About The Author: Satish Chandra Chowdary KANITHI, a mechanical engineer and an alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, commenced his career in the corporate world like many of his peers. However, amidst his corporate endeavors, he discovered a passion for storytelling, particularly while engaging in volunteer activities with various NGOs. It was during these experiences that he found his voice as a writer, leading him to pen his debut novel, “Two Decades for the Kiss”.

Alongside his engineering background, Satish is also a marketing expert, blending technical expertise with creative flair in his writing. Beyond his literary pursuits, he finds solace in his interests, which include traveling, horse riding, and yoga. Through his debut work and beyond, Satish aims to inspire and captivate readers with his imaginative storytelling.

Let’s Talk with Author:

Congratulations on your debut book.

Swapna Peri: Can you tell our readers about yourself and when did you realize you wanted to write?

Satish K Chowdary: I develop a passion for writing at a young age, often influenced by their upbringing and experiences. It’s especially meaningful when that passion is shared within the family, like your connection with your mom. Growing up in an environment that values and nurtures creativity can have a profound impact on one’s desire to write.

My mom’s influence may have played a significant role in fuelling this passion, whether through encouragement, sharing her own love for writing, or simply providing a supportive environment where creativity thrives and writing can be a powerful way to express thoughts, emotions, and ideas, and it often becomes a passion for those who enjoy crafting words and creating narratives.

Swapna Peri: Your characters, Hashira and Sanjay, share a profound friendship at the core of your novel. How did you develop and portray their relationship to resonate with readers, and were there any real-life inspirations behind their dynamic?

Satish K Chowdary: In developing the relationship between Hashira and Sanjay, I drew inspiration from various sources to ensure their bond felt authentic and resonated with readers. Firstly, I explored the dynamics of real-life friendships that I’ve observed or experienced personally. This allowed me to capture the nuances of trust and mutual understanding that define deep friendships.

While Hashira and Sanjay are fictional characters, I also incorporated elements from my own friendships and meaningful relationships. Drawing from personal experiences allowed me to inject genuine emotions and experiences into their interactions, making their friendship feel organic and compelling.

Overall, the key to portraying Hashira and Sanjay’s friendship was balancing authenticity with creativity, drawing from real-life inspirations while also allowing room for the unique dynamics and challenges that arise in a fictional narrative.

Swapna Peri: The setting of Japan’s cultural backdrop plays a significant role in your book which is rare in Indian books. Can you share how you approached researching and incorporating these cultural elements into your narrative, and what aspects of Japanese culture influenced the story?

Satish K Chowdary: Japanese culture influenced various aspects of the story, including character behaviours, societal expectations, interpersonal dynamics, and thematic elements. For example, concepts such as honour, respect for elders, the value of tradition, and the contrast between modernity and tradition may have played significant roles in shaping character motivations and plot developments.

While it was important to stay true to cultural authenticity, I also ensured that these elements seamlessly integrated into the narrative without overwhelming or distracting readers. The goal was to create a rich, immersive experience that transported readers to the cultural backdrop while keeping the story engaging and relatable.

Swapna Peri: How did you balance crafting vivid scenes with advancing the plot, and what techniques do you use to evoke strong emotions in your readers?

Satish K Chowdary: I focused on selecting scenes that not only painted a vivid picture but also served to advance the plot or develop characters. Each scene was chosen purposefully to contribute to the overall story arc and keep the narrative momentum moving forward.

Strong emotions often stem from authentic character experiences and interactions. I developed well-rounded characters with distinct personalities, motivations, and internal conflicts. By delving deep into their emotions and reactions within the scenes, I aimed to evoke empathy and resonance in readers.

I varied the pacing of scenes to create a dynamic rhythm that kept readers engaged. Tension-building techniques such as cliffhangers, conflicts, and unexpected twists were strategically used to evoke strong emotions and keep readers invested in the plot and I crafted scenes that tapped into universal themes and experiences, making it easier for readers to empathize with the characters and emotionally invest in their journey. Themes like love, loss, friendship, and personal growth can evoke powerful emotions when portrayed authentically.

Swapna Peri: Why and what made you choose to explore the themes of resilience, forgiveness, and human relationship’s particular themes, and what message or takeaway do you hope readers will gain from Hashira and Sanjay’s journey?

Satish K Chowdary: Resilience is a theme that resonates with many people as it addresses the ability to overcome adversity and bounce back from challenges. I chose to explore resilience because it reflects the human experience of facing hardships, setbacks, and obstacles, yet finding the strength to persevere and grow stronger through those experiences. Hashira and Sanjay’s journey showcases resilience as they navigate difficult situations, learn from their struggles, and emerge as stronger individuals.

Human relationships are at the heart of many stories because they are central to the human experience. I explored various types of relationships such as friendships, family dynamics, romantic connections, and mentorship to depict the complexities, joys, and challenges inherent in human interactions. Hashira and Sanjay’s journey delves into the dynamics of their friendship, highlighting themes of trust, loyalty, mutual support, and growth.

Swapna Peri: Who is your favourite character to write, and why? Alternatively, if choosing a favourite character is challenging, which character demands the most attention and detail from you as a writer?

Satish K Chowdary: One such character is Hashira, who is complex and multi-dimensional. Hashira’s journey involves navigating a range of emotions, facing internal conflicts, and experiencing significant growth throughout the story. As a result, portraying Hashira authentically requires careful attention to detail in terms of character development, motivations, reactions, and inner thoughts.

Hashira’s depth comes from his resilience in the face of adversity, his introspective nature, and his capacity for empathy and understanding. Capturing the nuances of Hashira’s growth and transformation demands attention to detail and a deep understanding of his motivations and inner world, making him a character that demands my full focus and investment as a writer.

Swapna Peri: Regarding the book’s language and accessibility, what considerations did you make to ensure the story would appeal to a wide audience? How did you approach crafting prose that is both beautiful and easy to understand?

Satish K Chowdary: I focused on using clear and straightforward language to ensure the story was easily understood by readers of varying backgrounds and ages. Avoiding overly complex vocabulary or convoluted sentence structures helped maintain readability and accessibility.

The story’s language and style were tailored to reflect the perspectives and voices of the characters. This approach added authenticity and depth to the prose, making it engaging for readers while staying true to the characters’ experiences and emotions.

Feedback from beta readers from diverse backgrounds and reading preferences was invaluable in gauging the story’s accessibility and readability. Incorporating their insights and suggestions helped refine the prose to resonate with a wider audience.

Swapna Peri: What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

Satish K Chowdary: Clear writing is essential for effective communication. It involves expressing ideas, concepts, and information in a straightforward and understandable manner, avoiding ambiguity or confusion, and developing a unique voice and writing style adds personality and authenticity to the work. A strong voice helps writers connect with their audience and leaves a lasting impression.

Using vivid and descriptive language enhances the reader’s experience by creating imagery and evoking emotions. Descriptive language brings scenes, characters, and concepts to life, making the writing more engaging and memorable.

Understanding the target audience is key to effective communication. Good writing considers the audience’s preferences, interests, knowledge level, and expectations, tailoring the content to resonate with readers.

Swapna Peri: Who is the author you most admire in your genre?

Satish K Chowdary: There are several authors I admire in the fiction and romance genres for their captivating storytelling and ability to create memorable characters and compelling narratives. Like Nora Roberts, Nicholas Sparks, Jennifer Cruise, John Green and From Indian author’s I admire Sudeep Nagarkar, Durjoy Datta, Anuja Chauhan, Durjoy Datta and many more.

Their novels often explore themes of love, relationships, and personal growth in a way that resonates deeply with readers and while romance and love stories may not be the primary focus of all works, the exploration of human relationships and emotions is a common thread that runs through many of these novels. This dedication to portraying the complexities of love and life in a relatable and meaningful way is what I find admirable.

Swapna Peri: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Satish K Chowdary: I strive to be flexible and open-minded, capable of adjusting to different situations, challenges, and environments. Adapting to new information, perspectives, and circumstances allows me to approach tasks and interactions with a sense of versatility and readiness to learn and grow.

I have a strong sense of curiosity and a genuine interest in exploring diverse topics, ideas, and perspectives. This curiosity drives me to seek out new knowledge, ask questions, and engage in continuous learning. It also fuels my creativity and passion for discovering the intricacies of the world around me.

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