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“Completing a book in any genre gives you an adrenaline rush equivalent to that of winning a medal.”
– Usha Narayanan.

Today on the Blog Guest Post we have with us the bestselling author, Usha Narayanan whose books have been loved by both adults and young adults alike. With top selling books like The Madras Mangler, Love,Lies and Layoffs, Pradyumna: Son of Krishna in her kitty she has won many hearts. Her latest book,The Secret of God’s Son, published by Penguin, is a sequel of Pradyumna: Son of Krishna and is already a bestseller. Today she is going to reveal her writing secret.

Me : Your first book, ‘The Madras Mangler’ was a thriller. Then you switched to mythology with ‘Pradyumna: Son of Krishna’ and ‘The Secret of God’s Son.’ You have also written romcom with ‘Love, Lies and Layoffs.’ My question, which genre did you enjoy writing the most?

Usha: Paromita, I thought I could answer your question by drawing parallels to the Olympic Games that have just concluded. Completing a book in any genre gives you an adrenaline rush equivalent to that of winning a medal. The journey is similar too ― the labour, the breakthrough, the finish line and hopefully the spotlight and applause. ‘The Madras Mangler’ I would say is like synchronized swimming, an exercise that is both spectacle and sport. Writing a thriller requires perfect timing too and must lead to a finish that sets your heart pounding. Just as this sport demands huge levels of stamina, the thriller too calls for immense staying power as you execute quick moves that tantalize and entertain. The choreography takes place both above and below the water, as you make your victims and suspects tumble and somersault, thereby increasing the suspense and drama.

‘Love, Lies and Layoffs’ is like badminton, the sport made popular in India by our own Sindhu. A romcom, just like the game, features two lively players exchanging quick flurries and exhibiting swift reflexes. The players, both men and women, compete individually and in teams, for we must not forget the families and friends on either side, cheering or heckling from the sidelines! Both make for a spellbinding spectacle. However, in the game, we have only one winner whereas the romcom has two, with the lovers, find their happily ever after.

I think the writing of myth-based fiction such as ‘Pradyumna’ and ‘The Secret of God’s Son’ is similar to running a marathon, a sport that demands immense physical and mental strength. It is a grueling process requiring endurance, focus, skill, flexibility and a nimble mind. And the setting must be massive and spectacular, with huge cheering throngs! The possibility of reaching this pinnacle is what prompts every writer in this genre to take up the challenge.

As you may have inferred, mythology is my current favourite!