Q:
How did the idea to write a short story
or novel pop up?
In
the initial phase, I started writing for cinema. As I never got an opening in
the field, I switched to the field of writing fiction only as a substitute. It
was always my plan B.
Q:
Could you please share your experience
on bagging Kerala Sahitya Akademi’s award?
I felt happy about the Akademi award. I was
never over excited like others or what people think. When I shared the cover
page of this short story collection in fb, I was criticized, trolled and
humiliated for my comment that I will achieve Akademi award with the
publication of my first five books. People might not say so. I don’t know. It
was just a calculation of me about myself and my writing. When our calculations
big or small turn out to be a reality, we feel happy. Mine is a self published
collection with limited copies. It was
nowhere in most of the book stores. I feel happy when I think my book has
represented and inspired many aspiring writers who are denied the opportunities
to come to the limelight and who are not fortunate to publish their works.
Q:
What did the process of writing Neelachadayan
teach you?
I
was always trying to be creative in my life. I was collecting some materials
for my writing all my life. I write with the same seriousness even now after
the publication. I never thought I would get a chance to come and exist in the
field of writing. Almost 13 publishers rejected my Neelachadayan and I
had to end up in self publication with limited copies. I faced a lot of hardships in the process. Many books of good
quality produced during this time ( far better than my fiction)are seen nowhere
now, I feel. There are lot many things beyond the quality of the work. What I
learnt from my experience is to give an extra 30 or 50 percent effort while in
the workshop of writing rather than in the phase of marketing.
Q: Your token of advice to the aspiring writers?
