Author’s Background: Author P. J. Thobias started out as an engineer & gradually he turned into a writer only by the appreciation and encouragement that he received for his first book ‘Corporate Comedy’ from readers. His first book is a satire drawing upon his experiences in the corporate world both real and imagined. Well, this book attempts to lay down the comic roles people often play in their job environment, little realising the impact it has on other people.
Neel Preet: Firstly, Congratulations on your book, “On The Banks Of Connolly Canal!” What responses are you getting from this book of yours? Please share your experience about this book.
P. J. Thobias: It is too early to judge. The book was released only on 1st Dec 2023. The few responses I have received so far are positive. The readers appear to be appreciative of the narrative style and the richness of the prose. One of the reviewers has gone to the extent of saying that the style of writing is ‘faintly reminiscent of P.G.Woodhouse’!
Neel Preet: The stories in your book comes under the category of suspense thriller fiction so, what made you choose such a genre for this book of yours?
P. J. Thobias: I am not only a writer but a reader too. I have a fair idea what the ordinary folks like to read.
Neel Preet: You’ve given a very interesting title to your book, which is very catchy too so, what made you go for this title for your book?
P. J. Thobias: The book tells the story of a small community which lived on the banks of the Connolly canal some decades back. The title was therefore a natural choice.
Neel Preet: What was your mind-set, while working on this book? What was the impetus behind this work of yours?
P. J. Thobias: The most important notion in my mind was to make this book as interesting to read as could be, while giving glimpses of the social order and practices prevalent at that time and place to future generations. On many occasions I was stalled. Confronted with such hurdles to writing, it was my practice to sleep over the issues overnight. More often than not, I used to wake up with solutions to my problems.
Neel Preet: Well, my next question to you is that what keeps you fuelled to carry on your writing journey?
P. J. Thobias: I have experienced immense pleasure while writing the book. It was like ideas awakened from under a thick blanket of forgetfulness. The windows of the mind opened out into vistas unseen and unknown until then. I guess it is some form of creativity which lends genuine pleasure to humans.
Neel Preet: What are some of the learnings that you gained from writing this book of yours?
P. J. Thobias: Sometime somewhere someone told me that if you want something badly enough you will go and get it, come hell or high water. Never in my wildest dreams, I thought of myself as a writer. But there always was this nagging compulsion in an obscure corner of my mind to write something. So, I tried and tried and here you have the proof of it.
Neel Preet: Your writing seemed to be impeccable & you were bold with the stories in your book, which I really appreciate. Therefore, I want you to tell us about some of those writers, who had inspired you and whom you follow!
P. J. Thobias: Herman Wouk, Wilber Smith and Salman Rushdie are my favourite authors, in each case for a different reason.
Neel Preet: Is there any message which you would like to convey to your readers? Or any piece of advice, which you would like to give to the readers out there!
P. J. Thobias: More often than not, people are shaped by their experiences; every human being has a spark of the divine in his soul. All it takes is the right circumstances for this divine element to take hold and shape you into a very desirable social being. We should therefore be kind and compassionate while judging the unfortunates.
Neel Preet: Are there any other books being worked by you? Please let us know about your future projects.
P. J. Thobias: Well, at the moment I am thinking of a sabbatical. May be one day I will wake up with a new idea for another book.
Neel Preet: Thank you so much for answering all my questions. All the very best to you for future and your book too!
P. J. Thobias: Thank you, Neel. Much obliged for your patience.