Some stories stay with us because they remind us of the people we have lost, the goodbyes we never received, and the things life teaches us when we least expect them. The Couple Who Never Met is one such story, exploring emotions, relationships, and the unexpected ways life unfolds.
In this conversation, we speak with the author about the inspiration behind the novel, the characters who shape its emotional world, and the journey of bringing a debut book to life. From an early interest in Telugu cinema to balancing a full-time career with writing, the author shares the experiences and thoughts that shaped the story.
1. The opening line, “some people leave without saying goodbye, while some goodbyes are said without words,” sets such a poignant tone. What inspired this idea?
Some people are lucky enough to end things well, while others never get that chance and live with a delusion about why the other person left in the first place. I’ve come across both kinds of people around me, and this line was born from that. It sits well in the story.
“It’s interesting how everyday observations can inspire stories that so many people relate to.”
2. Viraan’s life is built around his grandfather and a quiet, simple existence. Why did you choose to center his world around this relationship before Leela enters the picture?
Grandpa’s fears and experiences carry far more weight than Viraan’s early interest in Leela. Apart from his grandfather, Leela is the person he learns to bond with in that same way. I believed that contrast in the drama would work well, and fortunately, it did. When someone reads the whole story, everything makes sense.
“The contrast between these relationships makes us curious about how Viraan’s journey unfolds.”
3. How would you describe the emotional tone of this book – is it more bittersweet, hopeful, healing, or something else entirely?
The tone of the book depends on the experiences the reader has had in their own life. Some readers feel hopeful again. Others find the closure and acceptance they’ve been needing.
“Perhaps that’s what makes a story personal to each reader. The same book can mean different things to different people, depending on what they have experienced. The possibility of finding hope or closure in a story makes the reading experience even more meaningful.”
4. You once dreamed of writing for Telugu cinema. How did that early ambition shape the way you tell stories now, even in novel form?
As someone who watches a lot of movies and reads just as much, my writing experience has been genuinely unique. Whether it’s someone walking out of a theatre or a reader finishing a book, the goal is the same: to make the time they spent worth it. Telugu cinema has such a wide range of craftsmen to draw that inspiration from.
“That connection between cinema and storytelling offers an interesting perspective on your writing journey.”
5. You work full-time in the supply chain, a field far removed from storytelling. How do you carve out space for writing alongside that career?
By being less on sleep, more on coffee and full of weekends. Apart from my work I completely used my time by working on my novel. I realized we always find time for the things we love, and I didn’t want any excuse that worked against my writing.
“A little less sleep, more coffee, and plenty of dedication. That’s quite a commitment to a story!”
6. Growing up in Andhra Pradesh and now living in the US, did that distance or shift in perspective influence how you wrote this story?
More than I expected it to. Every person I’ve met here carries a different story, and almost every conversation I’ve had has the potential to become a well-written scene or story of its own.
“It’s remarkable how a change in surroundings can introduce us to so many new perspectives. Sometimes, the most interesting stories begin with ordinary conversations and the people we meet along the way. These experiences can offer a writer an endless source of inspiration.”
7. This is your debut novel. What was the hardest part of finishing and publishing your first book?
Honestly, this is the first time I’ve done something I truly love. There were plenty of obstacles throughout the writing journey, but none of them made it hard for me to finish, because for once, I wasn’t doing something out of obligation. I was doing it because I wanted to.
“There’s something special about pursuing something simply because you love doing it.”
8. Was there a scene that took the longest to get right, or one that changed the most from your first draft to the final version?
A couple of scenes kept getting reshaped until they felt right. The first is a heated argument between Viraan and Grandpa around the middle of the book. The second is the flashback and climax portions, since those were the most crucial parts of the story and needed extra care.
“It’s fascinating how some scenes need that extra attention to get their emotions just right.”
9. What do you hope readers feel or take away after finishing “The Couple Who Never Met”?
I hope readers understand that life has numerous ways of bringing back what’s truly yours, maybe not in the same way you lost it, but in the way you deserve it. And when life takes someone or something away, it’s often for a reason, and that reason is for your own good.
“That’s a comforting thought to leave readers with. Life doesn’t always give us things back in the way we expect, and sometimes acceptance comes only with time.”
10. How has your journey of bringing this book to readers with Paper Towns Publishers been, and what has the experience taught you as an author?
It wouldn’t have been this comfortable without Paper Towns Publishers. Seeing the positive response from readers has fueled me to bring more stories to paper, and hopefully to publish them with Paper Towns again.
“It’s wonderful to see how a positive response from readers can encourage an author to keep creating. Publishing a debut novel is an important milestone, and having the support to bring a story to its audience can make the experience all the more rewarding. “
A Story That Finds Its Way to You
Every book begins with an idea, but the stories that stay with us often find their meaning through the experiences we bring to them. Through this conversation, we get a glimpse into the thoughts, inspirations, and dedication behind The Couple Who Never Met, along with the journey of an author bringing a first novel into the world.
Whether it is the complexity of relationships, the weight of unspoken goodbyes, or the belief that life has its own way of giving us what we need, the story invites readers to reflect on their own experiences and interpretations.
We hope this conversation encourages you to discover The Couple Who Never Met and find what the story means to you.
Keep reading, keep discovering, and keep finding stories that stay with you.
Amazon
Flipkart
E-book
