Author Interview: Krishna Udayasankar

Growing up, I always loved reading mythological books especially related to Indian mythology, as these were the stories told by my grandparents. After I grew up I lost touch with these mycological folklores, and whenever I get a chance to read mythological books I never leave it.

In today’s post, I interviewed author, Krishna Udayasankar who has written several mythological books published by penguin.

Read my Candid conversation with Krishna Udayasankar where we talk about her plans to become an author since her childhood to visualizing the character and what kind of research that goes into creating different characters.

Krishna Udayasankar is the author of The Aryavarta Chronicles series (Govinda, Kaurava, Kurukshetra), 3, Immortal, Objects of Affection, and Beast. She lives in Singapore with her family, which includes three bookish canine children, Boozo, Zana, and Maya.

1) Did you always plan to become an author since your childhood? If not childhood then when did you first realize you wanted to become an author?

Yes, I wanted to be a writer since I was three years old! Of course, as I grew up, I kind of gave up on that dream…but I guess the dream did not give up on me. I started my career as a published writer about ten years ago, and here we are!

2) As I see most of your books are based on mythology, I would like to know how you got interested in this genre.

For me, understanding the history, the kernels of fact behind what has subsequently been aggrandized into mythology and used to legitimize or justify social elements, was an essential way of understanding the cultural and moral fabric of the society we live in. One of the most common responses I used to get from my orthodox extended family, whenever I questioned the way things were done, used to be ‘that’s the way its laid down in the scriptures.’ The attempt to demystify these stories and their injunctions is almost like a quest for a more believable truth, an attempt to make these amazing characters and stories more ‘real.’

3) Do you believe in a creative block?

Which writer doesn’t? It is a fact, that we face blocks — creative or otherwise. And before you ask, I don’t know any tricks to defeat it. I just curl up in bed and feel sorry for myself till it passes, then I get back to work.

4) What does your writing schedule look like?

It’s very erratic. I go for days on end without writing. Then there are days where I spend the whole day typing out stuff (most of which I will junk the next day). Mostly, it’s trying to write whenever I can.

5) How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?

The first time around, it felt like there was nothing to lose or everything. Now, it is different. I think as one changes and learns as a writer, one’s fears and insecurities to evolve. Eight books down, and with every book, I wonder whether I have more words left in me, or is my best already behind me. But then, I’ll get an idea for the next book, and I will be excited all over again.

6) How do you visualize your characters? If you are writing about a negative character does it affect your daily life?

I love writing villains, probably because I know they will get their a** kicked at the end. But yes, sometimes there are characters, particularly in certain scenes that leave me quite sad as I begin wondering about human nature and how horrible we can be. And that I can imagine and write about such inner darkness — what does that say about me? So yes, I do get affected. But then I remember there are dogs in this world, and then all is well again.

7) What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

To be honest, I stand on the shoulders of giants — the amount of material that is out there — both popular and scholarly, which deals with various topics is incredible, particularly in this internet age. Whether it is researching the Mahabharata for “The Aryavarta Chronicles and The Cowherd Prince”, or reading up on genetics for “Beast” or cell mutation and engery and matter conversion for “Immortal”, I love the research that goes into a book and can take months, sometimes years over it.

8) Have you read anything that made you think differently about fiction?

Yes. There are always books that are so sublime that I think I should just quit trying to be a writer, because I can never be as good. But then, I tell myself, I have a lifetime to spend trying.

9) As I have noticed you mostly write historical fiction and mythology, has any specific character been the hardest for you to write?

Not really. The characters tell me their story and I just put things down, so I have an easy job. But yes, the character of Govinda Shauri is still a mystery to me. Sometimes I think I keep writing books about him because I, like the rest of the characters in the book, are trying to figure out “What sort of a man, really, is Govinda Shauri?”

10) What advice would you give to someone who is aspiring to be a writer?

Dare to daydream. Sit staring into space, lose yourself in alternate worlds. You cannot write what you have not felt…or even lived, even if for a short while in your imagination.

11) If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?

Every book is, in that sense, a product completely, of a writer’s life. So I don’t know if I’d do anything differently at all. Perhaps, I could have read more books.

12) Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

Yes, I do. I take negative reviews as a kind of validation in their own way — People cannot be disappointed with my writing unless they have actually been drawn into the world of the book. So to that extent, I have been able to engage my readers, even the critical ones. Beyond that, I do reflect on their comments to see if there was something I could have done differently.

13) Do you often get ideas about your next character from the people near you? How do you observe them, and mold them into your next character?

I don’t get ideas for characters from those around — my stories usually begin with characters who insist I tell their story, and the writing book is all about discovering who and what they are. But I do take a lot of cues from places and situations and use real place descriptions a lot in my work.