All is fair in love, war, and politics. Purnima, a celebrated doctor and social worker, is persuaded to run in the upcoming by-election in Delhi. Reuniting with Robin, her teenage crush and lifelong idol, brings her joy. However, fate has other plans. She discovers that her opponent in the election is none other than Robin himself! As their campaigns heat up—scandalous exposés are released, old friends turn into worst enemies, and prying journalists dig into their past. Amidst an uncertain future and a chaotic present, Robin and Purnima must decide what truly matters.Will they sacrifice their love for political victory? Or will they navigate the brutalities of the election and life together?
1. Can you tell us a little bit about your book? Why did you choose this genre and what’s the story behind the title?
‘Ballots and Betrayals’ is about a relentless struggle to protect mid-life romance in a time of fierce electoral politicking. A chance meeting rekindles a long-forgotten adolescent crush, this now blossoms into a passionate romance, all amid nasty electoral politics in which the two lovers battle for a prestigious parliamentary seat. It is about steering love through a tsunami of hate!
As for the genre, this novel does not belong to any specific one. Probably it lies in the undefined space between a political thriller and a love story.
In any case, I do not write thinking of a specific genre. Creatives do not shape out of compartmentalized thoughts. Rather, they spring out of nebulous ideas or images. I follow politics – national and international – with passion. And, I guess the romance comes up naturally!
2. What inspired you to write this story? How did you find the resources and research material for your book?
Fiction writers use experiences gathered over years to derive prime drivers for a plot. For this book, two distinct images motivated me to start writing – one of a successful but lovelorn businessman looking for an escape in politics and the other of a mid-age lady’s euphoria at her reunion with her teenage crush. As I moved on, the story built up other characters.
As for research, I have been a part of the places and the backdrops at some time in my life. That wasn’t an issue.
3. What was the most challenging aspect of writing this book? How did you overcome it?
The infamous ‘writer’s block’ was my biggest challenge. Sometimes, ideas dry up, and nothing flows out of my pen. That is a terrible feeling, and it isn’t easy to escape. One has to let it pass rather than fight it.
Further, I am a part-time writer with a regular professional job to deliver. There is always a huge time constraint.
4. Are there any particular authors or books that have influenced the book?
I can’t think of any such influence on this book. I have written other books, published and not yet published, where I see some influence from fiction writers I love reading.
5. What role did editing play in the writing process? How did you decide when the manuscript was ready for publication?
I find editing tougher than writing the original narration. Multiple edits are done on the structure, characterizations, and flow. As a matter of fact, every time I read my manuscript, I find so many areas to improve. When such instances trickle down to only a few, I know the manuscript is good to go.
Then, the professional editors gave useful input. I acted on some of them that I thought would enrich the story.
6. Do you have any upcoming projects or ideas for future books that you’d like to share with your readers?
My debut novel, Beyond the Blinding Sun, is based on the abuse of semi-skilled and unskilled immigrant laborers in various parts of the world. This issue is real but mostly unreported. This book tells the story of three immigrants who land in a Gulf country looking for handsome savings but get duped and abused by their employers. They barely manage to escape the country alive. Now, I have completed its sequel where the immigrants return to the country in disguise and take revenge on their erstwhile tormentors, bit by bit. Many of my esteemed readers are waiting to see this revenge unfold. They were very touched reading the first book.
7. In the age of digital publishing and social media, how do you engage with your readers and promote your work?
This has not been easy since I am not able to devote much time to it. I should be more active on social media and spend time on various promos. My publishers are doing their bit and book marketers such as Asha Seth.
I have received excellent reviews from readers from various parts of the world. I know I must find ways to get this title to more and more readers.
8. How do you balance your writing career with other aspects of your life, such as work and family?
I don’t think I have done this well till now. I need to find more time to write. So far, the only way I do so is by staying away from the TV. Probably once I retire from my service, I shall be free to write more.
9. What’s the pen ultimate takeaway for readers reading your book?
That love is supreme, that love survives barriers of age, time, hate, and power.
Also, the plot is a reality check on our electoral politics today, something that the readers get to hear or gossip about but have never experienced as a vivid narration in a fictional plot.
10. What’s the one advice you’d like to share with aspiring writers of the genre?
I say, please, make a start now and keep writing. Things get better, smoother, and more enjoyable with time. It is a marathon, nothing less than that!
An Electronics Engineer(BITS, Pilani, India) and a Master in Business Administration(Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, UK), columnist, and author presently based in Oman, Jayanta has published columns in The Indian Express(India), Asia Times(Hong Kong), Times of Oman(Oman), The Assam Tribune(India), and DailyO(India) on various socio-political issues. ‘Beyond the Blinding Sun’ is his debut literary fiction, published over a year back. His musings based on various street-level experiences around the world are widely acclaimed by readers. These are available on his blog. Jayanta is an avid golfer and a passionate music enthusiast.
Explore the political-romance thriller ‘Ballots & Betrayals’ now.
