News Archive
- 09.07.10: A Writing Start
The weather takes you slowly when Autumn starts. You shut the windows against the rain and the cold. The wind does its work and the leaves change colour in some kind of defiant show to prevent them from being stripped off the branches - all to no avail. They gather along the pavements or against a fence- dry, brown and breaking under feet. People move with quick step, the chill forcing them to turn up their coat collars. Sunshine disappears and weeks, yes weeks start to pass without any bright light- one grey day after another.
Starbucks, just off the corner of Albert Square is crowded with people taking a break from their office work; smart men and women staring through the windows, reading a book or a newspaper. The smell of coffee was strong but I didn’t spend too much time there, only going for a change of scene. There were many strangely named coffees and at the beginning I was confused; espresso, cappuccino, caramel macchiato- all expensively priced. The cups would be big, too big for a cup of coffee- and I paid the high price because I didn’t want to look stupid in front of the pretty smiling girl; when all I wanted was a simple cup of regular coffee with one sugar.
The coffee shop was not far from the Friends Meeting house building owned by the Quakers association. This was a Christian organization about whom I knew little then and perhaps still know little now. Across the road there was the central library of Manchester, a huge round building, one of the land marks of the city. The library formed my place of work- where I was going to write my stories, my first novel. It gave me time and peace; a place to write sheltering from the cold wind and rain- and all for free. This is something that shouldn’t be underestimated for a writer starting out- a place where he can write without having to worry about the cost. I will always be very grateful to the British library.
Finishing the coffee I would head back into the library with my coat, shoulder bag carrying my notepad, pens and pencils. Finding a quite desk, the process of writing would begin with a pencil or a pen. If it was a pencil, they would be sharpened first, and for a good while this became a sort of ritual before the first sentence was written; it helped me focus. I wrote in long hand, still do, and not straight onto the laptop like a lot of writers. It’s a process that feels natural and lends itself to making me more creative.
People who have never written cannot understand what a writer does and how difficult this god damned art is- they hear of the big authors and the great amount of money they make and say this writing lark can’t be all that hard. Sit down and write a quick book and hey bingo, the money rolls in. If only it was that simple, but for most writers until the day they make it, they are going to embrace poverty and not riches. A famous writer once said that- In any other profession, to work without getting paid would be considered ridiculous!
At first I began to write a novel, jumping in at the deep end when it might have been better to have started with a short story or two. There was no idea about what I was doing, only a creative urge to write. No one in my family read, it wasn’t an activity that we thought about or did. There were no books or novels in the house. No one that I knew in my immediate family, aunts, uncles or cousins read novels- one or two might have read religious books but that was about it. Sometimes the fact that I have entered this whole literary field amazes me. No satisfactory answer has yet come to mind - but the one that is doing the rounds in my head at the moment - is that I wanted to tell a story my way. That is - in my vision.
As the writing started to flow onto the page, I found that I wrote pretty quickly and the ideas would come instinctively. My first novel as the days went by was some kind of thriller- the main character had to save a VIP and there was a love angle and some Chinese spies thrown in for good measure. I probably threw in quite a lot for good measure. No reading what so ever had preceded this writing effort but I found that I liked the creation of characters, story, enjoyed the process and that was all there was to it.
To my scant knowledge there were no writing or reading groups or any writing courses- all these things became popular later... almost in the last six years. So I started out alone and soon realised that writing is a lonely occupation, but even this observation didn’t hit home until much later. The writing was engrossing me. In this way the work progressed for about three or four months and the first novel was finished- its length was around 180 pages and that was all. Polishing the opening chapters, all one had to do now was to find a publisher and send it off. There was no one advising me about how to go about this and I didn’t know anyone to ask. I had Zero writer friends and zero Publishing knowledge. The strong expectation was that the first publisher would accept my ‘masterpiece’ and send me a fine cheque. Fame and fortune would be there of course, that is to be expected- how many castles did I build in my head. If I revealed all of them it would only open me to more ridicule now.
The only novel that I had ever read at school was... Wuthering Heights. This novel had left a big impression but after that I never read another novel. It wasn’t something that I did. Sports took over most of my spare time, friends, Indian films and work. The influence of bad films pushed me towards writing. I always thought that I could write a better story and used to find fault with the many poor directors.
After waiting for a few weeks, my novel was returned through the post with a standard rejection letter. ‘Thank you for sending us your manuscript, but unfortunately it is not to our liking’ or something like that. It was a small brief letter, signed by some editor that I had never heard of. The rejection didn’t affect me because there was no understanding of rejection. The novel was sent out again and after it was roundly rejected by five publishers - the first inkling hit me that I needed to improve the novel. The very first draft had been sent out with poor grammar, spelling, and no editing. But it had been a good learning process and I was starting to get hooked by this writing hobby, more than hooked, it was taking over my life.
Then my reading began and even this was done in such a way that it was a surprise that I wasn’t laughed right out of the store. Entering Waterstones and past all the thousands of books, I asked the assistant whether they had any books by Charles Dickens? Imagine asking this in England.
Which one? asked the assistant.
Any will do.
He had a slight smile on his face and pointed out Great Expectations. I bought that and few other classics. Why Charles Dickens? Because I had heard of him at school. This was the beginning of my reading - all the other books in that store meant nothing to me, they didn’t exist in my imagination. But I started to learn and enjoyed reading the Great Expectations. Then I slowly discovered other writers - American, French, Russian and Indian; the more I read and practiced writing, the better I became.
The challenge now was to become a good published writer- with the emphasis on Good. Hard work followed and after another six years of effort- my first novel The House of Subadar was accepted by Arcadia Books and published a year later in 2006. In 2007 it was shortlisted for the Glen Dimplex New Writers Award, Dublin.
There is now more understanding of the publishing world, its demands, the way it operates, although I’m still learning. I have also had the good fortune to meet up with writer friends, who are struggling on their own journeys. Together we have managed to reduce the loneliness and gain critical feedback. I am working on the completion of my second novel and hope that too will be accepted for publication when it’s finished. If not, then I’ll just start on the next novel. A writer has to keep writing; have faith, talent, determination and luck.
- 23.03.10: Migration Stories Launch
The Waterstones event was a sell out. And we sold many books. Thanks to everyone who bought a copy and asked me to sign one as well. I hope you enjoy this fine collection of short stories written by 16 talented writers. The book is available from Amazon now. I have added two photos from the event on the gallery page. - 24.02.10: Migration Stories Launch
Crocus Books are delighted to invite you to the launch of:
Migration Stories on Wednesday 11th March, 6.30pm at Waterstone's (Reading Room on 2nd Floor), 91 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BW.
The Migration Stories anthology gives fictional and fictionalised voice to UK migrants of both recent times and the more distant past. Readings by the contributors. Refreshments. Opportunity to get signed copies of the book.
Praise for Migration Stories:"A fascinatingly readable yet terrifying set of stories. They are brilliantly written and precisely edited" Professor David Morley, University of Warwick, UK
Contributors: Bashir Ahmed, Muli Amaye, Valerie Bartley, Maggie Cobbett, Matthew Curry Nicola Daly, Rowena Fan, Ovie Jobome, Kathleen McKay, Martin De Mello, Vijay Medtia Tariq Mehmood, Qaisra Shahraz, Sue Stern, Kim Wiltshire, Hua Zi.
Entry is £2 (can be discounted from price of the book).
Places are limited: to reserve a ticket please phone 0161 837 3000 or 839 1248 or email events@manchester-deansgate.waterstones.co.uk (or you can pick one up from the information desk at Waterstone's). - 30.12.09: India Trip
Friends - It has been a while since I last wrote but I have been to India. The bright warm sunshine contrasts with the cold of England, but it was a good trip, and it is good to see snow again that has lasted for more than a couple of days - normal British winters are returning again. I'd like to wish everyone who visits this website A Happy New Year.
I'm not sure I should write the following but then a Writer cannot help but comment on what he observes and feels; on this trip quite a lot of things hit me but I'll write on just a few things. Maybe I shall develop this site a little in that direction in the coming year.
Money - this is pressing on the Indian mind more than ever before. Everyone talks about the need to make money, to build a better future for themselves and their children. Money has become God! Those who can't make money, talk about people who make it with awe and admiration. This growing material obsession fuelled by the expansion of TV and the internet, disillusioned me to an extent. I've seen this obsession only grow over the past ten years. India is the land of wisdom, detachment and religious knowledge, and yet I found this material attachment more than slightly comical. It is as if the people have lost faith in their past values and teachings.
There's nothing wrong with people trying to better themselves but it mustn't overwhelm the whole thinking of man.
The other thing pressing on the people's mind is education. There is an enormous pressure building on the children. Parents have put their ambitions onto their children's small shoulders. The poor kids go to school and then have additional tuition classes and then they do their homework at night, day after day. It's a mad race to get ahead and the children are not exempt. I feel sad at this development; a balance is required between study and play - otherwise the kids are going to become disillusioned when they fail to achieve their targets in later life. The kids are losing their childhood, and one day they will accuse their parents of stealing it. From what little I could gather - a whole reform of the Indian education system is long overdue. Some Minister needs to look at it seriously.
Maybe this is all part of transition as India accelerates, trying to catch up with the West. I hope however that it doesn't lose the very things that gave its people cheerfulness and contentment in the process. Things like religious values, compassion and once simple living.
I saw people with increasing anxiety on their faces, losing their inner peace as they embrace materialism with both arms - perhaps it can also be said that some of them are being forced to embrace it, as the cost of living continues to rise.
From a writing point of view I suppose I've gained some new insights or themes that I can add to my fiction; which can only be good in the long term. I hope the New Year brings everyone luck and much success. - 21.09.09: Lancaster Evening Sept 09
I'd like to thank Lancaster University for inviting us to read from the Migration Stories. It was a fine evening with dinner and dance. I enjoyed meeting the delegates from around the globe- USA, Europe, South Asia. It was especially nice that so many of you came up to me afterwards and said that you liked my short story ENGLISH BABU. Although I only read a few pages, this feedback was much appreciated by me.
The book will officially be launched next year, and you will be able to buy copies direct from Amazon (you can pre-order it now). This early positive response however gives us writers in this short story collection much hope. - 03.08.09: August update 09
University of Lancaster have invited me to read from my work at their Global Imaginaries Conference in September. I will read my new short story - "English Babu", that is part of the Migration Stories book to be published next month. There will be over 200 delegates from around the world, and I hope that I can manage to read the story without too many nerves.
The British summer has been a wash out, the recession continues to bite, and if that wasn't enough, we have swine flu aswell. It seems that since Gordon Brown has become PM, everything that can go wrong, has gone wrong. The good luck left with Tony Blair. Napoleon used to ask his prospective Generals before appointing them - "Are you lucky?"
The British public should ask prospective candidates for PM - "Mate, are you lucky?" Then vote them in.
The hard work on my novel continues. - 09.04.09: April Update
Friends, the struggle continues. The second novel is complete, but I still haven't got it right. It's time to leave it for a few months and look at it with fresh eyes. Nobody said this writing life was going to be easy, though a lot of people think it is. Fortunately the third novel is coming together pretty good, so that gives me renewed hope.
I was interviewed by Lancaster University regarding my writing, and you can read this in the biography section.
Due to a fault on the contact page of my website, I have received no emails these past few months. So apologies for that. It is now working again. - 14.01.09: January Update
Happy New Year to everyone who visits my site. "Dreams can come true, but you may find that you have to work for them." I like this quote, can't remember the person who said it.
Some good news, my short story "English Babu", has been accepted for publication in the Migration Anthology that will come out later this year. A collection of short stories published by Shorelines.
I continue to work on my second novel- still needs a lot of work. And now my third novel, which is coming along in the first draft stage. Also read up on Hemingway, one of my favourite authors, and learnt a lot about a writers life, the struggles and discipline required to succeed. Trying to stay warm in this cold and freezing January weather! - 10.11.08: November '08 Update
I have been busy writing and re-writing the second novel, which has taken up most of my time. It is coming together. I have also written Four short stories.
RED STONE HILL
GARGOYLE
THE GOAT
ENGLISH BABU
I am hoping that some of these will be accepted for publication. I might even put them up on this site later, create a new section.
Barak Obama's win sends a very positive message around the world. The American people should be congratulated on rising above the racial politics. - 23.07.08: Thanks for your support
After the emotional upheavals of the past few months I would like to thank everyone for their kind emails and support. In difficult times Life has to be faced with courage, forbearance and prayer. I see no other way. - 02.12.07: An evening in Dublin
I attended the Glen Dimplex New writers award ceremony in Dublin, and it was a very fine evening. Missed out on the fiction prize to Booker short listed Hisham Matar- but... the co-judge Dermot Healy complimented me on my novel- saying that he 'Loved it.' So that was really encouraging, in fact the whole evening was brilliant, and it was also great because my agent Eve White was there for me in support.
I would like to thank everyone who visits my site from around the world, and who has bought a copy of my novel. Thank you. - 22.10.07: Glen Dimplex New writers award
Great news. My debut novel The House of Subadar is Short listed for the Glen Dimplex New writers award- Dublin 2007. The ceremony is in late November. I suddenly like everything Irish. Visit my agents site for more details. - 10.10.07: Manchester Literary Festival
Manchester lit fest reading, went really well. Along with fellow writer Zahid Hussain we managed to entertain the audience. They bought plenty of copies and I would like to thank them all, especially the ladies reading group from Bolton. It was my first reading and I am glad that it went well.
Sorry for the delay in posting this, there have been some technical problems with the site! - 27.09.07: Book reading details confirmed
Details have been confirmed for the reading I'm doing as part of the The Manchester Literary Festival. It will take place on Wednesday 10th October at 8pm in: Indus 5 Restaurant, 587 Stockport Rd, Longsight, Manchester - 05.04.07: Reading at Manchester Lit Festival
Manchester Literature Festival have invited me to do a reading from The House of Subadar at one of their events in October. More details about tickets and the venue will be posted soon, as things are finalised. The Food and Drink festival are also looking to co-promote this event. Myself and another Manchester based writer will be doing this event together. It promises to be a fun evening, with plenty of food and drink and, of course, a little reading! - 19.03.07: Interview on Colourful Radio coming up
I have been invited to talk on the London radio station Colourful Radio. Time and date yet to be finalised: I'll post the full details here soon. - 27.02.07: DXN interview now on this site
You can now read the full text of my interview with DXN magazine's Tahira Dar in the biography section of this website. - 19.02.07: DXN magazine interview out
The interview I did with DXN magazine will be out later this week. As soon as it comes out, we will publish it in the biography section of this website. - 05.01.07: Review in ASIANA
ASIANA reviews The House of Subadar :
"Although the book is dubbed a 'modern-day Grapes of Wrath', that doesn't quite do it justice. Absolutely Indian to its core, descriptions of the Punjab and the journey across the countryside are so vivid the heat literally shimmers off the page. Unravelling the tale of the impoverished Subadars who must travel from Punjab to Bombau to find work, this is a story that blends the pastoral with the grit of urban life seamlessly and makes gripping reading." - 11.12.06: DXM publish an interview
DXN a glossy magazine covering Greater Manchester, have just interviewed me on my writing and influences, and will publish the full interview in January '07. So please look out for that! - 09.12.06: Feature in Writers News
The Writing Magazine/Writers News have just featured me in their January '07 edition, which is out now. And it feels really good! National exposure and I hope my well wishers will now go out and buy the book! - 03.11.06: The House of Subadar reviewed in the Independent
The House of Subadar received the following review in today's Independent:
"Newly released from prison for the murder of a local debt collector, Veer Subadar returns home to find that the family farm has been repossessed by the bank. There is little option but to lead his parents and grandparents in an epic, Grapes of Wrath-style trek from their community in north-west India through Gujarat and Rajasthan, with the hope of starting over in Bombay. Medtia's unpretentious and evocative debut captures the realities of life on the road. The threat of religious upheaval and violence is never far away." Emma Hagestadt - 11.08.06: Interview on the BBC coming up soon
I've been invited to speak about The House of Subadar on the BBC Asian Network, on 19th September. It will be the author interview on the Nikki Bedi show which starts at at 12.30pm. You will be able to listen online here. - 05.08.06: The House of Subadar to be published in September
The novel The House of Subadar has got a planned publication date of late September. - 15.03.06: Short story of mine to be published
Shorelines Publications - Manchester, have just accepted to publish a short story of mine called 'Pinto the Barber' in a collection entitled Hair anthology. This will be available in the summer/autumn of 2006. - 14.03.06: My debut novel will be published in 2006
My debut novel The House of Subadar will be published in the summer of 2006, by Arcadia Books - London. Arcadia won the Best Independent Publishers award 2002/3, from the Sunday Times.