Lilac is a moving collection of interconnected stories that explores the quiet emotional lives of women brought together by chance. What begins as an ordinary day at a shopping mall transforms into a series of heartfelt conversations that reveal hidden struggles, unspoken dreams, and deeply personal truths.
When five women from different generations find themselves sharing a café table, casual exchanges gradually evolve into meaningful confessions. Through Ritika, Anisha, Sukoon, Aachal, and Shobha, author Preeti Shah examines themes of vulnerability, resilience, belonging, and the universal desire to be understood.
Set against the backdrop of a bustling urban mall, Lilac reminds readers that even in an increasingly disconnected world, genuine human connection remains possible. It is a powerful testament to the healing impact of empathy, honest conversation, and the courage to be seen.
1. What inspired you to write this particular book, and how did the idea for the story come to you?
My love for storytelling inspired me to write this book. I have always been drawn to short stories because the format demands both precision and emotional honesty. I’ve often felt that urban life is filled with countless micro-stories—fleeting moments that carry immense emotional weight. A conversation overheard in a café, a glance exchanged between strangers, or an unsent message can reveal so much about the human experience.
With Lilac, I wanted to give those invisible stories a voice and create a space where they could be heard.
2. Can you share some insights into your writing process? Do you follow a specific routine or have any unique rituals that help you get into a creative flow?
I don’t follow a fixed writing process, and I believe that has worked well for me. Stories don’t always arrive on schedule. What I do consistently, however, is visualize. I allow my characters to take shape in my mind first. I watch them move through situations, hear them speak, and understand how they react before a single word reaches the page.
I also make a conscious effort to incorporate an element of truth into every story, even when writing fiction. That connection to reality keeps the narrative honest and the characters believable. The story should feel like something that could happen, not merely something I invented.
3. The characters in your book are quite distinct and memorable. Are they based on real people, or did they evolve purely from your imagination?
All the characters in Lilac are fictional. However, what makes them feel familiar is that they are grounded in reality. From their personalities to the dilemmas they face, every detail is crafted to make them unique yet recognizable.
I want readers to see someone they know—or perhaps even a part of themselves—in these characters. That sense of recognition creates an emotional connection. My goal was never to write extraordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, but rather ordinary people quietly navigating the extraordinary challenges of everyday life.
4. Your book delves into powerful themes. What motivated you to explore them, and what do you hope readers take away from the story?
The art of storytelling within an urban setting led to the creation of Lilac. We live in a world that is more connected than ever on the surface, yet genuine human connection often feels increasingly rare. People may be surrounded by others but still experience profound loneliness.
With Lilac, I wanted to explore what happens when people truly open up—when emotional walls come down, even briefly. The book highlights the meaningful connections that can emerge in an otherwise disconnected world.
I hope readers come away with the understanding that their stories matter and that being heard is both a fundamental human need and a gift we can offer one another.
5. The setting of your novel feels rich and immersive. How did you create it, and were you inspired by real-world locations?
In a world where many interactions are filtered through social media, there are few physical spaces left where people genuinely engage face-to-face. Shopping malls—and the cafés within them—are among those rare places.
They are both anonymous and communal. People come and go, no one truly belongs there permanently, and yet that sense of transience often makes honesty easier. You can be yourself with someone you may never see again.
That dynamic made a shopping mall the perfect setting for Lilac. It is an ordinary space filled with extraordinary possibilities—the ideal backdrop for unexpected conversations and heartfelt confessions.
6. As a writer, how do you balance originality with the expectations of the genre?
One of the biggest creative challenges in writing Lilac was creating a believable environment where strangers could comfortably confide in one another. While we often see people socializing in malls and cafés, we rarely witness complete strangers engaging in deeply meaningful conversations.
I had to construct circumstances that would convince readers that such openness was possible. The challenge wasn’t only narrative—it was psychological. I spent considerable time exploring what allows people to lower their emotional defenses and trust someone unfamiliar.
Ensuring that those interactions felt authentic rather than forced required a great deal of creative energy and careful thought.
7. The pacing of the book keeps readers engaged throughout. What was your approach to maintaining momentum?
I approached the stories in Lilac with a strong sense of realism. Real conversations are rarely smooth—they pause, hesitate, and often circle back on themselves. I intentionally incorporated those natural rhythms into the narrative.
There are moments when characters fear judgment, question themselves, or wonder whether they have revealed too much. That emotional uncertainty creates tension and drives the story forward.
The pacing mirrors the characters’ emotional journeys: slow and cautious at first, gradually opening up as trust develops. I wanted readers to feel as though they were watching someone rebuild themselves piece by piece, in real time.
8. In an age of rapidly changing media and reader preferences, how do you see the role of traditional storytelling evolving?
Storytelling has evolved significantly over time, yet its core purpose remains unchanged. The human need to feel understood is timeless.
What changes is the method of delivery—the language, pacing, and format. Writers who wish to remain relevant must adapt alongside their readers. For me, that means writing contemporary stories that reflect modern lives, anxieties, and joys in a language that feels authentic.
The key is not to write down to readers or over-explain. It’s about trusting them to meet the story halfway. That mutual trust between writer and reader remains the true heart of storytelling, regardless of the era.
Experience the power of connection, vulnerability, and shared human stories.
Order your copy of Lilac by Author Preeti Shah on Amazon today and discover the conversations that can change everything.
