Conversation with Author Rubayata Umeed

Q: Was there a specific moment when you realized you wanted to be a writer?

A: I started writing back in 2018 for fun, and that turned into my first book. After writing another one in 2019, I began to realize that writing was the one way I could truly live my imagination. I love imagining all sorts of things—different worlds, characters, and stories. Writing became the vessel through which these ideas came alive. I wouldn’t say there was a single defining moment of realization; it was something that grew over time as I wrote more and more.

Q: Is there any author or anyone else who has influenced this story?

A: I wrote this story last year during my university summer break. Maybe a show I was watching influenced it without me realizing it, but there wasn’t any author in particular who inspired this story. The idea of a boy band may have been influenced by my love for K-pop groups.

Q: Could you tell me where you got the idea and inspiration to write this book?

A: The idea came quite suddenly. At first, I only wanted to write about a boy band, but I had to expand on it. As I thought more about what the story should focus on, the full idea slowly took shape. I wanted to write a romance novel, but I often find it hard to focus solely on romance; I need a non-romantic subplot to create conflict. This book became my first where romance was the central theme. To balance it, I added the mafia subplot to create tension and drive the story forward without making it dull. It’s also my first book set in India, something I had wanted to do for some time. All these little factors came together to build this story.

Q: As an author, what challenges have you faced?

A: As a young author, the biggest challenge has been constantly improving my writing. When I look back at my first book, I would rewrite it from the beginning just to make it better. I notice mistakes now that I would have missed years ago. With every book, I try a new style or experiment with a new form so I can learn and see what suits me best.

Another challenge is completing my works. I have many unfinished books—abandoned due to writer’s block or uncertainty about plot points. I have a folder full of ideas, but not all of them get finished. Still, I believe each idea has its time. Some click instantly and get completed, while others don’t—and that’s all part of learning.

Q: What will readers find in this book?

A: While writing, I had many themes in mind—trust, identity, the weight of the past. But the main idea I want readers to take away is that people who are popular—actors, singers, influencers—are human at the end of the day. They deserve to live their lives however they want.

Another message is that life will always have ups and downs, but we should try to stay positive. Not by ignoring problems, but by believing we can figure our way through them.

Q: Which character from the book do you relate to the most and why?

A: I relate most to Manik because of his positivity. Even though he goes through experiences that could devastate him, he always finds a way to stay optimistic. That’s something I also try to practice in my own life.

Q: In your book, there are scenarios where online comments get out of hand. What do you think about that?

A: As a K-pop fan, I’ve seen how online comments about idols often spiral out of control. The cultural context may be different, but the pattern is the same. In India, fans often develop parasocial relationships with entertainers, which leads them to believe they have a say in their idols’ lives. That’s wrong, because we forget that these entertainers are human too. Just as our personal life is separate from our professional life, theirs should be too. Words have an impact, and people often don’t realize that. I believe we need to separate the artist from their personal life and focus on their art.

Q: It is normal to have a male bodyguard; what made you think of writing a female bodyguard character?

A: Precisely because it’s so common to see male bodyguards in both real life and fiction, I wanted to write a female one. I like to play with tropes. The “female star with a male bodyguard” trope is everywhere, so I flipped it: a male star with a female bodyguard.

I also wanted to challenge the idea, especially common in Indian entertainment, that men must always be strong fighters. Instead, I gave the male lead vulnerability, and I gave the female character strength and resilience. It was my way of flipping expectations.

Q: Do you have any advice for people on how they should react to negative comments online?

A: Just as fans sometimes feel they have a say in an artist’s life, artists can fall into that trap too, since fans are their source of income. But it’s important to differentiate between negative comments and constructive criticism. Artists should focus only on the latter—and above all, on their art.

Many artists create to please others, but I think it’s better to create what you truly love. There will always be people who support you if you stay true to yourself.

Q: If a reader only takes one thing away from your book, what should it be?

A: To face life with positivity and the confidence that you can figure things out, no matter what. And above all, never hesitate to seek help and support from the people who love you.

Q: What would you like to tell the fans who are disrespectful of their idols’ privacy?

A: There’s a song by one of my favorite K-pop groups, Aespa, called Life is Too Short. The lyrics say:

“All of this discussion, talkin' about nothingYou would ever say to my faceYou need to get a life 'cause life's too short...I'm doin' me regardlessAnd I don't care what you say about itAnd it don't matter if you like it or notI'm having all this fun, so why would I ever stop?”

Manik’s character in my book embodies this same emotion. Even when fans disapprove of his relationship with Radhika, he chooses happiness over their judgment.

Q: Since the book is about an Indian boy band, have you ever had a fangirl moment? For whom?

A: Not yet, since I haven’t had the chance to attend a concert of my favorite artists. But I’m a huge fan of the K-pop boy band Super Junior. They were an anchor for me through Covid and after, and I still listen to them whenever I need energy.

Q: Is there any new idea brewing in your mind for your next work?

A: Many, actually! I was writing another story but stopped near the end because I hadn’t planned the conclusion. While I figure that out, I’m working on my most complicated project yet—one that involves international relations, diplomacy, politics, and 1940s culture. Hopefully, I’ll complete it by the end of this year.

Q: How has this writing journey been for you, from beginning to end?

A: Since the day I began writing, I’ve been trying to improve with every book. Now that I’ve graduated with a degree in English and Creative Writing, I believe my future works will reflect everything I’ve learned. Writing for me is a continuous journey of growth.

Q: Any advice you would like to give to upcoming authors?

A: Write—constantly. Whether it’s a line, a paragraph, or a full chapter, just write. Even if you don’t finish, write. Even if you don’t like what you’ve written, write. Try different forms, experiment. Writing is often seen as this serious, solitary act, but it’s like painting—you mix colors. Writing is mixing thoughts and words.

Not every piece will be perfect, but every attempt will teach you something. Enjoy the process, and the results will take care of themselves.