By S.N. Venkatnag Sobers

Women are the epitome of patience and resilience. As the Sanskrit verse goes, ‘Nārīśakti Śaktiśālī Samājasya Nirmānam Karoti’, which translates to ‘A powerful woman builds a strong society’. This perfectly embodies the woman we will introduce — a testament to strength and determination.

Having lost both her parents at a tender age, Namratha Raj defied the odds to carve a successful path for herself. Today, she stands tall as a Manager at an e-learning firm and has turned her childhood dream of becoming an author into reality.

A Post-Graduate in Human Resource Management from Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), Namratha has been an avid reader since her early years. Her passion for literature eventually sparked her writing journey, leading to the creation of her widely acclaimed thriller, ‘Revenge of the Dark Spirits.’

The book, which has captivated readers, is a gripping tale that keeps one hooked from the first page to the last. Its meticulously woven plot blends mystery, thrill, romance, paranormal activities and the chilling consequences of black magic, making it a compelling read. Namratha is married to Hemanth Kumar, an agriculturist and together they are proud parents to their 14-year-old daughter, Reyna Hemanth.

Star of Mysore caught up with author Namratha Raj to celebrate her inspiring journey as part of the month-long International Women’s Day celebrations. — Excerpts…

Star of Mysore (SOM): Storytelling is an art that doesn’t come naturally to many. How did you develop this skill?

Namratha Raj: I have been an avid reader since childhood, gradually gravitating towards novels, particularly thrillers. Sydney Sheldon is my favourite author, and his works had a profound influence on me. Over time, I found myself instinctively building stories around random situations in my head.

Interestingly, I never shared these stories with anyone. That changed after my daughter was born. She refused to eat unless I kept her entertained with stories. So, I began narrating fantasy tales — the kind that children love. That’s when I realised I had a knack for storytelling, which eventually evolved into writing.

SOM: What inspired you to become an author?

Namratha Raj: My journey as an author began after meeting Harini Srinivasan, a writer who later became my colleague. She encouraged me, pointing out that I had strong English communication skills and urged me to write.

At first, I was hesitant. I doubted my abilities, thinking I wasn’t good enough to be a writer — especially when compared to authors from the US and UK, who are native English speakers. However, after reading Harini’s books and works by other Indian authors, I felt inspired. Their success gave me the confidence to give it a shot — and that’s how my writing journey began.

SOM: This being your first attempt, take us through your process while writing the book.

Namratha Raj: I’m not a disciplined writer who sticks to a daily word count of 1,000–2,000 words. My process is more spontaneous — I write when the creative juices flow.

There were days when I would be on a roll, writing relentlessly and crossing 5,000 to 10,000 words in one stretch. On other days, I wouldn’t write at all because I struggled to figure out how to navigate the plot. It was a challenge, especially as I lacked the experience of seasoned writers who can seamlessly translate their thoughts into words.

SOM: Why did you choose thriller as the genre for your first book?

Namratha Raj: I’ve always been drawn to thrillers and suspense. I’ve read countless books in the genre, so it felt natural for me to write one. The idea for my book actually struck me during a visit to a resort surrounded by a forest.

While enjoying the peaceful and serene environment, I suddenly wondered — what if a tiger appeared out of the jungle? With no clear escape route, where would we run for shelter?

That thought sparked my creative process. I expanded the scenario by adding a kidnapping incident and infusing it with supernatural elements to heighten the intrigue. Fortunately, all the pieces fell into place and I was able to complete the book.

SOM: The story has elements of romance, drama and fear, making it a real page-turner. Tell us more about it.

Namratha Raj: It was important for me that my book resonated with readers from all walks of life. I wasn’t targeting a specific audience — I wanted it to appeal to everyone. To achieve that, I blended thrill, horror, romance and drama into the plot. With multiple characters, I took care to flesh out their personalities, ensuring readers could connect with them. Building relatable and realistic characters was key to making the story immersive and impactful.

SOM: Finding a publisher is no easy task. How difficult or easy was it for you?

Namratha Raj: Honestly, finding a publisher was the toughest part. Writing the book was far easier.

While self-publishing platforms are widely available today, I wanted the validation of a traditional publisher. I reached out to multiple publishers, but the process was frustratingly slow. Many of them showed initial interest after reading the synopsis and requested the full manuscript. However, once I sent it, they vanished without responding to follow-ups or e-mails.

Luckily, the publisher who eventually picked up my book was quick to respond. From there, the process moved swiftly. It took around six months for the book to hit the shelves, as it had to go through editing, proofreading and cover design finalisation.

SOM: Now that the book is out, are you planning to approach anyone to adapt it into a movie or series?

Namratha Raj: I haven’t thought about it yet, mainly because I have no contacts in the industry. However, if someone approaches me, I would be interested in sharing the story with them. Seeing it come alive on screen would be thrilling.

SOM: What are your plans for your next project?

Namratha Raj: Yes, I am already planning my next book. This time, I’m considering an anthology — a collection of short stories. I believe it will connect with a wider audience, especially since it will explore diverse human emotions and experiences. I haven’t started writing yet, as I need to be in a particular creative headspace to dive into it. But once the spark hits, I’ll get going.

SOM: As this is the month where womanhood is celebrated, what message would you like to share with all the women out there?

Namratha Raj: My message to all women is simple — prioritise yourself. Take care of your health and fitness. As women, we tend to put family first and often neglect our own well-being. I say this from personal experience. But it’s essential to remember that only when we are healthy and strong can we give our best to those we love.