How and when did you join Wattpad?

Did you know four and a half years ago I didn't even know the difference between comma and period? Here's my Wattpad journey: started from the bottom now I'm here.

I began to write seriously in the middle of 2015. It was a time when I thought I would change the world with my writing. It didn't take me long to realize if I try to change the world, the world will change me.

So if I can't change the world, I can at least make a difference.

You see the thing is, I don't revel in all of those cliches stories. I wanted to write something bigger than myself. Something unique. Thus, I started working on my debut novel, The Krishna Love.

I was full of doubts, however. I could never imagine that people will choose to read my work. It's because I was writing on a topic or genre which is almost non-existent and notorious at that.

I used to scold myself.

Seriously who would be interested in reading a spiritual book? It's so non-commercial, readers hate it when something is preachy.

Imagine the outcome if J. K. Rowling had written a spiritual book. Harry Potter and a philosophical book.

I daresay, I didn't care if people will hate it. I wanted to do it for myself, and I did it.

The early months of my writing was a downer. All of the grammar nazis made me realize I should quit writing. But I wasn't gonna go down so quickly. In fact, now I thank grammar-nazis; without them, my book would never improve a great deal. I know they are quite harsh, but that's how you gonna learn and take your writing to the next level.

Also, getting someone to read your work on Wattpad was a tough job. I didn't expect much in the beginning. I used to croak with my jaw open when I saw a book with 1k reads.

I won't lie. I was quite jealous when I saw readers literally spamming their favorite with several appraisals. I remember a few authors who shot to fame right before my eyes, like, crossing a million reads within a year.

These achievements are not going to be part of my journey, I had thought. Ha aur ban na shana, bada aaya society mein difference lane wala.

One mindset, however, I kept in my mind back then. Success or no failure, my only intent here is to contribute and give people food for thought.

As I kept on writing, slowly, people started reading my book, and to my surprise, they became highly impressed with my work.

Many applauded me, writing words of appreciation on my wall. A handful even said they were inspired to write spiritual stories like me. They used to think it's challenging to get reads on a purely spiritual genre (the real spirituality, not romantic stories in the name of spirituality).

Even some famous authors, who have millions of reads on their books, befriended me. I chatted with them and asked them why don't they write something meaningful, deeper, and their outreach will undoubtedly be bigger than mine? But they winced with this thought. I could sense their fear of losing a mass number of readers.

My intention, however, never changed. I did what I wanted to do.

I know one may say, your so-called achievement is puny compared to those Wattpad Stars, who have millions and millions of reads.

Well, as I said, the same thought still ruling my mind: Success or no success, my only intent here is to contribute and give people food for thought.

Started from the bottom, now I'm here. The Krishna Love crossed 100k reads, and it has won Wattpad India Awards 2019.

Right now, I'm like.

https://youtu.be/jydQkPhpVsM

So I would like to share a thought with all those aspiring authors on Wattpad who want their work to be recognized. Keep the same vision even if you get 1k reads or 1m.

Keep a higher purpose in your mind and make it a source of your inspiration. Try to create a unique story. Cliches get you reads, but not the satisfaction of swimming against the tide.

Some tips.

If you nurture expectations in your heart that your books will get millions of reads, popularity, appreciation, interviews, and offer for publication. There's a probability you won't get it, even if you truly deserve it. Yeah, I know it's unfair and discouraging, but that's how the nature of the material world is. Things are not always in our favor.

If you keep a higher purpose in your mind, however, this mindset will keep you calm and steady. Winning or losing won't make any difference to you. You will feel genuinely content in doing what you love to do. That's writing.

2) What kind of genres do you love writing on? What is the inspiration behind your stories?

At this point, I think I can write spiritual genre proficiently. I want to explore other genres. I always love sci-fi. Perhaps this year I'll write a romantic novel (of course, in my philosophical style). All You Need Is Love, this title I have in my mind.

My inspiration behind my stories is always about coming up with something unique. It really pisses me off when I see a book with the same story line, same emotional drama. Just because this author wrote a teen fiction and became famous, then you have a bunch of authors writing the same stories. Nothing is unique and just boring stories.

I want to explore every genre and test my limits. I don't want people to know me as an author who is good at writing one particular genre.

3) How did you market your story on Wattpad? Tell us a bit about your engagement on Wattpad

I don't have any particular strategy, but I do try to make a personal connection with my readers. All this time I made some good friends. I usually give a sneak-peak of any exciting part from a chapter I update. It has helped me get new readers. You can check out my wall if you wanna know what I mean by sneak-peak.

4) How has Wattpad influenced your life?

There's this famous stand-up comedian, Zakir Khan, who says life mein chahiye izzat. I never have thought I could write stories that readers will find interesting. All credit goes to Wattpad.

5) What Wattpad means to you?

I can't imagine my cell phone without Wattpad. I think there is no other writing app that supports their authors like Wattpad. The first edition of Wattpad India Award is another example. Kudos to everyone who makes Wattpad awesome for readers and writers.