Mallika Nawal: 2012

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Language: Mirror for Equality

Growing up, my world was quite a paradox... the fight between English and Hindi intensified with each passing day!!!

I loved and still am in love with the English language...

1) And no, it's not because I suffer from a feudal mindset. Or that I still prefer speaking in the language of the white masters.
2) And no, it's not because I wish to impress people. 'Coz let's face it, in India people do get impressed when you speak in impeccable English. (well, then again they also get impressed when you speak fast in not-so-impeccable English)
3) And no, it's not to land that cushy job and
4) And no, it's not because I dreamed to become a Communication professor.

something about the effortless flow of words...something about the beautiful language.

For years, I wondered why and it's only now I know why I love the English language so much and often prefer it to Hindi.

I love the language because it is the language of 'EQUALS'. There's "you" (but there's no "tu", "tum", and "aap" etc.). This one point is enough to love a language.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Is literary fiction dying out?

As a writer, I've been fascinated with all types of genre. When I was a teenager, I wrote poems when something moved me and submitted it online, without even a second thought. And getting published was the last thing on my mind. [It's a different matter that one of my poems was liked by a publisher and they took my permission to include it in their book and audiobook feature].

But I stopped soon after that - I didn't like the fact that my poem had become a commodity to be sold. Truth be told, when a writer pens something down (even if its a couplet; for a brief moment of time, they've opened their hearts and given you an all-access pass to their hearts). It's little wonder why a rejection letter or an email feels like a kick in the gut ('coz it literally is). If only literary agents, acquisition editors and publishers were a little more polite, there may be more writers and possibly readers out in the world. I dare to think how many budding writers lost hope and stopped writing (and sending manuscripts) altogether 'coz their spirits were crushed.

I'm no stranger to criticism or rejection. Truth be told, I have received so many rejection emails that I have a web folder dedicated especially to them. I, as a matter or principle, never delete these emails - for they are a constant reminder that even if a 100 people do not see the vision in your writing, all you need is that ONE person. I did eventually find an international publisher to publish my first book (which was really a fluke because I wasn't looking to publish anything at that time). They had spotted me on the web and liked what I had written (and wanted to see more). See - Fluke!

The 2nd book was a pleasant coincidence too (this time, it was a different publisher, an Indian publisher). But once the chapters had been reviewed, the publisher's faith in my work was firmly placed. That's the beauty about writing - once you find the right person to publish your work and they like what you write, it's a fairly monogamous relationship. For instance, I've just signed the book deal for a 4th book with my current publisher. It never occurred to the both of us to go elsewhere.

Coming back to the reason I'm writing this post - I have two novels in the making. Both different in the way they have been written, the way the characters have been treated and even the objective for writing the book. One is a tooty-fruity love story ('coz love and sex sell more than anything else) and the other is a hard-hitting book that promises to make you think. If you ask me, as a writer, I have more respect for the latter book. By the way, as you may imagine, the first is a commercial fiction (it sells) and the second it a literary fiction (it makes you stop and think).

I sent both manuscripts to a literary agent, who thinks the first is gold and the second is garbage. He categorically told me, the 1st book is a bestseller but the 2nd book just won't sell.

Which brings me back to my question - Is literary fiction dying out? Or is it already dead?

P.S.: 'Congratulations' to commercial fiction writers & 'Condolences' to literary fiction writers!!!