About The Author: Soumya Das is a consultant by profession and a storyteller by passion. He contributes to innovation in his full-time job and in his free time writes, paints, sculpts, and makes custom action figures.
Summary Of The Book: Set in the Victorian era, “The Violated” revolves around a physician’s adventures in an age where psychiatry and mysticism both coexisted. Is he seeing ghosts or is his mind playing tricks on him? The story explores the ideas of spirit possession, the role of mediums, and unconventional and often dangerous methods of treatment followed in asylums at that time.
1. Can you tell us a little about your book?
Violated is a psychological horror story set in the 19th century. In the book, Edward Mason, a mild-mannered physician returns to Whitby, England from his stay in colonial India to assist his friend with his scientific investigation into the human mind. He finds that the patient he is supposed to treat for multiple personality disorder is not a run-of-the-mill case but a case involving supernatural elements. Will he be able to unravel the mystery behind the spirits haunting an asylum inmate or will he fall prey to the insanity himself? The story tries to find the answer to this. It basically pitches Victorian-era spiritualism against Edwardian-era psychiatry.
2. Is there a specific event that inspired this story or was this an out-of-the-blue idea?
Well, the story’s inception goes back to when I was in college. So, I don’t have any memory of an event that might have inspired it. The main idea behind it is the concept that an event or an occurrence in a person’s life when they do not have control over their own body makes them feel incredibly violated. The story explores the concept at a supernatural level.
3. What got you writing in the first place?
Reading got me into writing, I guess. I have always tried to guess the endings of the books I read and that got me into writing my own.
4. What was your impression of your first draft when you read it?
Now, I laugh at it. I am glad I gave the story its space and proper time to breathe.
5. Which part of your story connects the most with you? Why?
The part where Edward tries to bond with the people in the asylum connects the most with me. He’s in his own country but feels like an outsider, that’s the part that I connect with most. We all have been there where we are expected to take charge and we have no idea what we are doing or are supposed to do. Every character in my book is a little bit me and that makes it a pretty special and personal story for me.
6. What makes your book the one to read?
Not every book is for everyone. Some people like superheroes, some like mystery, some like horror. Even within horror, there are sub-genres. I am not going to claim that my book is the best out there but if you like stories that try to explore the psyche of characters, that try to confront the uncomfortable, and seek answers then this is the book for you. I know many people will refrain from picking up the book seeing the title but yet there will be people who will give it a try and come with me on this journey.
7. What was the best advice you got while writing?
Same that I will give others, don’t quit.
8. Who’s your all-time favorite author? Which book of his/hers made you fall in love with them?
I am torn between Dracula by Bram Stoker and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. People might think, well, these are very popular books. But when I read them I was in the 7th standard. The stories, not necessarily the monsters, left a deep footprint on my young mind. You’ll see that I keep paying homage to the books many times within my story.
9. What is your evergreen tip to the writers out there?
Just read as much as you can and don’t give up on writing. No matter how crappy you are right now if you keep doing it, eventually, you will get better.
10. What was your hardest scene to write?
The first scene of course. I was trying to portray the multiplicity in Elizabeth’s nature while she was getting ready and at the same time trying to convey how violated she must be feeling with the entire arrangement with Cedric.
11. Do you have another plot brewing?
Yes. Not one but three. Once the third part of “The Violated” is out I will work on the second plot. I have the script and concept art done. Even a cover. So, let’s hope that comes out soon.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.in/dp/9357765255?ref=myi_title_dp
