic accolades as time passes by! I’ve written one paranormal romance, the Adventures Beyond Existence, and a war thriller, Never Again. There is lot to be covered!

4.   Which writers inspire you?

There are many. First of all, it is Eoin Colfer. Artemis Fowl series is something which no fantasy lover can put down. Alistair McLean is also one of my favourites as he targets the toughest subject and his novels are really very insightful. My favourites from the classics are H.G.Wells and Rabindranath Tagore. Though I can’t read Bengali (even though I am one), I have read some of Tagore’s translated works. Both of these authors have a fine eye for everything, especially human emotions and changes in the global scenario.

5.   Give us an insight into your main character (referring to ‘Never Again’). What does he/she do that is so special?

There are two different time periods on which my novel is based. First, in World War 2 where the protagonist is Kasper Hartmann, a person of the Schutzstaffel unit of the Nazi army. The other is a historian by the name of Madhav Sarkar, who decodes the diary of Kasper Hartmann. The story of both these characters goes hand in hand. The special characteristic of Kasper Hartmann was the torture he went through and how desperately he sought a meaning for his life. On the other hand, the plus point about Madhav Sarkar was his dexterity while decoding and escaping various perils. Also, it was his resilience which set him apart.

6.   What are you working on at the minute?

I am currently working on a science fiction novel. Not many authors have touched upon this genre in the recent past hence, I would like to take it up as a challenge.

7.   What’s it about?

I would like to keep it as a secret. The only thing I can say is that this novel is based on a lot of research. I went through twenty five theory papers of various scientists to go on with this. I want to keep it unique and mysterious.

8.   What genre are your books?

War thriller and paranormal romance.

9.   What draws you to this genre?

I do not prefer being genre-bound. I like to experiment with genres and I would concentrate on whichever genre sells the best in the future. However, paranormal romance is a viewpoint which requires a lot of depth to delve into. War thrillers have plenty of action and surprises in store, and this is what I like to provide my readers with.

10.                     Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?
For the characters of Never Again, the apt person who can play the role of Kasper Hartmann is Akshay Kumar. For Madhav Sarkar, the appropriate character would be Sharman Joshi, someone who can satisfy the role of a historian who has to engage in some action or the other, having a softer side.

11.                     How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?

By reading more and more books! Between the release of two books i.e. “The Adventures Beyond Existence” and “Never Again”, I had read 137 novels – both fiction and nonfiction.

12.                        What is the hardest thing about writing?

Make people convince that your work is worth their valuable time.

13.                     Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get

someone to do that for you?

I prefer doing it myself but considering time constraint which I’m burdened with, I think I need to change my decision. Also, paying a bit to get an in depth analysis of your work acts like a reality check.

14.                       How can readers discover more about you and your work?

I prefer playing with the market niche. While there are dozens of readers who long to get their hands on a book with the genre of romance, there will be readers who would prefer other genres. Normally, I seek readers of the genre I write in and approach them myself. After all, if “The mountain doesn’t come to Mohammad, Mohammad should go to the mountain.”

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“The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say.” And Shreyan has done justice with what is being said in quotes. Wishing you Good Luck for all the future endeavours!