Akhila Saroha: I would like to begin by congratulating you on the publication of “Nightmare and Sunshine.” How has the response to the book been so far?
Eshy Acharya: Thank you so much for your warm wishes. So far it has been fantastic and overwhelming. By the grace of God and everyone’s love and support, it had reached the ‘Amazon Hot New Release’ section and featured as Bestseller on ‘Amazon Short Stories Categories’. It also featured in Zee5.com and Yahoo Lifestyle as ‘7 books to look out for Screen Adaptation in 2021’. Filmymantra magazine also mentioned it under ’10 Indian books deserving screen adaptation in 2021’.

Akhila Saroha: What led to the idea of writing “Nightmare and Sunshine”? Were there any events that inspired the work?
Eshy Acharya: Totally! How everyone was experiencing in the pandemic and lockdown, is not a hidden fact! The chaotic and suppressed emotions, stories and post on social media, newspaper and radio inspired me to think deeply about the people and their feelings and emotions.

Akhila Saroha: You mention in “Nightmare and Sunshine” that “book refers to the very real, existing people also, who hoped and survived with troubling, hard to maintain sanity amidst the unknowable-knowable chaos.” How did you concoct content on the lives of all these people?
Eshy Acharya: As I said, I got the inspiration from social media posts, newspaper, radio and television news. I used to contemplate a lot after listening or reading the news, ‘what that person must be feeling? What situation must have led to these emotions?’ ‘What could be the triggering point for such an event?’ All the pondering questions resultant into this story collection.

Akhila Saroha: How easy or difficult was it for you to understand the characters and write them since you are a third person merely reporting the situations in “Nightmare and Sunshine”?
Eshy Acharya: It was a little difficult in the beginning but I did a lot of background research and spoke to the people who faced the same situation and emotions. This helped me to build and understand the characters for the stories.

Akhila Saroha: Are there any authors that you enjoy reading or any books which are your favorites?
Eshy Acharya: I grew up reading Panchatantra stories, Premchand, Jaishankar Prasad,  Leo Tolstoy, Charles Dickens, and when it comes to new age writers I love reading Elizabeth Gilbert, Cornelia Funke, Sophie Kinsella, Dan Brown, Ravi Subramanian, Preeti Shenoy and list is really long. Big Magic and Eat Pray Love I can read anytime, any day!  

Akhila Saroha: Do you think calling “Nightmare and Sunshine” a work that holds meaning for everyone would be right?
Eshy Acharya: Absolutely! It is inspired by the true people only and anyone who would like to connect with another being can enjoy this read.

Akhila Saroha: “Nightmare and Sunshine” has given a powerful introduction to your potential as a writer. Can the readers expect more from you in the future?
Eshy Acharya: Yup! I’m in the final round of editing for my Contemporary fantasy novella. All fingers crossed and hoping may be this year only.

Akhila Saroha: The tilte, “Nightmare and Sunshine” sounds quite intriguing on first reading. What is the story behind the making of it?
Eshy Acharya: It’s just I thought a lot… a lot about it!

Akhila Saroha: Do you think “Nightmare and Sunshine” can be restricted to any particular genre? Or can it be categorized under more than one genre?
Eshy Acharya: I don’t think so this book can cease to one particular genre. Although it’s a realistic fiction, still it stands true to contemporary existential genre.

Akhila Saroha: You have featured 11 stories in “Nightmare and Sunshine.” Is there any reason for keeping these many stories as there could be many more, or you plan to write more in the future?
Eshy Acharya: It’s just I like eleven as a number, because my mother’s birthday comes on the Eleventh of April. So considering it auspicious for me I choose to have eleven stories for my collection.

Akhila Saroha: If you were to describe “Nightmare and Sunshine” in a few words without giving any spoilers, what would those words be?
Eshy Acharya: This book belongs to believers and warriors who looked beyond the evident mundane and ravelled life in the history’s biggest pandemic.

Akhila Saroha: Thank you very much for sparing your time. I look forward to reading more books from you in the future. All the best.
Eshy Acharya: Thank you so much Akhila. It was wonderful being with you. I express my humble deep gratitude for such a warm discussion. I look forward to the more opportunity to connect with you. Happy Reading!