Client: _abhipreeti_

Interviewer: Nyxprimroseaspen

First off, congratulations again on both your Sapphire win and all the recognition your story "Teller of lies" has received! How does it feel to see Calix and Isha's journey resonate with so many readers?

Thank you so much! It was wonderful to see "Tellers of Lies" win in the Romance category of the Sapphire Stories Awards.

When I had first started writing "Tellers of Lies" towards the end of last year, to say I was nervous would be an understatement. "Tellers of Lies" was my first attempt at Romance as the main genre hence I didn't know whether the characters and plot would be able to resonate with the readers. But when it began receiving features from Ambassador genre profiles, cool user-run communities, being in the top 3 in user-run awards and also moving forward to the final round in The Ambys 2024, it was truly surreal. Besides when readers began reading and commenting, and also silent readers started adding this story to their reading lists titled "best works on Wattpad," "finished reading", etc., it truly was an amazing feeling.

It sounds like "Tellers of Lies" has truly resonated with readers and gained such well-deserved recognition! Since this was your first attempt at Romance as the main genre, what inspired you to dive into this genre? Did any specific stories, themes, or personal experiences help shape Calix and Isha's journey?

I don't think any specific story inspired me to try out writing romance. I have always been interested in diving through a variety of genres with the exceptions of a few so it's hard to tell whether any particular story inspired me. All I remember is I truly wanted to create something in romance and challenge myself to see if I can do it and I guess, that's how I began my journey one fine day suddenly. Haha.

That's such a bold approach! Since you wanted to challenge yourself with romance, what was your process for creating and developing Calix and Isha's characters? Did they evolve as you wrote, or did you have a clear vision of them from the start?

I believe I am a plantser (plotter + pantser). I do create a few basic things and note them aside before writing the first chapter. Then I create notes of what I want in the next few chapters. Sometimes they change, sometimes they do not. But mostly, I have a tendency to go with the flow and have the words pour out right at the moment. I had the tropes ready, a brief summary ready which went through several changes, and character personalities before I began writing.

It sounds like an exciting process, letting things unfold naturally! Looking back, do you have a favorite scene or moment between Calix and Isha that was especially fun or meaningful to write? And was there a scene that turned out to be particularly challenging?

I really enjoyed writing chapter 19 where Calix and Isha have a fairytale-like moment dancing alone in a ballroom. The descriptions that I wrote truly transported me as if to the setting. They also have their first kiss in this chapter 🤭. I think, looking back I enjoyed writing most the wholesome and sweet moments. Personally I thought I would struggle with writing explicit sexual content since it was my first time but it actually turned out sweeter and easier than I had expected.

What I did struggle with were the angst scenes which dealt with more negative emotions, traumas, anger, arguments, etc. It also needed more time and focus for me to just get into those emotions and slowly deliver them into the chapter.

If you could describe Calix and Isha's relationship in three words, what would they be?

Ooh I like this question. But I am so bad at these types of questions. I'll try nonetheless. So let's see, they would be imperfect, loving, trustworthy. They are both imperfect and I think they will always be but Isha and Calix will face obstacles together, and help each other grow out of their imperfections as they progress in their relationship. Why? Because the love and trust they have for one another are infinite and unimaginable.

You mentioned they're "imperfect"—what flaws or challenges in Calix and Isha do you think shaped their bond the most?

For Calix, him being the illegitimate child and always locked up in the shackles, his father and other judgemental aristocrats had put up on him, made him crave for love. I want to say something but that would be a major plot twist so I'll put it to rest for the readers currently reading "Tellers of Lies" 😅. So my point is, being criticised and having no one to turn to, Calix grew up in loneliness and insecurities (which explains the reason why he was diagnosed with panic attacks, anxiety, insomnia and the likes). Working and putting his emotions off was the only way to escape this miserable loneliness that often ate him out.

As for Isha, unlike Calix she had familial love, and people who were there to always support her and help when in need. But in university after she got in a relationship with her present ex Killian who was very sweet and loving in the beginning, she didn't realise that she was all the time being manipulated. Killian never cheated on her but he broke her slowly, step by step, by breaking her self-confidence, her dream of one day becoming a published author, and the positivity she once harbored. Isha was nothing but a pawn Killian could use to satisfy his ego, and know everytime that he is "better than Isha" as he likes to think. And Isha was caught up in the toxic love which led her to think she was at fault and wanting to get together with Killian when he broke up with her over a mere text.

Isha and Calix met unexpectedly, both very imperfect and both very broken, but unknowingly they helped one another. Isha in regaining her self-confidence and leaving behind her past demons and Calix finally breaking free from the shackles of his oppressive father and finding the love and warmth he had always yearned for, in Isha. Oh, and also other friendships and family love but well, these are more plot twists so I will keep my mouth shut 😉.

If you had to pick a soundtrack for Isha and Calix's relationship, what songs would be on it? Any favorites that really capture their vibe?

There are actually many songs that would go well with Isha and Calix's relationship. But if I were to pick one, I would say the song "Two Is Better Than One" by BOYS LIKE GIRLS and Taylor Swift. I feel like the lyrics match well. Especially this part of the song:

"So maybe it's true That I can't live without you And maybe two is better than one, But there's so much time To figure out the rest of my life And you've already got me coming undone"

Great choice! If you could cast any actors or celebrities to play Isha and Calix in a movie adaptation, who would you pick?

I am so bad at this. Honestly speaking, I have no idea which celebrities I would cast to play Isha and Calix in a movie adaptation. That being said, if that were to happen, I would probably look for new and fresh actors who haven't received their spotlight yet with potential in their acting and the life they would be able to bring to the characters. As someone whose parents work in theatre and acting, I have learnt time and time again that quality always matters over fame, no matter how popular someone might be, when it comes to casting someone or being casted into something.

Did you always know where their journey would end, or did it evolve as you wrote?

I knew that their story would have a happy ending since the beginning but several angst, climax, dramatic, other sub-plots evolved as I began writing. Some sub-plots I had thought of, I didn't use them. While some came to my mind along the journey.

Have you received any reader reactions or comments that really stuck with you? Any memorable responses to big plot moments or twists?

I'm not sure there is any specific such reader reaction but I do cherish each and every comment that the readers post. Same answer for the second question. 😊

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Thank you so much for your time and cooperation throughout the interview! It was wonderful hearing your insights and the journey behind Tellers of Lies. I'm sure your readers will love getting to know more about your creative process and inspirations. Thanks again for being so open and engaging!