Aneela Nike Post: Q & A – with Anil Kumar Naik

Reproduced here is the Mumbai-based editor/writer and book lover, Anil Kumar Naik’s take on books:

‘.......Especially for an autobiography, it has to be as honest as possible. Besides one has to document almost everything without hurting anyone’s sentiments.’

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Anil Kumar Naik : A brief CV

Earlier:

Advertising & Corporate Communication

Edited an online Business website & next edited a magazine devoted to Lifestyle.

Authored/Edited:

*Time to be Alone

- A collection of poems

*Eternal Quest

- A memoir by M R Pillai, Ex-Director of Enforcement, Govt of India.

* From the dust in Kalathur to the sand in Arabia

- A biography of a NRI enterpreneur S B Shetty of Arab-Udupi Group, UAE.

*Bharata, My Brother

- Bharata’s episode from the epic – Ramayana

Regular contributor to global & Indian media

Writes a popular blog on India, World & Current Affairs.

Education & resident in:

Mumbai, India.

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Q. About yourself?

A. I have been married for years and we both are non-materialistic and practical. And like anyone else, a lot of what I do and how I think has been shaped by my family and my over-all life experiences. I am also defined by my curiosity and interest for learning. I love to read, from books, magazines to newspapers, etc from which you get information, imbibe ideas and learn new things.

Q. What do you write best and why?

A. Autobiography, Biography, memoir, etc. Fame is not the only reason to write an autobiography or biography of a person. Actually personal stories, deep insight into what makes someone tick, a description of a person’s life of a few decades are all important and inspiring to others. I love being able to tell the stories of normal people who are making extraordinary changes. I hope to write more of such people.

For a writer writing a memoir – Autobiography or biography, the good thing is that mostly the subject is getting old and is equipped with personal experiences, and that there is so much more to write about, especially for a writer like me who delves in to the past. One has so many memories that you can never run out of material. My two books talk about the small towns and quirky people who inhabit my book and tell their struggles and rise to be successful.

A good memoir – should have elegant prose peppered with a little wit and humour. It should not be pompous, otherwise tends to get a bit vulgar. Should be based on real life experiences and facts. Should be economic in words and focus on the essentials for the benefit of young readers.

Most of the subjects hail from small towns, are easy to observe as people know each other well and are real life characters. In most cases, the major part of the book, I am writing about a village or town it used to be 50-60 years ago, so I need to re-create those times in my writing. I still prefer to handwrite the first draft of the manuscript.

Speaking at the Book
Launch at Kalathur,
nr Udupi

Specially for an autobiography, it has to be as honest as possible. Besides one has to document almost everything without hurting anyone’s sentiments.

Q. What about fiction?

A. Fiction. It gives you a free hand where I can take my imagination to whole new places. And Indian mythology – there is something magical about it for every generation.

Q. Do you believe authors should write more?

A. It depends. One should write as long as there is a meaningful story to be told. If not, just don’t write.

At the Book Launch with
eminent personalities

Q. How can one be a good writer?

A. One should tell a good story. If you try to use too many words and too many ideas, you will confuse the reader. It is organized thinking, exposing your inner thinking to the world. They think it has to be perfect, when in fact, writing is a process. The characters have to be appealing or provocative to sustain reader interest.

At the Book Launch with dignitaries
and AKN's father BG Naik on the stage

I have no regrets. I may not have become a great writer but I managed to write good and get paid for it. Now I am also a regular blogger too. I like to do my creative things quiet, in the background. I don't like to show or talk about it.

Q. Apart from writing, what else do you do?
A. I am into media and communication, with special interest in advertising and corporate communication. I love to visualise ads and ad campaign, conceptualise and direct corporate films. And I prefer to write the ad copy and content for corporate communication material which helps make a positive impact for the client. However, presently have almost given it up.

Q. Do writers have goals?

A. Although I do have goals, I don’t feel compelled to chase them. Most creative people feel the same!

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