To make money for college, I worked in our college dining room.
From Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
I'm too careful with money - comes out of being poor for several years while growing up.
India lends itself well to fictionalization, but ultimately, it all depends on the writer's imagination.
To some extent, I draw on what I see around me; in other places, I imagine what I write.
I type everything on my computer. I carry a writer's notebook everywhere, in case I am struck by an idea. I forget things unless I write them down. I'm planning to learn how to dictate into my cellphone; I think that will be very helpful, too.
Often, writer's block will occur when I don't understand a character or his/her motivations. So I will make notes analysing characters.
I grew up in Kolkata in a traditional family. We had friends who lived in mansions just like the one in 'Oleander Girl.' Growing up, I was fascinated by the old house and the old Bengal lifestyle.
To me, characters are at the heart of great literature.
I work very hard at creating complex characters, a mix of positives and negatives. They are all flawed. I believe flaws are almost universal, and they help us understand, sympathise and, paradoxically, feel closer to such characters.
I had friends who died in the 9/11 tragedy; some of my friends lost family members in the aftermath of Godhra.
7 perspectives
4 perspectives
3 perspectives
1 perspectives