- What motivated you to write this specific novel, and how did the plot develop?
Ans: Serendipitously, given that I am not an author and have never written a manuscript of a fictional nature, I have observed many facets of the human condition, behaviors, and contradictions which often puzzle human existence. In this process, I was hoping to share my ideas and unique perspectives for others to reflect, critique, and explore. I witnessed many of these events during my encounters with medical training, and I felt that individuals outside this world should know what goes on inside. Therefore, I chose to develop a fictional narrative to convey this, as almost all humans intersect with the need for healthcare. This need is not just a fundamental right but also an existential one, and therefore it must be examined through multiple lenses.
- Could you elaborate on your writing process? Do you have any special rituals or a set schedule that you follow to help you enter the creative flow?
Ans: Ideas come to me while I’m thinking, challenging myself, and critiquing. There’s no ritual, but I tend to get many of my ideas in the morning when I’m driving, thinking, and spending time by myself in solitude. I do take notes, and when I have developed enough notes, I try to see how I can develop them into a narrative that everybody can understand. The process of writing also helps me to uncover myself, and then it’s easier to convey that to others.
- Your book’s characters are incredibly unique and unforgettable. Did they come from your imagination alone, or are they based on real people?
Ans: The concept of reality and imagination is quite blurry in the world I work in. Therefore, many ideas are intertwined with human experiences and the many characters I have encountered. I don’t think that it reflects any particular real people, given it’s purely a fictional work, but it’s an amalgamation of many entities in forms that I feel comfortable sharing. Many of the characters reflect patterns that are quite common, some of which pervasively oppose change and reflect the hegemony of those who control us. So, the answer is not binary, which I don’t feel is unusual considering the way I think.
- Your book dives into [specific topic or concern]. Which ideas or conversations do you hope readers will take up from your work, and what inspired you to investigate this theme?
Ans: The book explores very serious and unmanifested issues that are close to anyone willing to think deeply and take the risk to reflect. The themes are realistically blended into a healthcare setting. It reflects on common cultures, the sheer idea of dominance, bias, immigration, bigotry, and patriarchy. It also delves deeply into the concepts of death and finality. I don’t think humans are very comfortable or capable of dealing with the idea that we are perishable and that our existence has an aspect of finality. This experience can be nerve-wracking; however, it is also very cathartic if you grasp the essence of the spirit behind it.
The reason I was motivated to write about this is that if we are not aware of it, we will not accept it. And if we don’t accept it, we will just live according to how others want us to live. Additionally, it’s interesting to note that we often don’t realize we are living someone else’s dream. Having a curated life can be a deception that requires critical examination.
- The world-building in your book is very detailed and captivating. What steps did you take to create the environment, and were there any historical events or real-world locales that you found inspiring?
Ans: The whole idea was to make each chapter, each line, and each paragraph of the book meaningful, with a deeper meaning that could have multiple interpretations based on the reader’s vantage point. This book could serve as a primer for young millennials, a challenging read for middle-aged individuals, and a source of reflection for those experiencing a midlife crisis. I also believe that older age groups, including the geriatric population, could benefit from this book. It captures nearly all decades of human life, cuts across many different cultures—East and West—and addresses different economic strata and how these divides have made us oblivious to certain realities.
Developing the settings was straightforward for me, given that if you have spent two or three decades in the healthcare setting, it is not uncommon to create these constructs and form stories, as it is very real. The only thing that prevents one from seeing it is the unwillingness to see it. These themes are very evident and are encountered in everyone’s life, especially when one comes across the settings shared in the book.
- As a writer, how do you strike a compromise between the genre’s expectations and the requirement for originality? Did you face any difficulties interpreting well-known components in your own way?
Ans: My natural ability does not align with traditional ways of book writing, which has turned out to be a strength. I was not bound by specific rules or prior conventions, and this is evident in the book. I have always felt the need to examine the world through my vantage point, never accepting anything—no matter how rational it seems—until I have critically appraised it from many angles before incorporating or assimilating it into my current self. Therefore, there are probably not many challenges that could put a unique spin on this book, as it is, in my opinion, authentic due to its distinctive style. I have not studied writing professionally, and as a healthcare professional, it was easy for me not to stay in the conventional lane. This is what makes this book unique.
- The story’s well-crafted pacing keeps readers interested from beginning to end. Could you describe how you keep the story moving forward and keeping tension high?
Ans: The book, in the way it’s written, attempts to develop a form that is not conventional. It is certainly not meant to maintain the sweet deception of human experiences. Instead, it presents a rocky ride filled with challenges that will make readers think critically. Some of the ideas explored in the book could be unsettling, and readers will relate to many aspects of healthcare only if they are ready to challenge themselves and take the risk of being offended. Lastly, the tension and momentum were not maintained through a conventional linear approach. Instead, the story was aligned in a way that provided a meaningful end. I will leave it to the readers to decide the effectiveness of this approach.
- How do you see the function of conventional storytelling changing in the age of quickly evolving media and reader preferences? How do you modify your writing to appeal to modern audiences?
Ans: I don’t think storytelling will ever go away as long as humans exist. Stories, myths, and anecdotes in various shapes and forms are profound and powerful ways for humans to learn. Parables, anecdotes, stories, and incidents tend to stay with us in our conscious and unconscious minds. These stories help build our character, develop our morality, and inspire change.
While there is certainly a rapidly changing landscape, there remains an audience for traditional books that enjoy reading on paper. However, we should also adapt and make these stories available in different formats, making them highly accessible. Whether it’s in the form of audiobooks, blogs, eBooks, or new technologies yet to come, if the core content is genuine and continues to provoke its audience, technology will help propagate these stories further.
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