Mumbai-based author Anil Goel, who works as the vice president of Accenture, is highly drawn towards the complex and intriguing world of technology. His recently released second book Exit Point is a tech thriller that revolves around the concept of what happens to a person’s online presence after he/she dies. The author has plans to pen at least three more tech thrillers.
Does inspiration strike you at the oddest of moments/places?
The idea for my book struck me when I found myself pondering endlessly about a chance Facebook encounter with a complete stranger. As a writer, I see bizarre possibilities in many otherwise normal situations. The ones that claw away persistently at my imagination and refuse to fade away invariably sow the seeds for a plot.
Which genre draws you the most as a reader and a writer?
Thrillers — both as a reader and a writer.
One fictional character close to your heart and why?
James Bond — I love the fact that he doesn’t fear death yet works very hard and smart to stay alive. He is not reckless.
Who among the pantheon of writers (past/present) would you like to have coffee with?
Stephen King or Dean Koontz. I would love to see how edgy they can be in person.
What is your antidote for writer’s block?
A good run by the sea. The mind starts working crazily once the body is happily engaged. Send the body to a happy zone and the mind soars.
How can new/budding writers prevent rejection from turning into dejection?
Write for yourself. Print the first copy and cut it up into a novel and keep it on your shelf. Be your own loyal fan. If a few more people read it, that’s great. If a million read it, that’s brilliant. But don’t let others decide whether or not you can write. Just go ahead and write.
One tip for aspiring writers?
Please don’t write if you don’t have a story. Find a story that you would love to tell. Then use writing as a medium to tell the story. Someone else would paint it. Yet another would compose a tune. It’s all about storytelling. Be a storyteller, not a writer.
