Author Highlight: Rajesh Iyer Discusses his New Book ‘Spinner of the Twisted Tale’ and Stories from his Life

We are back with another author interview. Today, with us, we have Rajesh – the author of ‘Spinner of the Twisted Tale’. In this interview, Rajesh talks about his writing aspirations, the route to getting his book published, and his inclination towards storytelling. Stay on...while we chat with him.

What motivates you to write and how long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing for over two decades now; as a scriptwriter for TV series, newspaper and magazine articles, a few films scripts that are under production, apart from three novels and two children’s story books. Besides being an editor and having commissioned over 500 books (mostly children’s), I was thankfully always surrounded by stories.

To answer about motivation, well to me stories mean much more than mere entertainment. That is something the protagonist Nalini feels and professes in this latest book. They are the life force; an unseen connect that binds everything together. So, logically, when you’re surrounded by stories—outside as well in your mind—writing comes as a natural offshoot.

How did you feel when you publish a book or novel is written by you?

Ecstatic. For manifold reasons. One, to be brutally honest, vanity. Your name in print, seen by thousands, even beyond the close circle of friends and family is exhilarating. Two, sheer delight to see the story that was in your mind taking such a fine shape. Three, the feeling that you’re able to connect with complete strangers and realizing that they understand and empathize with your thoughts.

The fact that my first novel, ‘Evading the Shadows: A fictional spy thriller set during the Mahabharata’ became Amazon # 1 bestseller in historical fiction, hot new release and among Top 10 books at Sapna Bookstores was testimony that I was on the right track.

Are you a prolific storyteller or story listener? What are some of your favourite novels and authors?

Both.  Avid listener, as well as a storyteller. And a greedy one at that. More stories, the merrier it is. I dig all kinds of books, though literature background in academics fine-tunes your choices. Some favourites (that’s actually difficult after thousands of books) are: ‘Mahabharata’ by Veda Vyasa, ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee, ‘Mrityunjay’ by Shivaji Sawant (it’s originally in Marathi; I read the Hindi translation), ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, ‘Samskara’ by U.R. Ananthamurthy (originally in Kannada; I read the English translation), ‘Krishna: The Man and His Philosophy’ by Rajneesh (Osho), to name a few.

What inspired you to write this book? Any tales to tell…

Very strange stories around this book. To begin with, I don’t know the inspiration. The story just came to me, I merely chronicled it (it’s mentioned in the first page of the book). I think universe simply chose me to write this book. Many reasons to believe so. One, I’d not written with such unsparing discipline before. It sounds incredulous (even to me) that I wrote nearly 1,40,000 words (the original size of the draft) in just one and half months. This along with a day job, mind you. Then to have 37 short stories inside the main story was also mind-numbing. But it simply flowed and I was just receiving it. But what takes the cake is a revelation that happened many years after finishing the first draft (that was in 2011). I was told by my uncle about certain events that took place in the family that had uncanny resemblance to what I’d mentioned in the book, without any inkling about them. It was spooky when I heard it, but I think it’s divine. Very surreal.

Where do you write from? Do you go to some specific place, like beachside or into the hills?

Mostly at home. Sometimes at one of the cafes I frequent nearby, but those far and few in between. No exotic beaches, haunted hills or secluded island for me. Sorry for breaking the stereotypes and disappointing some!

What was your biggest learning experience throughout the writing process?

That you must listen… and listen intently. There’s so much abuzz around you and in your head that examination and/or counter-thoughts could spoil it. Catch the pristine thoughts as much as you can in its native form, without colouring them with your conditioning and prejudices (that’s easier said than done, I must admit). One advice I once gave as an editor to a writer: let your heart speak more than your mind. I guess that sums it up.

Looking back, what did you do right that helped you break in as a writer?

I didn’t do anything except think that that’s what I’ll do the rest of my life. I acted by chucking my well-paid sales job and dived into the unknown. I guess, on hindsight, you can say that diving was the right thing to do.

Any best piece of writing advice from your side that we haven’t discussed?

As an editor for over two decades, I’ve been doling out advice, though I must, tongue-in-cheek, concede that I myself don’t follow some of them. It’s like how Portia says in ‘The Merchant of Venice’. But the one that I followed was follow my heart. Somehow, the heart knows where it’s going.

Something personal about you people may be surprised to know?

That I can speak gibberish non-stop and that there’s a book (comic book to be precise) in the making based on characters who speak gibberish.

Any future books that you would like to discuss now?

The next (or, perhaps after that) is a play based on Mahabharata (my favourite story). Two characters’ interplay in the battlefield, discussing a few philosophies that still matter.

Connect with Rajesh:

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/rajesh.iyer.3363

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rajeshmiyer

Website/Blog: www.rajeshmiyer.com