Writing is a discipline, a meditation: Krishna Udayasankar

dna presents a unique opportunity for aspiring authors to exhibit their creativity and knack of storytelling. All creative stories tucked in notepads, inside closets and saved in secret folders in gadgets will now have a platform to bring them into the open. The stories will now meet the eyes of an interesting jury including reputed authors from Hachette. What’s more? The winning entry will be published by Hachette.

dna thus invites aspiring authors and interested writers to send in a detailed synopsis, along with three sample chapters or not less than 5000 words, of their work. Writing in any genre is welcome. The winning entry will be published and distributed by Hachette India and dna will track the entire the book upto its launch in 2014.

Krishna Udayasankar is a graduate of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, and holds a PhD in Strategic Management from the Nanyang Business School, Singapore, where she presently works as a lecturer. Govinda, Krishna's bestselling debut novel and the first in The Aryavarta Chronicles series of mytho-historical novels, received critical acclaim. She is also the author of Objects of Affection, a full-length collection of poetry (Math Paper Press, 2013) and is an editor of Body Boundaries: The Etiquette Anthology of Women's Writing (The Literary Centre, Forthcoming, 2013). When she is not watching Rajinikanth movies first-day, first-show, complete with applause and whistles, or hanging out with her fictional characters, Krishna can be found with her family, which includes two book-loving Siberian Huskies, Boozo and Zana.

What got you interested in writing? What is your major source of inspiration? 

I have been writing since childhood. Apparently, when I was asked the all important ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?” question, my reply was: “A writer. Or an astronaut.” So I’ve no clue what it was that began it all, but I guess my love for reading had something to do with it.

As for inspiration – it comes from everywhere, the past and the present, the real and the imaginary. Usually it is a need to explain things - be it social phenomena or individual behavior - that drives me to write. For example, mytho-history is a way of understanding the social and moral fabric of the society we live in; why things are the way they are. Writing is my way of making sense of the world around me.

Which book are you reading right now? Can you suggest a couple of good books you've read lately?

 I am way behind on my reading, so have just picked up Neil Gaiman’s Ocean at the End of the Lane. Am also reading Sultana’s Dream by Rokeya Shakawat Hussain. I’d definitely recommend both of them, though they are of completely different genres. I am also re-reading Jim Crace’s Quarantine.

Do you have a particular routine when you write? What sets you apart as a writer?

Routine: no, not really. I’ve heard other writers talk about how the mood or opportunity to write can be hard to find, and so decided that I wanted to be able to write anywhere, anytime.

As for what sets me apart …hmm, this is a list that has changed over time. I used to say that it was the intensity of research that I put into my books, I’ve also said, that it is because word-smithy - the craft of writing - is as important to me as the logical consistency of the plot and the appeal of the story I tell. I realise now that this is a learning-curve, and I’m glad to grow as a writer. At this moment, I think what sets me apart is that I am novelist and poet both, and that brings a unique style to my writing. I’d also say it is my passion for writing, but that is not really a distinguishing factor – passion is something every author has.

Who is your favourite author, what is it that really strikes you about their work? 

Its tough to name just one! There’s Herman Hesse, Rudyard Kipling, Isaac Asimov, Kalki Krishnamurthy, JRR Tolkien and Bill Watterson too. I’ve been a fan of those who’ve brought worlds to life. And then, there are poets on the list too, from Subramania Bharati to William Blake and Wisława Szymborska, who play with words in sublime ways.

Who do you think is India's greatest living writer, and why?

 Whoa, this is a tough one! I am not sure I have the standing to comment on those I aspire to call my peers. But I will say that if I am often amazed by the novelty and boldness of regional language writers, and think there is an entire world of literature that remains to be discovered, within India.

What challenges did you face when breaking into the field? Do those challenges go away when you publish your first novel?

To be honest, I’ve had a very easy ride as compared to many others out there. My agent – Ms. Jayapriya Vasudevan of Jacaranda signed me on when I had 30 pages. That made it easier for me to focus on writing and not worry about what would happen next: I don’t think the submit-and-pray strategy would have worked for me. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, along came Hachette India. The entire team, beginning with my superwoman-editor Ms. Poulomi Chatterjee, made me feel like a star from day one. Their faith in my work was unbelievable, and they backed me all the way… I’ve heard publishing horror stories, but my experience has been a dream-come-true. And it just gets better with every book I publish with them!

What do you think of Indian writing at present and particularly the fact that practically anybody is writing a book these days.

Writing is communication, it is expression, and I think its great that self-publishing, blogs and other means allow for everyone to share their thoughts. But at the same time, it bothers me that we are letting mediocrity become the new normal, by not expecting those who want to be authors to work harder at their craft. There is a difference between writing and storytelling, and that is often lost these days.

Would you want any of your books adapted into films: If yes, by whom and who would you want as actors? 

It’s tough to say. I’m not averse to the idea of adaptation into film, but I really haven’t thought about the actors or film-makers who might be involved. My characters are real as they can be in my head, in terms of looks, voice, behaviour, so I have never really thought of who might play them on-screen.

What do you think about our initiative 'dna next best seller'? What are looking for in the next bestseller?

I think it is a great idea! The world of publishing is a very daunting place these days, and competitive and business pressures have raised the stakes for everyone. In these times, budding authors could do well with a fillip, a motivation to work towards something.

What I look for in the next bestseller: Smooth writing and good wordplay used to tell a gripping story, and if possible, bring another world to life. I do believe that the time has come for good writing to take its place as the norm, and not some superior exception. Gone are the days where bestseller meant potboiler, or literary writing could not enjoy commercial success.

Can you give the budding writers out there some words of advice on writing and breaking into the field? 

Write with honesty. Write with passion and love. Writing is a discipline, a meditation: treat the art with the respect that it deserves, but never be afraid to question or challenge boundaries. Write for yourself; write because to keep those words within you is to betray yourself, but remember that to let them out is worse betrayal still. Write as you breathe, sometimes consciously, sometimes instinctively, but like it would kill you to stop. Write.