Anurag Tripathi- The Author Who Mastered In Fast-Paced Thrillers
Anurag Tripathi, is one of the versatile authors of the Indian book industry, with the talent to blend his diverse experiences in economics, finance, and creative writing to craft compelling thrillers. His recent, The Goa Gambit, is receiving appreciation for its intricate plots and vivid characterizations. Tripathi continues to captivate readers with his dynamic storytelling and I am fortunate to have a session with him to explore his life as an author.
1. Hello Mr. Anurag Tripathi, welcome to this interview session @indiacafe24. Before we go ahead, we will insist you to say something about you, your family, and your life in school.
I was born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. My father was in the Government Service. He is now retired. My mother is a housewife. I have two siblings; my sister is a journalist and my younger brother is a lawyer.
I did my schooling from Modern School, Barakhamba Road and BA (Hons) Economics from Ramjas College, University of Delhi. I was an all rounder in school, above average in academics, played football for the school team, and was also appointed as a School Prefect.
2. You have done a course in Advanced Creative Writing from The University of Oxford. Has this foundation course helped you in Inking better or improving your writing skills?
Yes, definitely. Thanks to it, my characters are more complex and real. I understand the importance of developing the character arc of my protagonist and creating a strong nemesis, such as in The Goa Gambit.
3) To be an author someday– was that your dream even when you were studying at the Indian School of Business?
Well, not really. Though I am quite the popular story teller among my friends and family, I had never thought of it formally. Post completing my MBA, I joined the rat race and for over a decade worked in the banking and financial services domain. The thought of becoming a writer came much later.
4) Dalal’s Street, was your second book which I read and beyond any doubt it was a great read for me. How different is your latest book The Goa Gambit?
They are similar in the sense that they are both fast-paced thrillers and deal with human greed but The Goa Gambit has a more complex plot with over a dozen characters, compared to half a dozen in Dalal’s Street.
Also, the stakes have been raised in The Goa Gambit, which is based on the casino industry in Goa. In Dalal’s Street, only money was at stake. In The Goa Gambit, both money and human life are at stake.
5) The synopsis says “The book takes us into the high-stakes world where politicians, celebrities, and dreamers chase quick fortunes.” How have you blended all these three segment of people in the story?
The glamorous world of casinos attracts people from all walks of life– the poor, the rich and the powerful. So long as you have money to spend, they don’t care about your background. It provides the perfect platform to analyse people, their motives and their actions. The character arcs of all these people intertwine with each other on the casino floor at the inaugural party celebrating the launch of the largest casino in the country.
6) The Goa Gambit- Goa is a destination which I personally prefer to explore again and again. What was your reason to develop the story in the backdrop of Goa?
Goa attracted over 10 million tourists last year. It is a melting pot of people from different geographies, cultures and walks of life. Casinos are an integral part of Goa’s entertainment and nightlife. It provides a great background for writing a thriller to evaluate human beings, their actions and their motivations.
7. Who are your target readers for this book or can it be well understood by any segment of readers?
This book is meant to be enjoyed by readers of all age groups from 18 years old to 80 years old. Also, the fact that you have never visited a casino in your life, will not act as a hindrance in enjoying the plot.
8. Would you like to try any other genre of writing for your upcoming books?
Thrillers come naturally to me. I am evaluating a crime thriller for my next novel. Having said that, I hope to write a family drama in the future.
9. Who is the inspiration behind writing this book?
A few years ago, on a flight to Goa, I bumped into a young man (he must have been in his mid-twenties), from a village on the outskirts of Delhi NCR. This youngster had made 15 trips to Goa that year and was addicted to gambling, and everything that came along with it.
He told me that there were 40 other people from his village on the flight. Thereafter, he narrated the most fascinating story about gambling, booze and sex, the three vices that have corrupted Gods and men alike from time immemorial. The story got me hooked and from there began research into the seedy world of casinos, and the interesting lives of its patrons.
10. How many days did you invest to pen this book?
It took almost 2 years of research and writing to finish the first draft. Thereafter, almost another year for editing.
11. What type of books do you love to read and enjoy?
I enjoy reading a lot of non-fictions. On the fiction side, I like thrillers. Some of my favourite authors are Frederick Forsyth, Sidney Sheldon and Jeffrey Archer. Amongst the Indian writers, I like Ashwin Sanghi, Ravi Subramanian, and Amish Tripathi.
12. What are your passions in life?
I love travelling and meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds. I am a big foodie and enjoy cuisines from different geographies. Both my wife and I are scuba divers. We dive regularly at different locations exploring the unique flora and fauna found underwater.
I am also an active investor in the stock markets across the world. Seeing an investment idea make money is very exhilarating. Finally, enjoying a good whiskey in the company of people you love, as Jagjit Singh plays in the background is priceless.
13. Who is your creative work’s best critique?
My wife is my best critique. She evaluates my work from the beginning to the end, from ideation to the first draft. She experiences the emotional roller-coaster that is the life of a writer.
Once the first draft is done, then it is critiqued by my editor.
14.Who are your favourite authors/poets and why?
I like fast paced thrillers with their twists and turns that keep you at the edge of your seat. Ashwin Sanghi, Frederick Forsyth, Jeffrey Archer are some of the writers that I like.
15.Any advice for budding authors in the industry?
Write for passion, not for money. Stop procrastinating and finish that first draft. Thereafter, it is all about editing. Never show an incomplete work to an agent. You only get one chance to make a first impression.
14. Describe Author Anurag Tripathi in One line.
Creative, pragmatic and unpredictable.
This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2024
A detailed interview post, nicely done!