Sharing Stories Interview with Author Kevin Missal
In Conversation with Author Kevin Missal
Kevin, your debut book was published at the age of fourteen; you come across as the youth icon for the budding authors. Being one of the youngest authors and having written some brilliant bestsellers, how do you perceive your writing journey?
It’s a tough, uncertain journey. Even when you know you have won with one book, the other book might not sell and you are back to square one. So with every book, you need to push as if it’s your first book. Not many writers do it. They give up after their first few bestsellers, but some do.
Your Trilogy series, Mahayoddha Kalki, Meghnaad, Narsimha, the Mahaavatar, Raavanputr Meghnad and the recently released Hiranya Kashyap ( The Narsimha Trilogy, book 2), all of these belong to the mythological genre. Can you share the reason behind the affinity towards this particular genre? Please share a few lines from any of your books and maybe give a bit of background too.
Initially, it was the need to do something different in the genre space in our country. Now it’s because of my readers who want more mythology from me. And publishers, who like to sell them.
SS: Do you think the youngsters, in this era of Social Media, can be hooked to reading? How can mythological stories change their perspective in these modern times?
I think they can. They just need to be given good stories and visual imagery. I had gone to one school and I asked why don’t you all read? They said because it’s words only and no image.
Who is the favourite character from your book, and why?
Arjan is. Because he has lot of character beats that I unknowingly wrote. His arc from being a studious brother who wanted to explore the world to a battle hardened soldier.
Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?
I am working on something. It’s um, I’m coming up with a website and soon an app which will feature unpublished stories of mine in episodic fashion, with visual art to imagine easily. I am currently working on those stories and I want to roll it out during the September October time.
Tell us a bit about Kevin Missal, the person. Is there a boundary line between Kevin, the young author and Kevin, the person. your family, likes and dislikes.
Not really. I try to be the same as I am in real life. Goofy, straight forward and not trying to be someone I’m not. I am a single child and I love playing games, reading graphic novels or novels and just enjoying a bit of TV and movies. I have a dislike towards anything that’s related to sports which is opposite to what my dad is, who was quite athletic when he was my age.
“Sometimes, we do not get a chance to thank each one who has helped us in our Journey.” Let the readers get a chance to know about all those important people who played a part in this ‘Author Journey of Yours’.
Um, obviously my parents, my agent, my first publishers Fingerprint. My digital agency people as well as my cover artists from Arthat or Sachin Nagar.
According to you which are the 5 books, everyone should read and also who are your top three Authors and what impact they had in your journey as a writer?
Alchemist
Godfather
Seagull
The Devotion of Suspect X
The entire Percy Jackson Series
My top three writers are – Keigo Higashino who taught me deft plotting, Rick Riordan who told me how to write compelling original characters and James Patterson who made me realise readers have a short attention span, so grab it quickly.
Could you share a few tips for aspiring Authors from your generation?
Just save up your money because you might have to use it for marketing or investing in your brand. Also, read. Just read.
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