Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Sometimes, under the weight of other people’s expectations from us, we forget who we truly are and what we want from our lives. In his debut novel, Last Bench, a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of Bangalore in the ’70s, Ram Halady explores this dilemma through the story of Vikki, a young teenager who tries to live up to his namesake father.
Vikki, a foodie and a die-hard Bollywood fan, is kind-hearted. But what will he do when a friend in need comes to him for help? To what extent will he go to save him?
“I am fascinated by how people gain their moral compass,” says Halady. “Always, there is a pivotal time when they find their inner own; I view that as coming-of-age.”
Ram Halady was born and raised in India and lives in Tucson, AZ. He shared his perspective on The Last Bench and about being a writer with India Currents. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
An Excerpt from Last Bench
I question my mum again about my father and the peacock box. She tells me, “You will get the key when I am gone. You can then look inside.” She refuses to elaborate any further.
More than anything, I want to know what is inside that peacock box because it could reveal who my dad was – or is, if he is alive. I want to know where my mum came from, and how she grew up. I want to know about all the secrets my mum is holding back from me.
However, I am not desperate enough to wish her dead so that I can have my answers.
As she says, she has only me – and I, only her.
The Q&A
How would you summarise your book ?
In my debut novel, a 15-year-old Vikki with a single mom and modest means worries about who his dad is, how to make the right decisions, and how to obtain a pair of cricket shoes for school games. When a friend comes to him for help, to what extent will Vikki go to save him? His earnest promise sets Vikki on a course of events that will test and shape him to learn who he is and what he will be.
What was the most challenging part of writing this book?
I found organizing my thoughts and developing the patience to tell the story without jumping to the main elements, most difficult. I learned a valuable lesson in that process – develop the characters and they would tell the story better themselves.
In your own life, what influences and inspires you to write?
When I left India for the USA in the 1980s, one part of my life froze, and with it, all my memories of growing up in Bangalore. I left behind my family, friends, and all the culture, a big part of me. Now, I return to that frozen time to replay and relish those good memories, motivating me to write.
I loved writing stories for the kids in our extended family. I had a story on their birthdays and holidays and would read it to them. Some of them were printed in weekend sections for kids in newspapers. Later, the collection of those stories was published as Reuben’s Adventures on Uncle Ram’s Farm.
In your opinion, what are the key ingredients for a good story or novel?
Everyone has a way of telling their story. I would identify the following as key ingredients that have worked for me:
An approachable moral dilemma – trust the readers to think without telling them what to think.
How long should an author spend on their craft each day?
An hour and sometimes most of the day; The amount of time and the time of the day spent on writing varies for each author. Sometimes days go by without making seemingly any progress. That is perfectly normal, but I would suggest spending time each day thinking about the novel and playing it in your mind.
What common pitfalls should aspiring writers avoid?
Avoid reading any authors of the same genre during the writing period, as it can alter your originality or thoughts. Try not to discuss the book and ideas with others till you are done writing; there is no need to try to impress anyone at the risk of criticisms and suggestions that may divert your intentions or damage your self-confidence. Trust yourself more.
Which book or author has had the biggest impact on you, and why?
A compelling set of characters, who would lead me to tell a better story.
I was fortunate that I had a great family to jump to my cause and encourage me to keep going. My advice to myself is to invest time and go over at least 2-3 drafts before reaching out to others. That is what I am doing now with my next novels in the works.
A personal and distinct narration style – avoid being one of the many voices.
Graham Greene. He has a simple storytelling style. He said you could begin a story anywhere. He wasn’t afraid of creating imperfect protagonists, usually faced with a moral dilemma.
LAST BENCH, Pegasus (UK)
In the USA, it is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Independent Bookstores.