Interviewer : Ashiwrites13

Interviewee : unheard_tales

'22 RGAs Winner - First Place Chicklit & Third Place New/Young Adult

Please introduce yourself

I go with the name Alex Mine. I'm an engineer by profession and I spend most of my office hours sitting in front of labs. In my free time however, I let my mind wander into a different dimension where I create worlds for my characters to dwell and evolve. I prefer tea more to coffee and I spend most of my time reading fiction/mystery and thriller books.

When did you join Wattpad and why?

I joined Wattpad when I was still studying. I wanted to read something to pass my time and I discovered Wattpad where I found free books. I spent most of my time reading and got hooked with all the wonderful stories present in them. Wattpad gave me a world that I wanted to live in.

What inspired you to start writing?

As I kept on reading those amazing stories, I often thought about alternative ending for them. Sometimes, I wrote them down. I remember writing one such chapter long back and after reading it few years later, I found that it was really good. Few weeks down the lane, I thought I could give writing a try. That was when my first story TELL ME WITH FLOWERS came into existence. 

Tell me about your story that won in the Rose Gold Awards.

My story CHOICES won first place in chicklit category in Rose Gold Awards. It is a story that dives deep into the lives of people we hardly talk about. It narrates the story of a transgender, a prostitute and a reporter. Their lives intertwine and the support each other as life takes a difficult turn for each one of them. As a society in India, we see these lives everyday and the struggles they go through to get their daily bread. However, I don't see anyone talking or creating awareness about the same topic. CHOICES is one such attempt.

How did you come up with the story idea?

Having been in India for more than two decades, I have seen the lives of a transgender begging on the streets for money. Ever since, I wanted to write a story about them and give them a proper purpose in life – if not in reality, then at least in my stories. It was around the same time, I read an article about prostitution and how difficult it is to lead a life after that chapter is over. That was how the story was originated. Over time, I built characters around it.

How long have you been writing it?

I've been writing for as long as I remember. I first started writing poems before I started publishing in Wattpad. My friends encouraged it and they were my first critics before I put it up for reading online. However, I started writing a novella around 7-8 years ago.

Who is your favorite character in your story and why?

My favourite character in my story, CHOICES is Madhu. After all, the whole story was first built on her. I like how Madhu, despite having gone through the toughest times in her life, still smiles and is ready to lend a hand to lift the society from its banes. It might be pursuing her passion, regardless of what the public shunned her to or guiding Vijay in the right path. I would call her the actual heroine of the story.

What is your favorite chapter/scene and why?

I have a lot of favourite scenes in the story. However, when I think of it, the first one that comes to mind is the metaphor used between her and Lord Shiva – Ardhanarishwara, drawing her in the same line. It describes how a transgender has the power of the Lord who is both male and female at the same time, representing that all are one. There is another chapter where Madhu dances in a competition wearing the Gunghurus that kept her going all this while. That particular chapter talks about how liberating it was for Madhu to dance heartfully after carrying her burden all this long.

What do you love about your story? What makes it unique and interesting?

The whole idea of blending prostitution, transgender inequality and girl power is new in the writing world. Sure, there are stories and movies, but there isn't one that brings all those delicate issues together in one platform and in one story. I think CHOICES eliminates that. It weaves carefully all the intricate details of their lives and makes it interesting.

What do you plan to do with your story in the future? Will you try to get it published or just keep it on Wattpad?

The story is already published on Amazon Kindle and is doing good. The story has an open end and if God willing, I would like to hold that string and spin a yarn. Here is the link to the amazon kindle version. (link is in inline comment)

Have you made any other accomplishments with your story? If so, what are they?

CHOICES has won many awards in the chicklit category section in Wattpad. And the story is also published in Amazon Kindle. (link is in inline comment)

Are you writing or planning to write any other stories? If so, tell me a bit about those.

I mainly pick up story lines from which I learn new things. In TELL ME WITH FLOWERS, I learnt more about the works of a florist. In WILDLY DRIVEN I studied hard about the racers and their lives. In CHOICES, I've made my notes on prostitution and transgender lives. In my new book, I'm learning more on boxing. Yeah, I'm writing a book where the main characters are boxers. I still haven't named the book and so far I have a few chapters with me. But with the pace I'm writing, I think it will take more time than what I hoped to complete it with.