Kaleidoscope

KALEIDOSCOPE: TALKING PROCESS WITH HARINI SRINIVASAN

by Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri February 17 2025, 12:00 am Estimated Reading Time: 6 mins, 45 secs

Harini Srinivasan, author of Lovestruck and Confused, discusses toggling between historical mysteries and contemporary rom-coms, the thrill of research, and why authenticity matters in crafting compelling, genre-spanning narratives. Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri speaks with her…

Renowned author Harini Srinivasan seamlessly navigates between historical mysteries and contemporary rom-coms, bringing depth and authenticity to her storytelling. In this exclusive interview, she delves into the meticulous research behind The Curse of Anuganga, her passion for history, and the light-hearted charm of Lovestruck and Confused, just released on Valentine’s Day. From ancient poisons to modern-day romance, she shares insights into her writing process, inspirations, and upcoming projects. Discover how she balances genre shifts while captivating readers with her signature storytelling style.

Harini Srinivasan has donned many hats—an ex-Civil Services officer, a lapsed corporate professional, and an author of period mysteries who goes to great lengths to find out what poisons were in vogue in ancient India to lend that authentic touch. She is also a writer of contemporary rom-coms, alternating between extensively research-driven historical whodunits and breezy romantic escapades with consummate ease. With her latest novel Lovestruck and Confused, published by Om Books International and released on Valentine’s Day, the author spoke to Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri.  

Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri: You keep toggling between ancient mysteries and contemporary romances. How does it work out in terms of the logistics of writing in two different genres?

Harini Srinivasan: I believe that switching between genres keeps my mind and writing process fresh. Writing historical mysteries requires extensive research and meticulous attention to detail, while rom-coms allow for a more free-flowing approach. When I am researching a historical book, I find it easier to write rom-coms simultaneously. That way, as I continue diving into the past, I can still meet my daily word count.

Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri: What is it that attracts you to ancient mysteries like Anuganga and Shadows and Secrets? What kind of research goes into books in this genre? And how is that different from your romantic novels?

Harini Srinivasan: I have been a huge history buff all my life. I had history as a minor in my undergraduate studies and also opted for it as a subject when I appeared for the Civil Services exam. So, in hindsight, my interest in the subject has always been there. When I got the idea for The Gatekeeper’s Son (a short story that later became The Curse of Anuganga), the first thing I did was gather all the material I could find on the Gupta Empire. This included books, archaeological records, academic papers, newspaper articles, and blog posts—essentially anything on the period.

Authenticity is paramount when writing historical fiction. It is akin to studying. I make notes, underline sentences (in print books), or save excerpts as images from PDFs. Research and writing go hand in hand. Since the historical period is so different from our times, I often get stuck while writing. For example, in The Curse of Anuganga, there is a scene where someone gets poisoned. The only poisons I could think of were arsenic and cyanide, which weren’t necessarily the ones used in ancient India. So I paused my writing and spent the next day researching poisons that were known at the time. Naturally, no history book I had read before had a dedicated chapter on that!

Rom-coms, thankfully, don’t require such extensive research. However, some details still need to be fact-checked. For example, while writing Lovestruck and Confused, one of my characters travels by bus from place A to place B. I had to look up the names of the stops in between to make the journey sound believable. So while rom-coms do require research, it isn’t as intensive as for historical fiction.

Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri: Coming to Lovestruck and Confused, tell us what readers can expect from your latest rom-com.

Harini Srinivasan: Lovestruck and Confused is a fun, light-hearted story—one that I had a blast writing. It’s a quirky tale with a good dose of humour and lots of masala! Overall, an entertaining read. 

Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri: Given all the twists and turns and the plethora of characters adding to the masala, one couldn’t help but be reminded of Two States by Chetan Bhagat. What do you have to say about that?

Harini Srinivasan: Thank you! Like Two States, my book has romance, cultural nuances, and tons of family dynamics. However, Lovestruck and Confused is entirely fictitious—it isn’t based on any real story. This one is purely a fun read, with no underlying message whatsoever!

Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri: It’s a delightful read. You’ve detailed the characters so well. Are any of them based on real people you’ve come across in your life?

Harini Srinivasan: Most of the characters have been inspired by people around me. I’m not going to name anyone, though—otherwise, I’ll be ostracized for life! That said, they aren’t direct representations. I’ve borrowed certain traits, flaws, and quirks I’ve observed in real people, but everything else is fictional.

Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri: Did you ever consider ending Lovestruck and Confused with a cliffhanger? Do you see yourself writing a romance in the future with a cliffhanger, or are happy endings essential for marketing purposes?

Harini Srinivasan: Rom-coms require happy endings—a sense of closure and satisfaction for the reader (and also for the writer). I haven’t considered ending any of my books, whether historical fiction or rom-coms, on a cliffhanger, simply because I personally like closure. Open-ended stories tend to bug me!

Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri: With so many engaging characters, one wishes the book would go on a little longer. Would you ever consider writing a sequel to a rom-com like this one, carrying forward the stories of all the characters? In fact, The Ex-Factor also seems ripe for a sequel. Do you believe in sequels, or are you done with a novel and its characters once you’ve written “The End”?

Harini Srinivasan: By the time a book is published, I’m usually done with it. The number of rewrites before submission, followed by the pre-publishing process (editing and proofreading rounds), means that I’m sick and tired of my own story! So, for the most part, I’m done with the characters and their journeys. However, in the case of both Lovestruck and Confused and The Ex-Factor, I do think a sequel could be explored—maybe not right now, though.

Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri: What does a typical writing day look like for you? Can you give our readers some insight into your writing process?

Harini Srinivasan: I’m a morning person. Until last year, when I had a full-time corporate job, I used to write in the wee hours before work. However, for the past few months, I’ve been starting around 9 a.m. I always set myself a daily word count goal, though lately, due to the extensive research I’m doing for my next book, I haven’t been able to meet it. My writing days vary, but I try to maintain a routine. I also take breaks to read—because to be a good writer, one must read.

Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri: What can readers expect from you next? Another historical mystery or a rom-com? Or are you considering an entirely different genre?

Harini Srinivasan: I have about ten different plot ideas jotted down, ranging from historical mysteries to satire to a period saga. Under immense pressure from my editor, I’m attempting a genre I haven’t written in before—but I won’t share any more details yet! At the same time, I’m also working on a historical fiction novel. Both projects are time-consuming, as they require extensive research and plotting. My goal for this year is to complete these two books.