Prateek Prakash Karan is the author of The Providential Love- a book which has been well received by the readers. His second book- Daughter of a Jihadi will be published soon.

Both books follow a unique trail of storytelling and create two different universes.

In conversation with The Story Mug, Prateek Prakash Karan- the young author from Bihar speaks at length about his work and the literary journey so far.

TSM: Tell us since when are you actively involved with the world of literature

Prateek: It all began when I was in Class VI. My grandmother was an avid reader and she had made a library in her room. She always inspired me to read and every month she used to buy several magazines like Nandan and Champak for me. And as I continued to read the magazines, I developed a close relationship with stories and this relationship stayed on even after I grew up.

TSM: Since when did you decide to take up writing as a profession?

Prateek: When I joined my college for graduation, I decided to write and express myself. I started by writing blogs and articles on Twitter and with the passage of time, the craze for writing got deeper and deeper and I finally decided to take up writing as a profession

TSM: What has been the support and inspiration of your family

Prateek: My mom, dad and my sisters have thoroughly supported me in this journey. My sisters are always the first readers of my stories.

TSM: Which author/authors have been your biggest inspiration.

Prateek: I draw inspiration from authors like Munshi Premchand, Mirza Ghalib, Jaun Elia, Sylvia Plath and PB Shelly.

TSM: Tell us about the books you have penned down

Prateek: I have written two books so far. The first one is a scientific love story and it is called The Providential Love. The book was published in 2018.

My second book is an erotic thriller and it is called Daughter of  A Jihadi. The book is in the press and will soon be available in stores.

TSM: How did you conceive the ideas for the books?

Prateek: Basically I get my stories by observing people around me, specifically people of my hometown Samastipur, (Bihar). I observe people, their mentalities and cultures.

TSM: How did publishing your first book change the process of your writing?

Prateek: After publishing my first book, the love of my readers boosted my confidence and it helped me in exploring different genres- which my readers demanded me to write.

TSM: What does literary success look like to you?

Prateek: According to me the love of readers is the only success a writer wants to achieve.

TSM: What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?

Prateek: Not only from the opposite sex, any character you plan to write is not a cup of tea!  It takes a lot to understand and create a character. It is as same as creating a garland of different flowers in a single thread. Different emotions, different expressions and a different mentality. To feel and understand a woman’s ideology and mentality, I talk to my mom and sisters.

TSM: What are the homework(s) one needs to do if he/she thinks of writing a book?

Prateek: Writing needs research, consistency, determination and the most important factor, I feel, is voracious reading. One can’t be a good writer without reading a lot of literature.

TSM: What are the areas you like to focus on through your writing.

Prateek: Well, I write young and adult fiction, and erotic thrillers, Through my writings I try to touch social issues and social stigmas.

TSM: Have you ever gotten reader’s and writer's block?

Prateek: Yes, many times I have suffered from writer’s block. But my sisters- Pragya, Priya and Nikita- help me to overcome this.

TSM: What are your plans for the future? Any new book in the pipeline?

Prateek: Yes, my latest creation- Daughter of A Jihadi is all set to release later this month.

TSM: If you didn’t write, what would you do for work?

Prateek: Along with writing, I am an engineer and an entrepreneur.

TSM: What would you suggest the budding writers.

Prateek: Writing comes from the within and as a writer, we have the responsibility to write and contribute to the development of our society. It needs a lot of courage to handle this responsibility. Consistency is the key to become a good writer. Consistency comes with reading and then writing.

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