Uday Satpathy’s interaction with the author on his blog Thriller Writing Help for Authors

Author Usha Narayanan talks about her crime thriller The Madras Mangler, about her writing process, her views on the Indian publishing industry and the trend of ebooks and self-publishing in India.

Tell us about yourself.
I started with a gold medal in English from the University of Madras, and two Masters degrees – in Literature and Education. I taught English and then worked as Creative Director in several leading ad agencies, including RK Swamy/BBDO; and in Radio City 91.1 FM. I managed corporate communications at Scope International, Standard Chartered Bank and also worked in e-publishing.

I have lived mostly in Chennai, with a stint in Honolulu, Hawaii where I did a course in creative writing. My interests are reading, travel and animal welfare. I also help Vidyarambam Trust which has reached out to over 7 lakh rural children.

What made you become a novelist?
It was the sheer joy of working for myself and fashioning a whole new world of my own. I enjoy creating characters, bringing them love and success, or making them face problems that threaten their very existence. I laugh and cry, dream and die with them. The goal is always to create a rip-roaring page-turner that appeals to all readers. And the response to ‘The Madras Mangler’, my first novel, has been simply amazing!

Take us into The Madras Mangler.
A serial killer jolts placid Chennai awake, killing college girls and dumping them in the city’s rivers. Vir, an ace Indian-American criminologist, is called down to India by his friend Bishnu to assist in the investigation run by his crack unit. Among the suspects are beer barons, cyber bullies, ruthless politicians and their henchmen. Elections are around the corner; a major producer is shooting the first-ever Hollywood movie in Chennai; the one-day cricket final looms over the horizon. Will Vir, who is struggling with demons from his past, track the psychopath in time? Will pretty Kat, Lolita and their other friends survive?

Your typical day of writing….
I try to write in the mornings and evenings, some eight hours in total. Sometimes life, chores and cat fights (I have two cats and several marauders!) intervene. At other times, the clock ceases to exist and the book consumes me.

What is your process of writing a book?
I start with a broad idea of the context and the kind of novel that I want to write. But sometimes even this changes as the characters take shape and begin to call the shots! ‘The Madras Mangler’ started off as chick-lit and then came to a standstill as I did not know what to do with these sassy girls. Then after much thought, I brought in the serial killer and that turned the manuscript on its head.

Then it became all about plot ― the twists and turns, clues and red herrings and the writing of hundreds of outlines. Who is the killer? Who is the victim? The suspense had to be maintained at two levels. And of course, I had to do a lot of research on forensics, technology and the locations.

How do you deal with the dreaded writer’s block?
If you find yourself stuck, it’s probably because your mind is telling you that something isn’t working. Check what you’ve written already and see if the characters ring true and their conflicts and motivations engage your interest. If they don’t, throw out segments or even the whole of your manuscript as required. And remember, you will get nowhere if you haven’t started writing!

What are some of the lessons you have learnt about the Indian publishing industry?
Do your research on publishers, check out their submission guidelines, polish your manuscript till it shines, follow-up at the required intervals, and then cross your fingers and your toes! If the Big Five turn it down, re-read your query letter and your sample chapters again and send to the next five on your list.

Your views on two monsters in the publishing world – self-publishing and eBooks….
I wouldn’t call them monsters, but rather the last hope for those whose work has been turned down by traditional publishers. These options also help established authors acquire more control over their new books. Self-publishing is still rather risky and distribution to bookstores nationwide is a problem. But with more writers jostling for space, it may soon become the new reality. As for eBooks, it is a concept whose time has still not come in India. But things can only improve with increased internet and smart phone usage.

What are you currently working on?
My next novel is a breezy tale of love and power-play in a glam office. It’s a cocktail of fun and fizzy elements in a world of nasty bosses and other animals!

What advice would you have for writers who are trying to get their first novel published?
Keep writing, keep reading, keep your mind open to opportunities, and don’t ever give up! Good luck.

The Madras Mangler is available in leading bookstores and also online as paperback or ebook on Snapdeal, Flipkart, Amazon and Infibeam.