World of Writing - Interview

Ashwini Shenoy and I began networking a few years ago and have since become good friends along the way. Ashwini celebrates networking relationships too and is always responding positively in her communications with others. Today we are celebrating the new release of her 3rd novel: In the Golden Mountains (paperback or e-book). 

In addition to her novels, Ashwini's short stories have been featured in several national and international magazines. In 2022, she ventured into the world of podcasts, teaming up with Leadstart and Spotify India to launch Word by Word with Ashwini Shenoy. This podcast has become a valuable resource for aspiring writers and seasoned authors alike, offering practical insights and guidance on creative writing. 

Beyond her literary achievements, Ashwini works as a technical leader at Aptiv, an automotive company in Bangalore. In her free time, she enjoys taking strolls around the city, always on the lookout for stories and characters for her next novel. 

Visit her author page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ashwini-Shenoy/author/B07478PGLW to learn more about her books. Alternatively visit her website @: https://ashwinishenoy.com

 

Q: Ashwini let's start out by learning ow do you determine or evaluate success in the realm of writing?

A: After five years in the world of literature and art, I've come to believe that the definition of success evolves as you grow. When I began writing my first novel, my idea of success was simply finishing the first draft without giving up. That was my benchmark then. 

Now, five years later, it shifts constantly, shaped by new things I’ve learned, fresh ideas that have come my way, and the skills I’ve developed. In my opinion, an artist, especially today, should love their art so deeply that they’re willing to pursue it even if they know the spotlight might never reach them. Only then can they evaluate their success without being swayed by the standards set by the outside world.


Q. What’s the best advice you were given about writing?

A: The writing itself is only half the work of being a writer—maybe even less once you've found your rhythm. The real challenge lies in teaching yourself to observe, unlearn, actively listen, and stay curious. 

As a writer, or any kind of artist, you have to learn to sit quietly, absorbing your surroundings, and then later sit quietly again to organize those observations and reflections before ever putting pen to paper.

Q. What inspires you?

A. My inspiration mostly comes from people. Even though my stories span diverse genres, they are all built around strong, relatable characters. Every book, short story, and novella I've written is character-inspired. These characters might be someone I’ve never met (like Shikhandini from my first book), a blend of real-life individuals (such as Shyamala from Gift of Life), or someone I happened to meet by chance and felt compelled to capture on the page (like Kshama from In the Golden Mountains).



Q. What do you hope readers will feel when they have read it?

A. In the Golden Mountains is a coming-of-age novel that explores a full spectrum of emotions, blending romance, suspense, drama, and adventure. By the end, readers are left with a sense of warmth and satisfaction as the story wraps up with neatly tied ends. It features scenes that linger long after the final page, leaving readers wondering about the characters' lives beyond the story’s conclusion.


Q. What are the biggest surprises you’ve encountered as a writer?

A. When my first book was released in 2019, I was surprised to learn just how essential marketing and promotion are to a book's success. At the time, I had no social media presence and, frankly, neither the time nor the resources to invest in marketing. Fortunately, my publisher was one of the few in the country that actively promoted their authors’ books. The biggest revelation for me was realizing that writing well, while crucial, wasn’t enough on its own.


Q. What is your writer's life philosophy?

A. My greatest lesson as a writer has been to prioritize honing my craft—improving my skills and prose each day—rather than dedicating too much time and energy to promotion. Focus on your art; let the universe play cupid between your work and its audience.


Q. As a writer, after publishing 3 books so far... - What are your long-range and short-range goals and objectives?

A. My long-term and short-term goals are simple: to keep writing and reading every day, to experiment with different narrative styles and points of view, and to create engaging characters and conflicts. If given the chance, I’d love to share my learnings with aspiring writers, hoping they find value in them.