Dilip is a software engineer and has worked with multiple organizations in areas of development, testing, business analytics, operations management, end to end delivery ownership and business development. He has many passion, including reading, writing, running, social service and spirituality. Shunya is his third (ad)venture in writing, His first two books were What Next? And 52. Shunya is not his story, but it is one that he and many can relate to.

Shunya (Book)

There are times when everyone questions themselves – Why? What? How? You must have also encountered such questions, probably umpteen times. However, most of the times these questions would have been either overshadowed by other thoughts or replaced by some stuff going on in life. Shunya is for you, if you would like to ponder over these questions and find answers. It will take you through an inner journey of peace, bliss and serenity. It will make you dive deep into a realm that is not only thought-provoking but worth implementing. It is not only a title or a character but a being that exists in your heart and soul.

We will talk with Dilip about his new book  ‘Shunya : The Zero’.

What is the story behind your book. Where did you get your idea for the book?

Story: Shunya is a fiction story that depicts the journey of 2 protagonists. It is a journey in search of a purpose of life. One of the protagonists wants to discover the purpose and he is on a tour where he meets the other that has no particular purpose but is living his life peacefully. They meet and work towards a purpose but the one who already was on a search falls in a trap through the medium of a third person who has a vested interest. They get separated in their journeys and then meet again with the turnaround of circumstances. The story picks up at a medium pace with a lot of questions, then some exciting moments, a fast paced journey post that, a parallel story shaping up in the middle and a thrilling climax encapsulated in epilogue and pre-epilogue that adds to the exhilaration.

Idea: I have been quite experimental in life with regards to learning things related to life. I treat life as a bundle of moments that have to be lived fully – with utmost happiness, peace, not harming others and spirituality with logic embedded. I wanted to portray my learnings and experiences in the book but in an agnostic manner. This is where is pulled myself aside and started working on the concept.

Challenges you faced while writing this book and in your life as an author?

This is my third attempt in writing. The first 2 were published for a private circulation. They were more of a documentary. The content was liked by many but I thought it was more for a class. I wanted to write something classy but for masses. Hence, I wanted to portray the story with characters and an interesting fiction story that can captivate interest of the reader till the end. This was the first challenge. I invested a few months in thinking over it and I found a basic storyline. To script the same, I wanted to stay aloof submerged into shaping up the story in the words. Hence, I found a place where they lock the participants in a room for 7 days and 7 nights. Staying totally alone with zero external communication was a challenge but since I had a purpose, I got through.

Life as an author: I write what I like and mainly to convey message to myself. I feel glad if that message travels through the heart of the audience and adds value in their life. My writings are inclined towards adding values that can enrich life, generate happiness and peace and refrains from harming anyone in any form. I keep it simple and hence I don’t see it as a big challenge.

What is your life mantra?

Live peacefully and Leave peacefully. Happiness is within and not really dependent on anyone. If I am at peace with the world, the world has a lot of peace to offer me back. I like to treat everyone the way I like to be treated.

What is your writing process like?

My writing process is subtle, simple and straight. I attempt to excite the audience with a variety of questions that most of us have but are many a times not exactly able to discover. The answers to those may be individual or generic.

Anything special about your book that you want to share?

Shunya is very close to my heart as it showcases basic human fundamentals in a logical manner. Many a times life goes in sweating the small stuff and the realization says that most of the stuff is life is too trivial to invest time when there is an abundance of peace, love and bliss around.

According to you, what are the three qualities an author must have to achieve success?

Speak out (Write) her/his heart, Imbibe passion & enjoy every bit of it and Write without any notions.

What are your plans for next book?

The next book is already in making. The story is complete and the scripting is on its way. I haven’t set a timeline and the concept is currently to be kept under the wraps. Shall disclose as I come near to the publishing.

What advice do you have for young writers?

I, myself am a budding writer but the only thing I would like to say is – Celebrate what you write and write only when you enjoy doing it.

Share a quote or line that has been your inspiration.

“Happiness is a discovery; not an invention.”

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