First of all, Sir, congratulations for your second book. It
was a pleasure to read and review TCL. I’m glad you could provide us more
knowledge about your book and yourself.
1.
As is
written in the Author’s note, this book reveals you. Is TCL a partial autobiography
of an episode of your life?
True. ‘True Colors of Love’ is written on the basis of
experience. It is inspired by my First Love.
2.
Towards the
end of the novella, I was just left thinking, “This is different!” What kind of
story endings do you personally prefer?
I am very glad that you felt that the book was different. It
has always been my desire to produce unique works of fiction. As far as story
endings are concerned, I do not have any particular preference as such. I
deeply appreciate novels, works of art and achievements in any field which are
not mundane. That which contains genius. For instance the work of Albert
Einstein interests me. His “Theories of Relativity” and his approach to
problems appeals to my senses. Similarly the works of Sir Isaac Newton are very
inspiring. His work on the phenomena of Gravitation is awe-inspiring. In a
sense these are all stories. Albeit not in the world of literature. But in the
field of Theoretical Physics.
3.
The story
revolves around an aesthetic guy who is not accepted by others. Do you think
being into art has its own disadvantages?
Why Art? If one is “into” anything deeply he is at a
disadvantage in the world. In the material world one cannot truly immerse
oneself. One can surround oneself with materials and possessions alone and live
in a group. True immersion is possible in the world of imagination or
Speculative Philosophy. Novels, Art and the production of creative work in any
subject or field involves thinking.
Men who indulge in such passions are bound to appear different. They may
appear self-absorbed to their contemporaries. Such men are often called
eccentric. They are declared misfits in society.
4.
What
inspired you to write TCL?
I was inspired by my first love. My love for my cousin. That
is how this story idea germinated. The book also contains the difficulty that I
have faced in adapting to the world. Some writers who influenced me were the
Russian writers, Dostoevsky, Turgenev
and Lermontov. The German writer Goethe
who wrote, “The Sorrows of Young Werther”. I was also inspired by the art world
of Da Vinci and Michaelangelo. I got hooked to these famous Renaissance Artists
after reading “Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown.
5.
I would
never ask – Reading or Writing. They are both a lifeline of a writer. But what
genre do you prefer while reading/writing?
Initially when I discovered books, I used to read lot of
fiction. I enjoyed reading the Classics. Tales of mystery and adventure like
Treasure Island, The Three Musketeers, The Count of Monte Cristo. Later I
discovered Satire. I loved Gulliver Travels by Jonathan Swift, the brilliant
novels of Dickens, Tom Jones by Henry Fielding, Joseph Andrews and Pamella by
Samuel Richardson. Other broad genres
like History, Art, Theoretical Physics have also appealed to me. I have
realized that my reading tastes change with time.
6.
When did
you start writing? Which moment told you, “Yes, this is it! Writing is the
thing for me.”?
I discovered that I could write by accident. It is a quirk of
fate. I was always fond of reading books. I read lot of books during a period
of my life when I was unemployed. When I had secured my first job I was placed
in a project. However, not much work was assigned to me. During this period I
read ‘David Copperfield’ and ‘Great Expectation’ by Charles Dickens. I then
wrote my first novel titled “An Adolescent Mind”. Since then I have pursued the
dream of being a writer.
7.
“Let the
Voice take over.” A brilliant idea, first of all. Did this thought come in the
first draft or in the editing process?
This idea evolved after I had written the core of the novel.
After completing a manuscript I usually revisit it several times. I put in
‘editing effort’ while writing the novel itself. Of course thorough editing is
done many times after the novel is complete.
8.
Any new
story ideas waiting to get penned?
Yes, I have a few dreams. I would love to render them in the
form of literary works which have lasting value.
9.
The dreaded
one – Writer’s block. Are you immune from this bug or does it bite you, too?
Instead of the term “Writer’s block” I prefer to use the word
‘Challenge’. When a novel is begun there
are times when ideas and thoughts flow. There are also times when the ink goes
dry. One has to persist. And then finally the novel is complete. It’s like
climbing a mountain. With every chapter you develop a foothold and reach the
pinnacle. A writer’s block is the challenge that a writer faces while creating
a Literary work. It is no different from
the difficulties or challenges faced in any other realm by an individual. For instance, Einstein and Newton are known
to have suffered from nervous breakdowns in their lifetime. I believe this is
due to the application of “creative imagination” while producing works of genius.
10. Any second thoughts about TCL? Anything you think
could have been written differently?
Once I complete a novel, I am through with it. The story is
complete. It has been told. I move to the next story. In that sense TCL is
complete.
11. Ahem! Does negative criticism bother you? How do you
handle it?
Negative criticism of my novels does not bother me. Each
person in this world is entitled to a particular view and opinion. Their
opinions do not alter the quality of the work. For instance people may have different
views about the flower, Rose. Some may find it beautiful. Some may find it
fragrant. Some may like its color. Some may not. Some could find it
thorny. Yet all this does not change the
Rose itself. A Rose remains a Rose.
12. I’m intrigued. What other form of art do you love
other than writing?
I like to watch films. Listen to Music. Especially ghazals,
Indian film music, Western Classical Music.
13. There are many who’d like to be published. What would
be your word of advice for the aspiring authors?
Keep reading. Keep Writing. Keep submitting
manuscripts to Literary Agents and Publishers. It’s a long journey. Go out and
fulfill your dreams.
Thank you
for your time, Sir! Good luck for you future endeavors!
