Just Write!
Meet Radhika Meganathan, an Architecture Student-turned Writer, based at Chennai, India. She is currently on Cloud 9 as her Novel, The Gurukul Chronicles, just won the Manuscript Contest at the Pune Literature Festival! Apart from being a cat-lover and of course a publisher and writer, let's find out what else interests her...
Tell us a little about yourself and your background…
I am an author and a workshop facilitator based in Chennai, India. I studied architecture but abandoned it for a career in writing and publishing (and I haven’t regretted it even a single day!). I write fiction for young adults, conduct writing workshops at Chennai Writers Circle and am in the editorial team of Provoke Lifestyle magazine.
What were you like at school?
A complete loner and loser. Really. I regularly flunked science and math, but excelled in languages.
Were you good at English?
Of course! In Tamil too. They are my two eyes.
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
Write as many books as I can, and build/nurture a writing community in Chennai through Chennai Writers Circle.
Which writers inspire you?
Everyone who have gifted the world a good story. So, too many to count!
So, what have you written?
I like writing, so I have have written across genres for various publications. The very first short story I wrote fetched me a fellowship from the prestigious Highlights magazine in USA. My picture books series GOLDEN MYTHOLOGY won a technical award for my publisher (Seasons) and my picture book THE VILLAGE FAIR (Tulika) has been profiled in many reading outreach programs. For my chapter book challenge, I wrote 12 chapter books but am yet to find a home for them! I contributed to various Hachette anthologies, published in Chandamama magazine, and I just got intimated that my first novel THE GURUKUL CHRONICLES, which had been shortlisted for Pune Literature Festival Manuscript Contest, has won this Contest! :D
Where can we buy or see them?
Most of them are online at the publishers website or on Amazon.
What are you working on at the minute?
A contemporary Young Adult (YA) novel tentatively titled FLASH, about high school, peer pressure and abuse. It’s not for the faint-hearted! :-P
What’s it about?
It’s about a girl who starts remembering dark memories from her past and risks everything as she tries to comes to terms with a horrible truth.
What genre are your books?
Typically Young Adult. Though I sometimes dabble in mainstream romance and mystery writing!
What draws you to this genre?
Well, the latter two is because I love reading a well written romance and detective story. The first, I don’t know. I just write what I comes out of me naturally and it’s label seems to be young adult :-)
Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?
Tell us a little about yourself and your background…
I am an author and a workshop facilitator based in Chennai, India. I studied architecture but abandoned it for a career in writing and publishing (and I haven’t regretted it even a single day!). I write fiction for young adults, conduct writing workshops at Chennai Writers Circle and am in the editorial team of Provoke Lifestyle magazine.
What were you like at school?
A complete loner and loser. Really. I regularly flunked science and math, but excelled in languages.
Were you good at English?
Of course! In Tamil too. They are my two eyes.
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
Write as many books as I can, and build/nurture a writing community in Chennai through Chennai Writers Circle.
Which writers inspire you?
Everyone who have gifted the world a good story. So, too many to count!
So, what have you written?
I like writing, so I have have written across genres for various publications. The very first short story I wrote fetched me a fellowship from the prestigious Highlights magazine in USA. My picture books series GOLDEN MYTHOLOGY won a technical award for my publisher (Seasons) and my picture book THE VILLAGE FAIR (Tulika) has been profiled in many reading outreach programs. For my chapter book challenge, I wrote 12 chapter books but am yet to find a home for them! I contributed to various Hachette anthologies, published in Chandamama magazine, and I just got intimated that my first novel THE GURUKUL CHRONICLES, which had been shortlisted for Pune Literature Festival Manuscript Contest, has won this Contest! :D
Where can we buy or see them?
Most of them are online at the publishers website or on Amazon.
What are you working on at the minute?
A contemporary Young Adult (YA) novel tentatively titled FLASH, about high school, peer pressure and abuse. It’s not for the faint-hearted! :-P
What’s it about?
It’s about a girl who starts remembering dark memories from her past and risks everything as she tries to comes to terms with a horrible truth.
What genre are your books?
Typically Young Adult. Though I sometimes dabble in mainstream romance and mystery writing!
What draws you to this genre?
Well, the latter two is because I love reading a well written romance and detective story. The first, I don’t know. I just write what I comes out of me naturally and it’s label seems to be young adult :-)
Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?
For FLASH, I don’t know if any Indian actress would have the guts to portray any of the characters. It may be even illegal!
How much research do you do?
A lot. I spent 4 years just researching for the graphic novel that I am currently working on, about Gandhi’s life as a student in London. Of course I do not mean four full years, from morning till night… just that it took me that long between other commitments, to come to a confidence level where I can look at myself and say, fine stop, that’s enough :-)
When did you decide to become a writer?
When my first article got published in 2004. I felt the most amazing pride in myself and decided if I wanted like to feel the same emotion at least once in a while, I got to become a professional writer :-)
What made you decide to sit down and actually start CWC?
I had been talking about starting a writing workshop lounge for a long time, and my writing group Writers Ink always encouraged me to start it… but I was procrastinating because I wanted it to be perfect – perfect ambience and facilities and it was going to take money, which I didn’t have… and also because I was not fully confident whether I had the right goods to lead a project like CWC. Then one day I saw a workshop announcement online by somebody who had no proper credentials, either as a writer or as a workshop facilitator, yet was charging a bomb for it.
That’s the catalyst, really – I thought, well, swell, what am I waiting for with all my experience? On hindsight, I am grateful for this person, because that’s the day I approached CCD with my credit card and rented their in-house conference room until this year end :-)
How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
To almost an incomprehensive level. THE ARTIST’S WAY by Julia Cameron played a critical role in my metamorphosis from a whiny writer to a confident one! IMHO every writer, no, every creative person who wants to lead a more creative life, should do this 12 week journal program at least once in their lifetime.
What is the hardest thing about writing?
Managing writing time. Writing fiction is not easy, but at least one will always find a way to do it; but finding the time to write, every day, is not. People say one can make time if one wants to and all that, but life has a way of throwing the most horrible distraction at you just when you think you are making some progress. Bouncing back from a long gap requires a commitment to writing like no other and you have to start again.
Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors?
I read all the time, even while eating. In fact I cannot eat if I don’t read at the same time. And this is a difficult question to answer, because I keep finding great writers! I like the usual suspects - Stephen King, Isabel Allende, Rosamond Pilcher, Dame Agatha, Ruth Rendell, Anuja Chauhan, Dorothy Koomson, Anne Tyler, Michael Morpungo, Amitav Ghosh, Meg Cabot, Lisa See, Neil Gaiman, Alexandar McCall Smith. I love reading Victorian authors and my all time favourite is Wilkie Collins :-)
For your own reading, do you prefer e-books or traditional paper/hard back books?
Both. I usually read Kindle these days, as it’s more affordable to purchase new releases as ebooks.
What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?
The industry is evolving, and there is no denying that the power is shifting. I too have an anthology self-published on Amazon Kindle. But my worry is this situation has also given rise to sub-standard manuscripts flooding the market via self-publishing, and writers spending all their time in aggressive and often in-your-face marketing, time that should be spent in writing their next novel, time they should spend in honing their craft. I always encourage writers to edit their book as much as possible – even if takes years - and only them start exploring their publishing options. If you have a great book in your hand, you don’t really have any special advantages or disadvantages in any mode of publishing.
What’s your views on social media for marketing?
It’s a great platform, no doubt, and I see some authors really going to town with their marketing skills. But since I have not started selling my novels yet (and my picture books were all commissioned and published before social media became a key word!) I don’t feel qualified enough to comment about it :-)
How do you relax?
Music. Spa therapy. A day retreat with my writing group and writing friends. There’s always travelling, that eternal relax drug, if I feel too boxed in Chennai :-)
What is your favourite motivational phrase?
A ship is very safe in the harbour. But that’s not why ships are made for!
What is your favourite book and why?
Again, such a difficult question! I’ll never be able to give a single name. But I can tell you the name of my favourite book of this year. It’s MAJOR PETTIGREW’S LAST STAND by Helen Simonson (soon to be made into a film) and it simply is a delicious read. Highly recommended!
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
To invest in your writing dreams, which means spending money and time on a good workshop or a great craft book. Free resources can only take you to a certain level; writing is one field where the amount of love and attention you put is directly proportionate to the success and satisfaction you derive from it.
Where do you see publishing going in the future?
Frankly, I don’t know. I have never been much of a prophet. But I do see a worrying trend, especially in the younger generation – they want it yesterday and they want it published. The thought has shifted to “How much money can I make from my book?” which I am afraid is not good news for good literature. There is too much noise about writing than actual writing! At Chennai Writers Circle I try to address this – I work individually with each writer and work hard towards building a community spirit, which I personally think is the secret why cities like London produce so many excellent authors, but then I am only one person. I hope there are more initiatives by not only publishers but also schools and college to imbibe the right writing habits in kids and teens.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
I encourage aspiring writers to check out my website and join one of our workshops.
How much research do you do?
A lot. I spent 4 years just researching for the graphic novel that I am currently working on, about Gandhi’s life as a student in London. Of course I do not mean four full years, from morning till night… just that it took me that long between other commitments, to come to a confidence level where I can look at myself and say, fine stop, that’s enough :-)
When did you decide to become a writer?
When my first article got published in 2004. I felt the most amazing pride in myself and decided if I wanted like to feel the same emotion at least once in a while, I got to become a professional writer :-)
What made you decide to sit down and actually start CWC?
I had been talking about starting a writing workshop lounge for a long time, and my writing group Writers Ink always encouraged me to start it… but I was procrastinating because I wanted it to be perfect – perfect ambience and facilities and it was going to take money, which I didn’t have… and also because I was not fully confident whether I had the right goods to lead a project like CWC. Then one day I saw a workshop announcement online by somebody who had no proper credentials, either as a writer or as a workshop facilitator, yet was charging a bomb for it.
That’s the catalyst, really – I thought, well, swell, what am I waiting for with all my experience? On hindsight, I am grateful for this person, because that’s the day I approached CCD with my credit card and rented their in-house conference room until this year end :-)
How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
To almost an incomprehensive level. THE ARTIST’S WAY by Julia Cameron played a critical role in my metamorphosis from a whiny writer to a confident one! IMHO every writer, no, every creative person who wants to lead a more creative life, should do this 12 week journal program at least once in their lifetime.
What is the hardest thing about writing?
Managing writing time. Writing fiction is not easy, but at least one will always find a way to do it; but finding the time to write, every day, is not. People say one can make time if one wants to and all that, but life has a way of throwing the most horrible distraction at you just when you think you are making some progress. Bouncing back from a long gap requires a commitment to writing like no other and you have to start again.
Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors?
I read all the time, even while eating. In fact I cannot eat if I don’t read at the same time. And this is a difficult question to answer, because I keep finding great writers! I like the usual suspects - Stephen King, Isabel Allende, Rosamond Pilcher, Dame Agatha, Ruth Rendell, Anuja Chauhan, Dorothy Koomson, Anne Tyler, Michael Morpungo, Amitav Ghosh, Meg Cabot, Lisa See, Neil Gaiman, Alexandar McCall Smith. I love reading Victorian authors and my all time favourite is Wilkie Collins :-)
For your own reading, do you prefer e-books or traditional paper/hard back books?
Both. I usually read Kindle these days, as it’s more affordable to purchase new releases as ebooks.
What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?
The industry is evolving, and there is no denying that the power is shifting. I too have an anthology self-published on Amazon Kindle. But my worry is this situation has also given rise to sub-standard manuscripts flooding the market via self-publishing, and writers spending all their time in aggressive and often in-your-face marketing, time that should be spent in writing their next novel, time they should spend in honing their craft. I always encourage writers to edit their book as much as possible – even if takes years - and only them start exploring their publishing options. If you have a great book in your hand, you don’t really have any special advantages or disadvantages in any mode of publishing.
What’s your views on social media for marketing?
It’s a great platform, no doubt, and I see some authors really going to town with their marketing skills. But since I have not started selling my novels yet (and my picture books were all commissioned and published before social media became a key word!) I don’t feel qualified enough to comment about it :-)
How do you relax?
Music. Spa therapy. A day retreat with my writing group and writing friends. There’s always travelling, that eternal relax drug, if I feel too boxed in Chennai :-)
What is your favourite motivational phrase?
A ship is very safe in the harbour. But that’s not why ships are made for!
What is your favourite book and why?
Again, such a difficult question! I’ll never be able to give a single name. But I can tell you the name of my favourite book of this year. It’s MAJOR PETTIGREW’S LAST STAND by Helen Simonson (soon to be made into a film) and it simply is a delicious read. Highly recommended!
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
To invest in your writing dreams, which means spending money and time on a good workshop or a great craft book. Free resources can only take you to a certain level; writing is one field where the amount of love and attention you put is directly proportionate to the success and satisfaction you derive from it.
Where do you see publishing going in the future?
Frankly, I don’t know. I have never been much of a prophet. But I do see a worrying trend, especially in the younger generation – they want it yesterday and they want it published. The thought has shifted to “How much money can I make from my book?” which I am afraid is not good news for good literature. There is too much noise about writing than actual writing! At Chennai Writers Circle I try to address this – I work individually with each writer and work hard towards building a community spirit, which I personally think is the secret why cities like London produce so many excellent authors, but then I am only one person. I hope there are more initiatives by not only publishers but also schools and college to imbibe the right writing habits in kids and teens.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
I encourage aspiring writers to check out my website and join one of our workshops.
You may reach Radhika on:
Website: www.chennaiwriters.com
Blog: www.radhikameganathan.in
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chennaiwriterscircle
Website: www.chennaiwriters.com
Blog: www.radhikameganathan.in
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chennaiwriterscircle
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