Read up, the Interview with Malay Upadhyay (Part 2). In this section, he talks of how he relates the book's characters to lives today, the most fulfilling
parts in the book, the characters he felt most close to and why there is a surge in books on mythology, nowadays, also his favourite authors, and a lot more, Folks...
When would
your next book be out?
I have had
three short stories released towards the year end. Each deals with one
character from the story and revolves around a different contemporary issue.
'A Christmas
in Barcelona' shows us Jelzan’s perspective before his
marriage with Fridgeon
Friuli; 'Selfie Simulation' (part of Project 9 anthology) looks at Fridgeon’s (whom Qin addresses as Friuli) perspective after
her marriage with Jelzan; and 'An Enlightened Fly' finally brings the
all-important Fly to the fore. It is based in the final moments of Book 2 of
the Kalki Evian series.
 |
| Malay Upadhyay |
As for Book
2 itself – a prequel to Book 1, I am putting the finishing touches to it now.
So, we may see it sometime next year.
Why
do you think there is a sudden surge in stories based on mythology and fantasy,
these days?
There may
be different schools of thought to this. I could say it is the continuing
alignment of Uranus and Neptune that leads to a transitionary focus towards spiritual
thought-process, as happens to any prevailing species and is much needed.
Alternatively,
I may say it is just the latest trend to catch on, as happens in cycles anyway.
I could also vouch that it is because technology today has empowered us to better
express what we could only imagine initially, that fantasy is taking centre
stage.
Yet another argument would be that we are searching solutions due to the
state of our society today – when we are all feeling stretched, stressed and
drenched in an unmistakable feeling that we as a profligate society have missed
a step.
Who are your
favourite authors and why?
 |
| Richard Bach |
JRR Tolkien. He
was the first to show me how a world like Middle Earth could be created to such
fine detail while retaining contemporary relevance.
Also, Richard Bach, for
having delivered inspiration in such a short story as 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull'.
Who is you
inspiration?
Many. That
includes a fly. That also includes you, who is reading
this.
 |
| Mo Yan |
Which book
are you currently reading?
'Pow', by Mo Yan.
What book is
coming from your desk, next? When do you see it released?
'The Fly
That Followed Me'. It is Book 2 of the Kalki Evian series and a prequel to Book
1. The latter was based in Italy. This one is based in India.
It recounts
the episodes of Kanha Evian in the time that led up to his train accident,
prompting the whole saga to unfold. And yes, it brings a major character – the
fly – into the fray.
What do you
do on a day to day basis, besides writing stories?
I have been
working as a Marketer, ever since I returned from Italy. Beginning January,
though, I may be spending the whole of next year in Canada – a new chapter.
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