Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your latest book? What was the spark that set the story in motion?
The inspiration behind my latest book comes from my deep love for life in a village and a yearning for the simplicity of the past. I’ve always felt a strong emotional pull toward a time when life was slower, more connected, and rooted in community. While the modern world calls me with its constant innovations and fast pace, my heart finds comfort in the quiet charm of old times, the mud paths, open fields, handwritten letters, and slow conversations under the stars. It’s in this setting that my creativity truly thrives. Writing about village life and bygone eras is not just nostalgic for me. It’s a way of preserving a way of living that I deeply cherish. My stories are a tribute to that world, a gentle rebellion against the distractions of the present.
How did your journey as a writer begin? Was there a particular moment or experience that made you realize this was your path?
My journey as a writer began long before I ever put pen to paper. It started in my childhood, shaped deeply by the presence of my father, who was a writer himself. I grew up surrounded by books, handwritten notes, and the literary discussions that filled our home. It was an environment where words held power and stories were treasured. From my earliest memories, I knew I wanted to be a writer. It felt less like a decision and more like a calling, something that was simply a part of who I was. Life, with all its practical demands and responsibilities, may have led me down different paths over the years, but that desire to write, to create, and to leave behind something meaningful for the world has always remained alive within me. Writing, for me, is not just an art, it’s a way to connect, to remember, and to offer something of myself to others, hoping that my words might touch someone’s heart the way stories have touched mine.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while writing this book, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges I faced while writing this book was simply finding the time and mental space to write. In the midst of a busy life filled with responsibilities and commitments, zoning my mind out of the everyday noise and stepping into the creative zone was not always easy. Writing requires a certain stillness, a space where thoughts can wander and emotions can settle. That kind of space can be hard to come by. There were many times when I had to step away from the book due to work or personal responsibilities, and getting back into the writing flow after a break often felt like starting from scratch. Reconnecting with the story, recapturing the emotion, and slipping back into that world took effort and patience. Being a writer while life constantly moves around you is a challenge in itself. But despite these interruptions, there is this persistent longing that kept pulling me back to the page, even when everything else demanded my attention.
How much of your personal experience or worldview is reflected in the themes or characters of your book?
Almost 100 percent of this book is drawn from my personal experiences, especially from my childhood growing up in a village. While the storyline itself is imaginative, the characters, their dialogues, the settings, and even the smallest situations are all deeply inspired by real moments I’ve lived and the people I’ve encountered. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing village life in its rawest, most beautiful form. Its simplicity, its depth, its unspoken wisdom, and the unique charm of its people. These experiences have given me a strong emotional connection to the world I write about, and that connection made it easier for me to bring the characters to life with authenticity. I didn’t have to invent how they speak, how they move, or how they think. I’ve seen it, heard it, and felt it. Personally experiencing the essence of village life gave me a rich reservoir to draw from, and I believe that’s what lends a certain honesty and soul to the narrative. It’s not just a story I created, it’s a life I lived, reimagined through fiction
What does your typical writing routine look like? Do you follow a strict schedule or write more intuitively?
I do have a routine of setting aside time to write every day, and while I may not always manage to write daily, having that dedicated time has become an anchor in my creative life. Some days, I might not write a single line. Those hours are spent thinking, reflecting, or just sitting with the story in silence. On other days, words pour out of me effortlessly, and I find myself deeply immersed in the world I’m creating. There are also moments when my thoughts drift in different directions, making it hard to focus on the narrative. But even on such days, simply showing up for my writing time keeps me connected to the process. Throughout the day, whenever an idea or phrase strikes me, I make a note of it. These little sparks often become seeds I explore further during my writing time. Occasionally, there are rare but magical days when inspiration takes over completely. On those days, I let go of everything else, take time off, and just write freely. Those are the moments when my creativity flows at its purest, and they often gift me some of the most beautiful lines I’ve ever written.
How do you approach writer’s block or creative fatigue, especially during long projects?
When I experience writer’s block or creative fatigue, I don’t try to push through it forcefully. Instead, I take a complete break from writing. If possible, I travel. Even a short trip helps me shift my perspective. Sometimes, I simply step away from my routine and do something completely different. I might meet friends, engage in conversations, or just spend time doing things that have nothing to do with writing. I’ve found that shaking up my usual rhythm helps refresh both my heart and my mind. I don’t view these breaks as a loss of productivity but as a necessary pause to refill my creative energy. And usually, after a few days, I feel the natural urge to write again comes. It will be stronger, clearer, and more inspired. That return to the flow feels organic and deeply satisfying, like coming home to something I love.
What role did editing and feedback play in shaping the final version of your book?
Editing played a great role in shaping my book into what it is today. I believe good editing refines a story in a way that tunes it to the reader’s experience while still preserving the writer’s voice. The first raw version of any writing is often very original, sometimes even blunt or emotionally intense. But editing helps shape that rawness into a smoother, more coherent flow. It enhances the narrative, adds clarity, and anchors the entire book into a single, unified whole. For me, feedback on edited drafts has always offered valuable insights. I take all feedback seriously, but I don’t accept everything blindly. I always check in with my own intuition to decide what aligns with the core message of the book. Sometimes, a message is meant to carry a bit of roughness or imperfection, and I honour that too. My process is a balance: I welcome outside perspectives, but I filter them through my creative instinct to make sure the story remains true to its essence
How has publishing this book changed your perspective—on writing, on readers, or even on yourself?
It has been a truly beautiful and humbling experience to see my writing reach readers and touch their hearts. Every message, every bit of feedback I received felt like a fresh breath of inspiration, urging me to give more of myself through my creativity. I’ve come to believe that an artist without an audience holds little value in the larger purpose of art. If there is no one to receive, to feel, or to reflect, then a writer’s ideas remain incomplete. So, having readers engage with my book was the most transformative and satisfying part of this journey. What surprised me, and deeply moved me, was that how many people related to the story I told. It created a sense of connection I had never fully experienced before. I felt seen, heard, and part of something larger. In a true sense, I was reminded that we are all one. Despite how different our lives may appear on the outside, at the core, we share the same emotions, the same longings, and the same human depth. That realization has been the greatest gift of all.
What advice would you offer to aspiring writers who are trying to find their voice or get published?
For me, being original has always been the most important part of writing. I believe that everyone carries a unique voice within them, and that voice begins to emerge when we draw from our real, lived experiences. I know about Kaipathur. I’ve lived it. So I write about it. That’s my truth. And I believe that’s where true storytelling begins. Even when the story itself is fictional, the emotions, the essence, and the world we create are rooted in what we’ve known. Readers can feel that rawness, that honesty, when it comes from a place of authenticity. So if I could give one piece of advice to aspiring writers, it would be this: write about what you’ve lived. Let your life be the soil from which your creativity grows. The more you experience life, its joys, sorrows, stillness, and chaos, the deeper your writing will become. In that way, living fully and observing deeply is one of the most powerful ways to enhance your creative voice.
What’s next for you—are there upcoming projects or ideas you’re excited to explore?
I have many ideas that have stayed with me for years. Stories, characters, memories. All waiting patiently to be brought to life. Life, as it often does, took me through phases where I couldn’t fully indulge in writing. Responsibilities, practicalities, and time pulled me away from it. But those ideas never left me. Now, I’m in a space where I’m slowly bringing them out, one by one, and it fills me with excitement and purpose. My ultimate goal is simple: to never stop writing. I want to continue giving life to all the stories I’ve carried in my heart for so long. There’s a quiet joy in knowing that there’s still so much more to create, to share, and to discover, and I look forward to every step of that journey.
We thank Tiju Mundakappalli for taking out moments from his busy schedule to give us this interview and share these exciting insights about his life.
Team Thinnk.in