The Interview - Author Jeevan Gopalan

I’ve loved writing ever since I was young. My mom used to tell us these incredible children’s stories about spirituality and courage, things that really stayed with me. I think that’s where my love for stories, and for the meaning inside them, really began. Honestly, I think words are this wild, powerful force. They can move people in every direction, make them laugh, cry, fall in love, get upset, feel hopeful, all of it. A writer has the power to shape the world, for better or worse.

I started writing seriously during a tough stretch, when I was questioning everything and saw life without any filters. I always knew about how powerful words could be, but going through something personal made me want to show people how we can face our own flaws and maybe even change them. I’ve read a ton of books on personal growth and social issues, but I wanted my own book to be a mix, something anyone could get into, even if they’re into romance, but still leave with something meaningful. I also wanted to do things my own way, not just follow every “rule” writers set. So I aimed for a book that’s a bit different, scientific, romantic, adventurous, all at once.

No I don’t pursue it immediately, since I wouldn't want to give up on my ongoing project. Ideas and thoughts come to me when I'm writing, and they don't stop until I'm tired out. Thus, I would rather not abandon my ongoing project. 

There is no fixed best course of action since every writer writes in a unique style that suits their skills and advantages.

Characters cannot be favored in the same way that a child should not be. Every person possesses a certain positivity that others lack.

Well, only two kinds are possible. Good or bad individuals. It certainly has a significant impact on society.

I have a general idea about the book from the outset. I write impulsively and it comes out. After finishing the book, I go through, edit, and revise it. 

Before my last book was published, I went through this process fourteen or fifteen times over as I have not used any paid editor service.

Since I was a kid, I read a lot of Robert Ludlum, John Grisham, Jack Higgins, Agatha Christie, Sidney Sheldon, Louis L'Amour, John Grisham, Alistair MacLean, along with a bunch of comic books. 

Science Fiction I like to write as it is a genre that needs capacity to create something that doesn't exist, something that ought to exist, or the ability to alter something that oughtn't to be. 

The world is messy, full of evil and violence, but there’s always some goodness fighting back. That balance feels like it’s part of the universe. Those stories made me want to look for new adventures, things nobody else had written yet. That’s how I found my way into science fiction. Astronomy, especially, fills me with wonder. It’s humanity’s last great mystery, and honestly, the universe is so huge, we’ll never even scratch the surface. That means endless stories about aliens and new worlds—as long as the science feels real, not just all fantasy.

Writing about aliens and their world is no simple task. We still don’t have concrete proof they exist, so it can’t just be pure fantasy. I want readers to stop and wonder, “Hold on, could this actually be true, just hidden as fiction?” To reach that point, I had to dig deep, connecting ancient history and science meant a ton of research. But it paid off. I even got a review from someone questioning her own DNA after reading my book. My writing relies a lot on dialogue, but I’ve noticed that if only one character is speaking, the conversation dies out pretty fast.

I keep coming back to the same ideas, especially in my book "MARGA: The Alien Code," which is told from a grandfather to his grandson. Sometimes I have to cut out those repeats, I guess I just really want to get certain messages across.

I have always been an avid reader, and it was these books and authors that sparked my interest in writing and books. 

My previous employment in a variety of manufacturing-related senior roles gave me the chance to interact with a wide range of people and gain insight into both their perspectives and those of the global society. Which my books would have reflected.

I envision all of us humans becoming one day like one of the alien species of my book "MARGA".

While writing, I would rather not be interrupted because I find it difficult to get my thoughts back in order.

As an author the most challenging critique has been the readers' trust in a new self-published author.

Reader reviews proved to be the greatest complement:

1. Who would  love to doubt that part of our DNA is from an alien species. Well it was uncomfortable but enjoyed the book.  I give 5 stars to the book for the authors ability to scientifically able to do put me in a position to question my own DNA.
2. I don't understand how the book has been mentioned as Sci fiction Genre. Well the major part is so. But what I liked is how the author has smoothly added Romance, self help, social and economic and even spiritual issues into it. Readers don't realize that he has successfully added so much message into it.
3. I liked how the book transported me to the alien planet and way of life several million years ago, and then it brought me back to Earth 80,000 years ago. I was not aware that I was not with them but rather inside a book. Well, because the author was new to me, I had my doubts about the book. However, after reading it, I became aware of how we have preconceived notions and a stereotyped view of new writers. The book's cover page could have been more appealing, which is a drawback because readers are typically drawn to new books & authors by their covers. 

If you’re hoping to write, here’s my advice: just get started. Don’t wait for the “right” time. Don’t let fear hold you back. Your words matter. My first book was published under a pen name. At that point, I had no idea about the publishing world or self-publishing. I went with self-publishing because, honestly, publishers rarely take chances on unknown authors and the process can drag on forever. So I did it all myself and learned a ton about publishing, marketing, and launching a book along the way. If I’d waited, I wouldn’t have learned any of that. That gave me the confidence to write my second book under my real name. I must have rewritten it eighteen times before I felt it was ready, since I couldn’t afford an editor. I even did all the formatting myself. Every step taught me something new, skills I never would’ve gained if I hadn’t just gone for it. That’s why I say: stop making excuses. If you love something, make it happen.

Embrace nature.

Balancing writing with a corporate job is definitely hard. I practice Pranayama and Yoga to relax. Sometimes I’ll watch movies, listen to music, or read science articles. My favorite thing is being outdoors, in the garden or a park, surrounded by trees and plants. That’s when I feel most at peace. Every writer needs that downtime, it’s how you recharge.

Since my book is science fiction, I had to conduct a great deal of research in order to give readers the impression that the events are real and raise the question in their minds whether they are fiction or just the product of real events disguised as fiction.

Yes, I gave the creator the idea for the cover page. I had provided a general overview of my expectations. And they did a fantastic job creating it. 

Nevertheless, some gold and silver embossing would have improved it. 

Book covers draw readers in, and once they open the cover, they will read the introduction.

Honestly, not much these days. As a kid, I tore through over 5,000 books before I started working. But once I entered the corporate world, reading just faded away. Now that I’m back at work, any free time I have is spent writing or getting the word out about my own book.

My current book, "MARGA"  is on the shelf and the upcoming series are incredibly unusual and make one wonder, "Why can't it be true? 

Well, I have no doubt that this book and the series will be made into hugely successful motion pictures. 

The right director for the film, as well as reviewers and critics, are still to discover the book.

Since I was a young child, I have wanted to launch my own company in addition to being an author. 

I've been at it for about a year.

I used to write for two hours every day and for six or seven hours on the weekends.

I enjoy writing in the outdoors or on a beach. I adore the natural world and the purity of ideas it inspires in my writing. My writing is not best done in crowded areas like a coffee shop.

No, I don't listen to music because writing is what I'll be concentrating on.

Listening to music, reading, viewing films, and watching TV shows on science and nature.

Well, the world and society at large have influenced my writing in addition to the people I have met.

No. But, Nature, the world, and people are all interconnected & are characters in my story.