“Good writing is as clear as spring water. It needs no embellishment for its beauty lies in its simplicity”,says Deepti Menon.
A renowned Indian Author Deepti Menon has published nine books, starting with Arms and the Woman (Rupa Publishers). Deeparadhana of Poems was followed by The Shadow Trilogy – Shadow in the Mirror, Where Shadows Follow and Shadows Never Lie, and Classic Tales from The Panchatantra (all by Readomania).
She has short stories in around twenty-five anthologies along with other writers. Her book ‘Defying Destiny: Nalini Chandran – A Life Sketch’ won the Salismania Best Novel of the Year for Non-Fiction in the year 2022. In 2023, Deepti’s book titled “Classic Tales from Shakespeare” was published. It has ten classic stories adapted from the original plays of the Bard. Deepti’s latest book is titled ‘The Dance and the Trance’ and is based on the life of a temple oracle in Kerala. Here are the excerpts from her conversation with the Daily Guardian
Excerpts
Q. What inspired you to become a writer and how long have you been Writing?
A. Ever since I was a little girl, I remember that I wanted to be a writer. I was fascinated, even at that age, by big shiny books filled with colourful illustrations. My grandparents would tell me stories from the epics, folklore, the Bible and the English classics. I would listen to them, entranced. Maybe that is when I began aspiring to tell my own stories. I wrote my first poem at the age of ten, and have been writing for five decades now.
Q. Tell us about your first published book? What was the journey like?
A. My first book was called ‘Arms and the Woman’ and was published by Rupa Publishers, Delhi. My father was in the Indian Army and hence, I was an Army brat, who later got married to an Army officer. The title of this book was inspired by GB Shaw’s ‘Arms and the Man’. It took a light-hearted look at a lady wife’s life within the Indian Army.
I was keen to bring out the experiences that Defence wives go through – the good times and the not-so-good, the purple patches and the dark ones, the bouquets and the brickbats.
I had written several humorous pieces for Army magazines on various aspects – the postings, the people, the cooks, the pets … everything that makes life worth living. On an impulse, I put them together and sent the manuscript (email was not common then!) to Rupa Publishers back in 2002. They accepted it, and told me to add on a few more chapters, which I did happily.
Finally, they sent me my book all done, illustrations and all. It was a fulfilling journey culminating in a book that I am extremely proud of.
Q. How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?
A. With the two books that have come out this year, the count of my solo books has gone up to nine. I have one more in the pipeline. I have also written stories for more than twenty-five anthologies along with other writers. All my books are equally dear to me because they have all been crafted with much love and dedication.
Q. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A. Like all other readers, my favourite writer was Enid Blyton when I was growing up. I meandered onto the classics when I was older. As a teenager, I devoured the mysteries of Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle. I was also intrigued by writers like Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart and Daphne du Maurier. Stephen King, Dan Brown and Robert Ludlum came later.
The highlight in my life came when I interviewed Jeffrey Archer when he had come to Chennai. It was wonderful meeting him and he was so witty and acerbic that I had to rely on my wits to keep up with him. I think all these great writers have influenced me in my writing, one way or the other.
Q. What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing? What comes first, the plot or characters? How do you develop your plot and characters?
A. Good writing is as clear as spring water. It needs no embellishment for its beauty lies in its simplicity. Writing is considered good if it captures the interest of the readers and piques their curiosity. The style should appeal, and the plot should develop as the narrative goes on. The characters should be believable – they should appear to be real characters and not caricatures. I do not follow a hard and fast rule when I write my stories. There are times when I base my story around a central idea on which the narrative revolves. At other times, I think of one or two strong characters and weave my story around them.
Q. How do you come up with the titles to your books?
A. Titles are a significant part of the books they adorn. As I have mentioned, the title of my first book ‘Arms and the Woman’ came from Shaw’s ‘Arms and the Man’. My poetry book had a hint of my own name in its title – ‘Deeparadhana’.
I have always loved tales with a twist and my next book was a psychological thriller called ‘Shadow in the Mirror’. This was followed by two thriller anthologies titled ‘Where Shadows Follow’ and ‘Shadows never Lie’. Together, the three books, all by Readomania, are known as the Shadow Trilogy.
‘Defying Destiny’ (Logos Publishers) is the life sketch of my mother, Ms. Nalini Chandran, a renowned educationist, a strong woman who, as a young widow, braved the world to create a school of her own.
The titles – ‘Classic Tales from the Panchatantra’ and ‘Classic Tales from Shakespeare’ – are self-explanatory.
My latest book is a social drama revolving around a temple oracle of Kerala. The title ‘The Dance and the Trance’ (H&C Publishing House) hints at the socio-religious tradition of the Goddess speaking to her devotees through her oracle.
Q. Favourite quote?
A. “The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.”
Omar Khayyám