HOLD YOUR BREATH, IT’S THAT SPOOKY!

Author Interview: Abhirup Dhar

Abhirup Dhar was born in Kolkata and currently lives in Mumbai. A banker by profession, he is passionate about writing and has been doing so ever since he was a child. He believes the best stories are always the ones simply written from the heart and for the heart! The News Now interviewed him for his second book “Stories Are Magical”, in which he celebrated storytelling at its splendid best. He has now delved into the horror genre with “Hold That Breath”, which is his third book. In a candid chat with Chirdeep Malhotra, he talks about his latest book, his favourite books and authors, and why he likes to delve into the horror genre. Read on!



Your previous books include a romantic fiction and a collection of six short stories of different genres. With this book, you have included a book from the horror genre in your oeuvre. What made you foray into the horror genre?

Hello, Chirdeep. Firstly, thank you for having me for an interview again. Horror has always been my favourite genre and I just had to make a foray into it one day. Now you may ask me why I didn’t do it with the first book itself. It’s simply because at that point of time, I wanted to tell a light-hearted mushy rom-com love story and that’s how ‘Once Again... With Love!’ happened, initially penned for the sheer joy of it. Then, I wanted to celebrate storytelling with my next and understand if I can be a decent enough storyteller attempting different genres. The creative satisfaction I derive out of writing is still what drives me and counts the most. One of the stories in ‘Stories Are Magical’ was a ghost story too but ‘Hold That Breath’ is a full-fledged attempt.



However, as in your second book “Stories are Magical”, this book also contains short stories. What makes you delve into writing short stories?

I personally enjoy short stories and I feel it as a genre is more challenging than a novel or novella. In this book, I’ve a connecting story too and all stories are of the same genre, which wasn’t the case with ‘Stories Are Magical’. However, it isn’t a conscious decision. When I sit to write, I tend to go with the flow and I believe that’s when writing happens best. I might want to return to writing a novella with my next. Let’s see.



You said in an interview that publishers aren’t keen on short stories. Why do you think it is so?

Yes. That’s true. Many aren’t too keen on short stories and even if they give in, they might want a common theme or recommend weaving the stories in the same city/ place. But you never know what clicks for them. There are some who prefer non-fiction to fiction. That doesn’t mean a writer should write keeping in mind what will work for them. One should always write what one believes in and not compromise. I always maintain that you should write for and from the heart. That you enjoy the process of writing; that is the most important part. Getting published comes after that.



Can you tell our readers more about the book “Hold That Breath”?

I’ve been the biggest horror buff people might have known at one time or another and ‘Hold That Breath’ is my way of telling ghost stories, a part of the wide spectrum that the genre has. Also it’s my little tribute to our growing up years, to those days of being curious about the supernatural, those visits to haunted places which gave us the shivers, to those times of trying to contact entities from the other world, to those real spooky stories we often got to hear at late nights. Without wanting to spill the beans and not taking away the fun of reading ghost stories, it’s a collection of six spooky tales with one of them connecting the others.



Tell us about a few interesting things your readers have said to you about this book.

Many; can’t really point out a few. I’m more of a visual writer and when a work of mine is out, I want my readers to visualize the happenings with each sentence they read. Also, I’m glad that people have been able to relate with the characters this time too and got the mood bang on, horror being a tricky genre.



Which books are occupying your non-working hours these days?

In the last few weeks or so, I’ve read books which include ‘The Deadly Dozen’ by Anirban Bhattacharyya, ‘Yakshini’ by Neil D’Silva, and ‘Numi: The Guarded Loop’ by Nupur Sandhu. I’ve also started with ‘Conundrum’ by Anuj Dhar and ‘The Aladia Sisters’ by Khalid Mohamed. I’m also looking forward to get well-acquainted to international horror literature apart from Stephen King who undoubtedly has been the master of the genre. Ken Stark, who read ‘Hold That Breath’, loved it and whose lines have graced the cover of the book is someone I would really want to read more of, after ‘Stage 3’ series and ‘Arcadia Falls’.



Who among the contemporary writers delving into the horror genre do you admire the most? Which are your favourite books in the horror genre?

Unfortunately, not many authors delve into the horror genre in the country. It’s still so neglected. Don’t know what the problem is. Why is it important to simply follow the crowd and write something because others are? Authors should carve their own niche! They should write what they want to.
I can think of Neil D’Silva and K. Hari Kumar only as we talk horror now. I loved Neil D’Silva’s ‘Right Behind You’ and ‘Yakshini’. His growth from a self-published author to now is indeed interesting and worth listening to.



Had you been a fictional book character, which one would you be? Why?

Dev from my first book was a lot like me though fictional. Guess that’s how it is with first books. There’s a part of a writer in every book he/she writes. I don’t think I’d like to be any of them but Pip from ‘Great Expectations’ and Devdas are characters I loved. I find myself engrossed if the protagonist is self-destructive or heartbroken. Also, it’s been a while since I’ve come across a really interesting antagonist.



What do you think is the most important thing in a book?

For me, the content matters. It can be a simple story, well told. The best stories are always the simpler ones! The language - It isn't really required to use big words while writing a book. I, for one, wouldn't want my readers to keep a dictionary beside them to keep looking for the meaning of words they can't comprehend. But the grammar and sentences should be perfect.



Your book is doing great. Congratulations on it. What are your future literary projects?

Thank you. It’s still early to talk about it now. But I’d like to write more of horror and tell different stories. As always, I’ll take it up for publishing only if I like it. I’m my biggest critic! If I don’t enjoy my work, readers won’t too.