Patrick Bryson, debutant author of The Sad Demise of Manpreet Singh talks to Trishann Henriques about his debut novel, his favourite authors and all things books
1. Tell us something about your debut book.
It’s a comic crime thriller set in Delhi and Punjab, with an international cast of characters. The hero is an Australian living in South Delhi and working at the Australian High Commission. He likes his cricket, loves his beer, has a problem with commitment, but has a very strong moral compass. He also doesn’t care about hierarchy.
2. What was the inspiration behind writing a story on immigration, visa fraud etc?
I took most of the inspiration from daily news reports about visa and passport fraud. I had never really valued my citizenship until I left Australia. When I got to Delhi, and travelled through Punjab, I realised that there is a whole industry around helping people to travel outside – or ‘abroad’. A visa to the US or the UK is a worth a lot of money to someone who is keen to leave India and settle in the west, so naturally the industry draws in a lot of conmen and criminal elements. It’s a rich topic.
3. Through ‘The Sad Demise of Manpreet Singh’ you managed to create quite a realistic image of Punjab and Punjabis. How was that possible since you are not from the country yourself?
Thank you. It’s a compliment. I just wrote what I knew. I’m not from India, but I have an extended Indian family, and a decade of experience in the country. I’ve also spent the last three years residing in Delhi, which is a very Punjabi city, and travelled a lot in the north. So I’ve met or known versions of all the characters. I’m a good mimic too, and have a decent memory for conversations. So it was a very natural process for me – I imagine no different to that of any other Indian writer.
4. Do you indentify with any characters in your debut book?
I identify with all of them, whether male or female, Aussie or Indian. I know each of them intimately. In terms of lived experience I’m most like Dom, but only up to a point.
5. Which character did you have most fun writing?
I loved writing Dom’s scenes with Goldy, and his encounters with Warwick. Basically any of the scenes where I got to show off my Hindi and Aussie slangs. Actually, being able to swear well, and with flare, is an attribute shared by Australians and North Indians. I have a deep affection for all my curse words, no matter the language. I love that Dom knows how to swear like a Dilliwallah. In that respect he is just like me.
6. Is there is a target audience you have in mind for your book?
Yes. Anyone who likes a good story, and appreciates excellent writing. The crime genre has a very big audience, with a broad readership in terms of its demographic – so there is no need to get too specific with who is reading the book. It was just a matter of doing it well.
7. What is your tip to deal with writers block?
I’ve never suffered from it, so perhaps I’m the wrong one to ask. But when you are working on a story, or a big project, try and do some every day. It’s just like exercising. Once you get into the habit, it becomes easier and easier.
8. Which do you prefer writing, novels or short stories?
I like the long term aspect of the novel; a short story is more like a one night stand.
9. Is there a second book in the pipeline?
Yes, there are two. One is a sequel to The Sad Demise; following Dom McLeod’s next adventure. The other is a crime story too, set around one politician and his family, in Meghalaya.
10. What is your advice for writers aspiring to be published authors someday?
Take yourself seriously, and treat it like the vocation it is. Read and write as much as possible. That’s just the bare minimum requirement. You’ll also need perseverance, some talent, and a degree of luck.
11. An Indian author’s work you love
R.K. Narayan.
12. Can you name some of your favourite authors
Sure. It’s an eclectic list, liable to change on any given day. In no particular order: Stephen King, Junot Diaz, Clive James, Elmore Leonard, Salman Rushdie, Roberto Bolano, James Ellroy, Zadie Smith, Gore Vidal, Hillary Mantel, W.B Yeats, Charles Bukowski, Peter Carey, Anjum Hasan. That’s just a few. There are many more.
