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I'm just back from two weeks cycling through South West India – from Mysore in Karnataka, through Tamil Nadu and into Kerala.
Here's some of what I thought about, as well as some pictures from the trip.
Write in order to live, but also to live in order to write
Since September 2011 I have been making a full-time living as an author, speaker and entrepreneur. I love my work, it's my passion as well as my income and I write because I love it, as well as to pay the bills.
But we all need inspiration and time for an Artist's Date (an idea from Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way). I'm also a visual writer and setting is incredibly important to me. I find my inspiration in places, from architecture and culture, in religion and myth.
Traveling has always been central to my life, my husband even says I have ‘itchy foot syndrome'. When I worked as an IT consultant, I needed to go on holiday, to escape, a few weeks to forget how much I hated what I did. But now I love my work and my life, travel is for my soul, my creative spirit, the compost of my mind. I need to live hard in order to write, so trips like these will continue to be part of my journey.
I also crave change and variety, I need to push my comfort zone so I will generally choose a new place, or a new activity in order to learn while on the trip. I've been to northern India before (the opening scene of Pentecost is set in Varanasi), but this was my first time in tropical, southern India.
Active meditation. Get in touch with the body again.
As writers, we spend a lot of time in our heads. We are supremely in touch with our thoughts, feelings and emotions but sometimes, we forget the physical body.
On this trip, I cycled almost every day. In hot sun and almost monsoon rain, under stormy clouds, sprinkled with ocean spray, battered by the wind. Through the high pine forests of the Western Ghats and the protected national park forest of Bandipur, where wild elephants roam; through eucalyptus forests and tea plantations, down into bamboo, rice paddies and coconut palms; on pot-holed roads filled with tuk-tuks, wandering holy cows, pedestrians, bikes, buses and cars, the ever-present hooting and organized chaos of India driving.
This was active meditation, in that the only thing you could concentrate on was avoiding the obstacles, whilst pedaling and trying to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous/interesting surroundings. There was no time or brain bandwidth to think about anything else.
I have a Brompton bike in London, a small-wheeled, folding bike and I used to have a ‘sit-up-and-beg' when I was at Oxford. I have never done a serious days cycling in my life, so this was quite a change for me. A 27-geared mountain bike, 60+ kilometers a day on varied terrain (although there was a support bus, which I'll admit to using!) on variable roads … it was a challenge.
With this focus on the body, I also have to admit to my first bike fall and injury. It was the last day, the final afternoon and I knew I was tired but I wanted to do the final kilometers. In a coastal village, just after a downpour of rain, I misjudged a pothole and ended up with a lot of impressive bruises, a hole in my knee and a dent in my pride. It could have been a lot worse, but I cried like a baby. A good reminder of how fragile we are …
Need refreshment of the mind? Try a digital fast
I spent the 15 day trip with no internet, no cellphone, no social. This was entirely by choice as India is a highly connected nation, but it was a decision to focus on the moment and give myself some head-space.
In August, I launched ‘How To Market A Book‘ and also ‘One Day In Budapest‘, as well as keeping to the blog/podcast/speaking schedule.
Before I left, I was exhausted, ready to give up on social media, the blog and anything that didn't just let me write and sleep.
But all I needed was a break!
I love you guys, my blog readers, I love my podcast interviews, I love my twitter fun and everything I do online actually has a purpose, as well as being enjoyable. But I need to make sure I don't burn out. There's a vibration, a speed at which we rev up to when we spend too long immersed online. It's addictive, exhilarating, awesome fun – and I believe it's necessary – but it's not mandatory all the time.
Of course, I knew this before!
I removed email from my phone about a month ago and that helped a lot. I am also now tracking my hours on a timesheet using OfficeTime app on the iPhone (an idea from the guys on the Self Publishing Podcast – language warning). This helps me monitor the time I spend online vs creation. Now I am adding in at least a digital Sabbath every week, and perhaps a whole week off now and then.
In between the bouts of physicality, I had a lot of time for deeper thought, for hand-writing my diary, for focusing on the spiritual side of life that I always need to return to. These things will emerge in my fiction for sure, and I am brimming with new ideas for stories!
My impressions of books and publishing in India
This wasn't a business trip and I didn't even do any official research (although of course the ideas are flowing!) But I did have some thoughts on books and publishing based on my brief impressions in south India and chats with my marvelous Indian guide, Vishnu.
- Print dominates the market and book shops seem to be mostly independent, choosing surefire Western hit authors to stock the shelves along with Indian authors. The mix of fiction and non-fiction in English is impressive and even the small bookshops I visited had a good selection.
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Chinese fishing nets at Fort Cochin Many Indians read and speak English and there are (at least) twice as many English speakers in India as there are in the UK (perhaps unsurprising in a population of over 1 billion). It's the language most used for signs and also for communications between Indians across the states as there are so many languages, they need a common one. Literacy is high in India and there is a rising middle class based on a booming economy. So India is a big potential market for writers in English, hence why Amazon has recently opened a store there …
- However, Amazon is barely known as yet, ebooks are a blip on the radar and I can't see the rise of ebooks until the internet is a faster speed which will in turn proliferate smart phones, e-reading apps and smart-phones. BUT/ given the
pace of change in India and the economic growth, I would see digital becoming important in the next few years. As self-publishers have generally been making more money through ebooks, I would see this as the most likely source of future revenue. However, there are some self-publishing print on demand companies – I have known of Pothi.com and CinnamonTeal.in for a number of years. Now Author Solutions (Penguin) have moved in under the brand Partridge Publishing as well – so if you're considering publishing in that market, please do your research first.
- I love India and I want to spend more time there. I want to write books set in India and use the rich culture, mythology and religion in my work. And yes, I want to reach that market. So I am definitely going to keep an eye on things and try to grow my online fan-base at least. For now, I am going to sort out my pricing in rupees on Kindle – the print books I saw were around 150 – 499 rupees for fiction. You might want to check your pricing on Amazon.in too.
- You can see some more photos from my trip here on Flickr – all Creative Commons. If you like the look of the trip, we went with Exodus Travel: Cycle Kerala and Tropical India.
In case you're interested, here's my reading list while I was away – soon to be reviewed on Goodreads: One night @ the call centre – Chetan Bhagat, Arranged Marriage – Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, The Rozabal Line – Ashwin Sanghi, Travels – Michael Crichton, Never Go Back – Lee Child, The Blood Whisperer – Zoe Sharp, The Sacred History – Jonathan Black.
Right, back to business as usual … please do let me know your thoughts in the comments. And, Indian readers, I would love to hear from you about your thoughts on the market in India, and how authors could start connecting/learning more. I'd also love to give away some review copies of my books for the Amazon.in store, so please leave a comment if you're interested.
What a wonderful trip and great insights, Joanna! And it’s always when you’re tired and near the end that the spills happen.
I know! I even felt like I should stop when I had lunch that day, as I was a bit wobbly, but I really wanted to finish the trip on the bike. Lesson truly learned!
A digital fast would be the biggest challenge for me. I am an admitted Internet/social media addict. I realize the importance of taking a week or two and doing something else. One day, one day…
It’s worth it Nick. I thought it would be a struggle, but getting out of the house is what makes it work!
WOW, sounds like you had a very interesting trip to South India. It’s great to read when someone from outside your country visits your place and details it so well, it makes you feel wonderful. And by the way I’m from Mysore. Sorry for your injury though, I wish you get well soon.
One thing I can promise to anyone is that a trip to India will change your life! No matter how small it may be but it’s bound to happen. And if I recall correctly it’s your second trip to India (First was Varanasi I guess).
I just wanted to let you know that there are a lot of young Indian writers who are taking up Indie over traditional print publishing as Indie gives you freedom to publish on your own and market your work however you want. The Indie trend is still picking up but its happening. Lots of wanna be authors are starting blogs and websites to publish their works.
The main problem with authors not being able to crack the Indian market is probably due to lack of marketing. Only the juggernauts get their books to the readers here. Nothing against them but I feel there are lot of Indie authors and publishers who would do great in Indian markets. But to do that first they have to make sure that Indian readers know about their works. People here hardly come across a book written by an Indie author unless it is already an international hit or someone is making a movie out of it.
So I hope that everyone starts taking Indian market seriously too.
Hi Shrinidhi,
Great to hear that self-publishing is taking off, and things are changing all over the place. I think the move into digital reading will facilitate more success as marketing is only effective if people can also buy the books online.
I’m going to focus on learning more about marketing and publishing in India in 2014, so I will look forward to you being part of the conversation.
Thanks, Joanna
Wow. What a vigorous post. It’s obvious that your time off has served you well and done as much service to your readers. I loved reading this and feel almost as refreshed as you sound.
I’ve tried to do a total internet fast for the month of September. There was a crabbiness creeping up on me from all directions that didn’t feel at all productive 🙂 I also felt a need to re-connect with story as its evolved in this new climate. I’m so glad I snuck a peek at the virtual world and read this post. Very nicely done and all the benefits of taking a break are reflected in each word of this post.
Sorry to hear you took a nasty fall, but as ever, your resilience was strengthened by viewing it from a place of vulnerability. Great stuff and a wonderful read. (Now I crawl back into my cave of fasting).
Thanks for coming out to comment, Cyd. I was feeling that crabbiness too, and it’s definitely from over-consumption. Like that post-Christmas day over-eating feeling … the time off is so necessary. I am going to enforce it more often 🙂
Hi, I’m @batbrat, a follower of yours from twitter. I thoroughly enjoyed this post, and I’m glad you had fun visiting my country. I’ve lived and traveled in southern India, but there are many places that I am yet to visit. Your post has given me ideas. I definitely enjoy reading books, and I’m glad that you wish to write for the Indian market. It’s with some embarrassment that I admit to not having read any of your books, something I hope to change at the earliest. I’d love the opportunity to review one or more of your books. As someone who has made the journey that I hope to make, I’m very glad to have followed you and started reading your blog. I hope your injuries are all healed now.
Cheers!
Thanks Bharathan, and I’d love to send you a review copy of one of my books. Can you email me joanna@TheCreativePenn.com and I will reply with one. I can’t get your email from your comment for some reason. Thanks, Joanna
Thanks so much for sharing, Joanna. Glad to have you back though. I missed your podcasts and blog posts. Good for you for taking time to refresh and defrag.
Thanks Scott – podcast imminent!
Congrats on your successful Indian recharge adventure. It’s always nice to power down the digital and just live a little (you know, smell the roses and all that jazz). As far as digital publishing and India are concerned; there’s tons of e-pub stuff flowing oozing out of India right now and indies across the globe are already competing for eyeballs against it. Yes, add the fact that many Indians are VERY English literate and very “motivated” to make money (the writing process..fugetaboutit) and you have a recipe for the current deluge of Indian digital e-publishing. The other day a review site that I read indie slush, er, uhmm, potential indie novels for review (yeah that’s it) for received a “query” from India. It went something like this, “I see you review (listed the genres) and I would like to make opportunity available to you for thousands of novels for your review”. The offer went on to state that they were from Indian “up-and-coming” authors and they needed US review avenues. I did kick the “offer” up the chain of command and a polite thanks-but-no-thanks response was issued. Just thinking about slogging through chick-lit (yes, that was listed as genre available) fresh out of Mumbai makes me want to pull my hair out, Uggggggggghhhhhhhh!!!
Again, glad you enjoyed India!
There will always be books of varying quality – from any country, in any genre – so I think we all just need to recognize the need for standards across the board. I just delete any pitch emails that aren’t professional, and I don’t read books I don’t like. As I intend to try and pitch some Indian book bloggers in time, I’ll ensure my own pitches are good enough!
On a writing retreat with several other authors, I had to walk a small distance for internet access. The first day or so we all made the walk. After that, none of us could be bothered. We still recall that as our most productive retreat.
I’m glad you took time just to be.
I think perhaps all internet access should be removed on a writing retreat!
I am completely inspired! I have some vacation days to burn off very soon and am in need of some time off from writing and blogging as well. This is an idea to consider and I love the pictures!
Hi Joanna
What a fantastic blog and photos! I love all things Indian and Saturday night is always Curry Night in our house with friends bringing different dishes.
Great tips too re removing email from phone and i LOVE the idea of a media-free day each week. It’s such an obviously healthy move. Now … which day? …
Thanks again and i wish you all the best!
Lovely post, Joanna, fab photos and glad you enjoyed your trip. Good to know someone so plugged into social media can survive a break.
Must be twenty years since I was in that part of India but still happy memories.
I’ve got a post coming soon on bringing traditional Indian stories to the English countryside, so I’m travelling the other way!
Wow. Two thoughts: this kind of post is important to outbalance all the bad news we had from India recently. It still is possible to happily cycle around, meet people and get to know the country. Nowhere I find it easier to get away from my routine. India is challenging the very way I think and operate. And then handwriting: as you say, keeping a journal (or handwriting anything, in fact) is such good training. It’s amazing how you actually think everything through before writing if there’s no delete button 🙂
Thanks for sharing, your site is such an inspiration!
Thanks Andrea – and on the news thing, I stopped watching the news when we got rid of the TV 5 years ago. I glance at headlines but generally avoid most of it. It’s all the same negativity and distorts how amazing the world really is. India is a country of over a billion people – there are some evil ones among them, as anywhere, but most people are just wonderful wherever you go. I have travelled alone all over the world and rarely felt threatened. When I came off my bike, the local villagers surrounded me and brought water and helped, their faces concerned and their sympathy with my bloody, bruised body evident. There is so much wonder and adventure in the world – I wish the news would report on the happy, amazing stuff – but apparently that just doesn’t get attention …
Glad you like the hand-writing diary thing too 🙂
Thanks for the comment!
Great post and so glad you enjoyed your trip to India. It’s always great when people keep their eyes open when travelling, noticing book shops, the use of English, and so on. I have quite a few contacts in Pakistan/India/Bangladesh through my subject area, textiles. I get the increasing feeling that this part of the world is moving fast and international internet connections are much more prevalent than they were even just a few years ago. Having Pakistan/India/Bangladesh with their unique perspective, as a fixed and firm part of both the internet and contemporary global culture can be nothing but a big plus.
On a side note, I recently bought your ‘How to Market a Book’ and it has helped so much, not only as regards business, but also as to why I do what I do, whether through writing or my love of textiles. Finding, or refinding my passion seems to have been the greatest message of your book, so thanks for that!
Hi Joanna! It feels great to know that people from outside my nation like to visit and actually enjoy it here. I took a look at your Kerala pictures which are amazing! I hope you enjoyed the food here :). Really missed your posts these past days. I saw your reading list during your sabbatical and discovered that it comprised a few of the books that I didn’t know about. However, since I guess you are interested in Indian mythology and you like so many things about our country, I would recommend you to read a series known by the name of Shiva Trilogy that has been authored by Amish Tripathi. The trilogy has actually been inspired by one of our “Puranas”, a scripture. The name of the three novels are “The Immortals of Meluha”, “The Secret of the Nagas” and “The Oath of the Vayuputras”.
And really, if you really want to take a peek into our rich spiritual heritage, I suggest you read the great scripture “The Bhagwad Gita”. I say this because I ,myself, am spiritually inclined and after reading this great scripture I liked it so much that I found it incomparable to others.
Do visit Northern India again sometime in future.
Thanks for such great insights into the craft of writing!
Hi Joanna,
Welcome back. While you were on your “digital fast” most of us here, I’m sure, were enduring an unbearable “radio silence” from thecreativepenn.com. Glad you enjoyed your vacation and sorry about the bad fall and scrapes on the last day. Your pictures made me wanting to go on that trip (minus the bicycling!). Hope you picked up some Hindustani “bhool” which you’ll likely get a chance to practice in the streets and desi shops in London, too. Looking forward to your next novel set in India (did you say?). Would like to hear more about book publishing opportunities in India in your future podcasts.
Best regards,
Waheed
Great post Joanna! Welcome back, it certainly sounds like you had a great trip (apart from the fall) and I’m quite jealous 🙂 I love travelling too, and I would love to go on an adventure in India one day.
I agree with you that as writers, we need to go out and actually experience life in full once in a while. We need it to refresh and get inspiration – from sights, sounds, smells, different voices, etc.
I’ll be keeping an eye on the digital publishing market in India, thanks for bringing it up.
Joanna, this was wonderful! It looks like you had a lovely trip (mostly!), and at least you fell off your bike the last day, so it didn’t ruin any of your adventures. I’m planning a trip to Vietnam next winter, and I hadn’t thought of renting a bike, but it looks like the perfect way to see the sights!
Your thoughts on your online time and your career focus are very timely — thank you for sharing them. I’ve been thinking a lot about carving out room in my schedule to give myself time to write and reflect. I make my own schedule and select my own clients, and I always mean to leave time for myself to work on MY things, but I always end up filling that time with some exciting project or another — I have trouble saying no to a great book! I need to be stricter with myself about guarding my time I set aside to write entirely for myself and not let myself get so caught up in the excitement of working on someone else’s manuscript, and your thoughts here help solidify exactly why that’s important. Thanks as always.
Sounds like you had a great time, Joanna!
When we start writing as adults we have years to draw on for inspiration and ideas but unless we top up regularly with new experiences we’ll dry up!
And it stops us getting backache, eye-strain, cramp, stuck in a rut…
It was with burst of relief that I came across your blog this morning. I have been following you for some time amazed, admiring, that you can successfully juggle so many balls in the air. How does she do it? I wailed to myself as I failed to find time to blog or tweet or read properly all the advice and interesting stuff currently out there for writers as well as finish a book. So, it was good to realise you are not some superhuman writer from another planet but a supremely focused one who works her butt off, and, while inspiring us all to be more interactive needs to take time off too.
I also related to your blog as I spent a year in Pakistan recently. It changed both my life and my writing. I fell in love with a Pakistan and its people that is not reflected in the media.
I too have itchy feet. Writers do need to travel or they cannot grow. It is sometimes easy to mistake long hours at a computer producing ‘a new baby’ for a full life!
I am just guiltily off to Boston to explore…
You are an inspiration, Joanna. Thank you.
Hi Joanna:
I loved reading about your Indian cycling adventure – you are really brave to cycle down those roads! I loved the beautiful pics too. I’ve travelled around Katnataka, Tamilnadu and bits of Kerala and am always wonder-struck by the beautiful scenery. Your photos certainly do them justice!
Talking of self-publishing, I’ve self-published a family history/memoir (it falls between both these genres) titled The Family from Padma Vilas. I’d love you to read this book and review it for me if possible. Please lmk.
BTW, I totally agree with you when you say writers have itchy feet- I am guilty of the same!
Thanks for a great article!
Padmini
(Padmini B. Sankar)
blog: paddersatdubai.blogspot.com