Exclusive Interview with Bestselling Author Novoneel Chakraborty
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why Choose Thriller Genre?
- The Unique Aspects of "Heart On The Edge"
- Exploring Sibling Relationships in "A Thousand Guests"
- Unveiling the Creative Writing Process
- Being Compared to Sydney Sheldon
- The Journey of Writing for TV Shows
- The Message to Readers
- Rapid Fire Round
- Conclusion
Introduction
Hello everyone! Welcome to yet another episode of "From The Writer's Desk" by Penguin Brands India. Today, we have India's most popular thriller author, none other than Nilanjan Chakraborty. We've recently released his book "Heart On The Edge," and we have a couple of questions for him to understand his writing process and the excitement behind his books.
Why Choose Thriller Genre?
You are known as India's leading thriller author. What made you start writing thriller stories?
You know, I get this question a lot, and I feel that when an author starts telling their story, they don't choose the genre; the genre chooses them. It's something that comes out naturally. For me, writing thrillers was a natural inclination, maybe because I'm a little restless as a human being. I try to write something that doesn't bore me first. If it doesn't bore me, then hopefully it won't bore others. That's the basic reason why I chose to write thrillers.
The Unique Aspects of "Heart On The Edge"
With so many books under your belt, how would you distinguish "Heart On The Edge" from the others?
There are a couple of points that make "Heart On The Edge" different from my previous works. Firstly, it is my shortest book, but also my darkest. While writing, I ventured into zones that I was sure of as an author but uncertain if readers would be able to handle such darkness. Secondly, this is the first time I've written about a South Indian family. I've always explored Bengali and North Indian families, so it was refreshing to Delve into a different culture and Create a situation that feels authentic.
Exploring Sibling Relationships in "A Thousand Guests"
Last year, you also released "A Thousand Guests," a romantic thriller that explores sibling relationships. What made you deviate from romantic thrillers and choose to focus on siblings?
After writing 17-18 books, I wanted to take a break from the usual romantic relationships that are often the focus of thrillers. I wanted to delve into a relationship that is universal, beautiful, and sacred in its own way. Exploring the bond between a sister and brother felt like a fresh and refreshing direction for me as a writer.
Unveiling the Creative Writing Process
Can you share your creative writing process? How do you come up with these compelling stories?
As a professional writer, there is always a pattern that sets in due to deadlines and other commitments. However, my process is a little chaotic. I love being in the middle of a storm, not knowing Where To go. I start pursuing different aspects of the story and asking questions. It's a stream of unconsciousness writing, and I enjoy making Sense out of chaos. Sometimes, I jot down pointers, but I don't have a highly organized process.
Being Compared to Sydney Sheldon
People have given you the title of the "Sydney Sheldon of India." How do you feel about that?
I feel great about it! Sydney Sheldon is one of the best-selling authors in the history of publication. The readers bestowed this title upon me, and I accept it with respect. However, comparisons can be unfair to both the original and the one being compared. But if my readers think that way, I embrace it. One possible reason for this comparison is that both Sydney Sheldon's books and my stories feature bold and strong female characters, which resonates with readers.
The Journey of Writing for TV Shows
Tell us about your journey of writing for TV shows. How has it been, and how do you feel about it?
Writing for TV shows is a unique craft, especially in the Indian television industry. The Indian television writing requires a specific skill set that is different from Western television writing. Although I enjoyed it initially, I realized that it was overlapping with my sense of writing a Novel. Indian television writing targets a different audience, and I felt that I wasn't growing as a writer or storyteller in that medium. Now, I prefer to focus on writing novels and exploring opportunities on platforms like OTT. Writing TV shows was a good experience, but I don't intend to pursue it any longer.
The Message to Readers
What message would you like to give to your readers?
I would like to encourage everyone to go out there and buy books to support the industry. As book lovers, it's vital that we support both online and physical bookstores. Also, Read a wide range of books, whether fiction or non-fiction. When you read, be aware that someone is watching you. Your passion for reading can inspire others to pick up a book. So, let's create a community of readers together.
Rapid Fire Round
Let's dive into a rapid-fire round to get some quick insights:
-
Describe "Heart On The Edge" in three words.
- Dark, compelling, and thrilling.
-
Can you summarize "Heart On The Edge" in five sentences without giving away the plot?
- "Heart On The Edge" is the story of a chameleon girl whose brother suddenly disappears. She embarks on a journey to find him, uncovering the skeletons of her own family along the way.
-
If you could be stuck in any of your book universes for the rest of your life, which one would it be and why?
- I would choose the Universe of "Roses Are Blood Red." It's a personal story, and I still feel connected to it.
-
If you could meet any of your characters from your novels, who would it be?
- I would love to meet Naishi herself, the latest creation, as authors are always curious to meet their characters.
Conclusion
Thank you for joining us in this interview. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. For those who haven't picked up a copy of "Heart On The Edge" yet, we encourage you to do so. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to Penguin India on YouTube. Thank you!