Ace, from CLN, had the amazing opportunity to sit down with the lovely author, ShreyaSolaris She is the author of The Cripple and The King, Perfect and several other books on wattpad.

First off, what would you like to be referred to?

As in, my name? Or my gender?

No, just the name you'd like me to call you.

Oh! Sorry! Shreya is fine.

It's completely fine! Okay, Shreya, let's just dive right into it! Let's see, what inspired you to start writing?

I would say my boredom. I was never really "inspired" so to speak. Really, I just loved listening to my mother read me books and wanted to write as well. And because I was so young when I started writing, I realized I really liked doing it.

That's really sweet! So, what traits of yours do you find helpful and incorporate into your writings?

I think perseverance is the most important trait. It isn't easy to keep writing, especially when you see all those authors on the front page of Wattpad. The most important thing is to not worry about that and just write. You'll be discovered one day, no matter what. You just have to be patient.

I completely agree; though patience is a difficult thing to achieve. So, what do you think your weaknesses are in writing?

My weakness in writing would probably be the talent I tend to display; that I tell more than I show. I love describing, and maybe a bit too much. It takes a lot of editing and such for me to fix up my mistakes. Also, probably grammar.

So, that in mind, what sets you apart from others?

What sets me apart from other writers? Uh..I'm not really sure. I believe most, if not all, writers have the same mindset. We're all dreamers, we all write constantly, and we all keep writing. Maybe my constant ideas? Or probably how I write more about my culture than anything else.

Great! So, let's talk about that. Do you think your culture has influenced your writing? And how so?

My culture has influenced my writing a lot. One of my first (and not my best) books was based on an Indian Mythology romance that I wanted to expand on. Writing that book made me realize how much I loved writing and how good at it I was. Somewhere, in all of my books, there will always be a hint of my roots, whether it be in the main character, or in a side character.

In the end, we all are connected to our roots, but that doesn't mean we can't go far. How do you think you've grown as a writer, since that first book of yours?

I think I have grown a lot since my first book; grammar, punctuation, and word choice wise. I also feel as if my growth had influenced my character growth as well, as many of my characters have changed over the years that I've written them

Do you see yourself in your characters? If not, what inspires your characters?

I definitely see myself in my characters. I always try to incorporate a few of my own characteristics into my characters, which is what makes them my own. Many of my characters, such as my latest, Raleigh, are based on myself.

That's really great. So, what are the toughest challenges you've faced as a writer?

The toughest challenges...that would probably be the criticism faced. Sure, they are helpful, but that doesn't mean that they don't hurt. I find it easy to step away from them and take a deep breath before working again. Another challenge would be the work overload. Between school and home life, it's tough to find time to sit down and write, but I do it.

I understand that completely. Do you have a writing schedule to write?

I do. I try to write every day, but with school and everything else, usually do it at night.

Yeah. So, do you subscribe to the theory that most authors write their best work late at night?

Yes! I don't know why, but it seems like all the ideas keep flowing at night and my fingers have a mind of its own. It's...weird, I don't really mind it.

I get it, really. To me, the words seem completely unfiltered then. Though I've had my fair share of falling asleep, mid-sentence. What about writer's block? Have you ever had it, and if so, how do you cure it?

When I was younger I had writer's block a lot, but I find that taking a step back from writing cures it. Usually, writer's block is caused by stress from the brain or that you're overthinking too many things at once, which isn't the best. I learned by taking a step back and focusing on something else, in which I get a new idea out of

So, do you outline for your books?

Absolutely! Outlining my books is a lifesaver, especially when I go back to a book after a long time and realize that I've forgotten a few things.

I'm sure it's like that for many people! So, what genre do you prefer to write in?

I prefer writing in fantasy/ paranormal/romance, though I do dabble a little bit in historical fiction and most recently, dystopian sci-fi

Wow. So, what advice would you give to other authors?

The advice I would give to other authors is that writing is never easy. There will always be someone who will criticize your work, and there will always be someone who will praise your work. It's up to you how you want to accept them.

True enough. What about you? How do you accept things like that? And how do you handle them?

I'm not very good at taking criticism, so I always take a step back and calm myself before reading what the person said and what makes sense and what doesn't

That's very sensible. So, could you describe yourself in one sentence?

I'm not sure if I could describe myself in one sentence, but my friends always call me "The girl with the dictionary in her head." I guess it's because I always have an answer to any of their questions

Wow! How would you describe your writing style?

My writing style changes, mostly depending on when I write. Usually though, try to keep my sentences simple and not too wordy.

So you don't prefer to write lengthy, poetic sentences?

Not really. Sometimes, depending on how I'm feeling, I do, but most of the time, I don't really because I feel like people get bored too easily.

So, do you agree to the saying that an author should just write what they know people will read?

No, definitely not. While it is good to cater to popular genres, I think that you should write the genre you are most confident in, because that will become your best work.

I definitely agree. So, out of all the books you've written, what has been your most favorite quote?

Out of all the books I've written, my favorite quote has to come from my Werewolf book, The Cripple and The King, in which the main male protagonist, Lucien, says "Erosion doesn't happen in one day. Neither does self-acceptance. They both take time."

Wow! That's very profound! Do you have a favorite book, out of the ones you've written?

Picking my favorite book is like telling me to pick my favorite parent, or to adults, pick their favorite child. I have no favorite. I love them all equally. However, if you asked me which one I felt the proudest of, then I'd have to say "The Cripple and The King".

That's really a great answer! Do you feel like you achieved everything you had hoped to achieve with your book, "The Cripple and The King"?

I am not so sure, because as of right now, nobody has spoken of what I wanted to hear. I wrote The Cripple and The King partially as a way to get things off of my chest, but also to help others recognize that not everyone is born "normal." Not all people are born with fully functioning arms and legs, and not all can do everything others can. I did, however, feel like I achieved the satisfaction of writing a love story that could suit my ideal romance, as well as one that would make me feel like I fit in, because there are little to none books about disabled romances. So, to answer your question, yes, I do feel that I achieved my own trophy that I have stored in my mind for a long time

I can't imagine how proud you must be of all of your books! This has been so inspiring! Thank you for your time, and for giving us the opportunity to interview you. Especially for letting us see a bit into your world as both an author, and a wonderful person!

No problem! I really enjoyed it, and thank you for taking the time to interview me!