SharingStories.in in Conversation with Author Abilash Geetha Balan from Koyilandy, Kerala
How did the idea for En Route Kasol, a fantasy-thriller, come to life? I’m an avid movie buff, especially drawn to thrillers. Films like Zodiac, Mystic River, Se7en, and The Life of David Gale have greatly influenced me. A while ago, I wrote a one-page short story called The Flying Girl, about a young girl traveling alone. Surprisingly, someone from the media reached out, expressing interest in adapting it into a short film. That moment made me realize that thriller is truly my genre. That said, I don’t want to be confined to one genre. While my first two books were thrillers, my third—En Route Kota—is an educational guide for students preparing for IIT-JEE and NEET. Would you like to share something about Abilash Geeth Balan with our readers? I've always wanted to develop a reading habit since childhood, but I never quite succeeded. There were many reasons—most books I picked up as a beginner were either too lengthy, filled with complex vocabulary, or simply hard to follow. Constantly needing a dictionary made reading feel more like a chore than a joy. So, when I eventually took up writing, I was clear about one thing: I wanted to write for readers like me—those who always wished to read but couldn’t get through their first book. My books are short, use simple language, and are easy to understand. I primarily write in the novella category, with most of my books under 100 pages. I believe finishing your first book can be a transformative step, and I want to make that first step as enjoyable as possible. Where do you draw your inspiration from when writing? My stories often take cues from real life, but En Route Kasol was mainly inspired by an Italian innovation by the company Capsula Mundi. I even dedicate the book to their team. Their mission to promote sustainable burial practices deeply moved me. Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing our planet, and I believe we all need to contribute in our own ways. I chose to write. What message does your book ‘En Route Kasol’ convey? En Route Kasol explores the possibility that the solution to one of the world’s greatest challenges might lie hidden in an ancient fable. The story is set in the Kasol forest range in Himachal Pradesh’s Parvati Valley. It follows three strangers—a mentalist, an NGO worker, and a researcher—who inadvertently find themselves entangled in a centuries-old myth. It's a fast-paced read under 100 pages, packed with mystery, suspense, and emotion. The question is: can they uncover the truth, or will the myth prevail? How much time did you devote to writing this book? I don’t impose strict deadlines on myself. I prefer to write at my own pace. My first book, En Route Goa, was published in 2016, and En Route Kasol came after a three-year break. Since I’m also actively involved in running a startup—which is my primary occupation—it’s often challenging to dedicate consistent mental space to writing. For me, conceptualizing the plot is the hard part; once I have that clarity, writing flows easily. The editing support from Blue Rose Publishing, especially from my editor Ghazala, really helped refine the manuscript and give it the polish it needed. Did you ever consider dropping the idea of writing a book? Never. I’ve never wanted to quit, though there were times when balancing work and writing felt overwhelming. Running a business demands a lot of energy, and finding the mental bandwidth to write creatively is a constant challenge. How do you deal with criticism as a Writer? I believe in constructive feedback. Before publishing, I make it a point to share the manuscript with at least 15 friends. If the average review is positive, I feel confident moving forward. And trust me—my friends don’t sugarcoat their opinions! Some of the most valuable criticism I’ve received has come from them. I take their suggestions seriously and refine my work accordingly. Since my books are aimed at new readers, I’ve received great responses from young readers. At the same time, even seasoned readers looking for a quick, engaging read during a flight or commute have appreciated the simplicity and pace of my novellas. What advice would you give to aspiring authors? Many people have a natural flair for writing. You’ve probably noticed it at various points in life. The challenge is that we often don’t give it the time it deserves to see how far it can take us. My advice is simple: write for 15 minutes a day. Just that. Initially, it might feel forced, but within a month, it becomes part of your routine. In my case, six months of consistent writing led to my first book.
How did the idea for En Route Kasol, a fantasy-thriller, come to life?
I’m an avid movie buff, especially drawn to thrillers. Films like Zodiac, Mystic River, Se7en, and The Life of David Gale have greatly influenced me. A while ago, I wrote a one-page short story called The Flying Girl, about a young girl traveling alone. Surprisingly, someone from the media reached out, expressing interest in adapting it into a short film. That moment made me realize that thriller is truly my genre.
That said, I don’t want to be confined to one genre. While my first two books were thrillers, my third—En Route Kota—is an educational guide for students preparing for IIT-JEE and NEET.
Would you like to share something about Abilash Geeth Balan with our readers?
I've always wanted to develop a reading habit since childhood, but I never quite succeeded. There were many reasons—most books I picked up as a beginner were either too lengthy, filled with complex vocabulary, or simply hard to follow. Constantly needing a dictionary made reading feel more like a chore than a joy.
So, when I eventually took up writing, I was clear about one thing: I wanted to write for readers like me—those who always wished to read but couldn’t get through their first book. My books are short, use simple language, and are easy to understand. I primarily write in the novella category, with most of my books under 100 pages. I believe finishing your first book can be a transformative step, and I want to make that first step as enjoyable as possible.
Where do you draw your inspiration from when writing?
My stories often take cues from real life, but En Route Kasol was mainly inspired by an Italian innovation by the company Capsula Mundi. I even dedicate the book to their team. Their mission to promote sustainable burial practices deeply moved me. Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing our planet, and I believe we all need to contribute in our own ways. I chose to write.
What message does your book ‘En Route Kasol’ convey?
En Route Kasol explores the possibility that the solution to one of the world’s greatest challenges might lie hidden in an ancient fable. The story is set in the Kasol forest range in Himachal Pradesh’s Parvati Valley. It follows three strangers—a mentalist, an NGO worker, and a researcher—who inadvertently find themselves entangled in a centuries-old myth. It's a fast-paced read under 100 pages, packed with mystery, suspense, and emotion. The question is: can they uncover the truth, or will the myth prevail?
How much time did you devote to writing this book?
I don’t impose strict deadlines on myself. I prefer to write at my own pace. My first book, En Route Goa, was published in 2016, and En Route Kasol came after a three-year break. Since I’m also actively involved in running a startup—which is my primary occupation—it’s often challenging to dedicate consistent mental space to writing. For me, conceptualizing the plot is the hard part; once I have that clarity, writing flows easily.
The editing support from Blue Rose Publishing, especially from my editor Ghazala, really helped refine the manuscript and give it the polish it needed.
Did you ever consider dropping the idea of writing a book?
Never. I’ve never wanted to quit, though there were times when balancing work and writing felt overwhelming. Running a business demands a lot of energy, and finding the mental bandwidth to write creatively is a constant challenge.
How do you deal with criticism as a Writer?
I believe in constructive feedback. Before publishing, I make it a point to share the manuscript with at least 15 friends. If the average review is positive, I feel confident moving forward. And trust me—my friends don’t sugarcoat their opinions! Some of the most valuable criticism I’ve received has come from them. I take their suggestions seriously and refine my work accordingly.
Since my books are aimed at new readers, I’ve received great responses from young readers. At the same time, even seasoned readers looking for a quick, engaging read during a flight or commute have appreciated the simplicity and pace of my novellas.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Many people have a natural flair for writing. You’ve probably noticed it at various points in life. The challenge is that we often don’t give it the time it deserves to see how far it can take us. My advice is simple: write for 15 minutes a day. Just that. Initially, it might feel forced, but within a month, it becomes part of your routine. In my case, six months of consistent writing led to my first book.
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