Exclusive Interview With Best-selling Author Anurag Anand

Anurag Anand, a renowned author and scholar is back with his latest book ‘Of Tattoos and Taboos’. In conversation with Susmita Bose, the author speaks from his heart and tells us lots about his journey, his thoughts and his books.

Congratulations on the success of your latest novel “Of Tattoos and Taboos”. Are you relieved after seeing the response?

‘Relieved’ might not be the most appropriate word, excited perhaps! Yes, it is always a pleasure to read or hear comments that people have to make – good or bad – about something that you have toiled to create. And I am only glad that a majority of those who have read the book have nice things to say about it.

How difficult it is to deliver a best seller every time?  What transition does an author go through as he churns out one book after another?

Like in any other creative field, there is no sure-shot formula to writing a best seller (I so wish there was one though!) and other than the basic elements like plot, setting and characters, what differentiates a bestseller from the rest is the honesty with which an author approaches his/ her work. Honesty has a way of permeating into ones writing, evoking emotional reactions from the readers and increasing their engagement with the book.

As an author it is imperative that while working on a manuscript, one lives and breathes the story. You never know when and from where an interesting twist might suddenly emerge – while you are driving, bathing or even brushing your teeth – and if you miss it then, well, it becomes a missed opportunity.

You have written so many books in a short span of time covering various genres. What motivates you?

Clichéd as it may sound, the motivation clearly comes from the generous feedback one receives from the readers. It is an inexplicable high to see people talking about your stories and characters – making suggestions, passing judgments and in some or the other form, relating with them.

How would you describe the varied experiences of writing in so many genres—fiction, non-fiction, management, self-help?

Well, self-help is the genre I started my writing career with. It was only when I realized that we Indians are more receptive to a westerner preaching rather than one of our own (barring a few rare exceptions), perhaps a lingering characteristic from our imperialist past, that I decided to switch to fiction. I hope I am proven wrong on this and one immediate test for this hypothesis will be the commercial faring of Chetan Bhagat’s, What Young India Wants?, but I sure am glad to have advanced to fiction from self-help.

Anurag's 'The Quest for Nothing' was launched by Pritish Nandy, Gul Panag and Mini Mathur at Landmark

Writing fiction is definitely more satisfying creatively. It is a totally different experience to put on paper images you have conjured and plots you have woven vis-à-vis writing a factually correct (read ~ research intensive) and creatively constrained non-fiction book.

Coming back to your latest work, could you please tell us your thought behind this particular book?

Every day in our lives we come across people leading a life of duality – children who become diametrically opposite personalities in front of their parents to when they are with friends, husbands who behave differently when at home with their wives versus when out partying with colleagues, and so on and so forth. It is this pervasive duality of character that prompted me to write Of Tattoos and Taboos!

The book is the story of a small-town girl, Sejal Patel, her shift to Mumbai, and her subsequent transition into Sherlyn Ahuja, an archetypal image of a contemporary, big-city belle. The exciting twists and turns along this journey, the interesting characters she comes across, and her bitter-sweet experiences form the basic plot for the book.

What is your opinion about the standard of Indian writing in English?

I firmly believe that Indian writing in English has never even been close to the pedestal it occupies today. No matter how much the ‘literary pundits’ might persist with their bashing of the emerging breed of popular authors, I think they add a refreshing dimension to the literary scene of today by reaching out to new reader segments, by the affordable pricing of their works, and most importantly by keeping their writing simple (read ~ easy to comprehend) whereby making reading an entertaining engagement.

What is the best tip that you can give to aspiring authors?

There is no substitute for quality. If you have a story and you do a good job of putting it on paper, all else – the ever-elusive publishing contract, the bestseller tag, the newspaper interviews etc – shall follow.

Anurag Anand

What social message do you want to pass on to the readers through your books?

I think a good story is one that leaves the reader thinking about something that will have an impact on his or her life, howsoever miniscule that might be. And I approach all my works with this thought at the back of my mind.

So, while The Quest for Nothing leaves its readers contemplating about the right balance between their career aspirations and the seemingly insignificant aspects like personal life and family that often get left behind, The Legend of Amrapali aims to inspire them and drive home the point that adversity of circumstances does not necessarily spell defeat. Similarly, Of Tattoos and Taboos showcases the conflict between traditional morality and values and the glitzy lure of a life that comes with making some minor adjustments with them.

Is there any of your books you would like to rewrite? If so, why?

Each book that sees light of the day, rest assured, has been written and rewritten numerous times. So I wouldn’t say that I would like to rewrite any of my books all over again, but yes, as an author you do feel that certain segments or sections of a book could have been worded better. But again, as they say, the quest for perfection is a never-ending one.

Who are all the persons who have contributed to your books directly or indirectly?

The list is incredibly long and for the fear of missing out on some important names if I attempt to mention them all here, I will stick to only the most significant one – Neeru, my wife and my harshest critic.

Do tell us little bit about you. What interests do you have other than writing?

I am just a normal guy who hates Monday mornings (unless it turns out to be a national holiday), likes travelling, sleeping, reading and spending time with friends.

What kind of books do you like to read? Who are your favorite authors?

Member of Parliament, Shashi Tharoor launched Anurag's book 'The Legend of Amrapali' at Landmark

I like to read everything from Franz Kafka to Archie comics and my favorites keep changing as dramatically as the fortunes of the Indian cricket team. However, my current favorites will include Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Milan Kundera and Ashwin Sanghi.

Could you tell us something about your future plans? Have you started planning for your next book? What would be the topic?

Yes, I am currently working on a couple of manuscripts. One of them is a period story while the other is a contemporary one, but it is too early to say as to which of the two will make it to the finishing line first.

You spent a lot of time in hostels during your academic life. Did it help somehow to evolve into an author?

Most certainly! Hostel life not only introduces you to a plethora of characters (a selection of which you will find in my book Reality Bites) but also hones your observation skills. As an author this has equipped me with a rich reservoir to draw from while weaving my plots and populating them with characters.

Do tell us briefly about your journey from being a Banker to an Author.

Well, I continue to be both a Banker and an Author, so it will qualify more for a balancing act rather than a journey. Banking is my career while writing is my passion, so I am not complaining till the time I am able to do justice to both.

Do you have any message for the readers of Spectralhues ?

Thank you for bearing with me.

And if you do happen to read a book in the near future, do try and take out a couple of minutes to share your feedback with the author. You never know how valuable those few lines you write could prove. In case the book, by some pleasant twist of fate, turns out to be mine, you can reach me on contact@anuraganand.in or http://www.facebook.com/anuraganandauthor

Thanks for your time, Anurag! We shall meet again. Wish you all the best for your future endeavours.

• About the Author

About Sprightly Spirit

“I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares more is none”. And all, may be. It may be the vigor. Or the spirit. Or the courage to avoid being “politically correct” or bent. And, ban all averse with immaculate overture of graciously fathomable words firm in views. Subtle. Justifying the undying conscience. Values. Knowledge. And, dares to stay true. True to own. True to the world. And, to the words. With a dream in eyes it exists. In you. In me. In all. The sprite that never shies away. The spirit that never dies!