Come, write me a story

Where is fiction’s place in today’s world? What role does it play at a time when Artificial Intelligence is being used to write wedding speeches and obituaries? Does fiction make us empathetic, and what, then, is the writer’s ultimate motivation to create?

At The Hindu Pavilion stage, fiction writers Andaleeb Wajid and Keshava Guha sought to answer these questions during a session titled ‘The Place of Fiction’, moderated by Radhika Santhanam, on Sunday (January 18, 2026).

The two novelists from Bengaluru spoke about their creative processes, particularly while constructing characters of genders different from their own. The conversation also touched upon writer’s block, oppression, and the role of female readers in the fiction space.

Having authored about 50 books, Ms. Wajid said she often struggled with setting her stories in different contexts, as most of her books were Bengaluru-based. She added that a certain angst found its way into her writing because she wanted more from her life at the age of 19, when she was married. “I wanted every story to be authentic and true to me. It is why stories of women, translated into books,” she said.

As someone who writes two chapters a day, Ms. Wajid said she tends to treat writing as a job. “I am a nightmare of a boss to myself. It is why my writing is disciplined. Most other things are a mess,” she said, speaking about her process, particularly while writing novels that traverse multiple themes in her young adult fiction.

Mr. Guha, on the other hand, said a chapter or two a month was a good pace for him, as he insisted on achieving the best possible version of each sentence or paragraph. On days when he encountered a block, he said he tended to leave the writing channel open, just in case the words flowed.

Speaking about his latest novel The Tiger’s Share (2025), in which the protagonists are women, Mr. Guha said it was imperative to ensure that the tone and voice were accurate. “The fiction business is sustained by women. Most people who consume fiction are women. Most editors and publishers are of the same gender too. There is enough space to be called out so it is the additional duty of a man to be careful while writing women,” he said.

He added that while working on his second novel, he had become more attuned to where readers might disengage, particularly after the first draft. Effort was then directed towards correcting this, he said, drawing a chess metaphor about getting the opening, middle and endgame right.

Both authors said that while AI has integrated itself into daily life, the technology could hinder the ability to read and write well. Mr. Guha said that its use could, in a way, diminish his ability to imagine plot lines and possibilities. Ms. Wajid, however, said, “How is AI going to know about the life of an Indian Muslim girl better than me? I am very proprietary when it comes to my characters.”

The Hindu Lit for Life is presented by the all-new Kia Seltos. In association with Christ University and NITTE. Associate partners include Orchids, The International School, Hindustan Group of Institutions, State Bank of India, IndianOil, Indian Overseas Bank, New India Assurance, Akshayakalpa, United India Insurance, ICFAI Group, Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Limited, Vajiram & Sons, Life Insurance Corporation of India, Mahindra University. Realty Partner: Casagrand. Education Partner: SSVM Institutions. State Partners: Government of Sikkim and Uttarakhand Government.

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