Hello, fellow disciples! We've been searching far and wide for individuals who have cultivated for a long time. This month, we bring to you an interview with SohiniModak8, the author of Dhi.

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Tell us a bit about yourself!

To describe myself, I could say I am an introvert, dog lover, occasional writer, a medical student and a fulltime daydreamer. I am also an avid reader of fanfiction. Overall, not very exciting. I am just an average girl going through life as it comes. 

What is your writing process? Do you outline everything or write as things come to mind? Why?

Well once I come up woth a plot, I think about the various factors and emotions I want to display in the situation. I mostly have an ending planned with the beginning, certain parts in the middle then I write to connect all those parts, shaping my ideas as I proceed. However, I only write when I am hit with random bursts of "writing magic." 

What are some things that influenced your story?

The Mahabharata, the epic itself. The topic of time travel. Both of them are intriguing to me. I decided to mash them together. 

Tell us about the main character of one of your stories. What inspired their creation?

Abhijishya is my main character from Dhi. She is based on me, my best friend as well as my mom. She is logic driven but tuned with her emotions, practical, witty, a loving wife and mother. I wondered how would an ordinary girl go on with life being a royalty in a different era. That too in an era where deities and divine things are reachable.

What were some challenges you experienced while writing the story?

I lack consistency. I need to get into the mindset to write which takes me time so I prefer writing when my academics don't require my attention. Therefore, I am unable to regularly update my story.

What message do you hope your story will tell your readers?

That life just is. Every moment- be it sad, happy, good or bad- whatever it shall amount to would be in life itself. There is no perfect karma cycle and that a powerful event does not have to dictate the rest of our lives. Only one truth remains- we are all on borrowed time. Like how life came to be, it will cease to be. So while we are here, we should make the best out of it.

If you woke up in a time or place that was very different from reality, what would you do?

Get food, water and a shelter. Learn the language. Navigate the place. Choose people to trust very carefully. Try and blend it. Have fun while at it. Not necessarily in that order.

If there was something you could learn (i.e., some spell, some martial arts, etc.) like the main character in your book, what would it be?

Sword fighting and martial arts. Mantras to summon Gods and weapons would be cool to learn too. 

Would you rather go through a lifetime of never finding love or be willing to go through several lifetimes of hardships just to save your love? Why?

The second option. Call me a romantic at heart but to have felt love and have a chance to save it, not everyone gets to have that. I can't imagine myself abandoning my loved one and not saving them. 

What is your favorite creature from Asian mythology or folklore? Why?

The Phoenix. It signifies rebirth. The notion of emerging from the ashes gives me strength and hope. That this moment of ruin where I feel like nothing will not last. That I can emerge out from it.

What is your favorite Asian myth? Why?

The Mahabharata. I remember reading the children's version as a 10 year old. It brought a lot of things to perspective. It made me understand human nature and relations a lot more. 

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Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, SohiniModak8! We wish you the best of luck in your writing endeavors.

Until the next chapter, fellow disciples!