Essentially a reflective travelogue by Stephen Alter, a writer raised in Mussoorie by missionary parents, ‘Becoming a Mountain: Himalayan Journeys in Search of the Sacred and the Sublime’ is a different type of mountain climbing travelogue. Most trekking or climbing experiences are full of action and excitement, an account written by adrenaline pumped adventurers providing … Read more
Once I decide to write a story based on a character, I have realised that I must see the world the way he or she sees it. I can’t see it from my viewpoint. I can’t come in the way. Otherwise, I run the risk of I and my worldview entering the character’s story. If … Read more
I am not a big fan of the genre of mythological fiction. It is not because of the writing or the stories. It is because, for some reason, I find the idea of playing around with the characters and stories from our Itihasas and Puranas somewhat iconoclastic. I prefer their scholarly analysis than their creative … Read more
In continuation of the earlier three books by Steven Pressfield, titled ‘The War of Art‘, ‘Turning Pro‘ and ‘Do the Work’, I recently completed the fourth one ‘Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t’. While the earlier one are for writers when they just start, this one is for authors who have some work under their … Read more
Finally, after what a lot of people might deem to be a lifetime, I am on social media. Ever since I started writing for publication, I was constantly told to get on to social media to ‘spread the word’ or to ‘get closer to readers.’ In the initial phase, after my first book or two, … Read more
I first saw the Indian border more than 12 years ago when I was on a trip to Sikkim. It was when I had gone to the Nathula Pass which used to be part of the ancient Silk Route and is on the India-China border. We couldn’t actually go to the border because the army … Read more
The simple explanation to something is generally the best one – isn’t that what Ockham’s Razor says? It may be true in real life, but when it comes to stories, it may not necessarily be true. Most stories for me start when I reject the simple explanation in real life situations and get curious about … Read more
Going on a trek and starting to write a book are similar experiences. You don’t need to know how the entire trek looks to get started. You only need to know the overview at best. It is quite similar when I start a book – I typically choose a theme. I never know what the … Read more
“Do you want your drink hot or cold?” the server at the cafe asked Swami last weekend. We had decided to a try a new one. “Hot,” he said. And I said, “Cold.” Then she went on to another question. “A latte or a cappuccino for you, Sir?” she asked Swami. When he replied, “Latte,” … Read more