An Interesting Interview Of Author Deepak Kripal

Recently we got an opportunity to have a communication session with aspiring Indian author Deepak Kripal. His first book The Devil’s Gate : An Impossible Journey :1 is a treat for readers who love fictions. We have tried avoiding the very basic questions which are already answered by him at various interviews. Here is our conversation.

Dr. Deepak Kripal

Thank you so much, and I am totally enjoying the good reviews that are coming. Honestly, I was a bit afraid of the critics, since I didn’t really have the critics in my mind while writing this story. I was rather driven by my love for good stories.The whole idea behind writing the story was to tell a story that I thought was unique, beautiful and different. I was confident that the readers will love the story, but I was skeptical about the response of critics. To say that overwhelming response of the critics has thrilled me will be a gross understatement!

I always had a thing for stories. As a child, I was brought up on heavy dose of bedtime stories which had a great impact on my imagination and creative orientation. So, I was always into stories. I ventured into writing a bit later, about 10 years ago. For me, writing a book was just a natural progression, and an expression of what I really am.

As I told you, I was into stories since childhood, long before I became a doctor. Surely, it is easier to weave stories around the field which you are familiar with. But, in the end, story is all about a good idea, and a good execution. I may well write a story revolving around medical profession in future if a really thrilling idea comes across, but I will never write it just for the heck of it. I wrote this story because it thrilled my mind no end, and compelled me to pen it down.

I enjoy, write, read and watch all the genres, provided the story is innovative and engaging. I am all game for a good story, genre doesn’t really matter.You will always see me experimenting with genres and stories. I did just that in my first novel itself!

Whatever effects your consciousness will have influence on your thoughts and expressions. I think, yes, in my writing, you will always find sensitivity and human touch. Your personality is a product of your experiences. You can’t really run away from who you are!

Nature lover would be a more correct term, as you rephrased it. Since I come from the state of Uttrakhand, nature is something that I have loved and lived with ever since I was born. Neglect of nature is no secret nowadays. All of us do that all the time. We need to do some serious brainstorming to figure out our priorities, and to secure the future of our race. We are nothing but the product of nature, and by ruining it, we are only cutting our own roots.

As Gandhiji famously said, “nature has enough for our need, but not for our greed“. I think the values of simplicity in living and love for nature need to be inculcated in our children who will be the flag bearer of our progress. Apart from that, legal and regulatory framework need to be tightened and aligned with the need of conservation and replenishment. But, even after that, everything comes down to stringent implementation of laws and policies, and this is one area we have been struggling in. Corruption, corporate culture of profit maximization and short term-ism is eating away the long term future of our race. That is why I think that having the correct set of values in dna is paramount, and the importance of value education, in this context, is second to none.

I didn’t plan anything while writing the story. I just went with the flow of my imagination. It is just a product of my subconscious, and I never had an intention to create another Harry Potter!

That is the reason why the animal characters have been humanized in this story, so that we could relate to them. If you read the book, you will never feel like you are reading a story involving animals. I think, in the end, its the story that matters. If it is powerful, and touches the sensitivities of the reader, it stands a winner!

I love to read Oscar Wilde, Paulo Coelho, Dan Brown, Amitav Ghosh, Erich Segal, Ruskin Bond, Arundhati Roy, and the list goes on.

I am reading “The Pilgrimage” by Paulo Coelho right now.

You couldn’t have guessed it better. I love travelling with my friends. Though, it becomes difficult to get them all together, thanks to the busy lives we all are leading. I also love watching cricket, movies, and cooking in the weekend.

I am an instinctive writer. I am guided by my instincts and there is no method to it as far as my writing is concerned.

To be honest, I haven’t really decided anything about the sequel. I have left a trail at the end of story. So, I have left the option of the sequel open. So, if significant number of readers vie for a sequel, you never know!

Just that I am overwhelmed by the love and support that has been showered upon me, and I shall have the responsibility to return it to you through some innovative, original and inspiring stories.

Hope you have enjoyed the conversation and found some of your questions answered from him 🙂

He is a quick responder and good communicator. Do you have any other questions for him? Which other authors you like us to interview for you? Do let us know your thoughts and remarks via comments below. Do not forget to share this article with your friends over various social networks via Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus and others. And yes, you may like to subscribe to our RSS feeds and follow us on various Social networks to get latest updates for the site to land right in your mail box.