A Corporate Communication & PR Professional-turned-author, Sujata Rajpal interacted with Spectralhues.com regarding her writing journey, her book, short stories and importantly, her views on marital rape, which the Apex Court has refused to consider as a criminal offence.
Was it difficult for a PR professional like you to turn into a full-time author?
I started my corporate journey a little late in life. I found myself competing with people who were ten years younger than me in age but more experienced and skilled than I. I had a lot to catch up with. I was expected to know everything which put me on the path of self-discovery, and I realized that I enjoyed writing the most.
Moreover as a part of my job as head of corporate communications & PR for an IT MNC, I was the Editor in Chief of in- house newsletter and as a result a major part of my job involved lots of writing even though quite different from writing a novel. Interacting with people from all walks of life also gave me tremendous exposure and to an extent that I saw a potential character in every person that I met, on a lighter note. After working for twelve years, I happily took a decision to become a full time author.
How long does it take for you to complete writing a book?
For my first book it took me five years to finish from the inception of idea to releasing
. This includes 1.5 years of publishing time. I would have taken lesser time if I would have worked on the complete characterization and plot outline of the book before I got down to writing, which meant I had to rework on my plot midway which involved a lot of rewriting. Of course I also had to balance between me as an author and my responsibility towards my family.
Your book focuses on marital violence. So, what is your take on the rejection of marital rape as a criminal offence by the Supreme Court?
It is unfortunate that marital rape as a criminal offence is rejected by the Supreme Court. Sex without consent is called rape so just because it happens within four walls of the house, it should not be brushed away as the couple’s personal matter. Marital violence is infringement of woman’s fundamental right to life with dignity under Article 21. Marital rape should be a criminal offence. SC might have rejected this now but sooner or later, the Indian society will become liberal enough to think progressively.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
One of my writing quirks is while writing, I get so much involved in the scenes and characters that I start going through the emotions experienced by the characters. While writing The Other End of the Corridor, interestingly at some point I started living a dual life- the life of Leela and the life of Sujata the person.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
This is my first piece of fiction. I have never written fiction before. I always thought that I don’t have the knack of imagination, and fiction writing is all about imagination and creativity. So writing this book with lots of unpredictable twists and turns taught me that we all can learn if we get on to the task at hand and get a good grip on the process.
Were you nervous about how people would react to your book as ‘The Other End of the Corridor’ was your first book?
I was not at all nervous. I got my manuscript edited and reviewed by professional editors and reviewers to ensure a touch of professionalism to the book. Publishing a book and making it available to the public to read puts the author in the spotlight for good and bad reasons. People will have different opinions. The readers not only judge your work but they also judge you as a person, as a writer and as a thinker. The feedback should be taken in one’s stride.
How did readers react to your book?
The book has been received well and I am fortunate to get good reviews. Readers have been generous in their feedback. I am quite humbled by the response. While reading the book, the readers feel connected to the characters; the characters seem real to them though they are fictional characters. There cannot be a bigger compliment than this for a debut author.
Ideas don’t always pop in to a person’s brain. How do you battle writing block?
When I am hit by a writer’s block, I stop thinking that I am looking for an offbeat idea. I start reading books on similar themes. I make a note of ideas which portray a potential to be developed.
What should we expect from your next book?
I am still working on the plot for my next novel. Though a big publishing house wants me to work on a nonfiction work, I am hooked to fiction writing now. The entire storyline is not yet finalized so I am not in a position to talk about it in detail but it will again be a women oriented book but for sure it will have no similarities with the first one as I want to work on a different theme.
Any word of advice for all the aspiring authors out there?
For sure, there are gifted writers but writing is like any other skill which can be acquired and honed with practice. I always believed that I cannot write fiction but when I started writing, it just happened. All you wannabe authors out there, just start putting your thoughts on paper, edit, rewrite, edit, rewrite … until you feel satisfied. The more you do, the better you become. Reading is an essential part of writing. Observe how other authors express emotions, describe scenes and inject life into characters. Also read a few unpopular books to understand the don’ts of writing. I also believe that it is alright to be unclear at times as long as you stay focused, because clarity does emerge like break of a sunny day.
Tags: Sujata Rajpal The Other End of the Corridor
