A quick chat with ‘ Vijay Likhite’ who is a STAR author of StoryBerrys, and associated with StoryBerrys since its inception.

An Electronics Engineer, post retirement Vijay is pursuing his hobby of story writing. His stories are very much appreciated for unique storylines, and also in different genre’. His stories – The Transparent man, Discrimination, Expulsion, Nostalgia, Body Donation a on StoryBerrys are very popular on StoryBerrys.

You can read Vijay's stories on StoryBerrys - https://www.storyberrys.com/user/lJVPOcnVJnBJCEsdAdBc

Interview

1.   Kindly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Vijay Likhite. Presently enjoying seniority. After the professional life in Engineering ended, I forayed into my childhood hankering for story writing.

2.   What inspired you to begin writing? Please share your writing journey.

My initial entry into story writing was in Marathi. The first creation was a letter from my two year old niece to a four year old neighbouring girl when she went to her village for a couple of months. Later, I started writing stories on various topics of different genres. When they satisfied my own expectations, I looked for wider platforms. As I got acceptance from some e-magazines like StoryBerrys, Twist & Twain, Reedsy etc. I was motivated and continued writing. Here I would like to mention that except a very few from my contacts, close friends no one took efforts to read my stories and to give me feedback.

3.   Which genres or themes do you love writing the most?

No preference for any specific genre. Later, a few science based articles were published by Marathi newspaper Sunday editions.

4.   Where do most of your writing ideas come from?

My open mind watching the world around, offers me various ideas to pen down my feelings.

5.   What comes first for you — plot, character, or emotion?

It is the emotional spark that triggers me to write.

6.   Who is one writer or storyteller that has influenced your work?

Sahitya Academy Award winner Marathi writer V.S. Khandekar is my most favourite writer. I also like Charles Dickens.

7.   What kind of books do you like to read?

I am not a voracious reader. In fact, I read very little. I am impressed by a statement by Albert Einstein. “Any man who reads too much, uses his brain too little and falls into lazy habit of thinking.

7.   What kind of books do you like to read?

Swatantrya Veer Savarkar as a writer, I admire most. His patriotism, rich language and inspiring narration are unequalled.

9.   Your comfort read — one book you can read again and again?

I can read Charles Dickens and V.S. Khandekar umpteen number of times. Science knowledge books also I read many times.

10.   If you could give only one writing tip to aspiring authors, what would it be?

Whenever one feels writing on any idea, they must write it down immediately. Read it and refine it repeatedly till it satisfies them. Never to bother about reaction from others.

11.   The hardest part about writing?

For the small plot that impresses them to make a story of it, adding supporting matter to it, is the most difficult part of story writing. Their own writing style surfaces and their vocabulary is put to the test. It takes a lot of iterations. To get the final product to fully satisfy the author, is really, extremely difficult.

12.   The most rewarding part about writing?

One should read their own completed story after a gap of some period of time. If they like it, the pleasure they get is ineffable. That is the ultimate satisfaction.

13.   What is your future writing plan? Which other themes or subjects would you like to write about in the future?

Now I want to make my stories audible. Goal is to make an audiobook.

14.   How did you get introduced to StoryBerrys? Kindly share your experience about StoryBerrys.

Soon after I started writing regularly, my sister-in-law, Vinaya introduced STORYBERRYS to me. I submitted my story. And it was published. Slowly, it became a regular affair.

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Thank You Vijay for giving your valuable time to StoryBerrys!

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