Romancing a rock star musician

Nineteen-year-old Chennai-based Megha Rao is the author of three books, Alice: The Netherworld, its sequel, Alice: The Inferno Conspiracy and her latest, It Will Always Be You. The latest book falls under the young adult fiction genre and is about the romance about a young girl falling for a rock star musician.

When did the idea for your latest book germinate?
When I was in my 12th grade. That’s when I was crazy about romance novels. Rock stars too. I listened to a lot of country music back then. And then I also had this friend who was as bada** as my female protagonist. So that’s how it all started!

One fictional character close to your heart and why?
I like Lara Cameron from Sheldon’s The Stars Shine Down. Her ambition would make anyone sit up and whistle. She’s one hell of a determined woman.

Does the fantasy genre draw you the most as a reader and writer?
It was a phase. I really liked fantasy a lot when I wrote my first book but once I started reading more, I started experimenting with other genres too.

What is your antidote for writer’s block?
Coffee can solve any problem!

Which is one classic that you haven’t read so far?
I have never been able to finish Wuthering Heights.

What’s next on your wish list?
A comic, because I love to sketch/ doodle — it’s definitely in the works!

Who among the pantheon of writers (past/present) would you like to have coffee with and why?
Charles Bukowski. He sounds like an interesting person, and I’m really curious.

Ending of one popular book that you would have changed, if you were the author..
The ending of Harry Potter and the Order of The Phoenix. Sirius Black shouldn’t have died. I mean, I cried so much.