1. What inspired you to write this book, and how did the idea come to you?
The feeling of loneliness was always something that fascinated me. I found myself constantly wondering about how it exists in all our lives in different ways. I wanted to write a blog about it, but it was never coherent. I could never cover loneliness in one piece, because there were so many sides to it. And then one day, I came across a book by Raymond Carver. And that gave me the idea of doing it through stories. Each story talking about a unique side of loneliness.
2. What was the most challenging part of writing this book, and how did you overcome it?
The most challenging part was to make the stories feel real, while also painting a picture that was not all sad. The idea was to talk about loneliness but not make it look like something that will consume us. It is a part of life, just like happiness or sadness is.
3. Who is your target audience, and what do you hope they take away from your book?
My target audience is anyone with an intent to understand people, their emotions, why they do what they do & why they are the way they are.
4. How does this book reflect your personal experiences or worldview?
This book is a reflection of what I’ve observed in people I’ve spent time with or had the opportunity of observing from a reasonably close distance. It is my perspective of how people experience loneliness in their lives.
5. Did you discover anything surprising about yourself or your writing process while working on this book?
I discovered how many people had left an impression on me without my knowing it. I was surprised to see a number of relatively alien faces pop up while writing these stories.
6. The idea of “being lonely together” is both comforting and unique. Can you elaborate on what this means and how readers can apply it to their own lives?
More often than not, we tend to think we’re all alone in our struggles. We believe that the world’s weight is bearing down on just our shoulders. We think people around us won’t understand. I just wanted to let them know that it’s not that way; we’re all on the same boat. We can be together, if only we want to.
7. Do you believe that our modern, hyper-connected world has amplified feelings of loneliness? If so, how does your book address this paradox?
The modern hyper-connected world has increased the possibility of making connections, but mostly superficial. The need for validation and ‘fear of missing out’ on trends have made us lose focus on making meaningful connections with people we love. This has lead to us being disconnected at a deeper level. Through this book, I aspire to paint a picture of how we can be more understanding of each other by being aware of the emotions that are common to us all.
8. If there were one message you’d like readers to take away from your book, what would it be?
You’re not alone. You never were and never will be.
Look around. There’s a shoulder somewhere waiting for you to lean on it & there’s someone waiting to lean on you. Loneliness isn’t bad or good. It is a feeling. And like all other feelings, it’s not permanent.
