I like books better than people

Pinterest finally caught up with me earlier this year and I created my board on Books. One of my pins shares the title of this post. The original can be found here. The board is mostly covered with suggestions for gifts with a few notable exceptions, most of which can be expected if you know me.

Few things can make me laugh as hard Durrell or The World of Nagaraj or Catch 22. Maybe a few episodes of Scrubs at best. Similarly, nothing scares me more than the prospect of living life like Lady Chatterley or Fermina Daza. I still cry every time Beth dies in Little Women or Matthew dies in Anne of Green Gables, fall in love every time Jo and Professor Bhaer splash through puddles or Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni describes how lucky he is to be engaged to Mma Ramotswe, can't sleep when I read Dahl's short stories or think about Death Eaters and wonder if I'd ever be as clever as Fforde - check out a map of Fiction Island here, if you think this fear is unfounded.

I have wanted to write books since 1998. While the desire remains, the genre keeps changing. Till 2003, the books would follow a spy perhaps on a mission to save the world, an Indian spy - a welcome change from all the American and British spies we have. Beginning 2004, I wanted to write murder mysteries to emulate Poirot, Holmes, Marple or Feluda. And to make things even more interesting, I wanted to use a pseudonym and leave a clue in each book pointing towards my true identity with my final book literally being a tell-all. Circa 2006-07, I decided I had enough worldly experience to document my life and have the world read it, again via pseudonym. By 2008, on a trip to Bangkok I decided that I needed more worldly experience (despite this, I did not indulge in the pleasures Bangkok promises).

Somewhere along the line, I guess around the time I picked up cartooning, I decided that I wanted my writing to be witty like Wodehouse's, whimsical like Heller's, indulgent like McCall Smith's, observant like Narayan's and parodying like Fforde's and Adams' (Scott, of the Dilbert fame) - maybe incorporate a comic strip? I guess "funny" in a nutshell. A few years ago I promised the _ that I would write a book if he would find me a publisher and sell it. I am not entirely sure I will deliver any more though. Mostly because the confidence has taken a beating and by the I mean mine. I should name the confidence. Veerappan? The years have taken a toll on Veerappan and presently the only assurance he offers is that I can demolish a pizza in 30 minutes or less. So while the desire remains, there is Veerappan and the entire pseudonym or no pseudonym question to deal with.

I love the pseudonym concept because I fear judgement, especially from other literally inclined peers from the past (and possibly the ones I am yet to encounter). Maybe this is a good litmus test to determine whether or not I have a good book - do I want my name on the cover or a pseudonym?

If I did have a pseudonym, what would it be - people would recognize Freespirit  or a tribute to my favorite authors. I do love the name Fritz though. Dear future, watch out for a world famous author named Fritz. :)

Back to Maupin for now.