Utkarsh Patel is a corporate-professional-turned-mythologist, and now an author. With Indian mythology finding new takers in young readers, the author has carefully chosen one of the first woman heroes from Mahabharata — Shakuntala — as the subject for his recently released book Shakuntala — The Woman Wronged. Patel is also a founder-member of the Talking Myth Project, an attempt to create an online repository of age-old stories lost in this modern world.
Which is the best opening line that you have ever read?
While I am unable to remember any such line, my favourite ending is from a poem by Robert Frost — “And miles to go before I sleep!” I also like the opening of a long chapter from Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand — “This is John Galt speaking.”
Which genre draws you the most as a reader and a writer?
Mythology both as a reader and a writer due to its sheer richness and topicality.
One fictional character close to your heart and why?
Howard Roark and John Galt of Ayn Rand’s novels Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, respectively. While both the characters are fictional and extremely ideal, to the extent that their idealism hurts, it leaves an impact on a young mind about the outer limit of idealism.
Who among the pantheon of writers (past/present) would you like to have coffee with?
Rabindranath Tagore, Mahakavi Kalidasa from the past and of course, Joseph Campbell from the recent past; Salman Rushdie, Gurcharan Das, and many more from the present.
How can budding writers prevent rejection from turning into dejection?
Be ready to face rejections. Your labour of love might not resonate with others — this is something all authors have to be ready to accept. Before you send your submissions, make sure you have run your pitch with someone who is not as passionate about your writing as you are. Make sure you have thought about the reader, since you are planning to get it published.
What is your antidote for writer’s block?
The moment you realise that it is a writer’s block, just stop writing and do something else. Stop thinking about the book. The block doesn’t stay for long, so keep off from writing. Revisit the subject after a couple of days with a fresh mind.
