Today we interview Shivran86, winner of The Sunflower Awards 3.0 in General/Historical Fiction genre. Join us as we learn more about their writing style and inspiration.

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1. What inspired you to write 'Kāma-Liberation'?

The first words were penned down in the heat of the moment. I had always been inspired by the theme of good verses evil, and how the evil became good or the good became evil due to unfortunate circumstances. And on top of that as I grew up, the ordeal of the women of Sonagachi and similar places saddened me. In order to thus combine these two, give a proper idea about the relationship among love, sex and God in a Vedic perspective, I began writing this book!

2. What do you like about writing Historical Fiction?

The opportunity to learn more through research and present a detailed, and as much as possible accurate picture of the lives of the people of a particular area in a particular time period, is a pro thing about writing Historical Fiction

3. How did you feel when you found out you won in General/Historical Fiction for the Sunflower Awards?

Good! I didn't have any rigid expectation, like I had to win or I had to lose. I just wanted to participate and when I saw that I really won I was happy!

4. What challenges did you face in writing this book and how did you overcome them?

The war scenes and the comma splices. I had to read about ancient Indian weaponry and warfare to polish the war scenes. As of comma splices, I had to edit the book again and again and take the help from reviews.

5. Do you have any advice for other writers?

Yes– don't work on deadlines if that's not your thing. I have seen that when I make a deadline, fix in my mind that I must reach this amount of words in a week, or must plan every minute detail of the plot from the very first moment, I fail. Like I am a "go with the flow" writer and if someone asks me how many chapters are left to go or you must finish the book in two months, I will definitely fail. Writers like me can feel distraught after such failures, but remember being slow and moody isn't a bad thing. Just because you are taking time to write and love to imagine more than planning doesn't mean you will never complete a book. You will, but you must give yourself peace.

6. Who is your favorite character in your story and why?

In Kāma: Liberation it's definitely Rudra, though I have a soft spot for Āryamnā. But popularity wise Rudra is winning, hehe. He is very relatable. . .he gives in to his unhealthy urges, has sinned and done what not, but it doesn't stop him from loving others. He is a sincere lover though self-love is something he fails in. I feel many people associate themselves with his overthinking, practical and self-sabotaging manners, the moments of hopelessness and sudden rise in hopes following it. He is really moody. All in all he is imperfectly perfect!

7. What is your favorite book (on or off Wattpad) and why?

I have four favourite books on Wattpad, two being very well known and two less popular still, so I would like to speak about the undiscovered ones. The first is Yamlok The Realm of the Dead by Nicental. This book will keep you guessing till the last moment, break your heart and then make you cry in joy. It's set in the afterlife with awesome detailing in weaponry and fighting scenes. With a touch of magic, history, fantasy and a mystery so hard to solve, one must fall in love with this book.

The next book is Roses and Guns by KalsiWrites. It's a mafia love story with a badass heroine as the lead. No there's no bad boy in it. There's a bad girl. And there's gay romance which is going to make everyone merry!

8. How long have you been writing and why did you start?

I have been writing since the age of 14, so like from five years ago. Initially I never thought I was made for writing but while a journalism workshop I realised that writing is "me." I knew what my strength was then. Thank god I discovered writing (rather, writing discovered me) or else I would have been lost!

9. Where is your favorite place to write?

On my bed when I am alone or everyone's sleeping and I am at peace with my phone typing out my emotions :)

10. What does your writing process look like?

As I said, I am a 'go with the flow' writer. So I will spend millions of days thinking and imagining, listening to songs and talking with myself about the story. Then I will write it down, then the next step will be revision and at last hit the publish button.

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Thanks again for chatting with us, Shivran86! We wish you the best.

Check out their books on their profile and give them some love. :)