JOIN USBoredom induced him to writing
It is a good example of making good use of one's circumstances. Debutant author Aditya R Belur said that boredom induced him into writing.
Aditya, who was born in Hyderabad, but brought up in Mysuru, studied at Manasarovar Pushkarini Vidyashram, SBRR Mahajana PU College, SBRR Mahajana First Grade College and Bhavan's Priyamvada Birla Institute of Management. He was diagnosed of multiple sclerosis at the age of 18 (2006) and is confined to his wheelchair since 2013.
Since childhood, he was interested in reading books, his limitation in movement since 2013, reinforced this habit. He tried his hand at writing, but he himself was not satisfied with it. His consultant editor Pamela Sanath suggested him to read Indian authors at this juncture. Later, he started writing, which evolved into a novel 'You’ll All See...'
Speaking to DH, Aditya reveals the path to his discovery as a writer.
Q: How was the journey from a reader to a writer?
A: I never intended to be a writer. I did not have any plan to get a book published. I used to read books. I just started to write out of boredom since 2013. Because those days, entertainment was not like it is now, with platforms such as over-the-top (OTT) media service. I had nothing else to do. So, it was mainly for time-pass. I penned a few short stories and also a bigger story. However, I myself did not like them. The influence of foreign authors, I used to read, was obvious. Then, I decided to try something different. At this juncture, I met Pamela Sanath, one of my consulting editor. My another consulting editor was her late husband Niranjan Nikam. Pamela Sanath advised me to read a few Indian authors to get a feel of Indian English literature. I had read Indian authors like Chetan Bhagat. But, I read authors like S Hussain Zaidi and Madhulika Liddle. Then, I started penning down my thoughts and imagination, which evolved into a novel.
Q: What is the mood of the novel?
A: It is a story of a boy. The turn of events, from childhood to adulthood. It is mostly positive. How, the circumstances change in one’s life and how the protagonist Surya adapts to them.
Q: Why is Surya the name of the protagonist?
A: The name just happened. I did not ponder over it for long. It may be because my name Aditya also means Surya or Sun. I like the name.
Q: Is Mysuru described in the novel?
A: The fiction that I have penned could have happened anywhere. But, because I know Mysuru well, I have used some of its locations, including some tourist attractions. Besides, I was brought up in Mysuru, even though I was born in Hyderabad. This is the only city that I know well and I love it.
Q: Did your pastime like watching movies and TV shows on OTT help you to sketch characters and narrate a story, in a creative way?
A: Besides television, I also read a lot of books, which helped me in penning down my imagination. In fact, the title 'You’ll All See...’ is from a TV show ‘Friends’. Phoebe Buffay, a character in Friends, says this in one of the episodes. I was attracted towards this phrase and wanted to use it somewhere. Somehow, it fit into the title. My consulting editors also approved it.
Q: How is the feedback for the novel?
Q: I am yet to get a proper feedback. Even the media has highlighted my disability. They have not delved on the content. As it is a self-published book, we have our limitations in promoting it. If we get a professional publisher, we can reach out to more readers.