BEHIND THE PEN: ANITA KRISHNAN ON WRITING, RESILIENCE, AND REINVENTION

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED | DE MODE OF LITERATURE JULY 2025 V1 GLOBAL

Article Published on: 11TH AUG 2025 | www.demodemagazine.com

Ghosts of the Silent Hills is not just a book—it’s a doorway into a world where the dead still walk, and the silence of the mountains hides secrets too terrifying to ignore. Based on true events, this collection blurs the line between myth and reality, drawing readers into the eerie heart of the Himalayan hills.

From haunted lodges to cursed trails, each of the five stories reveals something sinister. A woman in white roams the lonely paths, luring men to a terrifying fate. The screams of accident victims echo through the forests after dark. Deserted homes, though beautiful on the outside, hide restless spirits waiting to strike. Even the sceptics—those who laughed at the legends, found themselves face-to-face with things they couldn’t explain. These are not just eerie tales; they are lived experiences, whispered warnings from the hills themselves. Once you enter this world, fear takes root, and never truly leaves.

Ghosts of the Silent Hills is a bone-chilling collection of true haunting tales from the Himalayas. Whether you're a believer or a skeptic, these stories will creep under your skin and linger long after the last page. Once you step into these hills, there's no turning back. The silence whispers, the shadows move—and the dead are always watching, waiting for someone to hear their call.

DIRECT LINK TO BUY 'GHOSTS IN THE DARK SILENCE' - CLICK HERE 

Beyond a Broken Bridge is more than a historical novel, it’s an evocative tale of love, resilience, and sacrifice set against the seismic events of pre-Independence India, World War II, and the Partition of 1947. Through the journey of Ratan Arya, a brilliant young engineer, the story explores how one man’s fate is forever altered by war, loss, and a love that defied the times.

As Ratan escapes the Japanese bombings in Burma alongside his friend Mansur and the brave Fiza, a medical student, their path becomes one of emotional reckoning. The chaos of war tests friendships and fractures hearts, while the cruelty of Partition demands unimaginable choices. Inspired by real events, the narrative lays bare the toll of political upheaval through characters who are painfully human in their courage and vulnerability. In the shadows of a crumbling world, love and loyalty emerge as both salvation and burden.

Beyond a Broken Bridge is a stirring meditation on the enduring impact of historical trauma, told through unforgettable characters navigating impossible circumstances. The bridge in the title stands as a haunting metaphor for broken dreams, fractured identities, and a past that refuses to fade. This is not just a story of survival—it’s a story of how love lingers in ruins and how the human spirit dares to hope, even when everything is lost.

DIRECT LINK TO BUY 'BEYOND A BROKEN BRIDGE' - CLICK HERE 

JOURNEY OF THE AUTHOR ANITA KRISHNAN

Born in the mist-laden Shimla hills in 1955, the author grew up surrounded by whispering forests, winding trails, and the quiet magic of mountain life. After completing her post-graduation in English Literature, life took a turn—marriage in 1977 led her away from her beloved mountains, but they stayed in her heart and soul. Haunted by nostalgia and the aching beauty of her childhood home, she began writing. What started as a way to preserve memories soon evolved into a passionate literary journey. Her first book, Fluffy and Me, is a tender memoir rooted in the hills, capturing the warmth of youth and the simple joys of companionship.

But the stories didn’t end there. Having grown up hearing countless real-life accounts of the paranormal encounters in the shadows of cedar lined ridges, lonely cottages and mysterious forests, she began collecting and retelling these spine-chilling narratives. Her collection, Ghosts of the Silent Hills, based on true events, became a national bestseller and remains a top-ranking title in the horror genre on platforms like Amazon. It was followed by an equally blood curdling tales in a sequel, Ghosts in the Dark Silence. In works like Tears of Jhelum and Despite Stolen Dreams, she explores the tragic complexities of love, loss, and war—proving her range far exceeds genre boundaries. From tender memoirs to tales of terror, her writing is as evocative as the landscapes that shaped her. With every book, she invites readers into worlds both seen and unseen—anchored in truth, yet touched by something far deeper. Something unforgettable. Her upcoming book, Beyond a Broken Bridge, is soon to be released. Set against the backdrop of war, unrest, and insane violence, this book ventures into the fragile, yet enduring realm of love.

FOLLOW THE AUTHOR ON INSTAGRAM - @krishananita

INTERVIEW OF AUTHOR ANITA KRISHNAN WITH DE MODE

Q: "From the serene hills of Shimla to the realms of supernatural fiction—how has your upbringing in the Himalayas influenced your storytelling?

A. The majestic mountains seeped in myths, legends and spiritual traditions has had a great influence on me in my formative years. My family lived in a secluded area in the suburbs of Shimla. The isolation from the urban centre fostered a deep connection in me with the mysterious forests we were surrounded with. I would spent hours alone, exploring them. In those lonely moments, my mind began to weave stories, the habit that has continued till now.

Q: You've explored a wide range of genres—from social realism and terrorism to now the paranormal. What draws you to such diverse themes in your writing?

A. Just like a painting cannot be done in one colour, I cannot express my varied emotions in one genre of storytelling. I write what touches my heart at a moment. In short, I don’t choose my themes––they choose me. Because only then can a story carry real life and meaning.

Q: Your latest book Ghosts in the Dark Silence is inspired by true supernatural events. Could you share what sparked your interest in writing about the paranormal?

A. The spark goes back to my childhood. I carried these ghost stories for as long as I can remember––the stories, or first-hand experiences, shared with me. Writing about paranormal was more like coming home to something that had always been a part of me. I knew from my experience how universal and electric is listening to a ghost story––the hush in the room, the held breath, the thrill of fear. Moreover, paranormal tales are rich in nostalgia and cultural connection.

Q: As someone who has transitioned from an educator to a full-time writer, how did your years in teaching shape your literary voice?

A. I was a teacher of English language, and my ability to be a good story teller began from my classrooms. I realized that storytelling can transform an English class to an unforgettable experience. It turned my teaching into more powerful, meaningful, joyful and lasting for my students. My teaching days are far behind me, many of my students are mothers now, yet they haven’t forgotten my stories.

Q: Many of the stories in Ghosts in the Dark Silence deal with elements like black magic and malevolent spirits. How did you research or verify these true events for your anthology?

A. The stories had been shared with me, yet I needed to delve deeper into the mythical and mystical world of tantrism and black magic. How did these beliefs that trigger fear, trauma and sometimes malpractices manifest? Before writing my stories, I read a few books, carried our my research online and spoke with people who had experienced the power of the Tantriks. I realized that the black magic is not just about darkness or superstition, but about power and survival. Many a time, they involve orgiastic rites.

Q: You were also a senior columnist for The Indian Economist. How do you balance journalistic commentary with fictional storytelling? Do the two ever influence each other?

A. My journey into journalism was about writing the truth, set away from fiction, where a writer has every right to add from one’s imagination. The difference was between what happened and how it felt. I am not a political voice and I wrote mostly about places––the beauty that abounds our planet, and common people––about their struggles and traumas.

Q: Travel plays a significant role in your life. Have any of your journeys inspired specific characters or settings in your books?

A. My books Tears of Jhelum and its sequel Despite Stolen Dreams were the result of my visit to Kashmir in 2004, when the valley was in turmoil and terrorism problem at its peak. I went there with a mindset that had been fed to the majority through media and other vested agencies. Interacting with the people of Kashmir, a new image emerged for me, and I had a powerful urge to pen down tales of common man’s suffering, and the yearning of peace, amity and brotherhood.

Q: Your earlier novels touched on social and political issues, while your latest delves into the supernatural. What do you hope readers take away from this genre shift?

A. I hope the readers realize that what appears as supernatural often has deep roots in human suffering and social imbalance.

Whether they are the tales of common people, or of the roving spirits of the dead, I am trying to give expression to fear, injustice and forgotten voices.

Q: The supernatural is often seen as entertainment, but your stories come with a warning tone. Do you believe in the real-world implications of meddling with the unseen?

A. While often used for entertainment, I explore the supernatural as a reflection of deep fears and hidden traumas. The unknown is not mere fantasy, but a powerful force with real consequences. Practices like Tantrism—rich in esoteric rituals—can offer knowledge or become deadly when misused, blurring the line between sacred wisdom and dangerous occultism.

Q: Which story from Ghosts in the Dark Silence disturbed or haunted you the most during the writing process—and why?

A. As a writer, I don't fear the horror I create. Ghost stories, for me, are about understanding and reshaping fear. Two real incidents from my family once haunted me as a child—now, they live in my stories: Shadow in the Dark and A Misled Spirit. The fear remains on the page; I’ve learned to stay beyond its reach.