Writing a novel was never something on author Sriman Narayanan’s list of long-term goals. But like many others, he stumbled upon the writer in him while going through a dark phase in his life. This newfound love for putting down his thoughts on paper saw him starting a blog as a way to ease his despair and he was soon writing a full-fledged novel, based on his personal experiences.
A banker by profession, Narayanan grew up in Coimbatore but moved to Bengaluru on work and later shifted base to America. Just out with his debut book Breath Go Away, a collection of short stories, he already has his hands full with his next book, a novel titled Socha Bhi Na Tha, that is a love triangle.
“Several years ago, when I was going through a rough patch in my life, I started to blog and found writing to be very calming and therapeutic. It helped me express my varying moods without the fear of being judged. The interactive aspect of blogging was the very best part of it, for I used it to revisit some painful episodes of my past, and the decisions made then, and elicit readers’ views and different perspectives on the situations. By emoting, and expressing it out in writing, I felt a sense of closure. Since then, writing has been my constant companion in moments of distress, solitude and cheer,” shares Narayanan.
The book is an assortment of varied genres with love being the underlying theme. Apart from romance, the stories also deal with suspense, drama, humour and philosophy, which seems to be the writer’s favourite subject. While the language is mediocre at best, the stories are very real and this is what is appealing about the book. “It is a collection of true, and near true stories, with a unique perspective, written from the heart and thus I believe, will connect to the minds and souls of the readers. I think it is very inspiring to write about one’s life events. Like many, I have had my share of drama in life, providing ample fodder for my books,” says the writer.
From the opening story, Breath Go Away, a tale of unrequited love, to Can Men Water Plants? — there’s something for everyone. With a keen interest in spirituality and philosophy, Narayanan is also an ardent tennis fan. “Apart from that, I enjoy reading, watching and listening to anything related to spirituality. I find it fascinating that there is a treasure trove of knowledge embedded in our scriptures that can be applied to our day-to-day lives,” says Narayanan whose preferred authors include Eric Segal and Jane Austen. “Love Story is deep and poignant, and full of witty rejoinders in the conversations between Jenny and Oliver in their initial courtship days. And as for Jane Austen, I first discovered there can be poetry in prose when I read Pride and Prejudice,” he concludes.
