Authors’ Background: Author Yudhishthir Singh is from Lucknow, where he also did his schooling from Delhi Public School and Bachelor’s degree from University of Lucknow. He moved to Delhi for professional aspirations. Yudhishthir has worked with marketing agencies and brands. “Blight of the ivory” is his debut novel.
Questionnaire:
Akhila Saroha- For you, what defines true horror: the supernatural, or the corruption of human desire?
Yudhishthir Singh- Corruption of Human desire. I mean if characters don’t make wrong choices the horror won’t happen.
Akhila Saroha- If the Ivory is a metaphor, what real-life temptations do you think it represents in today’s world?
Yudhishthir Singh- The is not one answer or any specific answer to it. I think whatever intoxicates us is the Ivory.
Akhila Saroha – Did you write this book primarily as a cautionary tale or as an exploration of human weakness?
Yudhishthir Singh- Human Weakness. I am drawn towards the study of human nature and human mind.
Akhila Saroha- How important was it to anchor the story in mythology rather than just invent a random cursed object?
Yudhishthir Singh- It was not the plan. I didn’t do that intentionally; it just came to me. I don’t know how, honestly.
Akhila Saroha-What was your inspiration for Akshat’s character and for depicting his situation? How common do you think is the willingness among people today to pay the price for success like he was willing?
Yudhishthir Singh- I think that question comes from the fact that how many people are willing to take risk in their life. Success comes at a cost, sacrifices, anxiety, sleep. I think the people who understand the risk and price of success, will be pay the cost. Akshat went to extreme, he didn’t know where to stop. Everyone of us has some Akshat in ourselves. Some of us are sane enough to understand the limits, some of us don’t.
Akhila Saroha- How did you research or imagine the mythology behind the Ivory?
Yudhishthir Singh- As I said, it came to me. I was working on the origin of the Ivory. And it just clicked, I honestly have no answer for that. Everything just connected, it made sense and I was happy.
Akhila Saroha- Did you always know how the story would end, or did the ending evolve as you wrote?
Yudhishthir Singh- Once the origin was clear the ending came automatically, I didn’t have to struggle with the ending.
Akhila Saroha- How do you personally define the “blight” in the title? Is it external, or is it something within us?
Yudhishthir Singh- It is like a parasite. It is within us, in our minds. When the parasite reaches to a higher degree we project that parasitic nature externally, around us.
Akhila Saroha- What part of the writing process was the most rewarding for you?
Yudhishthir Singh- Whenever I wrote any emotional scene, that was rewarding. With the help of different characters, I was able to communicate my emotions with the readers. And when readers felt connected with those emotions, that is the most rewarding for me.
Akhila Saroha- Was there a particular scene that you struggled to write but knew was essential?
Yudhishthir Singh- Oh Yes. I had to kill a character, and it was so difficult from technical and logical point of view. I had to make it believable because of which it became a struggle. But it was rewarding, it became a turning point of the story and for the characters.
Akhila Saroha- Do you see “Blight of the Ivory” as a standalone, or could it evolve into a larger mythological-horror series?
Yudhishthir Singh- Not a series. Though I had a plot for a sequel, but I wasn’t sure about writing it. Now looking at the response and feedback I am getting, definitely “Blight of the Ivory” has a second part. It will not come out soon, but yes, second part is there, 100%.
Akhila Saroha- How do you see horror fiction contributing to conversations about morality in modern India?
Yudhishthir Singh- I hope for the best, that is all I can say. I don’t think I am credible enough, at least right now, to comment on “contributions”. I think I need to work and write more to be taken seriously. Words are just noises without work.
Akhila Saroha- Finally, what advice would you give to readers who are tempted—like Akshat—to take shortcuts in pursuit of success?
Yudhishthir Singh- There are no shortcuts to success.
