Exclusive Interview with
V. S. Sury
When did you start writing?
Around 2007
What makes writing your passion?
The urge to write comes spontaneously. Did not bother to question it further.
How long have you been writing?
From 2007, in English. Local, Indian regional language, small articles now and then during 1970 - 1980, and 2000- 2002
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
Happiness, naturally!
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
Probably, the choice was influenced by my private fantasies.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
My living environment, where there is no freedom for choosing my own time to write and do research.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
Thankfully, it has not visited me yet!
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
Persevere, persevere, persevere.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Boy, you are a stranger to me!
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
I read them. I do not mind the bad ones. Different folks, different strokes.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
Elation. For a short while. Yeah, I knew I deserved it!
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Not yet. My personal life is quite normal, and in low key.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
That guy, the bagus magus (bogus?) JESTUS, reincarnated as professor Bagdenborg ("Jestus on Rampage"- oops, sorry there). Based him on my rich , ripe fantasies.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
Yes, if the author is relatively new and unknown.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I am a totally reclusive guy. Writing is my medium of discharge.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
Happy and thankful.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
Many, many there are. But my first vote goes to Alexander Dumas because I started reading fiction at an impressionable age, through his Count of Monte Cristoe , Man in the Iron Mask, Black Tulip and of course, The Three Musketeers.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
That is private, not connected with books. If you insist for the answer, I would say that to attain the final understanding of one's life and this creation, is The Goal. (Nothing else is worth the effort.)
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
No . Full stop.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
Ludlum, Alistaire MacLean, Chase, Richard Condon , Saul Bellow - all combined!
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
Ignore them.
What would you say to your readers?
Thank you one and all, for having read my book (s). God bless you.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
India, state of Karnataka, town of Kolar. Bachelor, never married; no kids.
What is your day job if you have one?
I retired from government service in 2005. Not taken up any job since.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
Reading as at present. Contemplation about life and the Ultimate Mystery.
Did you have a happy childhood?
Yes.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
Probably it must due to that Alexander Dumas Effect I mentioned earlier!
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
Three in the list. One, Fentoscience is pending with a publisher - about pseudo science! Presently wring a collection of short stories. And the third one, a translation of my book, into a regional language of India.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
please do not tempt me. I am not an expert in that field. Oh, nor am I a politician (who has the knack of answering any question without batting an eyelid.)
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
1. Health, full, total till the final moment of death.
2. Ability to help others as much as possible.
3. To attain "liberation" as they say in religious circles.
What is your favorite music?
Nothing sophisticated. Popular film songs (olden) of Indian languages.
Share a secret with us 🙂
Hey, please keep it to yourself. I am a dummy.