“Synopsis The viceroy villa This is a mystery story which revolves around a cursed palace – the viceroy villa. Avantika and Akash along with their daughters Sneha and Shruti move in to stay in the villa. Avantika discovers an underground dungeon in their premises and is motivated to write a story based on it. Strangely whatever she pens down tends to become a reality. The dangers and challenges that she plans for the characters in the story becomes a threat in real for her daughters. Kids along with their friends get kidnapped. However they find an escape route which lands them in an island inhabited by a deadly tribe. The kids come to know of the tribe’s glorious past and their roots to the viceroy villa. Befriending them, kids get to learn a whole new way of life – the natural way! The island, unknown to the world, is a world in itself. In the end dad finally succeeds in tracing the island and reaching the kids.”
Akhila Saroha: I would like to begin by congratulating you on the publication of “The Viceroy Villa.” How has the response to the book been so far?
Ashwini U Nambiar: Thank you so much. I’m glad and very thankful to the readers for a wonderful response.
Akhila Saroha: What led to the idea of writing “The Viceroy Villa”? Were there any events that inspired the work?
Ashwini U Nambiar: My kids are the inspiration behind the book. They have this habit of discussing every tit bits of the happenings in the school and their friend circle. This reminded me of my own school days. Having gone through that phase we all know how vulnerable the teenage is and this is the age when they don’t like anyone lecturing or moralizing them. Hence I came up with the idea of this book as an interesting and intriguing way in this regard.
And talking about the events, I think the idea of the viceroy villa sprouted from a childhood memory mine of a British era mansion in my hometown. And of course the mystery attached to it is pure fiction.
Akhila Saroha: How easy or difficult was it for you to set the narrative in the near future and build characters who had the impressions of the present time in “The Viceroy Villa”?
Ashwini U Nambiar: Building characters and setting narratives happen casually along with the storyline for me. Once I have a plot in my mind, the story starts moving along with the characters. In fact before I start writing down, my characters are alive and thriving in my mind.
Akhila Saroha: What are your views about present-day writing? Do you think it does complete justice in depicting human nature in the light of “The Viceroy Villa”?
Ashwini U Nambiar: We all know that due to digital platform current times are the best times for writers. As a result writing has become more innovative and experimental. Regarding the latter part of the question, I would say that I have done my best and now if the readers are able to relate to it, then I would feel that I have succeeded in doing so.
Akhila Saroha: “The Viceroy Villa” shows the uniqueness of your style of writing. Are there any authors that you enjoy reading or any books which are your favorites?
Ashwini U Nambiar: Although I love to read I never got enough time to read. Thanks to my literature stream that I got opportunity to read some of the legendary writers. Amrita Pritam, Shivani and Jaishankar Prasad are among my favourites.
Akhila Saroha: How would you categorize “The Viceroy Villa” as its appeal seems to be to a broad audience?
Ashwini U Nambiar: Yes true. ‘The Viceroy Villa’ is a book which cannot be labelled as children’s or Young Adults book. It is enjoyed by everyone alike and belongs to ‘All age’ group.
Akhila Saroha: “The Viceroy Villa” has given a powerful introduction to your potential as a writer. Can the readers expect more from you in the future? Please share about your future projects.
Ashwini U Nambiar: Yes. I have a story brewing inside since quite some time. Inspired by college days, it’s going to be fun-filled emotional saga.
Akhila Saroha: What is the story behind the title of your work, “The Viceroy Villa”?
Ashwini U Nambiar: As I mentioned before that in my childhood I was fascinated by a British era mansion called ‘Karki kothi’ in my hometown Deharadoon. I have faint memory of a visit there and also remember some underground chamber in it. It always intrigued me though there was no mystery attached to it.
Akhila Saroha: How easy or difficult was it for you to create the characters and show the story from their eyes and also the eyes of a third-person narrator without hampering the readers’ perception in “The Viceroy Villa”?
Ashwini U Nambiar: Again as I said before that my characters thrive in my mind, I kind of start looking at the story from their perception. So it all happened smoothly.
Akhila Saroha: In the present time, stories featuring people like your characters in “The Viceroy Villa” do not find much mention. What, according to you, could be the possible reason for that?
Ashwini U Nambiar: I think because I haven’t read much, the influence on me is negligible. ‘Blessing in disguise’ I suppose!
Akhila Saroha: If you were to describe your book “The Viceroy Villa” in a few words without giving any spoilers, what would those words be?
Ashwini U Nambiar: Well in a few words ‘The Viceroy Villa’ is a fun filled mystery thriller wherein two siblings find there lives taken over by a fictional tale. Initially you will find it comic, then mysterious, sometimes creepy and sometimes emotional. But one thing is sure that it’s going to keep you hooked all through book.
Akhila Saroha: What advice would you give to budding writers who may be planning to write in the same genre as “The Viceroy Villa”?
Ashwini U Nambiar: My advice to the budding writers in this genre would be that while intertwining contemporary and fiction they must take care that it should look realistic and relatable. So do a good research on the topic and events.
Akhila Saroha: Thank you very much for sparing your time. I look forward to reading more books from you in the future. All the best.
Ashwini U Nambiar: Thank you so much. I’m honoured.
