Teaming the world’s biggest selling thriller writer James Patterson with India’s best-selling author Ashwin Sanghi, can be termed a coup of sorts. Published recently, their book “Private India” (Random House India and Cornerstone, a division of Random House, UK) is the latest in the global bestselling Private series.
“Private India” combines the trademark suspense and fast-moving plots of Patterson’s writing complemented with the exhaustive research and gripping storylines of Sanghi’s thrillers.
Patterson is famous for his Private series, which is based around an exclusive detective agency, Private, led by Jack Morgan with offices across the globe. His books include: “Private Number 1 Suspect”, “Private Games”, “Private London” and “Private Berlin”. His latest book is an extension of that franchise in India and is set against the Mumbai backdrop with the full impact of maximum city through Bollywood, the mafia, god men, politicians and business tycoons.
The author says, “Writing my Private series of books has given me the opportunity to work with local authors on thrillers set all over the world. With its vibrant and chaotic cities, and rich history and heritage there could be no better place to set Private’s next adventure than India.”
And with Sanghi (of “Chanakya’s Chant” and “The Krishna Key” fame), he could not have asked for more. Patterson has authored books behind six films on Hollywood fast track. He has won several awards including the Edgar, the BCA Mystery Guild’s Thriller of the Year, the International Thriller of the Year award and the Reader’s Digest Reader’s Choice Award.
Excerpts from an interview
How important is India in the context of your future readership?
My Indian readers are very important to me and Random House is looking at different initiatives for the market — including releasing the new Alex Cross book, “Hope To Die”, straight into paperback format in India (while it is hardback in the rest of the world).
How was your experience in working along with Ashwin Sanghi?
It was wonderful to work with Ashwin on this project. I was looking for a collaborative writer in India and Ashwin’s name was suggested. With his broad historical knowledge and his love of a fast-paced plot, there could have been no better writing partner.
Even though you are a veteran, what was the toughest challenge you faced while writing along with him?
There actually weren’t any tough challenges and the process worked very smoothly. I provided a guideline, along with a list of international characters to be woven into the story, before Ashwin came back with an outline, which we discussed in detail. Ashwin then wrote a first draft and I did the second.
Were there moments when you marvelled at Sanghi’s writing skills?
I think that the best moment was when I first received Ashwin’s ideas and saw how a Private adventure would fit in Mumbai.
Are there any TV/film plans for the Private series?
There is at present a TV adaptation of Private in progress for CBS.
Your favourite book-to-screen experience where you found both the book and the film equally good?
Sure. “Silence of the Lambs”. And the recent “Cross” film. Alex Cross took his first trip to Hollywood in many years, and it was quite a ride. Tyler Perry, Matthew Fox, Ed Burns and the rest of the cast did a great job. And audiences gave the film unanimous ‘A’ ratings to Cinema Score on their way out of the theatre.
And some translations of books to films that made you feel let down?
I definitely feel like some past projects didn’t quite live up to their potential. But I have hopes for a couple of projects in the works: the very first “Maximum Ride” movie, which has Avi Arad (producer of “Spider Man”), Catherine Hardwicke (director of “Twilight”), and Don Payne (writer for “The Simpsons”) on board, and two TV series being developed with CBS for Private and “Zoo”.
What are the key reasons for your spectacular success as a global bestseller?
Some of the rules I follow when writing my novels include writing stories the way people tell them. I make reading the book an ‘experience’ and keep my chapters short. I always outline the book before starting to write it. I am always open to change during the writing process, always write with confidence and I always know who I am writing for and what they want.
Is your passion for writing as strong as before and do you still write nearly 365 days a year?
Pretty much. Somebody said you’re lucky if you find something you like to do and it’s a miracle if somebody will pay you to do it. I love to tell stories. It’s a delight for me. I start to write at 5.30 every morning and don’t stop until lunch.
Your next book?
My next book in the Private series will be “Private LA” in paperback in September and then “Private Vegas” in January 2015. My new Alex Cross book “Hope To Die”, the 22nd in the series, will be out in November.
Nilima Pathak is a journalist based in New Delhi.
