Alumni Author: SMASH – Yatin Jaisingh, EGMP 55

Yatin Jaisingh, a promising author and proud alumnus of IIM Bangalore (IIMB), brings to life the captivating novel “SMASH – Love’s Double Fault.” His narrative seamlessly blends the intensity of sports with the complexities of human relationships, personal ambition, and the strength of family bonds. Driven by his passion for these intertwined themes, Yatin chose badminton as the backdrop, using the sport to delve into deeper emotional struggles and connections.

In “SMASH,” Yatin adeptly explores the delicate interplay between logic and emotion, the lingering shadows of the past, and the enduring pull of love and regret. His storytelling invites readers on an emotional journey that reflects universal experiences of ambition, fear, and the quest for meaning in relationships. Yatin’s work resonates deeply with the human spirit, uncovering unspoken truths that shape our lives and aspirations.

What inspired you to write SMASH – Love’s Double Fault? Was there a specific moment or experience that sparked this journey?

SMASH – Love’s Double Fault was inspired by a blend of themes that fascinate me—sports, ambition, and the complexity of human relationships. Badminton, in particular, felt like the perfect backdrop for a story that explores not just competition but also personal struggles and emotional connections.

There wasn’t one single moment that sparked the idea, but rather a collection of thoughts that gradually came together. The idea of a protagonist chasing a dream while being haunted by his past, aligned with my multi genre story combining elements from sports, romance, ambition and family. The tension between logic and emotion, past and present, love and regret—all these elements combined to create a story that I felt needed to be told.

Your book explores themes of sports, emotions, and relationships. How did you ensure these themes resonated with your readers?

Ensuring that the themes of sports, emotions, and relationships resonated with readers was a careful balancing act. I wanted SMASH – Love’s Double Fault to feel immersive—not just any story, but as an emotional journey that feels real and relatable. Here’s how I approached it:

Authentic Sports Portrayal

Badminton isn’t just a backdrop in the book; it’s an integral part of the characters’ lives. I focused on making the game sequences detailed yet accessible, capturing the thrill, intensity, and precision of the sport.

Deep Layered Emotions

Emotions in the story aren’t just stated; they’re felt. I delved into the internal conflicts of the characters and instead of making emotions overly dramatic, I leaned into subtleties.

 Relatable Struggles and Imperfect Endings

Life doesn’t always follow a perfect script, and neither does SMASH – Love’s Double Fault. The characters don’t always win, and not every relationship gets closure.

Ultimately, my goal was to create a story where readers could see parts of themselves—their ambitions, fears, regrets, and hopes—reflected in the characters.

As a writer of both books and blogs, how does your approach differ between the two formats?

Writing books and blogs are two distinct experiences, each requiring a different approach in terms of depth, structure, and engagement.

Books allow to explore themes, characters, and emotions in a deeply immersive way. There’s space to build intricate storylines, develop multi-layered characters, and create emotional arcs that unfold gradually.

Blogs, on the other hand, require brevity and directness. Readers expect to take away insights quickly, so the focus is on clear messaging and structured content.

Are any of the characters in SMASH inspired by real people or personal experiences?

SMASH is a pure work of fiction. Names, characters, places, objects and incidents either are products of imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. I also have used a creative outline for an imaginative sporting event which may not align with any actual event.

What was the most challenging aspect of writing SMASH, and what kept you motivated throughout the process?

The most challenging aspect of writing SMASH – Love’s Double Fault was striking the right balance between sports, emotions, and relationships without letting one overshadow the other. I wanted the book to feel real—not just a sports story, not just a romance, and not just a family drama, but a blend of all these elements.

What Kept Me Motivated?

• The Depth of the Story: I was drawn to the idea of exploring not just success, but also regret, love, and the weight of unspoken truths. That emotional pull kept me going.
• The Connection Between Characters: Watching the relationships evolve—Rajiv and Ria’s unresolved past, Ria and Arjun’s unspoken tensions, and Arjun’s own journey of discovery—made me want to see it through.
• The Challenge Itself: Writing this book was not easy, but that’s what made it worth finishing. Knowing that I was telling a story that didn’t rely on clichés, but rather on raw emotions and real struggles, pushed me to complete it.

How did your time at IIM Bangalore influence your approach to writing or storytelling?

My time at IIM Bangalore had a profound influence on my approach to writing and storytelling, even though business and literature may seem like completely different worlds. The experience shaped the way I think about structure, human psychology, and problem-solving, all of which found their way into my writing.

Instead of giving my characters easy resolutions, I let them struggle with hard choices, misunderstandings, and personal flaws, just like real people do.

In SMASH, there’s no perfect victory—because sometimes, in both business and life, success isn’t about winning, but about understanding what truly matters.

Can you share some insights into your creative process while writing SMASH? How do you bring your ideas to life?

Writing SMASH – Love’s Double Fault was a journey that involved deep emotional exploration, structured planning, and a lot of rewriting. My creative process evolved over time, but here’s how I brought my ideas to life

• Starting with a Core Emotion or Theme: Once I had these emotional anchors, I started building the story around them.

• Character-Driven Development: I spent a lot of time fleshing out Rajiv, Ria, and Arjun—understanding their fears, ambitions, and contradictions. I wrote backstories that never made it into the book, just to understand their motivations.

• Structuring the Narrative: Before diving into writing, I outlined the major story beats

• The Ending – Letting Go of Perfection

I knew from the start that SMASH wouldn’t have a conventional “happily-ever-after.” Instead, I focused on emotional closure over absolute resolution.

Once the first draft was done, I reread it multiple times, focusing on:
–Removing unnecessary scenes
–Tightening dialogue to make it feel more natural
–Ensuring the emotional beats landed as intended
–Keeping the badminton sequences engaging without overwhelming non-sports readers

I also got feedback from a few trusted readers—especially on the sports elements and the emotional arcs—to make sure everything felt authentic and resonant.

Balancing a career with writing can be challenging. How did you manage your time to write SMASH while maintaining your professional commitments?

Balancing writing SMASH – Love’s Double Fault with my professional commitments was tough, but discipline and consistency helped. I carved out writing hours—early mornings or late nights—when distractions were minimal. Instead of waiting for inspiration, I set small, achievable writing goals to maintain momentum. Prioritizing key scenes and outlining the story helped me write efficiently without losing flow and treating writing as a non-negotiable part of my routine made all the difference.

What’s the most interesting feedback you’ve received from readers, whether it’s about your book or your blogs?

One of the most interesting pieces of feedback I received about SMASH – Love’s Double Fault was from a reader who said, “This isn’t just any story; it’s about everything we don’t say out loud—regret, love, and second chances.” That resonated deeply because I wanted the novel to feel real, raw, and human. Another reader told me they were frustrated about how it ended, but the more they thought about it, the more they realized how powerful that was. It reminded them that not all losses are failures, and some endings stay with us longer than victories. Feedback like this reassures me that readers connect with the emotions beyond the game.

Can we expect more books from you in the future? What kind of stories or themes do you look forward to exploring next?

Yes, absolutely! I have more stories I want to tell, and writing will always be a part of me. I’m drawn to emotionally complex narratives—stories that explore human relationships, ambition, regrets, and the choices that define us.

Yatin Jaisingh’s SMASH – Love’s Double Fault leaves readers reflecting on the complexities of ambition, relationships, and emotional closure. Explore more of his work on Medium.