Story from the end of the world

Mumbaikars with masks empty streets and no sight of childrenmdashour current social upheaval caused by the Coronavirus outbreak seems like a scene out of a dystopian book As we experience the calamity around us publishing houses across the globe are inviting writers to pen a story on apocalyptic fiction From Juggernauts Love in the Time of Quarantine to Roli Books Life in the time of Corona publishers are promising that the best stories stand a chance to be published as ebooks or win writing contractsHowever before you put pen to paper hear what three authors have to share about what makes for a good readCREATE A FORMULA Author Bilal Siddiqi who has written Bard of Blood has a different approach to apocalyptic fiction He suggests choose your thememdashlove revenge survival etcmdashthen reimagine the same story against the backdrop of an apocalypse Ask would this situation affect the decisions of the protagonist or how there would now be a sense of urgency in everything the characters do or behave A pandemic will change the beat of the storyAshwin SanghiREAD THE GENRE Author Kiran Manral who has dabbled in the genre through a short story and micro fiction on the postapocalypse scenario that will soon be published says that apocalyptic fiction has long been popular Noahs Ark and the flood that wiped the Earth clean of wicked mankind is an early example of postapocalyptic work There are several examples of it in mythology too From the modern ones The Road is a good read Do make it a point to read the genre before you attempt it she addsThe author of bestselling thrillers Ashwin Sanghi of The Rozabal Line Chanakyas Chant and The Krishna Key fame agrees There are quite a few good ones written by authors who are masters of the craft When you read their works youll know the story that clicks for you so it is best to start hereGET YOUR FACTS RIGHT Make sure to do enough research before you put it out in the story Your storymdashthough fictionmdashmust be credible so get your facts right For instance you should know that antibodies cannot cure viruses Wrong facts can be offputting for the reader says Manral Sanghi adds Your fiction must sound real There is an old saying When you tell a lie tell it so close to the truth that you make it sound real Follow this when writing your storymdashmake it utterly believableKiran ManralINPUT LEADS TO OUTPUT Sanghi suggests following a twopoint rule First know the science why would something occur whats the science behind it Spread it well across the storyline For instance if there was a great flood which is quite possible due to global warming what places would be affected firstmdashyour story should be set or must have reference to that place Next focus on the outcome What happened due to the apocalypse For instance you cant say that your protagonistmdasha regular manmdashwent out of his house and started firing with his AK47 The question ismdashwhy was he carrying it in the first place Regular people dont carry ammunition do they Also make sure you have a proper vision of the postapocalypse period and include it in your tale he addsCREATE TANGIBLE CHARACTERS The reader must be able to relate to the characters of the story Focus on the individual story Remember that the character is not just a statistic his or her story is that of survival It is important to identify with the protagonist says Manral On similar lines Sanghi says While research is important dont get caught up in it Make sure to explore human naturemdashthats the only constant in good times and bad Of all the people who survived the apocalypse your story must be of the five underdogs and of their primal instincts Thats how a story of survival will clickBRING IN SURVIVAL AND REDEMPTION A good story must be one of hope Let there be an element of chance and that feeling of redemption that we are in the situation because of human greed and that the same mistakes must not be repeated Your story must be a journeymdashof survival of the few who make it but it must also be a story of collective consciousness of those who survived and escaped says ManralBilal SiddiquiSTAY ORIGINAL While it is easy to catch on to another authors style Sanghi warns to avoid repeating their story For instance avoid talking of the same ghisapita formula of totalitarian regimes cannibalism cavemen etcTalk of newer things that sound familiarSiddiqui says Every story that needs to be told has been told already it is how you tell it that makes the difference Make sure you dont copy and feed originality to the story Personally I am not a fan of fantastical zombies and unicorns and Id steer clear of reading such stuff unless it is written by those who are expertsJuggernaut contest closes on April 13 Send entries to wwwjuggernautinRoli Books contest closes on April 25 Send entries to believeinbooksrolibookscomCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events 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