Chat Archives

Chat on "Ranthambore Adventure" dated January 20, 2013

Deepak Dalal: Hi Susan - I'm online
Susan Sharma: Todays' chat topic is "Ranthambore Adventure" and the moderator is Deepak Dalal
Susan Sharma: Hi Deepak
Susan Sharma: Can we start by you giving an introdn?
Deepak Dalal: Hi - I'm Deepak Dalal. I write children's books - all with a wildlife angle. My book Ranthambore Adventure is about tigers and is the story of their survival in spite of the odds
Susan Sharma: You call it a children's book, but three adults in my house found the book very interesting esply since we have all been to Ranthambore
Deepak Dalal: Yes, although it is a children's story, adults (grown-ups) enjoy the book too.
Susan Sharma: I think it is because you mange to bring in a lot of serious issues in a subtle fashion.
Deepak Dalal: Yes - that's what storytelling is all about. We entertain but educate too - in a very gentle, unobtrusive manner.
Susan Sharma: What was the turning point which made you decide that you will use the method of story telling to make people aware of env.issues?
Susan Sharma: Hi Anantha
Deepak Dalal: I enjoy weaving stories. That's my passion. I also feel strongly about wildlife. I enjoyed putting the two together.
S.Ananthanarayanan: This is Sucharita, using anantha's acct
Susan Sharma: Hi Sucharita
S.Ananthanarayanan: hi susan
S.Ananthanarayanan: hi deepak
Deepak Dalal: Hi Sucharita
Susan Sharma: Was it difficult to leave a career to start following your heart?
Deepak Dalal: Not really. I was glad to do so. No regrets. It's been a great journey since.
Susan Sharma: Will you advise it as a career option for a youngster who is keen to become a story teller?
Deepak Dalal: There has to be total commitment. That's because it's a hard journey. But if the effort is consistent its worth the ride.
S.Ananthanarayanan: What skills should a youngster develop before he/she plunges into a career in writing?
S.Ananthanarayanan: Deepak I must admit I haven't read your books. Do you thing a focus on a particular area is important for a beginner?
Deepak Dalal: One way to learn writing is to read a lot. Read the best books. Read them slowly and discover how stories are told. Then try working first as a journalist or any forum (including the net) where people get to see your output. You take off then from there.
S.Ananthanarayanan: I guess one has to be an observer of life to be able to speak to an audience
Deepak Dalal: Yes, focus is important. The focus should be on what you are an expert on. That's important as you must write with authority.
Deepak Dalal: It's not just about being an observer. One must be a keen observer.
S.Ananthanarayanan: Do you test the waters before the book gets published-- by that I mean do you share it with a young audience to get some feedback?
Deepak Dalal: I do share my work with several of my readers before printing. Inputs from them are very important and I take everything they say very seriously.
S.Ananthanarayanan: Could you describe the process involved in storytelling. Do you have a storyboard of sorts that you then flesh out or is it something that is sponaneous?
S.Ananthanarayanan: Back to the question of feedback are they very critical?
Deepak Dalal: I usually begin with research. I invest a lot of energy on this. It is the research that actually guides me into the storyline. Then I just drill down into the story and the story fleshes itself.
Deepak Dalal: Feedback is important. The most critical part of it is whether the books is a great read or not. If it isn't then there is a problem. A huge one.
Susan Sharma: Would you say people judge you by the first book you write and that hence it is the most important?
Deepak Dalal: Well - yes, there is a great importance to the first book. But an ordinary first book is not the end of the world. It just makes future life as a writer that much more difficult.
Susan Sharma: These days book launches are held like opening Fridays of a film. What is your opinion about the role of marketing?
Deepak Dalal: Marketing is big. Very big. Good marketing moves even the most ordinary of books. And great books often fail because of poor marketing. This is an unfortunate and sad truth.
S.Ananthanarayanan: How do you handle the language of the book--- I mean there a huge audience out there of all ages and anyone of them could be reading it. So should a book have something for everybody?
Susan Sharma: Digital publishing and online publishing is slowly taking off and may change the scene in favour of authors.
Deepak Dalal: The best writers right the most simple of English. There is never any need to resort to high-sounding vocab that most people haven't heard of. Look at Sommerset Maughm or Dick Francis and many other writers. Their style is simple and readable by all.
Deepak Dalal: Yes, digital publishing is changing the playing field. One doesn't know where all this is headed but clearly the writer will be stronger. Yet, like before, marketing will still remain all-important.
Deepak Dalal: I talk a lot at schools. I am invited all over the country. What I have discovered is that children know little about wildlife. This is a shame. I'm doing my best, along with several other like-minded people to set this lack of knowledge right.
Susan Sharma: I am a little surprised that none of the young readers have joined the chat. Do you think we should target a school for our chat with you next time?
Deepak Dalal: Actually a school would be great. Try the Pathways schools. I had visited there last time in Delhi. You could also try DPS Vasant Kunj. They use my books as readers.
Susan Sharma: Are all the remaining titles now ready for marketing?
Deepak Dalal: The remaining 4 titles are in print. They should be available in the market by April this year - when schools are done with their exams.
Susan Sharma: I will try and organize the chat with schools and let you know.
Susan Sharma: April should be a good month for that?
Deepak Dalal: Sure. It will be a pleasure.
Deepak Dalal: Actually this is a good time. Schools are free till mid Feb. After this exam fever sets in. Jan is the best month.
Susan Sharma: I will certainly make the effort. We can have a chat session specially for school children. It will have to be a week day, I guess. and may be 4pm or so?
Deepak Dalal: I think it would be even better if it is during school hours. You can get the school to do this as part of a period. Schools would be happy to include chatting with a writer as part of the class. It will work out good.
Deepak Dalal: Are we ready to sign off?
Susan Sharma: That sounds like a good idea. Y
Susan Sharma: Yes, Deepak. Thank you very much and Sucharita thanks to you too
Deepak Dalal: goodbye and thanks.
Susan Sharma: As soon as we close the chat room, the transcript will be up and you can read it at the chat archives.