Sabarna Roy is a much awarded, critically acclaimed bestselling author of 6 literary books: Pentacles; Frosted Glass; Abyss; Winter Poems; Random Subterranean Mosaic: 2012 – 2018, and Etchings of the First Quarter of 2020. He is the lead author of a technical book, which has been published from the European Union and has been translated into 8 major European languages.
He has been awarded the Literoma Laureate Award in 2019, Literoma Star Achiever Award 2020, Random Subterranean Mosaic: 2012 – 2018 won the best book of the year 2019, the A List Award for excellence in fiction by the NewsX Media House, Certificate for The Real Super Heroes for spreading a spirit of positivity and hope during the COVID-19 Pandemic from Forever Star India Award 2020, the Certificate for Participation in the Indo Russian Friendship Celebration 2020, and the Literoma Golden Star Award 2020: Lifetime Achievement.
We discussed with Sabarna Roy with reference to his awarded book, Random Subterranean Mosaic: 2012 – 2018.
1. All the write-ups in the book are simply amazing. Which one is your favorite and why?
It will not be fair to call the pieces incorporated in the book as mere write-ups because, in essence, they are Journal Entries covering multifarious genres. Factually, I am very dissatisfied with my writings. There is no single piece that is very dear to me in the book, although I have a weakness for the poem, titled: Sekhar, which depicts the untimely death of my very dear friend due to Colon Cancer.
2. Was there a selection process to zero down on those write-ups that went into this book?
Of course, there was a selection process. A large number of my Journal Entries have been edited out just because they did not fit into the overall scheme of the book. These edited out pieces have been further improved upon and are now being published by various Media Houses under the brand of: Musings and Journal Entries of a Lazy Author.
3. The book is bold and assertive especially when it comes to the political opinions. What were your thoughts when putting those write-ups in the book? Don’t you think it might create controversy?
I write my books according to my taste. While I am writing my book, I do not think of how my readers would respond. It is only after publication that I dread a reader’s opinion. However, I do not fear controversies.
4. What’s most surprising in the process of writing according to you?
Writing helps you reconnect with yourself. It unfolds the darker sides of you, and in this process, you understand yourself and your own life better.
5. Who are some of the new age authors that inspire you?
Mahesh Dattani, the playwright, inspires me a lot among new age authors.
6. Writing can bring about huge change in a person. What sort of change have you seen in your personality? What should the young minds read in your opinion?
I agree with your statement. Writing has made me more clearheaded and helps me in improving my arguments and lowering my voice. For young minds, it is another opinion. If it excites them, fine, if it enlightens them, fine; otherwise, they can reject my opinions.
7. Your book is mostly journal writings turned into book. How do you tell the readers or aspiring writers to inculcate this habit of journaling or diary writing?
This is a choice I made, and benefited from it. Readers and aspiring writers would have to similarly make a choice.
8. What do you do in the leisure time?
Reading books, watching movies and international TV Series, listening to music, and traveling.
9. Tell us about your upcoming projects.
I am presently writing a book on the Pandemic, which I intend to publish after autumn in 2021.
10. What’s your message to the budding readers, writers and book critics out there?
I can give a few tips, which can work remarkably well for aspiring authors and poets: –
- Maintain a journal or a diary for yourself. This is a tool where you can talk to yourself most privately, and later your journal or your diary will reflect back the way you have progressed in life.
- Read as much as you can and reflect upon what you are reading. Also, jot down your book reviews, however brief they are, in your journal or diary.
- Capture all your thoughts, ideas, and dreams and let them flow through you in the form of written pieces in your journal or diary.
- If you are inclined enough, create and maintain a regular blog and socialize it among your friends, family, and relatives and seek their opinion about what you are writing. This is a process from where you will learn.
- Try to be original and authentic, however immature you are, because in being close to yourself, you will reconnect with your soul during the process of writing. This is very critical and significant to become a good author or a poet.
