Sharjah: “My approach to a film adaptation of my book is [similar] to what I would have for a distant relative,” said Indian High Commissioner to Canada and best-selling author Vikas Swarup, who after a 15-hour flight from Ottawa, was overwhelmed by the reception from over a thousand school-goers from across the UAE at the Sharjah International Book Fair on Thursday.
In a question-and-answer session with accomplished British-Pakistani journalist and writer Sarfraz Manzoor (also a literary guest at the fair), several aspects of Swarup’s life came to the fore such as his inspiration for his book ‘Q&A’ which has been translated into 43 languages, and the muse for the Oscar-winning ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, why he thinks a good idea should never be lost, his occupations as a diplomat and a writer, how good books can shape a bright future for children, and more.
“I am delighted to see so many young faces here in the audience today,” said Swarup. “If young people engage with the world of books, ideas and the written word, we can be sure that we are heading towards a bright future. Whatever careers and professions you all go ahead and choose for yourself in life, your base will have to be strong. And there is no foundation stronger than the one that is supported by the knowledge from good books,” Swarup said.
The audience was curious to know at what point had he decided to become a writer.
Where did he get the idea for ‘Q&A’ and his other books?
“I grew up in the small Indian city of Allahabad that has given India the maximum number of prime ministers like [Jawaharlal] Nehru, cinema legends like Amitabh Bachchan. My world did not have television, the internet, and PlayStations. My spare time was consumed by books. I always thought of myself as a reader, never a writer. It was only when I was posted in London between 2000-2003 that the idea of trying a hand at fiction came to me. I never imagined that one day I would be addressing a crowd of over a thousand people at the Sharjah International Book Fair.
“If I could make that transition of becoming a writer from a reader, I know that each one of you here can,” Swarup said.
How does he manage to combine his career with creative writing?
Swarup remarked: “The left brain-right brain logic does not work for me. Creativity is a quality that exists within us all. I joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1986, have been a diplomat for India for 32 years and a writer for 10.”
For aspiring writers in the audience, Swarup’s advice: “Before you become a writer, become a reader. Read, read, read. A Kindle can store thousands of books, and are accessible with a few taps of the finger. Use technology to read more, and access all the knowledge in the world that you possibly can.”
He added: “A central source of inspiration for an aspiring writer is other writers. Of course, it could come from a piece of music or a piece of rock, but the more you learn the craft of writers, the better you can apply it in your own writing. Also, keep an eye out for life. Just living life meaningfully will enrich your creativity.”
“Plans?” asks Manzoor.
“Well, I am a weekend writer and the Indian Canadians organise several social dos that keep me occupied over the weekends these days. My favourite genre growing up was thriller mysteries. The winter in Canada really inspires me, and who knows, maybe my next novel will probably be a murder mystery in snow.”
