Akhila Saroha: I would like to begin by congratulating you on the publication of “Ellie and Orin Prophecy”. How has the response to the book been so far?
Gagan Saini: Thanks Akhila. Its really a blessing to see imagination taking a shape of a book. The response so far is quite overwhelming I didn’t expect that. I have been getting screenshots on Instagram and facebook that people ordering the book. Family and friends were first to order. The reviews from critics were amazing and I hope readers will enjoy the story.
Akhila Saroha: What led to the idea of writing of such an issue that has been less written about in the present time? Were there any events that inspired the work?
Gagan Saini: My and my wife used to do shift work and had to take turns to look after our 2 years old daughter. She had a unicorn soft toy and we used to play with it and do role play kind of activities. When its time for going to bed she again wanted to listen some unicorn stories. Those were the times which planted seeds in my mind for the this story. When I arranged short stoiers and events, I had an awesome story, ‘Ellie and Orin Prophecy.’
Akhila Saroha: Do you know any Ellie who has gone through the same circumstances as you have described in the book?
Gagan Saini: No, its pure work of fiction. However the relationships and bonding between the charecters is inspired from real people. And when you read the story you will feel connected.
Akhila Saroha: What are your views about present-day writing? Do you think it does complete justice to the different classes and social groups of society?
Gagan Saini: I guess writers in India are concentrating a lot on mythical fiction and romance, which I understand, these categories sell a lot. I believe we writers should broden our horizons and provide readers with variety.
Akhila Saroha: Are there any authors that you enjoy reading or any books which are your favorites?
Gagan Saini: J.K. Rowling is all time favorite. Harry Potter are the books which got me into reading. Those book also inspired me set free my imagination. Apart from that I spend a lot of time in reading and listening to self help books from Anthony Robbins, Robert Kiyosaki, Jim Rohn and many others. I will write self help book as well at some stage. I believe in creative and inspirational writing and I firmly believe if someone reads my book, they must get something which helps them in their real life. For example in this book, the conversations of grandmother with Ellie are very motivational for both kids and their parents.
Akhila Saroha: How would you categorize “Ellie and Orin Prophecy” as its appeal seems to be to a broad audience?
Gagan Saini: Kids will love this book believe me. I have tested this on the kids of our family. I could see the excitement in the eyes while listning to the story. Parents will like this as well. As a parent I would like my kids to read something which helps them in their daily life not just entertainment. The vertues this story depicts are, value of family and relationships, trust, overcoming fear, not loosing hope in adverse situations, how to recover from a setback and failures etc.
Akhila Saroha: Your writing has given a powerful introduction to your potential as a writer. Can the readers expect more from you in the future? Please share about your future projects.
Gagan Saini: Journey of Ellie and Orin just started with this book. Many more will come. Readers can expect sequel to my previous bestselling book ‘The Jugni’ as well.
Akhila Saroha: What is the story behind the title of your work, “Ellie and Orin Prophecy”?
Gagan Saini: In the star world there was a prophecy that The one who will ride Unicorn Orin will bring peace to the start world. Everyone believed for years that an Orin rider would be a strong and exceptional warrior. But as the story unfolded the Orin rider turned out to be a little girl, Ellie, Who never held any weapon in her life. So it was very hard to digest thing for the people of all the kingdoms, to believe in prophecy or to believe in Ellie. So I felt the title was just spot on for the story.
Akhila Saroha: How easy or difficult was it for you to create the young character of Ellie and build up her life and also the lives of the people around her?
Gagan Saini: To create a young character, as a writer I had to suspend my maturity while thinking from her perspective. For example, how 13 years old me would feel if I am on a planet far away from earth, by my own, surrounded by danger everywhere with no hope of any help. I had to recall my school days to write Ellie’s everyday routine. Other charecters around her are also inspired by people I have seen my life.
Akhila Saroha: In the present time, stories featuring young children are not favored much. What, according to you, could be the possible reason for that?
Gagan Saini: Unfortunately I have to disagree on that. I believe its all about presentation, how someone has written the story and how it speaks to the readers. Harry Potter is perfect example. Harry Potter was very young when the first book came and everybody know the impact of this story series.
Akhila Saroha: If you were to describe your book in a few words without giving any spoilers, what would those words be?
Gagan Saini: This is the story of Ellie’s quest of saving her grandmother from an army of monsters. Read this book to realise the power of decisions, to overcome limiting beliefs which hold us back.
Akhila Saroha: What advice would you give to budding writers who may be planning to write in the same genre as “Ellie and Orin Prophecy”?
Gagan Saini: Just don’t limit your imagination. Just let ideas to expand as much as they can.
Akhila Saroha: Thank you very much for sparing your time. I look forward to reading more books from you in the future. All the best.
Gagan Saini: Thanks a lot Akhila. I will do my best to write stories which you and other readers enjoy reading.
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