monalisa patsani
post news network
Bhubaneswar, June 17: Delhi-based Oriya writer Satyarth Nayak, who created a sensation with his debut book ‘The Emperor’s Riddles’ was in the city to interact with book lovers at Bakul Foundation. His book was published in 2014 and was a best-seller in India.
Satyarth, who left journalism for writing, now devotes his time entirely to writing. But he says he never planned to become a writer. “Writing happened randomly. Many believe I left journalism because I wanted to write, but the truth is I was bored of journalism. I wanted to do something different, it was originally to direct films.”
About how he got the idea of writing a mystery thriller, he said: “Being a literature student, I knew that someday I will write. I had read ‘Angels and Demons’ by Dan Brown, which made me curious about whether we have something similar in our own Indian culture. I researched subjects such as royal secrets and found this legend on an obscure website about a great emperor who had done some fascinating things about 2,000 years ago. I thought it could be a great story.”
Writing the book wasn’t difficult from thereon. “I got most information about the legend and only had to involve some interesting characters to make it a thriller.”
The success of the first book has brought this writer to his second work. “I have just finished writing my second book. I initially wanted to write something different but decided to stick with Om Patnaik my ‘Emperor’s Riddles’ protagonist who is similar to Robert Langdon of the Dan Brown series. This book is another adventure of Om Patnaik.”
The book is now with publisher going through the process of finalisation. Satyarth expects the book to be published by next year. “Tentatively, I have given the book the name ‘The Blue Nectar’ but we may change it.”
On the trend of writers coming up with good books, Sathyarth said: “ Chetan Baghat has created a pattern that has brought many youngsters into writing. I feel happy to see young writers dealing with subjects other than love.” There is a word of caution, too: “First-time writers have to make sure they publish their books through some good publication house.”
However, Satyarth now wants to get out of the series mode and to base his third book on mythology. “I plan to write a book based on a version of Mahabharata from outside India. I feel this different interpretation of Mahabharata will make an interesting read.”
