Shrai Jamwal is currently in his third year at Brunel University doing Games Design and Creative Writing.

What writer(s) influenced you most and why?

I have always admired the work of Gabriel García Marquez, Aldous Huxley, Isabelle Allende and Harper Lee. These writers always play with characters and ideas in a distinct way, whether it be with a Latin American flair or through introspective perceptions of reality. I have always found those aspects interesting and enjoyable to read.

What’s your favourite genre and why?

That’s a hard one. It would have to be historical fiction, magic realism or bildungsroman. These genres tend to involve a sense of wonder, displacement and imagination that allow the narrative to be expressed in creative and whimsical ways.

Can you give us a brief insight into your writing process?

I usually start of by thinking of a scenario, whether it be an observation a character will make, a point of distinct change or the climax, which forms the base of my story. I try to build the characters with certain traits that make them individualistic and then try to assemble the story with them. Sometimes it doesn’t work, but mostly it helps start the physical process of writing.

What do you want to do after university?

I am really interested in a career in the media industry, whether it be in games, publishing or video entertainment. I would love to work with like-minded individuals in a creative environment.

You can read Shrai’s short story, alongside many others, in The Psyche Supermarket released on the 11^th of March.

You can also find him on Twitter at @shrai_j