Guys, in case you’re wondering where I have disappeared to these days, let me tell you, it’s not Goa (sadly). Well, not totally, although it may account for three days last week.
By now some of you may be aware that Piggies on the Railway is doing very well. Commercially, we sold the entire first print run (5,000 copies) in three weeks flat, and critically, we’ve had more good reviews than bad. So, I think, I can exhale now. Phew!
This success is bringing with it its own share of pressures. For instance, my publicity person is now exhorting me to write the next book ASAP. She calls me up to ask me how many words I’ve written so far. And she does this EVERYDAY. Ever had someone who does this to you every day? Wait a minute, I forgot, most of you have jobs. So you know the best way to suck joy out of something is to make it into a job.
And if that’s not enough to rob me of the will to live, my maids have taken off to their respective villages for the duration of the summer vacation. While I’m quite content to live in an inch layer of dust, eating out is proving to be a problem. A drinking problem.
I can’t help it. Ever since I graduated from college, I don’t think I’ve ever eaten out sans booze. Well, there was this one evening bang in the middle of something stupid the Maharashtra Govt observes. A Gandhi birth week during which they force prohibition down our throats (I would’ve have punned here but I can’t think of a clever punch-line to the set-up). But that was only out of ignorance. Usually I’m pretty up to speed on dry days but somehow that one escaped me. Must be ’cos I was new to Bombay.
In any case, I don’t think it’s that big a deal but my friends seem to think that Margaritas in the afternoon are a sign of alcoholism. I tell them it’s not alcoholism, it’s melancholism. I’m drinking to drown my sorrows. But they’re not amused.
I’m also writing a screenplay for an animation movie. I’m doing this because it’s a friend’s project and also it’s a huge amount of fun.
I’ve got my life somewhat under control now. Not totally sorted but managebale. And I hope to be able to post more regularly from now on. Ciao.
When tall, suave, handsome Kaustav Kapoor walks into her office, ditzy private investigator Kasthuri (aka Katie) Kumar has anything but detection on her mind. He is, after all, a scion of Bollywood’s first family—perhaps he has a role for her? Perhaps she will, at last, get to sashay down the red carpet in a designer gown, with flash bulbs following her every move?
But Kapoor’s intentions are much more prosaic: he wishes Katie to trace the heroine of his new blockbuster (and, if Katie’s read the glossies correctly, his life) who is mysteriously AWOL. Despite her misgivings, Katie finds herself unable to refuse the task entrusted to her, and thereon follows a bewildering hunt for the film star across a trail of corpses.
And if that isn’t excitement enough, she has to contend with the maddening and mysterious, but, oh-so-hot, Tejas Deshpande.
The first in a brand new detective series.
IN BOOKSTORES NOW.
Smita Jain's Weblog 
Hi 🙂
Been long since I visited.
Picked up ‘Piggies’ but yet to give it a read. I don’t go by reviews. Will give you mine though.
Cheers!
@sangfroid, yes do. And welcome back 🙂
Good to see a new post…
I guess it’s all about success. When you are successful, everyone (and they are not wrong in doing so) wants you to keep doing the bit that made you successful. Much more than what you did before.
I am sure you have read it, but there is a fascinating episode in Stephen King’s life that he has written about in perhaps the most definitive book on the craft of writing – ‘On Writing’. He recounts the kind of struggle he went through as a young writer and when he achieved great success with Carrie, everyone wanted him to write 4-5 books a year. I believe he does do that.
Tell you what, as a writer, I would LOVE to be in a situation where everyone wants more of what I punch!! And I know, I need not give you this advice, but believe me, there are roughly a million (I count myself in it too) who would give their right thumb to be in such a situation!! 😉
Congatulations for the success. Any english novel that sells more than 20,000 copies in India is a certified all time great. I think your book could exceed that number by a large margin… 🙂
Alcohol and writers. Now where have I heard that one before! Once, after reading about Hemmingway, I had a few stiff ones (okay, maybe many more than a few) and started writing. The next day when I read it, it scared the hell out of me. Believe me, it was perhaps the best I had ever written. If being drunk means I would be a far better writer, would I go for it? That’s a question to ponder over a drink, don’t you think? 😉
@Rohit, actually it’s more the maid situation than anything else that’s causing me stress. As for alcohol and writers, it’s such a cliche but then cliches are cliches because they are true! *If being drunk means I would be a far better writer, would I go for it? That’s a question to ponder over a drink, don’t you think?* I think alocholism is an acceptable risk for stirring prose 🙂