Author of Chasing Shadows, Jasveer Singh Dangi
https://jasveersinghdangi.com/
How did you become an author and get published? Share your experience.
My writing journey began unexpectedly when a dear friend, Chetan Singh, happened to read my personal journal. It was he who planted the seed for my first book, Version One and a Half. I often call myself an "accidental author" because if it weren’t for Chetan’s encouragement, I might never have ventured into creative writing. I owe it all to him.
Can you explain your writing process? Do you prefer to create an outline and plan beforehand, or do you prefer to write more spontaneously and organically?
I didn’t learn to write stories in a classroom—my inspiration comes from the world around me. That means my writing process is anything but structured. Ideas strike me anytime, anywhere, and I build my stories from those sparks. I usually begin with a central theme or a single idea and let the narrative evolve organically from there. Sometimes, that leads to dramatic shifts in the plot. My writing is definitely spontaneous, driven by instinct rather than outline.
Describe the [book/series] in 10 words or less for people who are just learning about it.
What happens when ancient legends collide with the chaos of the eighteenth century? The Hunter Genesis (Book 1 & Book 2) takes you on an epic journey as The Hunter and his team embark on a quest to uncover a secret that has been buried for centuries.
Would you like readers to have any specific takeaway from your book?
Chasing Shadows, my 11th book, is ultimately a story about the power of forgiveness and the courage it takes to do what’s right. I am originally from India, and I come from a Sikh family, and Sikhs are known for a few things: we believe in forgiveness, we believe in equality—everyone is welcome at our Gurudwaras—and we stand our ground when pushed too far. Chasing Shadows is my take on World War II and Nazi-hunting stories, told through that lens.
What can we anticipate from you moving forward?
Hopefully, The Hunter series Book 3 will be released by the end of 2025. I'm also working on a few shorter stories that may come together as an anthology later this year.
Do you have any movie or tv adaptations in the works?
Not yet, but I do hope that one day Double One Zero (110) and The Incredible Mr. Sweets—both already available as audiobooks on Audible—will be adapted for the screen, and that Chasing Shadows will follow in their footsteps.
Are any of the characters in your book based on people in your real life? If so, can you tell us more about that process and how it influenced your writing?
The inspiration for my characters often comes from real people, but it’s hard to pinpoint exactly who influenced whom—most of my characters are composites of different individuals I’ve met. In my latest work, Chasing Shadows, the protagonist is named after my daughter, Sahiba. Although the character is a grown, married woman and my daughter is just a toddler, they share many of the same traits: tenacity, possessiveness, perseverance, and an undeniable diva-like spirit.