Rajkumari Sharma Tankha
Author Vijaya Sandireddy, Apart from working as a team leader at Infosys, Vijaya Sandireddy is an author too. She recently unveiled her second novel When The Mountains Moved (TreeShade Books). Centered around friendship and love, this book is an immersive experience of a Himalayan trek and readers will be able to relate to the emotional depths of its protagonist Preethi’s journeys.
As the author says, “It is a exhilarating journey of the protagonist Preethi, who decides to take a break from the mundane and embarks on a trek in the breathtaking Himalayas.” In conversation with Life & More, she talks more about the book and her life:
What inspired you to write this book – a trek in the Himalayas as the backdrop for a love story?
After my debut novel was released, I struggled with writer’s block while shaping my second novel. Then, fate intervened when I joined friends on a Himalayan trek. The journey was transformative. Reaching the peak after a challenging climb left me awestruck by the sheer emptiness around me. During the trek, I never expected it would profoundly influence my writing. The mountains demand your complete focus, leaving little room for anything else. When I returned, inspiration flowed effortlessly as if the mountains had woven themselves into my story. Looking back, I wonder: did the story lead me to the mountains, or did the mountains bring me back to the story?
Is the book born out of your first-hand experiences, imagination or reading about Himalayan treks? Are the characters inspired from people around you?
Yes, I have been to the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund trek in the Himalayas. Although the story is fictional, it is deeply inspired by my experiences during the trek. The people I have met at my workplace and during the trek have deeply influenced the characters in my novel.
How much time did it take to complete the book, cover to cover.
I write at my own pace. Also I have a full-time job at an IT company and I am a mother of two kids. It took me one year to arrive at the final version of the manuscript. The production process took a little longer. It took 2.5 years totally.
Who is your target reader?
When The Mountains Moved has a universal appeal. Preethi, Arjun, and Rishi are relatable characters whose journeys through heartbreak and new beginnings resonate deeply with all kinds of readers. The novel aims to inspire hope and resilience among those who have faced adversity, helping them rebuild their lives. It delves into a tapestry of love, friendship, and self-discovery.
Isn’t love triangle an old and oft-repeated theme? What new have you offered regarding this theme?
More than just a romance novel, When The Mountains Moved explores the profound bonds of friendship, the exhilarating challenges of trekking, and the life-changing journey through the Himalayas. It is a compelling story of a determined young woman who goes on a trek to the Himalayas inspired by her grandfather’s tales and how the profound journey becomes transformational.
Heartbreak and new beginnings …. is something this generation is cool and casual about…your take?
Heartbreak and new beginnings are difficult for anyone who has truly loved. Be it for those who belong to the current generation or the previous ones. I don’t think the current generation is casual about it. It’s just that they know how to handle their emotions well and move on with their life.
You are working with Infosys. How do you get time to write?
I strongly believe that when you are passionate about something, everything just falls into place. Or you make sure everything else falls into place.
Do you have a specific writing time, a writing corner?
I generally prefer late nights for writing as the distractions as lesser during that time. I have no specific writing corner. Depends on the room my younger son is sleeping.
Did you ever face a writer’s block? How do you overcome that?
Yes. I take a break for a week or so. I travel. Travel always works for me.
Which is your favourite author in the romance genre? And your favourite book in this genre.
I like stories that have love stories embedded in them. Like the love story of Captain Gopinath and his wife on their farm in the book Simply Fly, Sita’s love for Ram depicted in The Forest Of enchantments, Draupadi’s love depicted in The Palace Of Illusions.
Name the authors that inspire you?
Chitra Divakurani, Aditya Shroff, Ruskin Bond, Amish Tripathi
What are the new projects you are busy with currently?
I am currently busy with the promotions of my recently released novel – When The Mountains Moved. Priorities at work and home are taking my time. I haven’t started working on my next novel yet.
