After years of devouring fiction across genres, I still find myself endlessly fascinated by the world of Sci-Fi. Each new book leaves me wondering- How do authors come up with such mind-bending ideas?
Today, we’re diving into one such captivating read: Threads of Reality by Rajesh Seshadri. In this brilliant sci-fi novel, Seshadri doesn’t just explore the evolution of technology; he beautifully intertwines it with elements of Hindu mythology, spirituality, and the very fabric of reality itself.
We had the pleasure of speaking directly with the author to uncover the inspiration behind his work, and here’s how our conversation unfolded.
Q1. Science Fiction is one of the most intricate genres to ever be written. What was your experience with it?
Author:
My experience comes less from being a lifelong sci-fi aficionado and more from my professional life, where I have spent decades observing the bleeding edge of what’s possible. In the corporate world, we are constantly looking at predictive analytics, AI, and strategic technologies that would have seemed like science fiction just a decade ago. In my therapeutic work, I explore the profound, almost magical, capabilities of the human mind. My approach to this genre what I call ‘nouveau science fiction’ is to start not with spaceships, but with a deeply human, often inexplicable mystery set in a familiar world. The “science fiction” element is the reveal, the logical, often technological, explanation that is just a few steps beyond our current reality. For me, the intricacy wasn’t in building new worlds, but in subtly twisting the wiring of our own.
“That perspective is fascinating placing human psychology at the center of science fiction makes it feel intimate, believable, and eerily possible.”
Q2. As the name suggests, you are pulling diverse threads and building curiosity among the readers. Where did you get the inspiration for this novel?
Author:
The inspiration comes directly from my dual career. As a corporate strategist, you are trained to spot patterns and connect disparate pieces of information to foresee a logical outcome a process very similar to solving a mystery. As a therapist and coach, you listen to the stories people tell themselves and help them find the deeper, often hidden, truths beneath. Threads of Reality is the convergence of these two worlds. The inspiration for each story often began with a “what if” question that blurred that line. What if a ghost story wasn’t about a ghost, but about a perfect, hidden surveillance system? What if a miracle wasn’t divine, but a forgotten piece of ancient, yet highly advanced, technology? The inspiration is India itself a land where ancient beliefs and cutting-edge innovation coexist in the most fascinating and paradoxical ways.
“It’s incredible how India’s duality its mythology and modernity becomes the perfect breeding ground for speculative fiction. You seem to draw deeply from both logic and legend.”
Q3. How long have you been writing? Do you feel there has been an evolution? If yes, do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Author:
I have been writing for my entire professional life, though not fiction. I have written strategic plans, training modules, coaching frameworks, and therapeutic notes. The common thread has always been the need for clarity, structure, and delivering a powerful, transformative message. The evolution was in shifting that skill from a corporate or therapeutic context to a narrative one. I have always used storytelling as a tool to teach and heal, so this felt like a natural, albeit challenging, progression.
My advice for aspiring writers is twofold. First, write what you know, but frame it in what you love. My knowledge is in strategy, systems, and the human psyche; my love is for a good, clever mystery. The fusion of the two created this book. Second, don’t just wait for inspiration; create a structure for it. Just like in business, a project needs a plan. Outline your ideas, understand your “why,” and then build your narrative brick by brick. Discipline is the bridge between a good idea and a finished book.
“It’s refreshing advice in an age where many see writing as purely emotional.”
Q4. Would you say your book is a collection of conspiracy theories? By extension, what are your thoughts on them?
Author:
That’s a fascinating question. I would say my book is a collection of solutions, not conspiracy theories. A conspiracy theory often relies on leaving questions unanswered and positing a shadowy, unknowable “they.” My stories do the opposite. They present a seemingly impossible, even conspiratorial, setup but provide a concrete, albeit shocking, resolution that is grounded in a hidden logic or technology. My thoughts on conspiracy theories are that they are born from a very human need to find patterns in chaos. While they can be dangerous when they distort public truth, the impulse behind them is what I explore: the search for a deeper explanation than the one presented on the surface. In Threads of Reality, that deeper explanation is real, and it’s often more ingenious and unsettling than any conspiracy.
“That’s an insightful distinction your stories don’t fuel paranoia, they resolve it. You’re transforming mystery into meaning.”
Q5. In this book, are you yourself figuring out answers to a “hidden India” or have you satisfied the readers’ curiosities with answers as well?
Author:
Both. The process of writing was certainly an act of “figuring out” for me—exploring the incredible possibilities that lie within India’s unique blend of ancient mysticism and hyper-modernity. The country is full of these wonderful contradictions, and I wanted to create narratives that honoured that. However, I believe a mystery makes a promise to the reader. My commitment is to satisfy their curiosity with a conclusive, powerful answer in every single story. The thrill isn’t in leaving the reader hanging; it’s in the final, exhilarating click of understanding when the last piece of the puzzle falls into place, revealing a picture they never expected.
That “click of understanding” you describe is exactly what readers crave a payoff that’s both intellectual and emotional.
6. What were the complications of picking such a complicated project that will have you keep a tight grip on the narrative?
Author:
The primary complication was maintaining the delicate balance between mystery and explanation. I had to plant clues that were subtle enough to not give away the twist, but logical enough that the reader, upon finishing the story, could look back and see the threads were there all along. The “unbreakable alibi” or the “memory sculptor” required a high degree of internal consistency. If you are positing a technological or scientific explanation, the internal logic has to be sound within the story’s universe. Keeping track of these ‘rules’ for twelve distinct realities, ensuring each was unique and didn’t borrow from another, required a very disciplined, almost architectural, approach to plotting.
“That meticulous approach really shows it’s almost as if each story is engineered like a system, not just written as a tale.”
Q7. What was the writing process like? Did you write it in one go, or did you take your time with it?
Author:
My process mirrored a strategic project plan. I didn’t write it in one linear go. First, I spent a significant amount of time developing the core “what if” concept for all twelve stories. I built them out as detailed outlines or ‘story skeletons,’ focusing on a strong premise and an even stronger twist. Then, I tackled them one by one, taking my time with each to flesh out the characters, build the atmosphere, and carefully layer the narrative. Some stories came quickly, while others required more research and thought to make the final reveal feel both surprising and inevitable. It was a patient, methodical process rather than a single burst of creative energy.
“That’s the perfect reminder that good fiction often comes from strategy as much as inspiration a balance of patience and precision.”
8. For people who are invested in unravelling the truths of the world, as discussed in your book, what other works would you recommend?
Author:
For those who enjoy peeling back the layers of reality, I would highly recommend the works of Ted Chiang, especially his collection Stories of Your Life and Others, for its brilliant fusion of science, humanity, and philosophy. I’m also a great admirer of Jorge Luis Borges, whose short stories are like intricate intellectual puzzles that question the very nature of reality, time, and knowledge.
“Excellent choices both authors master the art of thought-provoking brevity, much like your work in Threads of Reality.”
9. Since this was not your debut work, how has publishing been for you so far?
Author:
This is an interesting point. While I have authored and published extensive material in the professional and therapeutic fields—training manuals, articles, coaching guides, non-fiction—Threads of Reality is indeed my debut work of fiction. The question is likely a typo, but it highlights a great point. The publishing journey for fiction is a completely different world. It has been a fascinating and humbling learning curve. Coming from a world where content is judged on its practical utility, it’s liberating to be judged on creativity, suspense, and emotional impact. It has reinforced my belief that whether you are writing a business strategy or a science fiction story, the goal is the same: to connect with your audience and leave them with a new way of seeing the world.
“That’s such a grounded perspective bridging the analytical and the creative seems to be your signature strength.”
10. What’s next for you? Would you continue to write books that challenge the current reality or explore other genres?
Author:
I feel like I have only just begun to scratch the surface of this “nouveau science fiction” genre. The core concept mysteries that appear supernatural but are rooted in a hidden, advanced reality is a wellspring of ideas. I am already outlining a second collection of stories, perhaps with a recurring character, an investigator who specializes in these kinds of ‘reality-glitch’ cases. I intend to continue writing unabated and several fiction projects are an intrinsic part of it. Mythological fiction, metaphysical thrillers, nostalgic stories based on Indian cities, soft skills for the corporate worker, etc.
“That’s an exciting creative roadmap. Readers will no doubt look forward to exploring these new realities with you.”
Threads of Reality is more than a collection of speculative stories it’s a bridge between logic and imagination, science and spirituality, the known and the unknown. Through twelve deeply engaging tales, the author invites readers to explore a “hidden India,” where every mystery leads to revelation, and every revelation forces us to question what we call real.
With his blend of strategic intellect, psychological depth, and narrative elegance, the author reminds us that the most compelling stories don’t just transport us they transform the way we see the world.
