AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Interview with V. S. Sarath Chandran, the author of "Random Portraits"

Greetings, Sarath.

Hope you are doing well. Let me begin the interview.

Can you tell us about yourself?

Yes, I am doing fine, thank you. I am a freelance writer and editor and a former newsman who has worked for a few well-known English newspapers. I live in Bangalore with my wife, Nisha, a bank employee, and my son, Varun, who is doing his 12th. I went to school and college in Trivandrum, Kerala, graduating with an MA in English Literature and Language from the University of Kerala's Institute of English, in 1987.

When did you first start writing?

Well, it was during my first job as a copy-editor, which was at the Indian Express, that I started writing. But I didn't publish much, and was happy to continue as a copy-editor during my newspaper days, only editing articles and not writing many original pieces.

Do you remember what you wrote first?

I think I wrote a couple of articles for the Indian Express. But I don't remember much about them. A few years later, in 1995, I wrote a light-hearted piece for a column called "Business Banter" for Financial Express, after the launch of the Kochi edition of the newspaper in 1995. This is one article I clearly remember writing, because I received compliments from my boss, a well-known journalist and author.

Can you share with us what the article was about?

It was about a top company official who had checked into a hotel in Japan. During checkout, this person tries to steal a nice ashtray from his room by packing it in his luggage. At the reception, even as he is paying the bill, the hotel staff gives him a gift-wrapped package, saying "Sir, you seem to like our ashtrays very much. Here, please take one more as a small gift from us"! They had already noticed that the ashtray in the room was gone.

I was very lazy when it came to writing, but my boss, a journalist and author, told me I had better contribute to that day's column, giving me just two hours to write the piece. He quite liked the piece and I was thrilled.

How did you get interested in writing?

Even during my school days I was very much interested in writing. I was not a very good student, but I was deeply passionate about the English language and used to look forward to the English period. Among all my subjects, I routinely scored the highest in English composition.

Who are your favourite authors? Why?

I have always loved O. Henry, Jeffrey Archer, John Grisham, Roald Dahl, Khushwant Singh, and Rohinton Mistry, to name only a few. The simple reason is that their books are pure entertainment in content and style.

How was your experience as an editor?

Should we really talk about this! You see, a copy-editor's job is a behind-the-scenes job. Often, it is both back-breaking and heart-breaking. I wouldn't say it is an entirely thankless job, though you don't ever see your name in print. But now and then, you do receive a compliment from writers and reporters for improving their copy. Of course, there is also a small salary.

Tell us about your book.

It is a good idea to spoil all the suspense? Random Portraits is a collection of stories that have an element of both real life and fiction. The seed for each story was provided by people and situations around me. I have tried to develop the real-life people/situations into stories that are part real and part fiction.

What is the reason behind choosing this title?

Imagine a photographer or painter on the footpath, taking snapshots or drawing portraits of people passing by. Each story in Random Portraits is like one of these snapshots/portraits. The stories show a few moments in the lives of ordinary people as they go about their daily business.

What is the purpose of writing this book?

Well, you can say it was an ego trip, the writing and publishing of the book! Seriously, though, the purpose is to tell the stories of some interesting people around me and their lives. These are simple narrations and there is no great intrigue involved. Some light entertainment, that's all what this is about.

Is this your debut book?

Yes, it is.

Is this a fiction or inspired by real life?

As I said earlier, Random Portraits is a collection of stories that have an element of real life. The seed for each story was provided by situations around me. I developed the real-life situations into stories that are part real and part fiction. Some have more fiction that a real-life element and vice versa.

Your views on life?

Live and let live!

Who has been your inspiration?

Many writers that I have read have inspired me, of course. But one or two writers that I know personally have inspired me the most. As a part of the newspaper world, I was lucky to see really good writers at work. I shouldn't fail to also mention one of my English teachers in school who first introduced me to the joys of reading and writing English.

What is your passion?

I enjoy reading, writing, watching films, spending time with my family, and listening to music. Oh, and I shouldn't forget to add "good vegetarian food".

How do you feel when you write?

Writing and editing are like yoga to me . . . those are also the only yoga I know and practice. When I write or edit, my mind seldom wanders, and I'm fully, one hundred percent involved.

What are your other hobbies?

I love to watch feature films and documentaries on Netflix and YouTube and particularly enjoy films and books with true crime or humour as the theme.

How was your publishing journey with Blue Rose Publishers?

Quite good.

When can we expect your next book?

Do we really need to warn our readers! Well, let's see. Writing is simpler to me than finding what to write about. So unless I have excellent material to write about, I may not start writing. I have, through my writing and editing agency, Editniche, launched a project to record the biographies or memoirs of people who would like to tell their life stories. I am also working on the corporate histories of companies. So hopefully, my next book will be related to this project. Of course, I would really enjoy writing a whodunit.

Where can readers connect to you?

I am available by email: [email protected].

A few words you would like to say to your readers.

Thank you for your time! Do let me know whether the book was worth it.

Finally, a few words of advice for budding writers?

First, find out whether writing is your thing. Seek out an experienced writer or editor you know personally and ask the question whether you have talent. What is the response to your writing from friends and colleagues? Get a frank answer. If you get a negative answer, just move on. There may be other things you are very good at. Pursue those interests.

Thank you for your time, Sarath, . . . all the best for your future endeavours.

Thank you!

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