ON WRITING A ROM-COM TOUCHING ON SOCIAL ISSUES

Author Interview: Sahil Rajput

Sahil Rajput has been born and brought up in Jammu and Kashmir. A computer engineer by profession, he is also a passionate novelist. He has recently come out with the novel “It’s my Girlfriend’s Wedding”, which is a story of two youth and their struggle against the orthodox rituals which are engulfing our nation nowadays. In a candid chat with Chirdeep Malhotra, he talks about his latest book, his writing journey, his favourite books and authors, and much more.


Please tell us more about Sahil Rajput as a person.

I have been born and brought up in J&K in a defence family. By education I am a computer engineer. I have done B.Tech from Kurukshetra University (Guru Nanak institution, Mullana, Ambala ) but by passion I am a novelist. I often use this phrase to describe myself: “An engineer without codes and An accidental novelist”.


Has writing always been a part of your life? Or did you chance upon it later on and then instantly fell in love with it?

Writing was not always a part of my life, writing just happened to me, as I said I am an accidental novelist. I hadn’t planned writing as my portfolio. It was a spontaneous decision which I took in final year of engineering. Initially I started with a habit of penning down my daily chores to kill the boredom but gradually this habit of writing engulfed my life completely and eventually I wrote my first novel when I was in still college. However, it got published in 2018 under the banner of Fingerprint Publishers.


Can you tell us more about your book “It’s my Girlfriend’s Wedding”?

“It’s my Girlfriend’s Wedding” is a story of two modern youth and their struggles against the orthodox rituals which are still prevailing in our nation widely. It’s a blend of a love story with a social issue.


How has the response of readers been to your book?

Till now the response is tremendous, especially from the youth. I never expected that my book would get such great recognition, but dreams do come true. Every day I receive messages from the readers on my social media handles and believe me, these appreciative messages are far valuable and precious for me, even more precious than the royalty of the book.


What type of research went into writing this book?

This book is totally a fiction and is based in the modern era, so the story didn’t require any healthy research. I wrote whatever I experienced in my life till date.


What are your favourite books? Can you share with our esteemed readers about the genres that you like and your favourite authors?

I don’t have a precious list of my favourite books; it depends upon my mood and the project on which I am working. For example, if I am writing a thriller story, I prefer to read thrillers and if I am writing some love story, then I prefer to read love stories. It totally depends upon the situation.


What are your other interests apart from writing?

My only interest is writing, writing and writing.


There are many new writers and poets who are aspiring to get their work published. What would you say to them?

Writing is slow process, it demands time and patience. Any budding author should realise this thing. In my opinion before becoming a writer, one should first become a reader. Writing demands creativity and creativity comes with reading, so read as much as you can and then write your life’s best book.


Can you share with our readers a motivational quote that keeps you going?

This has to be- “Always follow 3D’s in your life- Dream, Dare and Do”.