Ask the Author: Ranjit Ratnaike
Answered Questions (6)
Ranjit Ratnaike
I am very fortunate that this is not a common occurrence, though not due to genius!
I am involved in more than one writing project and move away from the 'blocked' project and return to it. I am not working to a deadline and therefore do not aggravate the 'block' by worrying about it.
I leave it alone, not fuss around it gnashing my teeth, and as we say in Australia, getting into a tizz! With time, the block clears.
Ranjit Ratnaike
I am involved in more than one writing project and move away from the 'blocked' project and return to it. I am not working to a deadline and therefore do not aggravate the 'block' by worrying about it.
I leave it alone, not fuss around it gnashing my teeth, and as we say in Australia, getting into a tizz! With time, the block clears.
Ranjit Ratnaike
Ranjit Ratnaike
I enjoy the wonderful world I live in: the world I have created in the Saradasi books with the characters that populate the Nereima Galaxy.
I can dream dreams and translate them into the reality of what I write.
I value the mental exertion writing, re-writing and especially editing provides. I enjoy the humility I am forced to accept when I re-read a sentence or a paragraph and mutter to myself: 'Terrible.' I enjoy the hunt for the right word which resurrects a sentence from a deep grave to shining life.
There is no money in this business. But there is deep satisfaction when I receive a complimentary email or when a lady in the city I live in wrote saying her granddaughter in New Zealand had read Saradasi-The Prophecy, was visiting her on a visit, may they call on me! It was a wonderful visit.
it is also a pleasure being invited to talk to groups about writing and publishing.
I can dream dreams and translate them into the reality of what I write.
I value the mental exertion writing, re-writing and especially editing provides. I enjoy the humility I am forced to accept when I re-read a sentence or a paragraph and mutter to myself: 'Terrible.' I enjoy the hunt for the right word which resurrects a sentence from a deep grave to shining life.
There is no money in this business. But there is deep satisfaction when I receive a complimentary email or when a lady in the city I live in wrote saying her granddaughter in New Zealand had read Saradasi-The Prophecy, was visiting her on a visit, may they call on me! It was a wonderful visit.
it is also a pleasure being invited to talk to groups about writing and publishing.
Ranjit Ratnaike
First, a writer must decide and cling on to the reason why he or she wants to write.
The allure of fame, or fortune can prove disappointing and depressing.
The most satisfying reward should be personal satisfaction, self-fulfillment and that your effort is one you can be proud of and others would admire.
The world of publishing is a tough and ruthless world. The aspiring writer should remember that the publisher is motivated by only by profit (book sales). A manuscript well written, with a wonderful story, and cleverly crafted characters is no guarantee it will be accepted by a publisher.
Every author should become familiar with the instances publishers rejected the work of now famous authors.
However, rejection should not kill the enthusiastic writer's dreams.
In 2015, by investing time (note, time and not money), the aspiring writer could successfully publish a high quality book.
I urge writers to not be narcissistic! Please pay a good editor with proven experience to edit your book, not so much to correct grammar and spelling but to look at the big picture of the book.
Finally, beware of rapacious sharks diligently seeking the aspiring writer to enjoy for breakfast, lunch and dinner with offers of help.
Trust in your ability, use your judgement, be alert, seek advice and you will triumph!
Ranjit Ratnaike
You are most welcome to write to me: rratnaike@adam.com.au
My blog about reading writing and publishing is at: ranjitratnaike.wordpress.com
PS
You may enjoy reading this:
In Comanche Moon (1997) by Larry McMurty, Captain Inish Scull, the eccentric Texas Ranger has retired. A colonel brings him the offer of an appointment as an US Army general.
“Thank them kindly, Colonel, but as you can see I’m a man of the library now,” Scull said. “I’ve just served five years in a great war−the only struggle that still interest me is the conflict with the sentence, sir-the English sentence.
“See this piece of paper? It’s blank,” Scull said. “That, sir is the most frightening battlefield in the world: the blank page. I mean to fill this paper with decent sentences, sir, -this page and hundreds of like it. Let me tell you Colonel, it is harder than fighting Lee. Why, it’s harder than fighting Napoleon. It requires unremitting attention, which is why I can’t oblige the President, or the generals who sent you here.”
The allure of fame, or fortune can prove disappointing and depressing.
The most satisfying reward should be personal satisfaction, self-fulfillment and that your effort is one you can be proud of and others would admire.
The world of publishing is a tough and ruthless world. The aspiring writer should remember that the publisher is motivated by only by profit (book sales). A manuscript well written, with a wonderful story, and cleverly crafted characters is no guarantee it will be accepted by a publisher.
Every author should become familiar with the instances publishers rejected the work of now famous authors.
However, rejection should not kill the enthusiastic writer's dreams.
In 2015, by investing time (note, time and not money), the aspiring writer could successfully publish a high quality book.
I urge writers to not be narcissistic! Please pay a good editor with proven experience to edit your book, not so much to correct grammar and spelling but to look at the big picture of the book.
Finally, beware of rapacious sharks diligently seeking the aspiring writer to enjoy for breakfast, lunch and dinner with offers of help.
Trust in your ability, use your judgement, be alert, seek advice and you will triumph!
Ranjit Ratnaike
You are most welcome to write to me: rratnaike@adam.com.au
My blog about reading writing and publishing is at: ranjitratnaike.wordpress.com
PS
You may enjoy reading this:
In Comanche Moon (1997) by Larry McMurty, Captain Inish Scull, the eccentric Texas Ranger has retired. A colonel brings him the offer of an appointment as an US Army general.
“Thank them kindly, Colonel, but as you can see I’m a man of the library now,” Scull said. “I’ve just served five years in a great war−the only struggle that still interest me is the conflict with the sentence, sir-the English sentence.
“See this piece of paper? It’s blank,” Scull said. “That, sir is the most frightening battlefield in the world: the blank page. I mean to fill this paper with decent sentences, sir, -this page and hundreds of like it. Let me tell you Colonel, it is harder than fighting Lee. Why, it’s harder than fighting Napoleon. It requires unremitting attention, which is why I can’t oblige the President, or the generals who sent you here.”
Ranjit Ratnaike
My birth sign is Gemini and I am burdened with the temptation to involve myself in more than project. It has its ups and downs!
I am writing the next book in the Saradasi series. I have not numbered them as I, II etc. because I believe the reader should enjoy each book without having read the previous one. I therefore work hard at bringing the reader very quickly from the past to the present.
I am also working on an account of my wonderful life in Sri Lanka, India, (working in the Himalayan foothills training village women as health workers), working in Australia, and my travels on work for the World Health Organization. The book is populated with memorable people and interesting experiences with a few unusual recipes I have gathered on my travels.
A third project is a work of fiction, far removed from the Saradasi books with Shanaz as the central character. it is titled: 'Mrs. Curnow's Boarding House.'
I am writing the next book in the Saradasi series. I have not numbered them as I, II etc. because I believe the reader should enjoy each book without having read the previous one. I therefore work hard at bringing the reader very quickly from the past to the present.
I am also working on an account of my wonderful life in Sri Lanka, India, (working in the Himalayan foothills training village women as health workers), working in Australia, and my travels on work for the World Health Organization. The book is populated with memorable people and interesting experiences with a few unusual recipes I have gathered on my travels.
A third project is a work of fiction, far removed from the Saradasi books with Shanaz as the central character. it is titled: 'Mrs. Curnow's Boarding House.'
Ranjit Ratnaike
I live in Australia but grew up in Sri Lanka (the small island off the southeastern tip of India) in a house with literally hundreds of books ranging from fiction to philosophy to theology (my father was a Christian minister) and an uncle a journalist.
As a reader I was challenged even as a child to write a book. However as the bible says: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:"
I worked as a physician for many years and wrote the first novel after I retired.
As a reader I was challenged even as a child to write a book. However as the bible says: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:"
I worked as a physician for many years and wrote the first novel after I retired.
Ranjit Ratnaike
Saradasi-The Search is a 'stand alone' sequel to the first book, Saradasi-The Prophecy which has been reprinted in Australia.
The idea for the first book swirled around in my mind as I traveled extensively with my job to Asian countries. In every culture there was a belief that a battle was being fought between the forces of good and evil. I wanted to use this as the canvas and populate it with interesting characters all of us can relate to.
The idea for the first book swirled around in my mind as I traveled extensively with my job to Asian countries. In every culture there was a belief that a battle was being fought between the forces of good and evil. I wanted to use this as the canvas and populate it with interesting characters all of us can relate to.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more