About Kumar Amardeep
Kumar Amardeep has been working in the IT industry for over two decades. Apart from coding, his true passion lies in storytelling. With a keen eye for detail and a deep empathy for the human condition, he draws inspiration from everyday life across India. His stories are shaped by real events, quiet struggles, and unseen lives—crafted with authenticity, emotion, and a powerful sense of place.
Ashes Beneath the Robes marks his entry into literary fiction, blending the raw truths of society with the redemptive arc of transformation.
LiFT: Tell us about your book, the journey of writing it, and its content.
Kumar Amardeep: “Ashes Beneath the Robes” is an emotionally powerful story about survival, injustice, and transformation. It follows the life of Raju, a 16-year-old homeless boy in Delhi, whose act of kindness sets off a chain of events that changes his life forever. One freezing night, he gives his only blanket to save an abandoned baby. That same night, an influential couple is murdered in a nearby abandoned house. A series of coincidences and a flawed system lead to Raju being falsely accused of the crime.
The story moves through the harsh realities of the legal system, media trials, political influence, and the vulnerability of the poor. While the world quickly labels him a murderer, Raju’s truth is buried beneath power and corruption. His years in a juvenile home break him, but they also shape him. With the guidance of a fallen motivational speaker and a spiritual figure known as Fauji Baba, Raju begins to heal and rebuild himself.
After his release, he starts working quietly in a bakery, trying to live an ordinary life. But fate has other plans. A tragic incident involving a famous comedian pulls him once again into trouble—not by choice, but by circumstance. This time, before the world can crush him again, he is rescued and sheltered by Fauji Baba, who sees a deeper potential in him. Raju undergoes a profound transformation and is slowly introduced to a new identity—Rajendra Guru, a young spiritual figure with a calm presence and a quiet strength shaped by pain.
The story blends emotion, crime, spirituality, and slow-burning suspense. It captures how society often misjudges the weak, how power manipulates truth, and how a broken boy rises not through revenge, but through purpose. As Rajendra Guru, he steps into a world where he must confront old enemies, hidden truths, and the political shadows that destroyed his past. The novel explores themes of redemption, dignity, resilience, and the unbreakable human spirit.
My Writing Journey
Writing Ashes Beneath the Robes was a deeply personal and disciplined process. The book took approximately 3 to 4 months to complete. With a full-time job during the day, the only time I had to write was late at night, when everything was quiet. Almost every evening, after work, I would spend 2 to 3 hours shaping the story—sometimes writing pages, sometimes just fixing a single paragraph.
Those late-night writing sessions became a routine, a commitment, and eventually a passion. The characters grew with each passing week, and the story began to feel alive. Some days the emotions were heavy, some days the scenes came effortlessly, but through every moment, I remained connected to the message of the book—how life shapes us through both suffering and hope.
The journey of writing this book taught me patience, discipline, and the joy of storytelling. Seeing the story evolve from an idea to a finished novel has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
LiFT: Why did you choose this title?
Kumar Amardeep: I chose the title “Ashes Beneath the Robes” because the robes signify the transformation of the characters, while the ashes represent the pain they still carry within and the seething desire for justice and revenge.
LiFT: When did you realize that you wanted to be a writer, and what was your inspiration behind it?
Kumar Amardeep: The seed and inspiration to become a writer were planted in my childhood, when I spent countless hours reading comics and magazines. Even then, I would visualize myself as an author while turning those pages. During my school and college years, I wrote a lot of poetry and nurtured that creative spark. But after entering the professional world, that author and poet within me slowly faded. After 20 years in the IT industry, I felt a strong urge to rekindle that passion. My first novel is the first step toward bringing that long-lost dream back to life.
LiFT: Where do you see yourself ten years down the line in the world of literature?
Kumar Amardeep: Ten years from now, I envision myself as a well-established and successful writer with four to five books published under my name—each one reflecting a different shade of creativity, emotion, and imagination. I want to build a strong literary identity that is recognized for depth, originality, and storytelling that stays with the reader long after the book is finished. Whether it is contemporary fiction, mythology, crime, or emotionally driven narratives, I hope to create a diverse portfolio of stories that resonate with different audiences and age groups.
I see my writing journey becoming more disciplined and consistent. Today, I write by balancing my professional life with my passion, but over the next decade, I want to evolve into an author who writes with full commitment, clarity, and a matured voice. I want to learn continuously—improving my craft, exploring new genres, and experimenting with new ways of telling stories. For me, growth as a writer will be as important as the number of books I publish.
A major part of my ten-year vision is to see some of my books adapted into films or web series. Stories have immense power when translated onto the screen, and I want at least one or two of my works to take that leap. The idea of watching my characters breathe, speak, and live in a visual medium is incredibly exciting. I hope to collaborate with filmmakers, screenwriters, and creative professionals who can expand my stories beyond the pages and bring them to millions of viewers. An adaptation not only broadens the reach of a book but also solidifies a writer’s place in popular culture, and that is a milestone I truly aspire to achieve.
LiFT: How important do you think marketing and the quality of a book are in promoting it and increasing its readership?
Kumar Amardeep: Both marketing and the quality of a book play equally vital roles in reaching readers and sustaining their interest. A well-written book can only thrive when people know it exists, and that is where effective marketing becomes crucial. In today’s crowded publishing landscape, thousands of new titles are released every month. Without visibility—through social media, author branding, reviews, bookstore presence, and reader engagement—even a great book can be overlooked. Marketing acts as the bridge that connects the story to its audience.
However, marketing alone cannot carry a book for long. Once readers pick it up, the quality of the writing, storytelling, structure, and emotional impact determines whether they stay, recommend it, or return for future works. A strong book creates word-of-mouth, which is the most powerful form of promotion. Good writing builds trust, credibility, and loyalty—especially for new authors.
Ultimately, marketing brings the reader to the door, but quality keeps them inside. When both elements work together, a book not only reaches a wider audience but also leaves a lasting impression. For me, maintaining high writing quality and investing thoughtfully in marketing are essential steps in growing readership and building a long-term writing career.
LiFT: What message do you want to convey to people through your writing?
Kumar Amardeep: Through my writing, I want to convey that every individual carries a story shaped by struggle, resilience, and hope. My characters often rise from pain, injustice, or loss, reminding readers that strength is born from difficult journeys. I want people to see that courage can come from the most unexpected places and that transformation is possible even when life feels impossible. Above all, my message is to believe in second chances, to fight for truth, and to never underestimate the power of an ordinary person to overcome extraordinary challenges. My stories celebrate humanity, compassion, and inner strength.
LiFT: What do you do apart from writing?
Kumar Amardeep: I am a passionate coder who loves developing new software and utilities. Along with that, I am also a cybersecurity enthusiast and ensure that the applications I work on are secure as part of my day job.
LiFT: What activities do you resort to when you face writer’s block?
Kumar Amardeep: When I face writer’s block, I step away from the page and give my mind space to breathe. I usually take a short walk, listen to music, or read something unrelated to what I’m writing. These small breaks often reset my thoughts and spark new ideas. Sometimes I revisit old notes, scenes, or unfinished paragraphs to reconnect with the story without pressure.
Most importantly, I remind myself not to force creativity. A relaxed mind writes better than a stressed one. Stepping away, refreshing the senses, and returning with calmness helps me overcome writer’s block and reconnect with the flow of the story.
LiFT: What if your story were to be adapted into a movie? Who would you want to work as the director or actors in it?
Kumar Amardeep: This story has true potential to be adopted as movie. I would love if Manoj Bajpayee and Akshay Kumar act in this movie. Along with that would love to see Amitabh bachchan in cameo role.
LiFT: Are you working on your next book? If so, could you tell us something about it?
Kumar Amardeep: Yes, it will be a mythological book about a female warrior. I will most likely start writing it in mid-2026.
LiFT: What are your suggestions for budding writers and poets to help them improve their writing skills?
Kumar Amardeep: Ten years from now, I see myself as a well-established and successful author with four to five published books that reflect my growth and versatility as a writer. I want to build a strong literary presence with stories that are emotionally rich, engaging, and meaningful—books that readers remember and recommend long after turning the last page.
My aim is to develop a diverse body of work, exploring multiple genres such as contemporary fiction, mythology, crime, and character-driven emotional narratives. Each book should represent a new creative challenge and a deeper maturity in my writing voice.
A major milestone I hope to achieve within the next decade is to have some of my books adapted into movies or web series. Seeing my stories come alive on screen—my characters, emotions, and themes reaching a broader audience—would be incredibly fulfilling. I want to collaborate with filmmakers who can expand the impact of my writing and take it to new platforms and audiences.
Beyond publishing, I also want to build a loyal reader community, engaging with readers through events, festivals, and online platforms. Connecting with people who relate to my stories and characters is one of the biggest motivations behind my writing journey.
Having spent two decades in IT, I also wish to inspire others who balance professional life with creative ambitions. If my journey encourages even a few people to revive their passion for writing, it would be a meaningful achievement.
In the next ten years, I aim to be a writer who consistently creates, evolves, and leaves a lasting footprint in the literary world—a storyteller whose work reaches shelves, screens, and hearts.
If you want an even shorter 150-word version, I can write that too!
You said:
What are your suggestions for budding writers and poets to help them improve their writing skills? Keep in 150 words
ChatGPT said:
Here is a crisp, polished 150-word answer:
Suggestions for Budding Writers and Poets
For budding writers and poets, the most important advice is to write consistently. Even a few lines a day help build rhythm and clarity. Read widely—across genres, authors, and styles—because reading sharpens instinct, vocabulary, and imagination. Pay attention to real-life conversations, emotions, and experiences; they are powerful sources of authentic writing.
Don’t wait for perfect inspiration. Start with imperfect drafts and refine them. Editing is where true writing happens. Share your work with trusted readers, accept feedback gracefully, and learn from it without losing your voice.
Practice observing the world closely—details, expressions, sounds, and silences. They enrich both poetry and prose. Avoid comparing yourself to others; every writer grows at their own pace.
Finally, be patient. Writing is a long journey. Stay curious, keep experimenting, and nurture the passion that made you pick up the pen in the first place.
Click here to order Kumar Amardeep’s Book – Ashes Beneath The Robes
