Writer's block is like cerebral menopause: Unnikrishnan Cheruthuruthy

A recipient of numerous awards for poetry, Unnikrishnan Cheruthuruthy’s latest book is his foray into English writing. Jaffer Vs Sharief traces the story of a man and his constant struggle with two distinct sides to his personalities, Jaffer and Sharief.

“Sharief is idealistic, while Jaffer is practical; Sharief is thoughtful, Jaffer is whimsical. The book is about Jaffer Sharief’s life, relationships, ambitions, identity and internal conflicts. Life puts him through severe tests, and yet he moves on, keeping his agonies close to his heart. On the one hand, he conquers many heights and on the other, he plunges into the depths of loss,” explains the Kerala-born author.

When did the idea for the book germinate?
Once, when my politician boss was swarmed by aspiring writers of his biography, he turned to me and asked, ‘Why don’t you write?’ That spark of encouragement kept disturbing my spirit for a couple of years and one fine morning I saw myself scribbling. The work took three years to complete. But, in the beginning itself, I lost control over the predetermined topic.

My writing was progressing on the lines of  fiction and I had to surrender to my creativity, abandoning my boss midway. An urge to avoid treading trodden paths is a motivation. Even failure, in this attempt, is not a small achievement. As many other writers, I too faced several tests. That was why my manuscript had to move around incognito for nearly a decade.

Which is the best opening line in a book that you have ever read?
“Mother died today, maybe yesterday; I can’t be sure” — The Stranger

Which genre draws you the most as a reader and a writer?
Of course, poems.

One fictional character close to your heart and why?
Raskol Nikov — the leading character in Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment. I like him for his brutal honesty.

Who among the pantheon of writers (past/present) would you like to have coffee with?
Bapsi Sidwa of Pakistan, author of the novel, The Crow Eaters.

What is your antidote for writer’s block?
It is another term for cerebral menopause. One can try diary writing.

Which book do you keep revisiting time and again?
Meghadootam by Kalidasa.

The book is about Jaffer Sharief’s life, relationships, ambitions, identity and internal conflicts.