Hello Author Shreya Shively! Tell us something about yourself?
I sometimes feel like I’m a bundle of contradictions. I am a Mumbai based Delhi girl. A Business Head / MS Excel geek by day, and a writer by night. From a quiet UP family, married into a lively Punjabi one. A vociferous non-vegetarian foodie who is now trying to turn vegetarian. But jokes apart, I’m an avid reader, a collector of thoughts, and have loved writing short stories ever since I was a kid.
Your book, “In Search Of Spring ”, was published recently. To begin with, could you tell those who don’t know much about the book?
In Search Of Spring is my first novel, and to the surprise of many (perhaps including myself), it’s a romantic novel. It’s a love story spanning three seasons and seventeen years – of two people who find themselves crossing paths over and over, brutally and destructively, learning and re-learning the same lessons, and ignoring them. It questions the very concept of love, and our definition of forevers.
What inspired your debut?
This novel was a long time in the making, and yet it was only a few years ago that I finally got myself to sit down and write. It’s inspired by life, and to a large extent by the large pool of romantic novels out there – the ones with the perfect protagonists and relationships. We’re all brought up to expect these perfections, when in reality, love is something very different, and unique to each of us.
What is your process of writing a book?
I wish I had a fixed process that worked! This book was imagined over an excel sheet, and written on early mornings, weekends and vacations. It’s been abandoned and picked up multiple times. My process was simply to get down to it and find whatever time I could before and after work. There is no perfect way to set the mood and write, you just have to write!
What book are you planning to write next?
My next book is a romantic thriller – I figured a twist was long due!
Finally, what advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Stop waiting for the perfect plot, the perfect time and the perfect mood. If you want to write, just write. And stop waiting for validation from others – write for yourself – that’s always your best writing!
Where can our readers find you online?
I am most active on Instagram @shreyashively. I also post longer thoughts on my blog at https://shreyashively.in/