A business and tech journalist at the start of his career, Onkar Sharma fulfilled his writing aspirations through his blog, Literary Yard. It was only much later that he realized that his calling was to write full-time, a decision that his pen thoroughly justified.
After Songs of Suicide kick-started his writing journey with a bang back in 2020, there has been no looking back for Onkar Sharma. Following the success of his debut book, an anthology, Onkar Sharma turned to fiction with his second book in 2023. A political thriller, the book has instantly struck a chord with readers across the country. Ameya got a chance to have a word with the author to learn more about his experience as a writer and what readers can expect from him going forward.
The Onkar Sharma we know is a bestselling poet. Was foraying into fiction part of the plan, or something you decided to try after the success of your first book?
I was always fond of putting thoughts into words. I would go so far as to say that writing is as essential to me as breathing. While Songs of Suicide was my first published work, I had been working on the plot of Revenge Theory for quite a few years. In fact, it was just one of the many stories I was working on, but ultimately, it was the one that could see the light of the day.
I would like to talk a little bit about my past here. I always found stories and narratives captivating, and I always wanted to pen down some of my own. So, I tried my hand at stories, poems, and a variety of literary forms. More than anything else, I tried to emulate the blueprint of some of the greatest authors ever. Their works helped me gain a lot of knowledge, in addition to helping me develop my own styles and techniques. I began with small anecdotes, sprinkling them with tidbits of my imagination. Over time, schoolbooks introduced me to even more authors and stories. This sort of ignited a passion for the art of storytelling and poetic expression. And so I would say my commitment to fiction is as steadfast as it is to poetry. (Smiles)
What is your favorite part of being an author?
Like most authors, I love to confine myself to the world of storytelling. That said, in this digital age, you got to be more than an author to be an author. It is critical for a modern writer to work on connecting with people, reaching out to larger audiences, posting in public forums, and knowing what your contemporaries are up to. I mean, it is so much more than writing these days. But yeah, I started small and took it one step at a time. I started out with a literary forum, where I connected with authors and readers from all over the world. Today, I enjoy this aspect of being an author as much as I enjoy writing itself.
The plot of Revenge Theory reminded us of a former Uttarakhand Chief Minister. Coincidence or a concerted dig at the former CM?
Revenge Theory revolves around the central theme of corruption. The narrative is meant to deliver potent and unambiguous messages to the readers. It’s intriguing how the life of a former CM, who later served as a Governor as well, closely mirrors the novel’s narrative. To be honest, I had never made this connection until now. Thank you for highlighting this unintentional yet striking parallel to the story!
What was the most challenging part of this endeavor?
Hmm, the trickiest part would be when I was developing a narrative that would effectively convey the complex emotions of the characters. Putting a compelling, relatable story line in place while delving into themes like revenge, love, longing, separation, insult, and, of course, corruption was a fine balancing act. Besides, I needed to keep the story engaging and suspenseful, so that was pretty hard, too. But if the story could leave a lasting impression on the readers, I’d say it was worth the effort.
One can’t help noticing the obvious feminist angle to your book. Your thoughts on the same?
Revenge Theory centers around the life of Shyama, a captivating character who embodies a transformative force. Her evolution into Pratigya serves as a powerful symbol, sending out a clear message that no on should ever underestimate the strength and resilience of a woman. I’d like to add that the story is an amalgamation of my own experiences with several women I’ve met at different junctures in life. The collective force I saw in them seamlessly became part of the novel. So, the feminist angle is something that came naturally rather than I having to squeeze it in. In fact, it turned out to be the very basis of the novel! (Smiles)
If the protagonist of the book, Pratigya, were to come to life, do you think the two of you would get along?
Pratigya is a strong-willed character who faces numerous challenges and has to make difficult choices throughout her journey. Her endurance, determination, and unwavering desire to avenge are qualities I deeply admire. And so, while our experiences and circumstances may differ, I believe we do share common values of perseverance and a desire to make a positive impact. So yeah, probably.
What did you think of first – the plot or the characters?
Kuldeep and Pratigya struck me at the same time. I thought they complemented each other perfectly. Each of them had a void that only the other one could truly fill. This becomes evident as the story unfolds. While Revenge Theory may initially appear to be Pratigya’s story, Kuldeep’s character is just as important. His compelling and impactful presence is hard to overlook.
Do you have any plans to write a sequel?
Well, I’d say the narrative is compelling enough to justify a sequel in the near future. However, I am yet to give it a serious thought.
Time for some rapid-fire questions. Are you ready?
Absolutely. (Smiles)
If not a writer, what would you have been?
Hmm, a man without a soul. (Laughs)
Your dream vacation destination?
My hometown – Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh.
What was the last book you read?
Fluid by Ashish Jaiswal.
If you could have dinner with your favorite celebrity, who would it be?
(Pensive) Yuval Noah Harari.
What was your last Google search?
Revenge Theory. (Laughs)
If you could give your teenage self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Never overthink insignificant things. Constant hard work can and will do wonders.