Rejections and genuine negative feedback
sometimes tell you HOW to make your story better. So, accept them with an open
mind, understand and keep what helps your story, erase what doesn’t.
1. Tell us more about your background and journey.
Book writing
started in 2010. I was critically ill and decided to do the one thing that I
always wanted to do- write a book. I completed it in 2011. It also helped me
heal. After getting rejected by many publishers, it finally came out in 2013.
My first book, When Strangers Meet, was a bestseller. In eight years, it has
sold over 50000 copies in multiple formats.
The second book
came out two years later and became the only Indian book to be featured in
Amazon’s global bestsellers list in horror category. The third book, The Other
Side of Her, became a web series starring Kalki Koechlin. India’s Most Haunted
was published by the world’s leading publisher in 2019, and was recommended by
TOI as one of the best horror books written by an Indian writer.
2. When did you decide you wanted to be a
writer?
A person dreams right from childhood days, so did I. But I realized I wanted to be a storyteller when I was in high school. Coming from a middle-class family, I had no idea how to make inroads. Due to my illness, I could not finish my engineering degree on time. I had to wait for a whole year to give my remaining exams, so, in that gap, I started assisting film directors. This was ten years back.
However, I had to stop my pursuit of dreams then due to domestic & peer pressure. People weren’t supportive of my decisions and they put immense pressure on my parents. That is what happens when an individual diverges from societal conformities. Eventually, I finished college and started working in a corporate setup until January 2017. It was my 28th birthday- I had a good job, the family was happy, talks were going on for my marriage but a significant part of me wasn’t content.
In
February, I got an offer from one of the successful Indian filmmakers to write
a feature film in Malayalam. Monies promised were equivalent to half year’s
salary (at that time). However, more than anything else, I wanted to grab the
opportunity with both hands, that I did. There has been no turning back since
then.
3. Is it a financially stable career?
Writing as a career is only meant for those are passionate about it. It takes time for a writer to get established, and once it happens, it pays very well. It also gives you the power to bring a change in society. If you are a good writer who is willing to take the leap of faith, and work sincerely, learn every day, then it can be the best career option for you. Else, hang up your boots and find something else to do in life.
4. Who is your favourite writer and why?
It is
difficult to choose. However, I like the way Dan Brown writes his books. His
research is solid and profound. His descriptions are very visual. I also love
the works of Roald Dahl, Satyajit Ray, Oscar Wilde, Jerry Pinto, Sidney Sheldon,
Stephen King, Audrey Niffenegger and Ira Levin. When it comes to non-fiction, I
prefer reading Dr S Radhakrishnan, VS Ramachandran and Carl Sagan.
5. Where does your inspiration lie?
I derive my
inspirations from the lives of ordinary people. I observe life and death around
me. I look for extraordinary tales of ordinary people in the newspapers. I also
find inspirations in conspiracy theories and existential questions.
6. What piece of advice would you like to give
to future aspiring writers?
Like I mentioned before, there will be rejections, there will be negative feedback (even for the manuscript you think is your best), and then there will be toxic people who would deliberately demoralize you (the count will keep increasing as you grow). Avoid toxic people at all costs in every walk of life. Rejections and genuine negative feedback sometimes tell you HOW to make your story better. So, accept them with an open mind, understand and keep what helps your story, erase what doesn’t.
But before deciding WHAT you want to write,
you have to decide WHY you want to write- is it to make money? to earn
fame? to get appreciated? to raise voice against some kind of an oppression you
faced? or for the pure joy of creating a story?
Unless and until you don’t find your WHY your reason to write, you may never appreciate
yourself as a writer even after becoming one you will always be left wanting So, identify that first then comes the next
important part TO WRITE!
Most important of all- Always keep calm, remain neutral & be grateful (to those who have shown faith in you). Everyone has a time, just wait for yours. When I started in 2013, I requested few established writers to give me a quote that I could use on the cover of my first book. You cannot believe the kind of rude responses I received from those writers. But thanks to my publishers, editors and readers who supported me, today, when I type ‘India’s top horror writer’ on Google and I see K. Hari Kumar on no. 1, it makes me feel happy.
7. Which is your favourite book and why?
The Alchemist is my favourite book. It inspired me to follow my heart. I have recommended it to many dreamers I have met. It is a dreamer’s bible.
K. Hari Kumar,
is a screenwriter and one of the highest billed horror writers of India whose
2019 book India’s Most Haunted is the
largest volume of horror and suspense short stories written by a solo author in
Indian English (published by HarperCollins India). The Times of India
listed India’s Most Haunted as a must-read horror book written by an Indian
writer. Three of his books have been optioned by leading Bollywood production
houses. His 2018 psychological horror/thriller, The Other Side of Her, spawned the web series called Bhram (2019) with Kalki Koechlin. He was
the first (and only) Indian writer to be listed on Amazon.com's top 100 bestsellers in horror category.
Instagram: K. Hari Kumar
LinkedIn: K. Hari Kumar
- Interviewed By Pratibha Sahani
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