Author Interview : PC Balasubramanian, author of ‘Ready.. Steady.. Exit' (Part 1)

PC Balasubramanian

Read up, the first part of the Interview with PC Balasubramanian, the author of 'Ready.. Steady.. Exit'.

 

In this one, he tells us how it was that ‘Ready.. Steady.. Exit’ first happened, how Gautam, the main character came about, how he came about with the core idea of the book, before developing it and what the challenging parts of the book were. 

 

There is  more to come in the second part of this Interview, Folks…

 

You can Read my Review here, and Buy the Book right here.

 

 

How did ‘Ready.. Steady.. Exit’ happen? Could you describe the journey? 

It was just a desire to tell a story and though I have written two books earlier, including ‘Rajini’s Punchtantra’ and ‘Grand Brand Rajini’, ‘Ready.. Steady.. Exit’ is my first fiction. 

One of the objectives was to narrate a story around CAs usually, one doesn’t get to read many books, where the protagonist is a CA. I also wanted to tell a story that has a lot of humour and also a story that everyone could relate to, especially young entrepreneurs.

How did the main character, Gautam come about? How much of you, was in there?

It is pure fiction. Except, for a couple of facts that Gautam in this story is from Pondicherry and he also clears his CA course after a few attempts, there is nothing of me in him. Gautam is a tall, dusky handsome guy as you may notice.

What according to you is different about your book?

I think it is difficult to narrate a serious story in a humorous way and that’s the difference here.

Also, as one reads this story, one would also realise that there are some important lessons and learnings for young entrepreneurs, especially at start-up firms.

Which particular character did you feel most close to? Why?

I love all the characters here and if I have to pick one, it would be Anand, as he is such a support for Gautam and in fact, he is the one who in a way, is instrumental in unravelling the suspense at the end.

How did you come up with the core idea and develop it?

I had the plot in mind and I wanted to put it across, that the value systems in business are very subjective and relative. And, everyone has a right to one’s opinion as regards, the means to making money.

Once I had the plot in my mind, I wanted to develop it in a manner that many would find interesting to read. They could relate to it and at the same time, pick up a few important lessons.

I also wanted to add some suspense in the story and I think I fairly achieved it as many seemed to love it.

What was the most challenging part about writing ‘Ready.. Steady.. Exit’?

The most challenging part is telling a serious corporate story in a very humorous way and also, in way any kind of reader could understand.

More challenges actually emerge only after you finish writing !!!

How did the today’s corporate environment affect your writing?

So much can be written from the current corporate environment. The more and more people you see, the more experiences you go through…there are several stories to be created and so, many lessons to be crafted.

Clearly, one could write fiction as well as non-fiction with what we experience every day.

The only thing is with so much to do at work, it is increasingly becoming difficult to spend time in writing.

Could you tell the readers about your experiences and how it was related to what you wrote?

I think I have already explained it in a different way. One comes across several characters in our day to day life and each one is a specimen.

This helps in characterisation, when you write fiction. And some of one’s own experiences could be crafted into a story with some creativity. Stories are around all of us, just pick them up.