What would happen if the internet suddenly disappeared – not forever, but just long enough for us to rediscover the conversations we’ve been postponing, the relationships we’ve overlooked, and the silence we’ve forgotten how to embrace?
In The Offline Hours, the author explores this compelling premise through an emotionally rich narrative that goes far beyond technology. At its heart, the novel is about human connection, memory, grief, friendship, and the quiet moments that often shape our lives the most.
In this exclusive interview, we speak with the author about the inspiration behind the novel, the deeper message woven into its pages, the emotional journey of its characters, and what it truly means to be “connected” in an increasingly digital world.
1. What inspired you to write The Offline Hours, and how did the idea of an internet blackout become the backdrop for the story?
The inspiration for The Offline Hours came from a simple observation: despite being more connected than ever through technology, many people seem to feel increasingly lonely, distracted, and emotionally disconnected.
I began wondering what would happen if that constant digital connection suddenly disappeared. Not through a disaster that threatened survival, but through something quieter—an internet blackout that forced people to face themselves, their memories, their relationships, and the conversations they had been avoiding.
The internet blackout became the perfect backdrop because it strips away the noise of modern life. Without notifications, social media, and endless digital distractions, the characters are left with something many of us rarely experience today: silence.
At its heart, The Offline Hours is not really a story about technology failing. It is a story about people rediscovering what remains when technology is no longer there—friendship, grief, love, regret, memory, and genuine human connection.
I wanted to explore a question that feels increasingly relevant in today’s world: if we are all connected online, why do so many of us still feel alone? The blackout simply provided the circumstances that allowed the characters and perhaps the readers to search for that answer.
“The premise of The Offline Hours immediately sparks curiosity. In a world where we rarely step away from our screens, we were eager to learn how the idea of an internet blackout evolved into such a deeply human story.”
2. If the internet disappeared for a day, what conversation from your own life would you finally make time for?
If the internet disappeared for a day, I would spend that time talking to my family and close friends without any digital distractions. I believe some of the most meaningful conversations happen when people are fully present with each other. In many ways, that belief became one of the inspirations behind The Offline Hours.
“Sometimes the simplest question reveals the deepest truths. We wanted to know how the author would personally spend a day free from the constant pull of notifications and digital distractions.”
3. What message do you hope readers take away from The Offline Hours?
I hope readers come away with the realization that genuine human connection is still one of the most important things in our lives. Technology is a wonderful tool, but it should never replace meaningful conversations, relationships, and the time we spend truly understanding one another. Sometimes, by disconnecting from the digital world, we reconnect with what matters most.
“Every meaningful story leaves readers with something to carry forward. We asked what lasting thought or emotion the author hopes remains long after the final page.”
4. Do you see any part of yourself in these characters?
Yes, I believe every writer leaves a small part of themselves in their characters. While none of the characters in The Offline Hours are directly based on me, many of their thoughts, observations, questions, and emotions come from experiences I have witnessed, felt, or reflected upon over the years. In that sense, there is a little bit of me in each of them.
“Writers often leave pieces of themselves scattered throughout their stories, whether intentionally or not. We were curious about how much of the author lives within the characters of The Offline Hours.”
5. Do you think modern technology has brought people closer together or made genuine connection more difficult?
Yes, modern technology has made connectivity much easier. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are wonderful tools for reconnecting with old friends and staying in touch with people across the world. However, genuine human connection goes beyond simply being connected online. We may have hundreds of contacts and followers, yet still miss meaningful conversations and emotional closeness. Technology can help us find people, but building and nurturing real relationships still requires time, presence, and personal interaction.
“It’s a question many of us ask ourselves. Technology has transformed how we communicate, but has it changed how deeply we connect? We wanted to hear the author’s perspective.”
6. How important is nostalgia in shaping who we become?
Nostalgia plays an important role in shaping who we become because our memories help define our values, relationships, and sense of identity. Looking back reminds us where we came from, what we have learned, and the people who influenced our journey.
“Memories often influence our choices in ways we don’t immediately recognize. We asked how nostalgia and our past experiences contribute to shaping our identities.”
7. What does being “connected” really mean to you?
To me, being “connected” is not about how often we communicate, but how deeply we understand and care for one another. A genuine connection is built on trust, empathy, shared experiences, and the comfort of knowing that someone truly understands you.
“In an age defined by Wi-Fi signals and social media networks, the meaning of connection itself has evolved. This question goes straight to the heart of what The Offline Hours seeks to explore.”
8. Was there a scene in The Offline Hours that stayed with you long after writing it?
Yes, there is one scene that stayed with me long after I wrote it. It is the moment when Jay shares memories of his mother with Rhea. While writing that scene, I found myself thinking deeply about what a child goes through after losing a mother at a very young age. The loneliness, the unanswered questions, and the quiet absence that remains throughout life made the scene very emotional for me. Even after finishing it, I kept reflecting on that loss and the strength it takes to carry it forward.
“Some scenes continue to resonate with writers long after they’ve been written. We asked whether there was a particular moment in the novel that lingered emotionally even after the manuscript was complete.”
9. What was the most rewarding part of writing this book?
The most rewarding part of writing The Offline Hours was exploring the emotional journeys of the characters and watching them reconnect with themselves and the people around them. As a writer, it was deeply satisfying to see how a simple idea—an internet blackout—could lead to conversations, relationships, and personal transformations that might never have happened otherwise.
“Every book leaves its mark on the person who writes it. We wanted to know which part of this creative journey proved to be the most fulfilling.“
10. How has your experience of bringing The Offline Hours to readers with Paper Towns Publishers been?
My experience of bringing The Offline Hours to readers with Paper Towns Publishers has been both exciting and fulfilling. Publishing a book is always a collaborative journey, and I have been fortunate to work with a supportive team throughout the process. I would especially like to thank Priyanshi and Priyanshu for their constant support and coordination, and Editor Parvati for her valuable editorial insights and guidance in shaping the manuscript.
“Publishing is never a solo journey. Behind every book is a team that helps transform a manuscript into something readers can hold in their hands. We invited the author to reflect on this collaborative experience.”
Our conversation reminds us that The Offline Hours is much more than a story built around an internet blackout. It is a thoughtful exploration of what remains when the distractions fade—our relationships, our memories, our grief, our hopes, and the conversations that truly matter.
In an era where being constantly online has become the norm, this novel gently encourages readers to pause, look inward, and reconnect with the people and moments that often go unnoticed.
We thank the author for sharing the inspiration behind The Offline Hours and offering such thoughtful insights into the writing process. We hope readers not only enjoy the journey through its pages but also take a moment to reflect on the connections that enrich their own lives.
Sometimes, the strongest connections are formed not through a screen, but in the quiet moments we choose to be fully present.
Dive into The Offline Hours—now available for readers.
