City techie turns author

Gachibowli: Black, white and the grays in between is the well-received novel by Hyderabad-based author, Abhishek A Hemrajani. 

The inspired-fiction novel revolves around relationships and deals with the sensitive subject of adoption and infertility. Black, white and the grays in between is an emotional saga of hope, betrayed dreams, and the endless shades of gray. The book is set across three generations and three cities Houston, Hyderabad, and the Bombay of the ‘70s. 

I am a huge fan of Khaled Hosseini, Gabriel GarcíaMárquez, and Paulo Coelho. I actually think that their writing styles have a very strong influence on me

The debut novelist likes to think of it as a story about love that is often selfless and self-doubting, and the unexpected virtue of listening to your heart. Abhishek A. Hemrajani, 35, works for Microsoft Corporation in Hyderabad.

 He spends most of his time thinking about this universe and the endless, small but enormously coherent actions that influence our destiny. He says that when he is not critiquing the many vagaries of life, he can be found experimenting in the kitchen or obsessing over anything related to technology and aviation.

Speaking to The Hans India, Abhishek said that, “I am a huge fan of Khaled Hosseini, Gabriel GarcíaMárquez, and Paulo Coelho. I actually think that their writing styles are a very strong influence on me. I also enjoy reading J.K. Rowling, George R.R. Martin and Haruki Murakami. 

If I had to pick one favorite book, it would have to One Hundred Years of Solitude. The whims of life and the relentless search for truth and spirituality are beautiful themes. As a reader, my taste is very diverse – from the Harry Potter series to iconic works such as Moby Dick. Of the many authors that I admire, Khaled Hosseini inspires me the most for his ability to bring global appeal to regional narratives.”

Excerpts from the interview 

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
The message that I’d like my readers to grasp is that while life can have an extraordinary ability to leave one unfulfilled, it can also be generous beyond one’s imagination.  

What are your current projects and if you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

I am developing a sequel to the book. The book introduces the protagonist of my next book. That book will be based in 2043 and will help me explore what our society, our value system and our geopolitical situation will be 25 years from now. It will also bring in my other two passions, aviation and technology.

I am not sure if I would change anything. However, I do tend to be critical of my work and every time I read it again, I want to correct something.

Why did you choose this particular genre and in your opinion, what is the most difficult part of the writing process?

I chose the story and not the genre; I knew I did not want to write Young-Adult. I write in a style that I like to read and what appeals to my sensibilities. Personally, I found writing to be easier than going through the publishing and book release process.

What inspired you to write your first book and do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

There are parts of the book that are inspired by events and dilemmas that I have seen around me. I like to think of the book as inspired fiction. I have always wanted to write. I started reading at a very young age.  A writer has the unique ability to create a world that can seem real and immersive even when it is fictional; I want to be someone who can do that for his readers.

How much of the book is realistic?

A lot of it is real. The struggle that my protagonist, Kanak, goes through is based on what I observed a close friend go through. I also borrow from situations and events from my own life and of those around me, which is why the book is based in Texas, Hyderabad and Mumbai. They are all places where I have spent significant parts of my life.