Tag: Characters

"It Can't Be You"

Remember Col. Belliappa?

In December 2010, my debut novel, ” It Can’t Be You” was published. A friend of mine who is a highly decorated retired Service officer with an impeccable reputation told me that I shouldn’t have portrayed Col. Belliappa in my story as a psychopath. He said psychopaths aren’t allowed to continue in the Indian Army. I said it depends on what you mean by the term psychopath. For me a psychopath is not a raving lunatic, rapist or serial killer as sometimes people understand one to be. There could well be some part of the psychopath in me and in you as well, if you go by my understanding of the term.

Recently, more than two years after the book was published, I received a mail from the same friend Continue reading “Remember Col. Belliappa?” →

"Lucky For Some, 13"

Characters in “Lucky For Some, 13.”

If you have read my second thriller, “Lucky For Some, 13” released in December 2012, you might like to try this quiz I have put together for you about the characters in “Lucky For Some, 13” on Goodreads. 

In earlier posts, I have introduced you to some of the characters here and here.

But where do these characters come from? The author’s mind and what he/she has observed over time. You may remember someone you knew years ago or someone who you met recently. It could be someone you know or merely some one you caught a fleeting glimpse of. That’s what makes crafting a character so fascinating for me.

Here are some snippets and thoughts that went into my mind while creating these characters:

  • At a wedding reception, I saw an American lady with mehndi on her hands and dressed in a sari. She actually carried it off very well and you will find some of this in a description of Alice Hatchman.
  • To make Mohini a stronger character, I had to tone down Dash’s character in describing their relationship. He has his own strengths but they do not include physical combat!
  • Many of the aspects of life for the “support staff” in luxury apartment complexes such as the drivers, nannies and the like come from my own observations and stories I have heard.
  • I like to think that all my characters are totally believable and there is nothing unrealistic about even one of them. I lay great emphasis on having credible characters, be they in ” good” or “bad” roles.

If you haven’t read “Lucky For Some, 13” yet, order it from Flipkart, where it is currently sandwiched between titles by Lee Child and Karin Slaughter to be #631 out of the 17857 titles listed in the category: Suspense & Thrillers.

Uncategorized

Creating Characters

They may be men, they may be women, they may be young, they may be old, they may be sloppy, they may be bold, but they are all yours. Yes, the characters you create in your books are yours. I thought of an idea and have it up in my FB Page “Prem Rao, Story Teller.” I put up a poll, “Who is your favourite character in ‘Lucky For Some, 13?'” Continue reading “Creating Characters” →

"Lucky For Some, 13"

Cast of Characters

Who are the people in “Lucky For Some, 13”? I take great pleasure in introducing to you, some of the cast of characters in this thriller. It should be available on Flipkart, later this month and in book shops in November 2012.

  • Major Mohini Nair: officer in the National Security Guard, tenacious, patriotic and a fighter, but a woman all the same.
  • Mala Kumar: IPS, a close friend of Mohini’s. Walks a balance between her professional and personal interests.
  • Alice Hatchman: blonde and beautiful. Carries the scars from a past she can’t get away from. There aren’t many as vindictive and brutal as her.
  • Darshan “Dash” Sawney: multimillionaire, tough- talking business tycoon with a soft heart.
  • Imad Qadir: known simply as “IQ” to the many who revered and feared him.
Uncategorized

“Dinaz Dastur”- A Tribute to the Parsis

In “It Can’t Be You”, Dinaz Dastur is my small tribute to India’s Parsi community. Every community has its stereotypes and the Hindi movies when I was growing up unfortunately showed the Parsi almost always in comical light. The men were doddering people with thick spectacles who were easily fooled and the women were stout and gregarious. In Dinaz, I have tried to characterize a young, beautiful and talented Parsi woman. Some of them are truly beautiful. Continue reading ““Dinaz Dastur”- A Tribute to the Parsis” →