You don't choose writing, it chooses you: Major General G D Bakshi

Major General G.D. Bakshi is a combat veteran of many skirmishes on the Line of Control and has played a pivotal role in the counter-terrorist operations on Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. Award-winning army official, Bakshi is known for his opinions on matters, both military and non-military. Having previously authored a novel The Siege of Warwan, Bakshi is out with its sequel Maelstorm Rising. The book revolving around India’s defence forces is the the story of how a nuclear weapon falls in the wrong hands.

When and how did the idea for the book germinate?

My first novel was based on my counter terrorist operations in Kishtwar. This one — a sequel — was born when I led a National Defence College Study Tour to the Maldives in 2007. At the Indian Military Review, we were war-gaming likely conflict scenarios when we studied the aspect of Apocalyptic terror. Could the ISIS steal a nuclear war-head from Pakistan? How would it use the same? This book is a fictionalised form of that war-game. It is in the Tom Clancey genre.

Which is the best opening line in a book that you have ever read?

Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities — “It was the spring of Hope... it was the winter of despair.”

One fictional character close to your heart and why?

Sergeant Steiner in the German novelist Willi Henrich’s series of novels on the Russo- German war.

Who among the pantheon of writers (past/present) would you like to have coffee with?

Fyodor Dostoevsky over his classic — The Brothers Karamzov.

What is the antidote for writer’s block?

Go to the mountains and take a long walk.

Which book do you keep revisiting time and again?

Hans Ulrich Reiker’s Beggar among the Dead.

One classic that you haven’t read so far?

Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy.

A tip for aspiring authors?

You do not choose writing — writing chooses you — so, just persevere — you may be the lightning conductor that brings down to us the next great classic.