When the first book in the Yohan Tytler series ‘Nobody Likes An Outsider’ came out, it brought author Fawaz Jaleel into the limelight for its engaging narrative. Its protagonist is an officer of the CBI known for his intellectual prowess and observational skills. He sets out to solve a political crime involving the murder of India’s most promising young politician. The success of the novel led to it being optioned by a Bollywood production house and it’s currently in the pre-production stage. Emboldened by its success, he released his latest novel ‘Insiders versus Outsiders’ in February this year.
That its success was preordained is evident from the fact that it rose to the top 10 books in the mystery category on Amazon during the pre-order phase itself. This instalment in the Yohan Tytler series is set in Mumbai and Assam, deep in the world of crime, corporate espionage, Naxal movements, and fierce business rivalries. On the occasion, The Sunday Guardian spoke to this former government consultant turned author, columnist and public speaker.
Excerpts from an edited interview:
Q: Why have you chosen to write in this genre?
A: I write thrillers because they offer a compelling platform to delve into intricate narratives. They also require extensive research and a commitment to factual accuracy. This genre provides an avenue for authors to explore and express their perspectives on various societal issues, shedding light on unexplored realities within our country while weaving a captivating fictional tale. Further, thrillers have the ability to keep readers engaged, inviting them to participate in solving the mystery alongside the characters. Through my book tours, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting numerous readers who relish the art of deduction, particularly in investigative thrillers. Many have shared how they enjoy putting their sleuthing skills to the test while immersing themselves in the twists and turns of the narrative. At the end of the day, my stories are for Indians, of Indians and by an Indian.
Q. What was the process of your research for this particular book and how long did it take to write?
A: My writing process is divided into four parts: research, outline building, writing, and editing. However, I spend most of my time on research. I have been fortunate to be able to travel to various parts of the country, especially the hinterlands, and work with several sections of society during my career as a public health professional and government consultant for citizen engagement. During these journeys I met real people quite far removed from what we see on social media or other channels. So, travel is an important part of my research process. While my storylines are fictional, they are set in contemporary India and follow a parallel narrative of contemporary events. Once I gather the data, the next part of my writing involves secondary research where I refer to multiple academic journals, research papers, and media articles. This helps me establish factual accuracy in terms of the claims or context of the story. This book is set in Mumbai and Assam, which has been the scene of insurgency and attacks. It has a history of militant organisations that have threatened the sovereignty of India, and I found it important to gather as much information while writing about the setting, even though it’s fictional. Further, a good murder mystery or investigative thriller should represent procedures in as real a manner as possible. For example, procedures followed by the police and CBI are different, and I have tried to use research and interviews to represent this difference.
Q. Do you think the market is too clogged with thrillers?
If yes, how can a good thriller writer stand out? A: This can be said about most genres, but I have a different view. Today, authors are transcending beyond traditional genres. There are many subcategories like investigative thrillers, psychological thrillers, political thrillers, romantic thrillers, spy thrillers, and so many more. The interesting thing is each of these subcategories has a niche set of readers. For me, a good thriller stands out if it takes readers through the process of how the information was collected, analysed, and arrived at. It should also stay ahead of the guessing curve and provide answers as and when the story progresses. A good thriller avoids black and white characters because nobody is perfect. Hence, it’s important to show the weaknesses of your protagonist and the explanation of your antagonist’s behaviour. It should be well-researched because readers are very intelligent. Most importantly it should not be a propaganda or jingoistic work because writers must be unbiased torchbearers of the truth.
Q. What are you working on next?
A: I am currently working on three projects. The first is the Hindi feature film based on my first Yohan Tytler novel, as part of which I’m helping with the story and script development process which is new terrain for me. Secondly, I’m ready with my third novel and I’m working with a literary agent and professional editor to polish the manuscript. It is a crime thriller set in West Bengal from the 1960s to 2024. I travelled through the state to collect the data and information, met people, and visited many places as the story is based on real events. The ending is a shocking unspoken truth about our nation that was buried through history. It is actually a crime-legalpolitical thriller which has taken more than two years of research, and it has been an incredible experience working on this. However, after three thrillers, I intend to take a break from the thriller genre and I’m working on a new plot. I’ve also received an offer to work on a web series with a well-known director, which is an opportunity I’m excited to explore.
Noor Anand Chawla writes on lifestyle for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla. com.