Ask the Author: Shon Mehta on Literary Influences and Philosophy

 

Your work deals heavily with power dynamics, social structures, and systemic decay—themes often associated with Western political philosophers like Plato or Machiavelli. Where does your philosophy actually sit?

My work is inspired by both Western political thought and Eastern philosophical traditions. From the Western tradition, I derive the study of institutions, power, and governance. From the Eastern tradition, I derive the emphasis on self-cultivation and the idea that social structures cannot be separated from the character of the individual.

That synthesis shapes the Jivavarta Framework. I see philosophy not simply as a body of ideas and rules, but as something explored through lived experience. That is why aphorisms, proverbs, and short fables form the foundation of the Jivavarta universe. Rather than presenting philosophy as an abstract argument, I explore questions of power, morality, and society through Jivavarta stories, allowing ideas to emerge through characters, choices, and consequences.

How are your books and stories, set in Jivavarta, different from other epics or fantasies?

The epics portray a world shaped by divine authority and the weight of the past, where fate is largely predetermined and human lives unfold within a cosmic order. Their characters are often guided—or constrained—by supernatural forces and the consequences of previous lives.

Jivavarta, however, is built on a fundamentally different worldview. Its central framework can be expressed simply:

Outcomes = Choice × Structure × Constraint

Rather than relying on divine will or predetermined destiny, Jivavarta focuses on how human choices, social structures, and material constraints shape individual lives.

Because fate is not fixed, belief itself remains fluid, shaped by human experience rather than by anything eternal or absolute

Many people compare your characters to modern Western anti-heroes, especially in context of Tasvak’s famous line, "Maybe I am a villain in your story, but I am a hero in mine." Who truly inspired Tasvak?

While comparisons to modern fiction may be flattering, Tasvak’s name draws inspiration from Indian mythology—particularly the defiance of Takshak, the tragedy of Karna, and the perspective of Vali, which I admired as a child.

However, it is important to clarify that Tasvak is not based on these figures. This connection is only a starting point and does not define who he is.

I wanted to create a character who embodies the struggle of the displaced, the unaccepted, and the perspective of those history has often judged too harshly.

Tasvak remains his own self, unwilling to become a martyr. Rather than surrender to a destined sacrifice, he chooses to live, shaping his own path with the belief, 'The hero of a story is the one who survives to tell the story.

The line, "Maybe I am a villain in your story, but I am a hero in mine," isn’t just a statement of ego; it’s a reflection of the ancient truth that every "villain" is simply someone whose story hasn’t been told from their own side.

Which book or story shaped your style the most?

The Mahabharata has been one of the strongest influences on my craft, particularly in its handling of large casts, layered narratives, and the ability to weave personal stories into broader historical and political currents. I have often studied it as a model for structuring complex narratives and balancing multiple perspectives.

That influence is one of technique rather than content. Jivavarta is not connected to the Mahabharatain its story, setting, or characters; it is an entirely original world with its own history, philosophy, and internal logic.

The short stories of Chekhov and Premchand have also shaped my writing, especially their attention to ordinary lives and the emotional weight they find in seemingly small moments.

Who has influenced you the most in your storytelling style?

My grandmother and my mother shaped my storytelling in different ways. My grandmother was a great storyteller, able to take something ordinary and make it irresistibly captivating. From her, I learned the magic of narrative and how to breathe life into the mundane.

However, the analytical side of my writing comes from my mother. As an educator, she didn’t simply tell me stories, she taught me how to think. Alongside the wisdom-filled bedtime tales that stayed with me long after childhood, she instilled a scientific approach and a foundation of critical thinking—challenging me to give my stories intention, structure, and depth. 

Which author is your role model?

As a child, when I was too young to read or write, I used to watch my father write. he was a journalist and chief editor, so writing was just part of daily life at home. To impress him, I would scribble something on paper and show it to him, and he would praise me for my “genius writing.” He was my first role model, and because of him, my writing habit was formed.

Do you have a mentor? 

My husband is my mentor. He reads everything I write, like a full-time editor who forgot to ask for a salary. He taught me how to focus, how to be concise, and how to find loopholes. Without him, my novels would not exist.

What is your educational background? Did it help you in any way with your writing?

I hold an MBA in Finance and a diploma in Investment Banking. While these credentials haven't directly influenced my fiction writing, my interest in history, mythology, and classic literature has been a significant help. Interestingly, my MBA did prove beneficial during the development of the Jivavarta framework.

How did your work get included in the OUP, national curricula (India/Pakistan), and schools in the USA?

The honest truth is: I don't know. I did not lobby, I did not apply, and I did not have a team pushing for these inclusions. In fact, I only found out my novel The Timingila and stories like 'The Girl Who Asked Why' were being taught to millions of students after the selections had already been made and the textbooks were in print.

May I ask, what leads you to decline invitations to in‑person events, such as literary festivals, book signings, or author interviews?

I do not give personal interviews or attend literary festival… not out of shyness, pride, or any carefully cultivated aloofness. The reason is simpler. A book is already a quiet conversation between reader and page, and I hesitate to disturb that.

My strength does not lie in public talk, where words slip away too easily. Others may thrive in dialogue, I do not. My true place is a quiet room, where words can rest long enough to gather meaning. My strength lives in stillness, in the slow sure silence where a sentence finds the life it was meant to have.

Originally Published @Medium

“Previous parts of the ‘Ask the Author’

Ask the Author: Shon Mehta on Writing Style and Creative Inspiration

Ask the Author: Shon Mehta on Jivavarta and World-Building

Shon Mehta is an author and philosopher known for creating the Jivavarta Universe, a fictional setting used to explore sociopolitical themes, human resilience, and moral philosophy. Her work has transitioned from contemporary fiction to foundational academic material used in several countries.