Novels are high-class gossip: Vikram Seth

It has been almost 26 years since Vikram Seth wrote his compendious novel A Suitable Boy that has sold millions of copies worldwide. Following the incredible success of the 1,349-page book that tells the story of four families in 1950s India, Seth has set his mind to writing a sequel to it - A Suitable Girl.
The announcement came a few years ago and the literary world has since been waiting in the wings for his next masterpiece. But the renowned author and poet - who has won several literary awards - doesn't seem to be in a hurry.
When Khaleej Times asked him how close he is to wrapping up the much-awaited novel, Seth candidly dismissed the question saying, "I don't really know."
Then he explained: "I hesitate to say anything because in the case of A Suitable Boy, I thought I will be finished in one year. But it took me seven years because the goal post kept retreating," he said during a sit-down interview on the sidelines of the book fair.
He said the writer has to draw all the threads back together and make an ending as life goes on.
"With A Suitable Girl, I still have not reached that point. I don't know how it might end. I have made plans but then the best-laid plans of an author can be destroyed by his characters. So, that is where I am," said Seth, who is apparently not taking a break from his writing even when he is in Sharjah to attend the book fair.
Inside Seth's creative space
When asked, he politely refused access to his workspace as he did not want "real people" to visit his characters, when they are being nurtured in a creative realm.
In his private space when Seth is alone with his characters, who calls the shots? Does he have complete control over them or do they lead him on?
"I can't always control them and I don't really want to. You have to compromise with your characters. You cannot let them go completely wild. At the same time, you cannot impose your will on the characters all the time."
While holding a complex story thread together - and while balancing politics on one hand and love on the other - Seth said novel-writing is a "jugad." A quick-fix.
"One thing to remember about novel-writing is that it is gossip. Why would people be interested in someone else's life unless there is gossip? You read Jane Austin and if nothing much is happening, you turn the page. You read when you want to find out what is going to happen. Of course, it is high-class gossip, but still gossip."
Inspiring budding writers
Seth attributes the delay in writing A Suitable Girl to 'writer's block', among other factors. But when it comes to igniting the creative spirit of budding writers during an interactive session at the book fair on Monday morning, he was spot on.
"To choose to be a writer, it is a lonely job. But you have to keep going," he told a cheering crowd of schoolchildren.
"You can write something and it may go nowhere. But don't write something according to what others want. Don't try to please anyone. The only thing is.make sure that you never feel ashamed of what you write when you look in the mirror."
Seth pointed out that in a way, he's just like anybody else: He procrastinates, too.
Student went ecstatic when he said he was addicted to the online game Candy Crush. "Well, that is one of my methods of procrastination. I play Candy Crush.. I grace the Internet. I stare at the ceiling. Sometimes I feel so lazy."
In an hour-long session, Seth spoke about his inspirations, his interests in calligraphy, and future of the written word in a world dictated by social media. He wrapped up the session by reading aloud his poem Fire from Rivered Earth that had the packed auditorium roar back 'Fire Fire! Hot! Hot! I am burning with Desire'."
Seth will hold another session open to the public on Friday at 7.30 pm at the Sharjah International Book Fair.
anjana@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah

Anjana Sankar

anjana@khaleejtimes.com