"A Rose remains a Rose."

I am in an interview with I.R. Shankar, the author of An Adolescent Mind and True Colors of Love.

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!

NaNoWriMo: Nine things I knew not

                                          
I became a first-time Wrimo this year when I signed up for the 30-day challenge that NaNoWriMo motivates one to take. This was, however, not my first time at deadline writing and definitely not my last one. As much as I enjoyed this thrilling ride with my Wrimo-friends and my own characters, I must say, the past four weeks have shown me enough of my own meddlesome virtues and prosaic dramas. 

You have to write at least 50,000 insane words of your novel in 30 days which gives you no time for research in between, in case you want an excuse to stray. 

You don’t consult with people, for the more you consult, the more confused you will be. You don’t let anyone read it, for you know it in your heart that none can understand your twisted plot but you. You can’t delay - the more you delay, well, the more you will delay. You can’t quit, for if you quit, you will forever regret it. All you do is finish all the superficial worldly work and write. You write and write and write each day.


Writing like a maniac and observing other Wrimos for the past 29 days has made me realize a few things. 


Your plot will seem to be your BEST idea ever… just for the first week, though. Your October will be spent in thinking about your story, your characters, their names, their backgrounds, their choices, their principles. Mighty prep, I tell you! The first few days of November-writing are cool but then will come a time when you will wonder about other ways of punishing yourself and chuck Nano altogether ‘cause it’s too damn austere. 

NB: Don’t let go of that story. It might be the worst thing ever written in the history of literature but just carry on. The day you finish it, you’ll be proud of that same silly piece that you wrote despite all those evil voices that cheered you to quit.


There will exist a killing relation between time and you. People procrastinate. Writers are people. Writers procrastinate. Deductive logic!
When you plan on writing your novel each day for, say two hours, do consider the time you’ll happily spend with the lovely internet and your pets and your daydreams and the internet again. You wicked master of words, accept it… you just need a reason to kill time. Even the guy with the best schedule will procrastinate.

NB: If you want, you can disallow yourself the pleasures of procrastination, there are articles at your service. Read and apply!


Writing a book is NOT easy. Even if you have millions of story ideas and your craft of expressing through words is beguiling, I feel very sad to break this out to you but writing a novel is not a cakewalk. I guess, I’d never be able to give a one-star to any of the books I read from now on just for the fact that their authors took the plunge and finished it. Well, okay, I will, if it’s too bad but you get the point. Having ideas is not the hard part, the hard part is to start and finish.

NB: Don’t let it bog you down. In the words of David Viscott, “If you could get up the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed.” 

Every word matters. No matter how large the fonts are, the number of words will not increase till you type them down. Of course, this is common sense but I was so pissed off by this universal fact that it just needed a mention here, didn’t it?

NB: Write!


Bet on writing those 1667 words ‘every day’ and you’ll lose. One can plan to write everyday but it is not the same as actually sitting down to type those words out. There will be times when you’ll not know what dialogues to write, what conflict to add, which scene to focus on, which way to execute, or maybe just how to stop the darn Facebook. Each delay that you make will strike back like a furious girlfriend. 

NB: You don’t really need to beautify anything. For now, just write!


November is anything but novel. November is not noble enough to let you write your pretty novel. It is the time of festivals. Gah! Society summons you, cleanliness calls you, your blanket beckons you and the internet invites you. Pretty valid reasons to keep your novel aside and excuse yourself. But, my friend, your novel needs you, too.

NB: If November is a month of distractions and responsibilities, so is every other month of the year. Celebrations or no celebrations, you have work to do.


Your inner editor is an ardent follower of your work. It is the capricious Tigger that will spring back and forth no matter how earnestly you try to shoo him off. Editing is not for November. November is for writing. You write and you benevolently give your inner editor a 30 days leave. Even if that snarky mister wants to hang out with you, you should know how to deal with him.

NB: A She inner editor is a tougher case to handle than a He. 


You will want to quit… many times. Believe me when I say this but I wanted to break free of this ordeal almost each day of this month. I had to, in fact, promise myself some lavish chocolates and what-nots to keep writing. It’s undoubtedly tough to prepare for exams and do the Diwali chores and attend the Facebook notifications and, to top it all, create a whole new world and decide its dimensions and practicality all at the same time. Phew! Are people listening? Writers command respect. Now, don’t they?

NB: No, no, no! Do not quit! It’s easy to throw in the towel. Trust me, the first draft of your manuscript will give you more joy than you ever would have thought. Stay focused to experience that joy.


If you really want to do it, then you will. Despite all odds(and I don’t care if this sounds cliché) but despite all odds, you’ll achieve it if you decide it in your heart. That is why it is said, “It’s not about can you, but will you.”

NB: Neil Gaiman worded it for you, “This is how you do it: you sit down at the keyboard and you put one word after another until it’s done. It's that easy, and that hard.”

Whatever your word counts are, all you people who dared to step out of your comfort zones to fetch that coveted purple ribbon, you are no less than those managers that work in top-notch companies... rather, I'd say, you are better. You manage the chaos each flaming day without going to any B-School yet with such aplomb that you deserve a Masters in Time Management. 

Kudos! Go, flaunt your progress!

@Camp NanoWrimo

 

Courtesy

It’s the first day

Of the next 31 to come,

The stories in my psyche

All race to get the lead.

I choose one to be penned.

For the August camp

@Camp NanoWrimo

Emotions bristle

Finding some rare corners

to start the marathon

that shall go on forever.

To touch some life, somewhere

I’ll add: it all began

@Camp NanoWrimo.

I’ll indite 50000 words

of a new life, a new world

They follow a trajectory

of love, life and loss.

My protagonist talks of her plight

While I enjoy the drive

@Camp NanoWrimo

The usual talkses go on

Till it’s late at night

I advise we bid farewell

To unite again in dreams

And none shall falter

Till we gather ‘round the gleam

@Camp NanoWrimo.

Written for: Kerry's Wednesday Challenge ~ Running the Brush

[It said, "Think of new ways to introduce poetical flair into every day examples of writing: the diary, the memo, the “to do” list, the email." This is a new form I've tried with the sign '@Camp NanoWrimo' at the end of each stanza.]

Shared with: Vice Versa - #9 and Three Word Wednesday

[Vice Versa gave - Follow/Lead & Usual/Rare]

[3 WW gave - Emotion, falter, touch]