Arya Karwa (16) is a resident of Delhi & studies in Grade 12 at Woodstock School, Mussoorie. Blackout is his first novel and was inspired by his love for reading novels, especially of the action-thriller genre. It took him over a year and a half to finish the book.
Arya loves playing video games, football (he’s a Manchester United fan), and spending time with his golden retriever, Cooper. When he isn’t doing any of these things, he can be found playing the piano or lounging around on the couch, binge-watching popular TV shows.
One can connect with Arya on Instagram at @arya_karwa_.
To know more about Arya, visit www.aryakarwa.com
About the Book
Blackout is a fictitious first-person action-thriller novel that is set in Atlanta, Georgia (USA) and later Nashville, Tennessee. The novel follows the life of William Terren, the 16-year-old protagonist of the story. After getting kidnapped on the last day of school before summer break, William is rescued by his father and learns the true identity of his parents.
He ends up joining his father at ORION, a secret intelligence agency, and finds himself working around the clock to save the city of Nashville. Propelled into a world of danger & uncertainty, William has to fight to survive. In this deadly contest with no holds barred, every decision takes its moral toll. William has to decide whether to sacrifice himself or everything he has stood for. Sometimes, you don’t emerge the same…
The book is listed on Amazon, Flipkart & Blue Rose (publisher) portals and is available as an eBook on Kindle & Google Play Books. It shall soon be available at leading bookstores as well.
Click to see the book video trailer.
Click to read the Author Interview.
Click to place your order on amazon.
Click to place your order on Flipkart.
Click to place your order on BlueRose Online Store.
India Post has reviewed the book.
Q/A with Arya Karwa
Q1. What inspired you to write this book?
Ans: In hindsight, my inspiration for writing this book was kind of naive and simplistic. I really love reading books, especially of the mystery-thriller genre, and one day, I just thought, 'If I can read so many books, then I can surely write one myself.' It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, but I'm really glad that I took it and stayed committed to it.
Q2. What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
Ans: I just want the readers to have fun reading the book, relating with the characters, following the plot and trying to predict what will happen next. But if I had to choose one takeaway for the readers, it would be realizing the personal implications of the decisions that William takes in the book. Being a spy and conducting top-secret missions is always associated with a level of glamour and allure (which is absolutely fine), but I think Blackout gives a more realistic indication of the mental, psychological and moral toll it can take on someone, especially an impressionable teenager like William.
Q3. What are some magic ingredients of a good plot?
Ans:
1. Regardless of whatever genre you are writing, you need to make sure that your story is not predictable and avoids clichés. A predictable storyline doesn’t engage the reader and diminishes your power as a storyteller. Don’t be afraid to use unconventional twists and it might be a good idea to ask for feedback.
2. Craft each of your characters carefully and differently. If every character in your novel has the same likable personality, there is little potential for conflict to arise. It’s good to include some diversity and nudge the reader towards being attached to some characters more than others.
3. Let the readers fill in the gaps for small events in the novel. Excessively descriptive details will frustrate the reader and leave them with an overall bad impression of the book. Always be concise.
Q4. What advice would you give to first time writers?
Ans: Firstly, choose a genre which you really enjoy reading. This will improve your writing, make you more committed to the process and also transmit your excitement to the reader. Secondly, don’t waste too much time on editing chapters and sections of the book if the book hasn’t been finished yet. Your writing is definitely going to evolve along the way. After you have finished writing the book, do your own editing before sending it to the editor. Finally, don’t ever force your writing. Let it flow naturally because if you start to force it, you will experience writer’s block more often and have constant second thoughts.
Q5. When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?
Ans: I love playing football (Man Utd fan), playing videogames, binge-watching TV shows and spending time with my golden retriever, Cooper. I also play the piano.
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