Interview with Ashok Rajagopalan - the Writer

I feel very privileged to bring another interview for the readers to draw inspiration from. In the previous QA session with Ashok Rajagopalan, I struggled hard to keep the list to 10 questions inspite of the fact that that session was only dedicated to Ashok's illustrations, which is just a small part of what all he does. Ashok is one person who very comfortably dons many hats and one of them is that of a writer.

Here is a sample of his creativity unleashed - 'Witchsnare,' a gamebook published by Penguin India, was his first as a writer. He then rewrote 'Homer's Iliad' and 'The Odyssey' for Prodigy Books. He also writes and illustrates a comic, 'Rhy the Rhino' for the children's monthly magazine - Toot.

As Kenny Wordsmith, he has written many ‘hubs’ at hubpages.com and blogs at vaidyashok.com

An attempt to bring the views of the writer Ashok through these questions.

How long have you been illustrating and writing and which is your first passion that helps giving shape to your creativity more?

Professionally, I have been illustrating since 1988. Every kid draws and writes creatively, so my experience prior to that doesn't count. 'Witchsnare,' my first book as author, was published in 2007; I had started writing it a year before that.

Drawing comes natural to me; it's part of me like eating or sleeping. Writing is my passion: I want to be able to devote more time to my writing. I spend more time drawing than writing now, sadly.

According to you, what kind of plot is good enough to be qualified as a story idea? How do you refine the storyline? In brief, what is the sequence of events in writing a story?

If questions are weapons, this one is three-pronged! Let me try a three-in-one answer. There are two kinds of approach - the Asimov approach and the Wodehouse approach, according to yours truly. Just like there are two kinds of travellers - the organised kind plans out everything in advance and sets out, safe and secure. The adventurous kind sets out without a schedule. I used to follow the Asimov method of taking a vague idea and start writing, and see where it takes me. I managed two short stories and a novel doing that. You may read the short stories here and here.

The Wodehouse method, which I find myself adopting recently, is to write the plot first, one-page synopsis second, and actual narrative third. Then polish it till it shines. Any plot is good, by the way, as one writer's idea could be in another's recycle bin.

When you look back on your career, is there anything you would have done differently or regret not doing ?

No regrets in life and career generally, as there is still time, space and energy to do the things I want to do.

How different is writing for children's books from adult books? Has it changed over the years and how? Do you see changes in your writing style?

The style, if different, is because of publisher's requirements - style sheets, grading, target age-groups, and so on. A child who loves to read does not read only books meant for children. Like some of my classmates, I used to read Sir Walter Scott, Arthur Conan Doyle, Jane Austen, R K Narayan and Tagore when I was 12. Wodehouse and Asimov I discovered at 14. Happy days!
I'm glad about one thing though: the preachy, moralistic stories are out, and irreverent, mischievous ones are in. Long live Roald Dahl! There's another change which is sociologically good: children's books are politically correct these days.

I hope my writing style has grown; I hope it has become more natural, more entertaining and less pretentious. At least I try, sigh.

What do you think the writing for Children's books should be like?

I think it's doing fine. No complaints. And I'm grateful to J K Rowling who gave children's literature a much needed shot in the arm.

Do you plan to write in Hindi/English more or in regional languages? What comes naturally to you?

Tamil comes naturally to me. I would like to do a bilingual novel, one that is in two languages at the same time. I don't know if it has been done somewhere; I am exploring the idea and I don't know if publishers would try and experiment with me.

For which age group do you want to write more and why?

For ages 9 -12. That's when the average reader starts serious reading. At least that's when I did. I can make classical and literary allusions, and they will get it. Because they are full of what they read at school too. Younger readers won't get my allusions and adults would have forgotten. Maybe my real reason is that my mental age is 12 or thereabouts.

What kind of children's books/stories do you find missing in Indian markets?

You just twanged the strings of my secret sorrow! We have too many retellings of our epics, and folklore. Jataka and Panchatantra are retold every year many times. Almost as if India has finished telling all her good stories. I would like to see that gap filled. Why not more fantasy writing set in India? Writers can dip their pens in the rich fount of our heritage and create fresh stories for young readers, can't they?

Is there enough space for new talent or already it’s a crowded place out there? What would you like to say to the writers who are reading this interview and wondering if their ideas are interesting enough to share with others?

The more the merrier! I am not such a senior writer who knows enough to advise aspiring writers, so will content myself with saying hi and tell them to stop wondering and start writing. Read the submission guidelines of the publisher and submit your manuscript as they request. The best way to find out if your stuff is any good is to try to get published. I know, of course, that every good writer will be continuously improving his or her craft and become more and more readable and publishable every day in every way. No fears there! If you are not confident at first, at least start writing a blog right away. For starters.

Do you think there are enough publishers of children's books now in India or should we have more to bring more variety?

The more the merrier is my answer to this one too. A bigger marketplace, more books for us to read, more writers getting inspired...more books for that wonderful reader who is a mirror of the kid within us.

In conclusion, may I say that this set of questions challenged me so much that I had to stop, think, and then answer? That's uncharacteristic of me; I am usually quick on the draw. Thank you for making me exercise my brain muscles. All the best to aspiring writers, and please read my books!

A very big thanks to you, Ashok and I wish you all the best for all your future endeavours.

Interview with Ashok Rajagopalan

Ashok Rajagopalan - an illustrator, a graphic designer, an animator and also a writer of children's books. He has illustrated more than 500 books for children in the last twenty years, for publishers like Tulika, Scholastic, Macmillan, Oxford University Press and Orient Longman.

In 2007, he made his mark as a published writer as well and since then he has written three books - retellings of the Odyssey and Iliad for children and Ajit the Archer, a novel for children.

His illustrations, be it simple pictures in Thumb Thumb books ('Mirror', 'Flower', 'Where is Thangi' and 'Up Up') or soft pencil sketches in 'Andamans boy' - have been mesmerising children and adults alike since last two decades.

They just enthused me so much that I could not resist the temptation to conduct an interview with him and he was very kind to take his time out to answer my questions. Here is the brief question-answer session with him, peppered with some of his beautiful artwork.

1. How did you get into Children's book illustrations?

Always wanted to be one. Chandamama had started a children's magazine called Junior Quest in 1989, and I approached the editor, Aditi De, with sample illustrations. She gave me my first break. After that, I used my 'published illustrator' status to get work from textbook publishers. Magazines and books for grown-ups don't require as many pictures as those for kids, so I found myself specializing in illustrating for children.

2. After having seen some of your artwork, you seem to be comfortable in pencil sketches, pastels and computer imaging. If given a choice, which medium would you choose? Or which is your first preference?

The style and treatment of the text usually influences my choice of medium. Otherwise my choice depends upon what I am experimenting with at that point in time. Sometimes the publisher requests a particular style or treatment. I always love pastels and use them when I wish to create an emotion-rich picture. The 2001 Tulika Diary of Seasons was done that way. These days I am going green, my studio is almost paperless, and my first preference is computer graphics.

3. How do you select the projects, especially when a selection has to be made between the ones that interest you and the ones that are offered to you, how do you make the decision?

I rarely say no. Refusal to take up a project could only mean that I don't have the time.

4. You are a source of inspiration for many but who/what inspires you creatively?

Am I? Thank you for telling me. People usually don't tell me these things lest I think too much of myself. To answer the question, I am inspired by them all! Leonardo. Michelangelo. Turner. Monet. Van Gogh. Dali. Teniel. Charles Schulz. Uderzo. R.K. Laxman. Mario Miranda ...and many others.

5. I have observed that the artists generally travel a lot, is it a wrong generalization to make?


Absolutely wrong in my case. Unless travel is a relative term, because I walk a lot. I am usually at home, and take the family out on an annual vacation to some spot. The first time I flew was when I was 43, in 2007 and the northernmost I have travelled is Goa. I have never been abroad.


6. What are your current and forthcoming projects?



Just finished a book for Tulika. For a year now I have been working for two children's magazines: Impulse Hoot and Impulse Toot. Then I do the storyboards for a comic called the Dynast, which will be published this year. Last year I did the design and illustration of many textbooks. English is over and GK is planned for this year, the publisher tells me. After Penguin India published my Witchsnare, a gamebook I have written, I manage to get writing work too. Ajit the Archer, a novel for children will be out this year. Thinkbig Books are the publisher. I am at work on a picturebook, too, one that I will both write and illustrate.

7. How has your art/style changed since you first started?

My art and style changes with every new book I do. I call it variety and growth but my critics could call it inconsistency.

8. What does a typical day look like for you?


I have very few typical days. I start work at 6 am in chunks of worktimes. 6 -8 some work. 8 - 8.45 take second chap to school. Breakfast at 9 am. 9.30 - 11.30 - some more work. I take a short walk to the local teashop and either resume work, or talk to my wife, or friends on chat, or play a game on the computer. 12.30 - 1.30 Wife and I have lunch and watch two soap operas together. 1.30 - 4.00pm: More work with small breaks. 4 pm: tea and conversation. 4.30-6.30 Work. 6.30 Teashop, phone a friend and go yak yak. 7 - 9 Work, but work that doesn't require great creativity, only execution skills. I even work on the laptop and watch TV during this time. And talk to family members, of course. 9 - 10pm: Dinner and two soap operas. 10 to 11pm: Read bedtime stories to the kids, conversation and sleep. zzzzzz...



9. What do you hope to accomplish in the future (artistically or otherwise)? Any dream projects?


I want to do fine art, you know, the kind that hangs on a wall, and write at least one novel a year. That's how I see myself in ten years. One day, a movie, or a series of movies, will be made based on books I write. That's another dream and plan.

10. Did you have any formal training and what are three pieces of advice you would give to someone just starting out?


Not in Art. I have been formally trained in Mechanical Engineering, but know more about Gauguin and gouache than gears or gaskets. Artists need passion more than formal training. Pieces of advice for an aspiring illustrator of children's books:


1) Never lose the child in you. Keep that kid alive by remembering how you were as a child. For example, always remember that little children see the world from a low angle, and that they can see your nostrils, and are closer to adult feet than heads.
Let that inner child relate to the kids of today and update itself.

2) Always have fun. Art is meant to be play, not work. The moment you stop doing that, it will show in your work. When you are in form, your pleasure will visibly vibe through your pictures..

3) Be a good reader. The good illustrator respects the text, reads it, enjoys it, and draws pictures that are not only faithful to it, but lifts the book to another height. Wishing all aspiring illustrators the best!

Thank you very much. I enjoyed answering these questions, some of which set me thinking deep about some aspects of my work.

Best,
Ashok Rajagopalan


A very big thanks to you, Ashok!