Interview With Author Abdul Azeez
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Writing under the pen name Achelies, I’m an Indian author from Chennai whose work explores the complex layers of the human mind — from emotion and motivation to love, pain, and purpose.
So far, I’ve written four books:
🧠 8 Personalities who never achieve success, are you one? – a deep exploration of human behaviour and self-discovery,
💔 Hello Madhu – a psychological thriller that blends love, revenge, and redemption,
💪 Sacrifice the Softy – a bold take on mental strength and emotional evolution,
⏳ Procrastine with Purpose – a motivational guide that transforms delay into direction.
Each of my books reflects a different side of human nature — one emotional, one introspective, one rebellious, and one deeply reflective. Through my writing, I aim to help readers not just understand life but feel it — through the rawness of thought, choice, and change.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled Hello Madhu.
It was inspired by the darker side of love — where emotions blur the line between healing and destruction. I’ve always been fascinated by how deeply love and pain are connected, and how sometimes revenge is just another way of holding on to someone you can’t forget.
Hello Madhu is a psychological thriller that explores what happens when two people meet again after betrayal — when forgiveness becomes a weapon and memories become traps. The story came from real emotions I’ve observed in people who never truly move on, even after the goodbye.
At its heart, it’s not just about revenge; it’s about what remains when love refuses to die.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes — I do. I usually write late at night, when the world goes silent. That’s when emotions feel raw and thoughts turn honest. I keep a playlist of slow instrumental music, and sometimes a single melody becomes the heartbeat of an entire chapter.
I don’t plan my stories completely. I start with a single scene or emotion — like betrayal, silence, or regret — and let the characters reveal themselves as I write. It’s almost like watching a movie that I haven’t seen yet, and I’m discovering the story along with the reader.
Sometimes, I even rewrite the same line ten times until it feels alive. I believe good writing doesn’t happen when we force words — it happens when we listen to them.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve always been deeply inspired by Paulo Coelho — especially The Alchemist and Veronika Decides to Die. His way of turning pain, destiny, and spirituality into simple but powerful words has shaped how I see storytelling.
Like Coelho, I believe every story should awaken something within the reader — not just entertain, but also heal or challenge them. His books taught me that truth doesn’t need complexity; it only needs honesty.
Beyond him, I’m drawn to authors who explore the human condition — writers who look at love, loss, and inner conflict without judgment. Their work reminds me that even in fiction, emotion must always come first.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on the second part of my psychological thriller series, titled Rage of Francis, which continues the emotional storm that began in Hello Madhu.
This sequel dives deeper into the mind of Francis — a man torn between guilt, obsession, and the ghosts of his past. If Hello Madhu was about revenge born from heartbreak, Rage of Francis is about what happens after revenge — when the fire fades and the soul starts to question its choices.
It’s darker, more introspective, and emotionally raw. Through this story, I want readers to experience how redemption can be just as dangerous as desire.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
For me, the best promotion comes from connection, not just marketing. I mainly use Instagram and Facebook to share the emotional side of my books — quotes, behind-the-scenes thoughts, and small reflections that connect with readers on a personal level.
I believe when people feel the emotion behind a book, they naturally want to read it. I also promote through Awesome Gang, Goodreads, and Draft2Digital’s distribution network, which helps my books reach international readers.
I sometimes use Amazon’s price promos and share limited-time offers through reader communities. But more than ads, what truly works is word of mouth — readers sharing a line or feeling that stayed with them. That’s the kind of marketing that never fades.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you feel — not what you think will sell.
In the beginning, don’t chase perfection; chase truth. Readers can forgive a grammar error, but they’ll never forget an emotion that felt real.
Every writer starts with doubt. The difference between a dreamer and an author is simple — the author didn’t stop. Even if no one is reading, keep writing, because every page you complete is a silent victory over fear.
Also, never compare your chapter one to someone else’s chapter twenty. Every author has their own timing, their own readers, and their own moment to rise.
Your words have power — maybe not today, but someday they’ll reach the person who needed them most. That’s what makes writing worth it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever heard was simple but life-changing:
“Don’t wait to feel ready — start, and readiness will find you on the way.”
That one line changed how I looked at writing and life. We often wait for the perfect time, perfect words, or perfect confidence — but none of those things actually come first. Action does.
When I began writing Hello Madhu, I wasn’t ready. When I wrote 8 Personalities and Sacrifice the Softy, I wasn’t confident. But every time I started, I became stronger with every page.
Perfection kills more dreams than failure ever will. So the best advice isn’t about success — it’s about courage. Just take the first step, even if your hands are shaking. The story will teach you the rest.
What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m reading The Archer by Paulo Coelho.
I’ve always admired how Coelho uses simple words to express profound truths. The Archer is more than a story — it’s a reminder about focus, purpose, and grace under pressure. It speaks about mastering your art quietly, without noise or comparison — something I deeply relate to as a writer.
I also keep revisiting parts of Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. Books like that remind me why I write — not for fame, but for connection. Every good book doesn’t just tell you something new; it wakes up something inside you that you’d forgotten.
What’s next for you as a writer?
As a writer, my next step is to go deeper — not just in stories, but in emotion. I’m currently working on Rage of Francis, the second part of my Hello Madhu series. It explores what happens after revenge — when silence becomes louder than anger and redemption becomes the real battle.
Beyond that, I’m also shaping new projects that connect psychology and emotion — books that help readers see their own reflections in my words. Writing, for me, has never been just storytelling; it’s soul work.
My goal is simple: to reach people who feel too much and say too little — and remind them that their emotions are not weaknesses, they’re power in disguise.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If I were stranded on an island, I’d want books that keep my soul alive when the world goes silent.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho — because it reminds me that every journey, no matter how lonely, has a purpose waiting to be discovered.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl — a book that teaches how even in suffering, we can find light.
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle — to remind me that peace isn’t somewhere else; it’s in the present moment.
Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke — because on quiet nights, I’d want words that speak to the heart of a writer, not the noise of the world.
These are not just books — they’re voices of wisdom I’d want beside me, reminding me that even in isolation, the mind and soul can still travel far.
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