Siddharth Tripathi's Blog - Posts Tagged "coming-of-age"
Author Interview in Businessworld
http://www.businessworld.in/en/storyp...
Why this book? And why do you think should a reader pick up this book?
I grew up in Banaras, a city that revels in its dichotomy. As a teenager I was surrounded by very interesting, colourful people and was witness to funny, often bizarre events. I left the city in the late 1990s but the city, its people and their stories never left me – I knew it was something I would write about someday. Also, the coming-of-age genre is a bit unexplored in India. The angst, confusion and loss of innocence that typifies the transition from adolescence to adulthood – I wanted to capture that.
One book blogger mentioned in his review of The Virgins: "The book grips you so well that you just can’t put it down."
The story isn’t typical of what you would expect from a coming-of-age story about three teenagers – it’s a small town story and the events and characters are authentic and funny in an unexpected way. Also, Banaras, in most novels I have come across, is depicted as an exotic, spiritual city. A few others would look at it as decrepit and rotting from the inside. I have attempted to look at the city differently – like a weird, funny, eccentric old man with a split personality.
What does the book mean to you?
If I had to write one book, this would be it.
How difficult was it to put the book together?
I started writing this book sometime in November 2011. I soon realised that it can’t be done along with a regular job. I quit my day job as a consultant. I finished the book in about 7 months. Those were difficult times. Very few people believed in my potential as a writer or the market worthiness of this book. They thought I was a fool to have taken a break from a promising career to write.
Tell us about your writing schedules. When and where do you write?
I follow a fixed routine when I am writing. I write for 3-4 hours in a day and then I do a first round edit of what I have written the same day in the evening. I leave 1-2 days in a week to just make notes, doodle, think about the novel – everything else but write.
What’s your energy drink?
Tea, UP style. The milky, sugary, ginger laden concoction that tea connoisseurs love to hate.
What makes a book a really good read or a bestseller?
A well told story is important. The rest of the code hasn’t been cracked yet.
What's the hardest thing about being a writer?
Living in two worlds at the same time – the world of your novel and the characters in it; and the ‘real’ world – with buffaloes jumping on your windshield and people telling you what to do all the time. It’s a difficult balance.
How did you find a publisher for your book considering this is your debut novel?
I finished the first part of the book (around 80 pages) and sent it to a literary agent along with a brief synopsis. He found me a publisher who believed in this book. However, I don’t think getting an agent is necessary. Indian publishers are more than happy to consider manuscripts sent by e-mail and/or hard copy.
What are you reading now?
Journey to the End of the Night by Louis-Ferdinand Celine
Ebooks or paper format?
I prefer paper. No particular aversion to ebooks though.
So, what’s next?
I’m working on my second novel. This one is going to take longer to write.
Why this book? And why do you think should a reader pick up this book?
I grew up in Banaras, a city that revels in its dichotomy. As a teenager I was surrounded by very interesting, colourful people and was witness to funny, often bizarre events. I left the city in the late 1990s but the city, its people and their stories never left me – I knew it was something I would write about someday. Also, the coming-of-age genre is a bit unexplored in India. The angst, confusion and loss of innocence that typifies the transition from adolescence to adulthood – I wanted to capture that.
One book blogger mentioned in his review of The Virgins: "The book grips you so well that you just can’t put it down."
The story isn’t typical of what you would expect from a coming-of-age story about three teenagers – it’s a small town story and the events and characters are authentic and funny in an unexpected way. Also, Banaras, in most novels I have come across, is depicted as an exotic, spiritual city. A few others would look at it as decrepit and rotting from the inside. I have attempted to look at the city differently – like a weird, funny, eccentric old man with a split personality.
What does the book mean to you?
If I had to write one book, this would be it.
How difficult was it to put the book together?
I started writing this book sometime in November 2011. I soon realised that it can’t be done along with a regular job. I quit my day job as a consultant. I finished the book in about 7 months. Those were difficult times. Very few people believed in my potential as a writer or the market worthiness of this book. They thought I was a fool to have taken a break from a promising career to write.
Tell us about your writing schedules. When and where do you write?
I follow a fixed routine when I am writing. I write for 3-4 hours in a day and then I do a first round edit of what I have written the same day in the evening. I leave 1-2 days in a week to just make notes, doodle, think about the novel – everything else but write.
What’s your energy drink?
Tea, UP style. The milky, sugary, ginger laden concoction that tea connoisseurs love to hate.
What makes a book a really good read or a bestseller?
A well told story is important. The rest of the code hasn’t been cracked yet.
What's the hardest thing about being a writer?
Living in two worlds at the same time – the world of your novel and the characters in it; and the ‘real’ world – with buffaloes jumping on your windshield and people telling you what to do all the time. It’s a difficult balance.
How did you find a publisher for your book considering this is your debut novel?
I finished the first part of the book (around 80 pages) and sent it to a literary agent along with a brief synopsis. He found me a publisher who believed in this book. However, I don’t think getting an agent is necessary. Indian publishers are more than happy to consider manuscripts sent by e-mail and/or hard copy.
What are you reading now?
Journey to the End of the Night by Louis-Ferdinand Celine
Ebooks or paper format?
I prefer paper. No particular aversion to ebooks though.
So, what’s next?
I’m working on my second novel. This one is going to take longer to write.
Blogger Book Review: Yatin Gupta, Vivek Tejuja, Modern Gypsy
Here are the links to some more reviews of the book
Modern Gypsy
http://peddlerofdreams.wordpress.com/...
Vivek Tejuja's Review
http://thehungryreader.wordpress.com/...
Yatin Gupta's Review
http://iyatingupta.com/book-review-th...
Modern Gypsy
http://peddlerofdreams.wordpress.com/...
Vivek Tejuja's Review
http://thehungryreader.wordpress.com/...
Yatin Gupta's Review
http://iyatingupta.com/book-review-th...
The Virgins Flash Fiction Contest
Here's a chance to talk about your favorite city -- your hometown, the city you went to college in, the place where you live now...
Presenting The Virgins Flash fiction contest...for details click here -
http://thetalespensieve.com/2013/06/3...
Presenting The Virgins Flash fiction contest...for details click here -
http://thetalespensieve.com/2013/06/3...
