Writer’sBlock
The Case of the Missing Servant is a detective novel set in Delhi and Jaipur. I was amazed how well Tarquin Hall knows how Indians behave and talk.
Bhaichand Patel has written Happy Hours: The Penguin Book of Cocktails, and edited two books of essays, Chasing the Good Life: On Being Single, and the recently published, Bollywood’s Top 20: Superstars of Indian Cinema, which profiles 20 of our finest stars, from Devika Rani to Aamir Khan. Patel is currently working on his first novel.
QDescribe your favourite writing space?
I prefer to write on my desk in the bedroom. The place is quiet, comfortable and, in Delhi winters, warm and cozy. Best of all, it overlooks my garden.QDo you have a writing schedule?
When I started on my novel, I followed Pavan Varma’s fine advice and willed myself to put together 250 words a day. As a journalist, I am lazy and a slow writer. A column of 800 or so words takes me a week. I rewrite constantly until I get it right.QEver struggled with writer’s block?
All the time. Everyone does, with the exception of the late Christopher Hitchens.QDo you have a secret trick, or a book/author that helps?
No special tricks. I don’t use long words, I keep my sentences short, as you can see. I enjoy writing. When I finish an assignment I reward myself with a nice stiff drink. I am inspired by my mentor and neighbour, Khushwant Singh. At the age of 98 he writes two weekly columns. That’s simply amazing.QCoffee/tea/cigarettes — numbers please — while you are writing?
I take only one cup of coffee and two cups of tea daily whether I am writing or not. I don’t smoke. Thank God! My weaknesses are booze and women.QWhich books are you reading at present?
I am reading a book that Outlook has sent for review. I am not allowed to mention the name until the review is published. I am sorry to say it is not very good. Bad books are more fun to review than good ones! The last book I finished was The Case of the Missing Servant, a superb detective novel set in Delhi and Jaipur. I was amazed how well the author, Tarquin Hall, who is a foreigner, knows how Indians behave and talk.QWho are your favourite authors?
Ian McEwan and Alice Munro, still living, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.QWhich book/author should be banned on grounds of bad taste?
None. Banning of books and films is not on. If you don’t like something, just ignore it. One has no business telling other adults what to read or see.QWhich is the most under-rated book?
I thought The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell should at least have been shortlisted for the 2010 Man Booker Prize.QWhich are your favourite children’s books?
It was such a long time ago, but I still fondly remember the stories of Hans Christian Andersen and Grimms’ Fairy Tales.
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