Santhosh Sivaraj is a banker based out of Chennai who has worn many hats in life – from sailor and teacher, to trainer and entrepreneur – in no particular order. He believes life’s journey to be a destination in itself and that pushes him to seek newer avenues in life. Absurd Economics interests him and he loves doing stand up comedy. He laughs at his own mistakes and loves life unconditionally.
When did it dawn upon you that you wanted to be a writer?
Writing to me was an expression to say something beyond Life’s repetitive perception. I used to write blogs during my college days but the desire of writing something big was always there and it was one tragic accident which pushed me to introspect life once again and get my dreams ticked off one by one starting with writing a book.
What motivated you to write your debut Novel and tell us some more about the book?
My motivation to write my first book was life itself. The Blue Moon Day is a story about five people who are different stages of their life and the struggles they face and how they overcome it. This book was written with a purpose of introspecting life through the characters in the book which can make one question Life’s priorities and can redefine what happiness means to them.
How did it feel when your first book got published?
It was a one big tick off from my bucket list.
What do you think makes a good story?
To me a good story is the one which pushes the reader to create a parallel story of them along with the characters they read. The good story must not just make them flip through pages but also flip through their imaginations, memories and their dreams.
Do you think you still have a story to tell to the readers?
Yes, I do. The second book is on track.
If you could trade place for a week , famous or not .. who will it be?
I would love to be Dr.Raj Purniman of the blue moon day for a week as I know that by living him I would live more than one life.
Other than writing what are you most passionate about?
I love cooking, trekking, adventure rides, reading and playing all kinds of sports.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book?
Someone rightly said that if the writer doesn’t cry while writing his book then he has no right in expecting his readers to cry while reading it. Unless my book impacts me I then it will be wrong from my side to expect to make an impact in reader’s life. This book has been a revelation for me in looking at life differently and loving it unconditionally. It made me more of a person of heart than just brains.
What does your writing space look like?
I write my book in my mind than in my computer. It’s something that happens subconsciously and maybe that’s why I could write a book amidst my busy work and family schedules. Anything interesting, I take notes and finally incorporate in my stories.
When you get an idea, do you scribble on scrap of paper or napkin or a special note book or online tool where you keep your inspiration?
For my first book I used to have little pocket diaries on which I used to write but nowadays I resort to taking notes via apps in my mobile.
What is your favorite chapter to write and why?
It is hard to choose a single story as my favouritte one however for the sake of the Interview I would like to go with the last story of my book named “The Heavenâ€. This perhaps is that one chapter which is deeper and to some extent divine and can be related by the people who have this seeking inside them.
Have any of your literary teachers ever told you that on growing up you would become a published one day?
Never, not even close.
What are top three favorite books of all time?
After a lot of thinking, I decided to pass this question
If book club, which legendary or contemptory writers would you like to be a part of?
It would be interesting if I imagine the company of Ruskin Bond, Khushwant Singh with Frederick Forsyth and Ayn Rand.
Advice to aspiring authors.
Write for yourself as that’s the only thing that matters in the end and this way you can never get carried away.
About my writing style: simple and lucid
I believe in writing things simple and not simply. No matter what, every word ever written will resonate differently for different people based on their intellect and Imagination. My words are no exception.
I remember and quote the following words written by Author Ruskin Bond in one of his Introduction.
BY Ruskin Bond
People often ask me why my style is so simple. It is, in fact, deceptively simple, for no two sentences are really alike. It is clarity that I am striving to attain, not simplicity.
‘When you talk you sound quite complicated ‘said a friend. And I had to explain that I’ve spent forty years trying to simplify my style and clarify my thoughts!
Of course some people want literature to be difficult. And there are writers who like to make their readers toil and sweat. They hope to be taken seriously that way. I have always tried to achieve a prose that is easy and conversational. And those who think this is simple should try it for themselves.
It was really a privilege interviewing you. Hope you enjoyed the interview. Thank You
Links to buy his books- Amazon.in Amazon.com
Here are some of links via you can contact him- SanthoshSivaraj
