Author Interview with Balakarthiga. M
Hey, guys, I am here with an author interview. Balakarthiga. M is my dear friend and the author of Butterfly Met Hurricane, one of the best books to come out this year. While many people are raving about Circe, Latitudes of Longing, Half The Night Is Gone, etcetera, I would like to rave about this book. This story is an intense emotional drama with well fleshed-out characters. There is love, friendship, and betrayal. As you read the book, you’d come to hate one of the characters that you’d just want to kill him. No other book has ever brought out such a grey character. Overall, this book deals with the darkness that is found in each one of us. And it is the perfect ode to mother-daughter relationship. You can check my review of this book here: Butterfly Met Hurricane – Review by Kavya Janani. U
So, let’s have a candid chat with Balakarthiga, the coffee-addict, Potterhead, and Rahmaniac, and find out more about this book and her upcoming projects.
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Kavya: How long did it take before you zeroed in on the title ‘Butterfly Met Hurricane?
Bala: Quite a while, actually. For a very long time, the working title of the manuscript was First Impressions. Finally, it was sometime in 2017 that I arrived at the title Butterfly Met Hurricane.
Kavya: Your favourite character from the book?
Bala: Rana, of course. And Indira!
Kavya: Which character was the hardest to write?
Bala: Indira.
I was extremely nervous about bringing in a character who never says anything, or interacts with the main characters, but is a very silent and important spectator of the calamity unleashed between the hurricane and the butterfly.
Kavya: What is your opinion on fidelity in relationships?
Bala: Personally, I strongly believe that all relationships in life – be it family, friends or romantic – faithfulness and sincerity are the highest things.
Kavya: Do you believe in the concept of falling out of love?
Bala: Yes. It exists. And it’s such a beautiful thing. It’s like that miraculous cure to a long term sickness.
Kavya: This question might sound cliched, but I am really curious. The inspiration behind this book?
Bala: The people around me. Millenials, in particular.
Kavya: What is your favourite mode of writing?
Bala: Laptop. I am team technology.
Kavya: Any writer pet peeves?
Bala: Perfect characters.
Kavya: Name five of your favourite authors and the best work written by them.
Bala: John Green – Turtles All The Way Down
Ashwin Sangi – Keepers of the Kaalachakra
Jane Austen – Northanger Abbey
HG Wells – The War of the Worlds
Agatha Christie – Endless Night
Kavya: Do you outline the entire plot before you start writing?
Bala Yes!!! I am a very religious outliner. I write down what happens at each chapter, and spend at least 7 days on it, before I start writing the novel.
Kavya: This is a tough cookie and it’s not related to writing. List out just five A.R.Rahman songs that you think everyone should listen.
Bala: Malargal Kaettaen.
Aaruyire.
Urvasi Urvasi.
Mazhai Kuruvi.
Mannipaaya.
Kavya: Something about your upcoming projects?
Bala: I am writing another contemporary and a historical fiction. I’m not sure which one will be published yet, but I’ll let you know soon.
Another current project I’m very excited about is a collection of short stories, I’m writing with some of the most inspiring writers I’ve been lucky to know. I miss writing short stories, and I’m so happy that I get to do that again!
Kavya: From when did you start writing? What was your first story?
Bala: I think I was in 4th grade. I wrote my first story for my school magazine, Lakshmi Darpan. I’m too embarrassed to tell the story here, so please excuse me!
That was a really interesting talk session with Balakarthiga. I am sure that you’d all love the book as much as I loved it. Here’s the link to get your copy in Amazon: Butterfly Met Hurricane by Balakarthiga. M
I will meet you all with another blog post soon. Keep reading!
Loads of love,
Kavya Janani. U
