Ask Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni - Wednesday, May 15th! discussion

Tracy wrote: "Namaste Chitra,

I was captivated by The Mistress of Spices. I offer great praise for your ability to bring your stories to life, with sounds, fragrances, colors... the imagery and environment of y..."

Namaste Tracy, and thanks for those kind and inspiring words. It's always a mystery for me where the story ideas come from. Sometimes they'll come out of life events. For instance, One Amazing Thing, which is about a natural disaster that traps the characters, came to me when we were evacuating Houston in the face of a hurricane threat.

I never wrote as a child or teenager. Only after I moved to the US did I start--after I'd finished all my formal education. I think immigration made me into a writer. What helped me most was the fact that I'd always been an avid reader.

Sahitya wrote: "Namaste Chitraji,

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your The Mistress of Spices but my absolute favorite is The Palace of Illusions.

My question is what inspired you to narrate the Mahabharata ..."

Dear Sahitya (what a wonderful name, meaning Literature in my language, Bengali!)
So glad you enjoyed Palace. That was a real challenge to write. I wanted very much to tell an epic story from a woman's viewpoint. As you know, I am particularly interested in women's experiences. I wanted to show how Draupadi, the wife of the 5 greatest heroes of her time, felt when she was abused in the king's court, her desire for revenge, how she feels when she loses all her children in the war, etc.
Yes, I'm planning a novel on the Ramayana next, from Sita's point of view.

Tina wrote: "Hello,

I teach your novel in 6th grade and am excited to have a question answered directly by you.

How do you create such authentic characters and do you stories have folkloric connections to..."

Hi Tina, Thank you for teaching my books. Are you teaching Conch Bearer, or Victory Song?
I work hard on characters--they are the heart of the novel, for me. I take a long time to imagine them and write everything down in a notebook before I start writing.
I do a lot of research. For the conch bearer, I studied the conch in Indian mythology--its powers and characteristics.

Khadija wrote: "Hi Chitra, I have read almost all of your books and by far my fav one is Queen of Dreams (read it a few times). I love the details of the meadow...is that a real place?"

Hi Khadija, So glad you liked Queen of Dreams, my novel about a dream interpreter set in the time of 9/11. The meadow is an imagined place!

Rashmi wrote: "Hello,

I have heard that you are writing a book which is a story of Ramayana, from the perspective of Sita. Is it true???"

Rashmi,It's true. The research is almost complete. I've written a few pages and will do more as soon as my book tour for the new novel Oleander Girl is done. By the way, details of Oleander Girl are here. http://www.chitradivakaruni.com/books...

Dear Chitra mashi,

Thank you for pursuing your passion to write since I gain the pleasure of reading your works. The first book of yours that I read was 'The Conch Bearer'. I was researching Indian writers who wrote YA novels for an Indian audience and found your novel quiet by accident in the Mission library in San Francisco, CA. The story started almost like an unconscious child's prattle and then suddenly everything became turbulent. I was totally taken over by the characters which were intricately designed.

I have two questions :-

My first question has two parts,
One part is - how to create fantastical characters while keeping the realism still within the realm of reachable range of reality?
Second part is - does the characters' behaviors structured by conscious pre-plan or by demand placed by the plot?

My Second question is :-
What would your advice be to an apprentice in the art of writing on creating a schedule for writing?

Thank you and warm regards,

- Srividya Suryanarayanan

Pavithra wrote: "Hello Chitra,

My absolute favourite is Palace of Illusions. Every character's final journey is extremely moving and it took me a while to get over it.

What inspired you to write about one of the ..."

Hi Pavithra, so glad Palace of Illusions touched your heart. As I wrote above, Palace was a real challenge to write. I wanted very much to tell an epic story from a woman's viewpoint. As you know, I am particularly interested in women's experiences. I wanted to show how Draupadi, the wife of the 5 greatest heroes of her time, felt when she was abused in the king's court, her desire for revenge, how she feels when she loses all her children in the war, etc. And yes, I wanted to complicate it and complicate the characters. Many of Draupadi's thoughts are mine (there isn't much about her thoughts and feelings and motives in the Mahabharat).
I'm planning a novel on the Ramayana next, from Sita's point of view.

J wrote: "Hi Chitra,
I'm doing a feature Indian authors drawing on the themes of epics, and I was wondering if you would like to comment :
What according to you is the narrative value that these epics have ..."

Hi J, The epics are powerful and timeless tales that continue to make us meditate upon human existence. Their one flaw is that although they have strong women characters, they do not focus on their thoughts, feelings and motives. The world of the epic (both Eastern and Western) is a male one. This is one of the reasons I was inspired to retell the Mahabharat from a woman's point of view, and I chose Draupadi, who is a strong and often willful character.

Leslee wrote: "Enjoyed the reading and Q&A at The Asia Society in NY. You're very sweet and graceful.
Where do you find the biggest fan base/ book selling, US or India?"

Hi Leslee, It was great to meet you there. Thanks for the good words. My fan base is about equal in India and the US. From my FB page https://www.facebook.com/chitradivaka..., I've learned that I have a big fan base in Europe and South America as well!

Hemalatha wrote: "Hello Chitra,
I read one of your books : 'The Palace of Illusions' and absolutely loved it. It was very novel and an unique narrative in all of Mahabharat's renditions.
What I do wonder about i..."

Thanks, Hemalatha! As I wrote above, Palace was a real challenge to write. I wanted very much to tell an epic story from a woman's viewpoint. As you know, I am particularly interested in women's experiences. I wanted to show how Draupadi, the wife of the 5 greatest heroes of her time, felt when she was abused in the king's court, her desire for revenge, how she feels when she loses all her children in the war, etc. And yes, I wanted to complicate it and complicate the characters. Many of Draupadi's thoughts are mine (there isn't much about her thoughts and feelings and motives in the Mahabharat). And yes, I made up many parts of her thoughts and motives, though almost all the actions and incidents come from Vyasa's original Mahabharat. I enjoyed her character though I didn't always agree with what she did or felt.
I'm planning a novel on the Ramayana next, from Sita's point of view.

Hello friends, I'll take a break now, but I'll be back to answer more questions in a few hours. So please keep sending them in. And thanks for all the kind words. They are very inspiring!

Hi Chitra, I think Queen of dreams and palace of illusions are your best books and would make wonderful crically aclaimed movies. Have you ever given this thought. I have read all your novels and these two have stayed with me the most

Rashmi wrote: "Hello,

I have heard that you are writing a book which is a story of Ramayana, from the perspective of Sita. Is it true???"

Yes, Rashmi, that's my next project! Do you like the idea?

Gayathrinayar wrote: "HI Mam,
I am a great fan of you and i like your 'palace of illusions' it gives a different aspect about the Mahabharatha story and you wonderfully created Draupadi in a different outlook and you ..."

Hi Gayathri,
Glad you liked Palace! As I wrote before, I wanted very much to tell an epic story from a woman's viewpoint. As you know, I am particularly interested in women's experiences. I wanted to show how Draupadi, the wife of the 5 greatest heroes of her time, felt when she was abused in the king's court, her desire for revenge, how she feels when she loses all her children in the war, etc.
I'm planning a novel on the Ramayana next, from Sita's point of view.

Aminah wrote: "As a Bengali with roots in Calcutta and as an alumna of UH, I wish you continued success in your career and am thrilled every time your novels win national accolades. I grew up in the US, and Arran..."

Thanks, Aminah!Immigration and the death of my grandfather made me into a writer. I wanted to capture parts of his life and character. I wanted to remember India. I wanted to make sense of America. By the way, bits of my grandfather are in the grandfather character in my new novel Oleander Girl.

Srishti wrote: "Hello Chitra,
'One Amazing Thing' and 'The Palace of Illusions' was scintillating.


What I was wondering about is whether you could probably do a novel from the point-of-view of Kunti or Hidimba?"

Thanks, Srishti!
I'm actually planning a novel on the Ramayana next, from Sita's point of view.

Joana wrote: "Hello Chitra,

A couple of years ago, in a college's course , I had to read some books related to the Indian Culture, and amongst them were "The White Tiger", by Aravind Adiga, and "The Mistress of..."

Thanks for the compliment, Joana. I appreciate it. Adiga is a very strong writer.
I sometimes draw on people I know (the grandfather in my newest novel Oleander Girl is loosely based on my own grandfather), but mostly I use the imagination.

Rose wrote: "Hello!

I first read "One Amazing Thing" and was so captivated by it, both by your exquisite writing and also the premise of it, that everyone has seen and lived through amazing things, and everyon..."

Rose, Glad you connected with One Amazing Thing. Yes, I really believe everyone has an amazing story to tell. OAT has now been used in many city-wide and campus-wide reading programs, and it is encouraging many people to tell their own stories.

As for characters, yes, I do have to inhabit each one's skin when I write them. I have to imagine myself in their place, thinking their thoughts, even thoughts I don't like!

Rakhi wrote: "I owe you for lifetime. For 32 years I was scared of books, specially the big fat ones. Palace of Illusions was just magical. I finished reading this book in a week as if I was spellbound... Since ..."

Rakhi, I'm really touched by what you wrote. It is the kind of effect I dream about my books having on a reader. Thank you, and keep reading!

Ritambhara wrote: "Hi!
I loved your,"The palace of illusions". The way the narrative flows, is beautiful! Especially, the way you portrayed her relationship, with each character I loved her flawed with ego and destin..."

Thank you, Ritambhara for your kind words. Yes, a novel from Sita's point of view is my next project!

OK, Friends: off to eat lunch. Back to answer more questions in a little while. Keep them coming!

Namaste Chitra,

I enjoyed your book titled "palace of illusions" very much. Enjoyed reading about the events that led to the Great War from Draupadi's perspective. The manner in which you've portrayed a complex and mysterious character such as Draupadi was very interesting. My question to you is - Have you any plans of writing about other female historical characters from Indian mythology and history say for example Sita, Damayanti or perhaps even Parvati? I was hoping you would give them a more powerful personality than what the traditional texts have assigned them.

Thanks

Hello Chitra,
After watching and hearing how sweetly and gently you told the spellers in past HoustonPBS spelling bees that alas, they had misspelled their words, I was very excited to get to meet you in person at your book launch of Oleander Girl.
The timing of this chat on Goodreads is an "amazing thing" for my book club--and for me especially--since this month's book is One Amazing Thing and I am the reviewer. As my book club is an inquisitive bunch, I know they will want to know:
1. What was your "one amazing thing?" (All I know is that it had something to do with a librarian...)
2. Leaving Kolkata at 19 to come to the U.S.--why?? How much did you know about what life in the U.S. might be like when you came? In what areas did it match your expectations, and how did it surprise you?
Anything you would be willing to share in these two areas would be appreciated. Thanks!

Deborah wrote: "My daughter is a graduate student in literature and folklore, graduating with her MA this spring and interested in cultures and gender studies, and we both love all your books-but one of my very f..."

Thank you, Deborah! So glad you both like the books, especially Mistress of Spices. As you may know, it is now a film, too. I'd love to know what you think of my newest, Oleander Girl.

Congratulations to your daughter on her graduation.

Sheets wrote: "I am a huge fan. The first book I read was Palace of Illusions and loved the way that it was from Draupadi's point of view. I also really loved One Amazing Thing and the fact that the theme was uni..."

Hi Sheets, So pleased to hear your thoughts on Palace and Amazing! As for movies, who knows! I'd love a Bollywood movie, and even more, one with Indian Alternative Cinema. I can think of several stories that would transfer well to screen. So if you know any moviemakers....

Chitra wrote: "Yana wrote: "Hello! I'm a winner of "Oleander Girl" giveaway, which I'm currently reading and profoundly enjoying. There is no question so far, but just wanted to express my fondness and appreciati..."

Hello, Chitra! Thank you for responding! I'm a big fan of yours, as of reading "Mistress of Spices" and "Arranged Marriage" when they were freshly released. Already posted my review of "Oleander Girl" and plan to move to your other famous books highly praised in this thread! THANK YOU for your work and creation!

Adite wrote: "Hi Chitra. I loved "Palace of Illusions". I have always wondered, what if Sita or Draupadi were to tell their story would the Ramayan or Mahabharat be different? And I found your take on Draupadi's..."

Hi Adite, Thanks for your kind words. Glad you liked Palace. yes, the teller changes the tale! The Karna angle is there a bit in Vyasa and more so in the Bengali Mahabharat by Kashiram Das. I would love to see Palace of Illusions becoming a film. Also the newest, Oleander Girl. It's visual and fast moving and has a mystery as well as literary themes. I think it's perfect for a movie.

Govind wrote: "Dear Chitra,

I loved your book, the Conch Bearer. Though I just want to know, what inspired you to create the book, and who are the characters based off of?

Thank you for your time!"

Govind, My children were very keen on me writing a book for younger readers, so that inspired The Conch Bearer. Glad you liked it. Also, post 9/11 I felt it's important for children in America to be exposed to more multicultural books.
The characters in Conch have my children's names, but really they are imaginary.

Dydie, Thank you for your kind words. I would love to visit Bali someday! Oleander Girl will be translated into Indonesian, but it will take some time.

Dear Bhaavya, Thank you for your kind words on Palace. Research indicates that while royal women had many privileges, the working class woman did not. However, women did have more freedom to go around and were not as constricted to the home. (The idea of veils, purdah, etc. came into India around the time of the Mughal invasion). But ultimately, as you can see in Draupadi's story, it was still a largely male-dominated culture in the cities. (Forested areas, tribal areas, were different--more matrilineal).

Uma wrote: "Hi Chitra ji,
I read your book Oleander Girl. I liked the part played by her kin that she found, during her marriage. Question remains, could they have played a more prominent role, taking up the r..."

Hello Uma jiji, Good to hear from you. So glad you liked Oleander Girl. We don't want to give away the plot, but I think Korobi's kin decide not to be present at the wedding in order to prevent tensions that might occur. They do it out of love for her.

Victoria wrote: "Hello Chitra,

The first of your books that I read were Sister of My Heart and The Vine of Desire. I was profoundly impressed by them and have been reading your books ever since (except for Oleande..."

Victoria, Great question. I've always been interested in the mystical realm of existence. Though not all my novels have it, almost always there's a character who is concerned with metaphysical themes. I don't decide ahead of time--except for Mistress of Spices, because in that novel the magical spice shop is the backbone of the plot.
The novels guide me as to how and when the magical world appears in it. In Oleander Girl, for example, I added that element when revising the novel.

Kashish wrote: "Hi,
I've really enjoyed most of your books and I think your writing is very rhythmic which makes it most enjoyable.
I want to ask you a very specific question about your novel 'The Palace of Illu..."

Hi Kashish, Thanks for the good words. When researching, I found that there are several different versions of the Mahabharat. Though the basic story is the same, details and character interpretations are different. (This is even more so in the Ramayan). So I felt I was in good company in reinterpreting. However, I didn't change the basic facts of Karna's life in Palace. And even his attraction for Draupadi is a fact in Vyasa--that is why he comes to the swyamvar, because he wants to win her hand.

Soumyo wrote: "Namoskar Kakima,

It has been an immense pleasure to converse with you directly, something which had never crossed my mind.

Firstly, let me congratulate you on creating such masterpieces. Believ..."

Hello Soumyo, thanks for the compliments. About your question, you can go ahead and imagine these characters in the way that makes sense to you. Ravan in particular has been depicted in many ways. Some say his ten heads are not physical but metaphorical, standing for excessive ego.

Dora wrote: "Hi Chitra,
I have enjoyed all your novels and am a great fan. As a historical novelist myself, I'm interested to know how and when you give yourself authorial liberty to manipulate historical event..."

Hi Dora, Thanks for reading the books. In historical novels, I keep all the basic facts real (the wars, political events, etc.) but invent characters. Then I am free to imagine their lives within that setting. Such is the case with my children's novel Victory Song, which is set during the Indian Independence movement.

Uma wrote: "Dr. Chitra ji,
I have started a novel more than a decade back, at least 50 pages of A4 size are written. The story I wanted to discuss is also completed, I have not been able to complete it though..."

Uma jiji, you need to analyze why you are stuck. maybe you have outgrown your novel and need to write a different story.

Indumathi wrote: "Hi Mam,
Your novels are best companion for all time. I have read 7 novels of your's. In most of the novels, I noticed that you have highlighted some repeated symbols like blue colour, magical pot,..."

Indumathi, I am drawn to images and symbols out of folklore, especially in the novels you mention. I want to create the feel of a magical world, where in the midst of reality anything can happen. And of course images like the parijat flower are taken from our ancient myths. Blue is the color of Krishna, the color of the infinite (as symbolized by the sky).

Imogen wrote: "Hello Chitra,
I have been reading other group members messages/questions and most have covered anything I would , and some more knowledgeably than I.
So I shall just thank you for your delicious st..."

Thanks so much, Imogen. If you think of a question, feel free to add it. Glad you enjoyed the books.

Deepa wrote: "Dear Chitra,

Hope you remember me from the Jaipur Festival a couple of years ago! I loved reading "Oleander Girl" as much as "Arranged Marriage", "Mistress of Spices" and "One Amazing Thing". You ..."

Dear Deepa, Such an interesting question! I think I
read a lot of Dickens when growing up. But the tale of the orphan, or the hero in search of parents, is an old one, going back to Greek mythology, and to Karna in the Mahabharat. I think it touches something deep in us. I wanted to explore that in Oleander Girl.
Glad you enjoyed the book. Do add a review on Goodreads--I'd really appreciate that.

Carly wrote: "Chitra,

I absolutely loved "The Palace of Illusions." I'm a big mythology buff and enjoyed learning more about Indian mytho-history. Do you have any plans to adapt further myths in novel form?

Th..."


Hi Karly, Thanks for your kind words. My next project is going to be a retelling of the Ramayana from Sita's point of view.
Do add a review of Palace on the Goodreads site if you can. I'd appreciate it.

Sanjeev wrote: "Chitraji, I'm your fan and an aspiring writer. I wish to know how do you conduct research for your short stories-- do you physically visit the place you describe, and if yes, do you do it before yo..."

Hello Sanjeev, A big chunk of research has to be done early--for instance, when I go to India, I research everything I think I will need. For instance, with Oleander Girl, I researched the nightclub scenes. When I went to New York, I researched all the New York locales that Korobi would visit--and several that didn't end up being in the novel. The rest of the research I do as I'm writing and think of new things.

Hi Chitra,

I have read The Conch Bearer and The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming. I really enjoyed both of them! I am planning on reading Shadowland soon. Who are your favorite authors that you have read books by?

Thanks,
Mallika

Chitra wrote: "Diane D. wrote: "Hello, Chitra, I was so excited to receive the invite to this group and learn that you have written another book. My name is Diane and I was your author escort at the LA Times Fes..."

Hi Chitra,

I just signed up for your mailing list--better late than never! And I'm so happy for you with OAT and "The Word Love" (which I look forward to watching). Will you have any involvement in the making of OAT into a movie?

Srividya wrote: "Dear Chitra mashi,

Thank you for pursuing your passion to write since I gain the pleasure of reading your works. The first book of yours that I read was 'The Conch Bearer'. I was researching India..."

Dear Srividya,
Thanks so much for your comments and for reading my books.
1. When creating characters who live in an unusual, magical world, I always make sure to give them human and complex psychological characteristics.
2. I let them grow according to the way in which the plot develops. Otherwise their characters would not be organic.
3. You need to cut down on some other activities so you can set aside a chunk of time for writing. Maybe 2 hours about 3 times a week. More is better. Early in my writing life, I gave up TV. I double up and only watch movies when I'm exercising. I'm sure you'll find your own ways.

Ritu wrote: "Hi Chitra, I think Queen of dreams and palace of illusions are your best books and would make wonderful crically aclaimed movies. Have you ever given this thought. I have read all your novels and t..."

Thanks Ritu! I'd love for them to be made into movies, but it's not in my control. Maybe you have some movie director contacts!

Ashraks wrote: "Namaste Chitra,

I enjoyed your book titled "palace of illusions" very much. Enjoyed reading about the events that led to the Great War from Draupadi's perspective. The manner in which you've portr..."

Yes, Ashraks--Next novel on Sita, from her point of view.

Roberta wrote: "Hello Chitra,
After watching and hearing how sweetly and gently you told the spellers in past HoustonPBS spelling bees that alas, they had misspelled their words, I was very excited to get to meet ..."

Hi Roberta (and hi to Roberta's book club!) Glad you are reading the books. The Spelling Bee is fun to do. Those kids are so smart. I feel bad that sometimes I have to be the bad guy and tell them they're out.
Here are my answers:
1. What was your "one amazing thing?" (All I know is that it had something to do with a librarian...)

Actually, my most amazing thing was that I was saved while lost on a mountain by a stranger who came from nowhere and whom I never saw again.
2. Leaving Kolkata at 19 to come to the U.S.--why?? How much did you know about what life in the U.S. might be like when you came? In what areas did it match your expectations, and how did it surprise you?

I came for higher studies, to go to grad school. I didn't know much about the US. No internet those days! Almost everything surprised me. It was exciting and scary. The hardest part was missing family and friends.

Yana wrote: "Chitra wrote: "Yana wrote: "Hello! I'm a winner of "Oleander Girl" giveaway, which I'm currently reading and profoundly enjoying. There is no question so far, but just wanted to express my fondness..."

Thank you for your review of Oleander! I will check it out.

Chitra wrote: "Uma wrote: "Dr. Chitra ji,
I have started a novel more than a decade back, at least 50 pages of A4 size are written. The story I wanted to discuss is also completed, I have not been able to comple..."

Thank you Dr. Chitra ji! Will split them!

Friends, I think I answered all the questions put up so far. Please let me know if I missed anyone. I'll check back again at night for more questions. Thanks for such thoughtful queries.