Namaste India!

Welcome to Writers Adda, a space where we sit down for a chat with some of the gems of the Indian Writing Community and get candid with them about their journey on Wattpad.

Joining us this time is Suganthii.

But before we get started, check out the first 250 words of their Desi Indian story, "It's Not Love," on our AmbassadorsIN Stories Anthology.

—

Suganthii:

Genres:

1. Indian Mythology and Fantasy

2. Crime Thriller

3. Slice of Life/ Romance (In Wattpad)

Favourite Authors:

1. Amish Tripathi

2. Devdutt Pattanaik

3. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

There's one author whom I love in Wattpad, her username is anamika_writes

Suganthii: At the start of 2015, I found myself navigating through a particularly rough patch in life. To escape the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind, I decided to pour my energy into my hobbies.

Back then, I was devouring books in PDF format (yes, I admit, they were downloaded from pirated sites). My financial situation didn't allow me the luxury of asking my parents for books, and every rupee I earned was carefully saved for my higher studies. After months of reading this way, I began searching for apps to directly download novels and stumbled upon Wattpad, where I discovered a treasure trove of English literature classics. (I re-read Pride and Prejudice 100 times.)

As I explored Wattpad further, I learned that users could also write stories. At the time, I was clueless about the blogging culture, but the idea intrigued me. That's how my first story, "A Loan of Five Rupees," came to life. To my surprise, it resonated deeply with desi readers and became one of the most beloved works on my profile. Encouraged by this, I began writing more. However, by mid-2016, personal commitments pulled me away, and I had to leave Wattpad.

Fast forward to December 2023, I made my return. Rebuilding my readership after such a long break was challenging, but with consistent writing, I slowly garnered a loyal group of 10-20 readers who supported and trusted my work. Their encouragement kept me going.

Being part of the Wattpad community fills me with gratitude. Some readers even reached out on social media, sharing how much my stories have impacted their lives. I may not know much about fame, but every heartfelt message I receive reminds me that my words are making a difference, no matter how big or small. That's the spark that fuels my drive to keep writing and sharing stories.

Suganthii: I write exclusively in English.

However, I like to sprinkle a touch of local flavor by incorporating bits of the characters' native languages or mother tongues. Since my stories feature characters from all corners of India—ranging from Uttar Pradesh to Tamil Nadu, Gujarat to Assam, or even a small fictional town—there's usually one or two dialogues in the story that reflect their cultural roots. It adds a layer of authenticity. For instance, a Tamil-speaking character might exclaim "Muruga!" or two North Indian characters might bicker in Hindi. These nuances give the characters personality and make them feel true to their backgrounds.

Whenever I write in languages other than English, I rely on my friends and even my readers for help to ensure accuracy, as Google Translate often falls short. Their contributions have been invaluable in capturing the essence of these dialogues.

As for the impact on my storytelling, I believe it enriches the narrative. That little touch of regional language adds depth and realism, giving the characters a unique voice. However, I consciously avoid writing Hindi dialogues followed by translations in parentheses—a common trend I've noticed on Wattpad. Personally, I feel it disrupts the flow of reading and muddles the mood. Plus, I aim to publish my work in print someday, and the thought of editing all those parenthetical translations later feels like a nightmare to my lazy soul!

While incorporating local languages might enhance relatability and broaden my reach, I'm adamant about keeping my writing in English. Call it stubbornness or personal preference, but it's the path I've chosen—and I'm sticking to it, haha.

Suganthii: I'd say my creative quirk is immersing myself in music (literally 24/7) or designing graphics for characters and specific scenes. There have been countless moments where a single song sparked the inspiration for an entire chapter or even an entire story. Music holds a special place in my heart, and it's deeply intertwined with my writing process—it's like the soundtrack to my imagination.

Suganthii: As I mentioned earlier, most of my inspiration stems from the music I listen to.

But beyond that, it's the people around me who truly ignite my imagination. I have a habit of observing even the smallest emotions and moments: an old couple bickering while still holding onto their stubborn love, teenagers playing gully cricket with brotherhood radiating through their laughter, someone relishing spicy pani-puri with tears in their eyes as the spices hit just right, or even a person unnecessarily hitting a stray. Life, to me, is both breathtakingly beautiful and painfully ugly. It sounds philosophical, but I find joy in it. I love exploring every perspective, no matter how dark or flawed, because the world is a mosaic of viewpoints—and every perspective holds a story.

That's the real inspiration behind my writing: capturing the relatable and the perplexing, the mundane and the extraordinary. I strive to find beauty in the simplest things, portraying life as a kind of poetry—raw, imperfect, and worthy of appreciation.

Suganthii: anamika_writes on Wattpad is one of those rare writers whose work captivated me with its simplicity. I've mentioned this to my readers before, but I'll say it again—Sharanya and Nikhil from "Along the Lines of Love" by Anamika have left an indelible mark on my heart. I've rarely come across a book with such ordinary characters living mundane lives, yet their journey made me cry and smile in equal measure.

Yes, writing about morally grey characters, fantasy, or thrillers is undeniably challenging, but I've come to realize that crafting stories about characters who feel like us—simple people with complex emotions, neither rich nor poor, grappling with life's trivial struggles—is even harder. In these stories, you're essentially holding up a mirror to the readers, reflecting their own lives, fears, and triumphs. That's a delicate art.

If given a chance, I'd love to collaborate with Anamika. Since we both write about romance in its simplest, most heartfelt form, I imagine we could create a beautiful slice-of-life story together.

Thank you so much for joining us for this interview, Suganthii! 

We really appreciate you taking the time to share your insights with the community.