1. Akhila Saroha: If you were to describe your book “Lalji's Nairobi” in a few words without giving any spoilers, what would those words be?

Nitin Nanji: A man’s indomitable spirit to succeed against colonial oppression.

2. Akhila Saroha: What advice would you give to budding writers who may be planning to write in the same genre as “Lalji's Nairobi”?

Nitin Nanji: Research well and make sure it’s original. Write convincingly, even if it is against the grain of established wisdom. 

3. Akhila Saroha: Do you think you have conveyed all you had in mind through “Lalji's Nairobi” or do you feel that there is more to come from your pen on the same subject that the book explores? How much research/revisions it took to write the book before you approved the final draft?

Nitin Nanji: Colonial history is an era that fascinates me. Firstly, the accepted history is often mistaken and heavily biased. Secondly, we rush to blame the invaders for all the wrongs, whereas in reality, they required considerable assistance from within our own camp. Sometimes that assistance was given willingly, sometimes it was obtained from disaffected groups who wanted to be popular with the conquerors. And lastly, not all amongst the conquerors are demons, which restores our faith in human nature.

4. Akhila Saroha: The book may become a sensation in the long run. How is the audience responding to the book? Is it close to the expected response?

Nitin Nanji: Self-publishing is a slower route as it works largely organically. You do not get the big splash of a publisher’s release. However, Amazon has a sophisticated machine that allows every book to get exposure in so many markets simultaneously. Having said that, I am getting messages from readers that are so encouraging at this early stage. Some have asked for a ‘sequel’ and others have favourite characters whom they would have liked to read more about! 

5. Akhila Saroha: The book contains scenes that would make the readers emotional too. How did you manage to infuse them with emotions that still keep the text in the natural mode?

Nitin Nanji: I guess that is just my writing style. I know I tend to understate things, something I like in a book myself. I don’t think readers want the obvious stated.

6. Akhila Saroha: How would you describe your literary endeavours and all that went into your making as a writer before “Lalji's Nairobi” materialised?

Nitin Nanji: ‘Lalji’s Nairobi’ is my first book. The story had a long incubation period inside my mind and when it came to writing I knew the broad outline. Curating the characters and putting flesh on them was the enjoyable part.

7. Akhila Saroha: There are so many unique perspectives in “Lalji's Nairobi.” What was the most challenging thing about writing such complexity in a simpler version?

Nitin Nanji: Readers often highlight these features that the writer does not necessarily plan in advance. It is a journey of discovery for both the writer and the reader. Once again, I think it’s the natural writing style of the author, innate and unconscious.

8. Akhila Saroha: Even though “Lalji's Nairobi” comes from a personal experience with a personal touch, it still keeps you as the narrator uninvolved with the text. How as a writer did you keep that detachment?

Nitin Nanji: As a subject matter I knew there would be strong emotions. Writing in the third person helped to keep that detachment.

9. Akhila Saroha: “Lalji's Nairobi” is an attractive, easy-to-remember, and catchy title. How did you come up with it?

Nitin Nanji: (Laughs) I wanted to convey the gist of the story in two words. Lalji is the protagonist, a typical Gujarati name from that time. Nairobi is where he made his name.

10. I hope that the book breaks records and reaches more readers. I wish you luck with the book.

Nitin Nanji: Many thanks Saroha. I am so pleased you enjoyed it as much as you did.

Knowing you as an Author:

Akhila Saroha: What were the situations that led you to take the pen and explore your capabilities as an Author? Or how has your journey as an author been?

Nitin Nanji: I enjoyed writing at school. My English teacher encouraged me to write more essays and was hoping I would go to University to read English. Since then, I have always enjoyed writing in my everyday life, be it correspondence, presentations, papers etc

Writing a novel was the ultimate indulgence. I guess there was an unfulfilled need to express myself.

Akhila Saroha: If not a writer, do you see yourself engaging in any other forms of creative streams? Which would it be?

Nitin Nanji: I guess that would be photography. Something I did more of in my early life.

Akhila Saroha: We all have personal favorite authors who even influence our writings. Which ones are yours?

Nitin Nanji: I have always enjoyed authors who move the boundaries especially those from the commonwealth, although I am a great fan of Graham Greene and Hemingway. Commonwealth writers who have left a strong impression include V S Naipaul whose exploration of Trinidadian people descended from India is a feast to enjoy. Alan Paton’s ‘Cry, the Beloved Country’ left an indelible mark on me. Here was a white author, before my time, whose style and prose challenged all conventions and came out as a fantastic piece of work.

I enjoyed ‘A Suitable Boy’ by Vikram Seth for introducing more prose in a vernacular style, with his couplets and nuances. I enjoy some of Salman Rushdie’s work although I find the intellectual depth somewhat challenging. Rushdie and I attended the same boarding school in England (he was well ahead in years) but there our similarity ends!

Akhila Saroha: Apart from writing, what are the other activities you are involved in as a person?

Nitin Nanji: My wife and I retired to Mauritius after retirement. I still practice as a doctor one day a week. We play golf together and have a common taste in music and films. She was a prominent lawyer in England, and we love to read and converse, especially about culture and history. 

I have a small flying simulator at home which keeps me occupied (I qualified as a pilot after retiring although have stopped flying real planes now!)

My wife and I love tortoises. We have had tortoises most of our married life. At present, we have seven. Roopa, Laxmi and Narayan are the three adults, aged 38 years. They came with us from England. Then we have Madhav, Jaanki, Umadevi and Sitaram who were born in Mauritius and are two years old. Looking after the family can become a full-time job, but they are such calm and lovable characters we would not be without them.

Akhila Saroha: If you were to sum up your writing journey in one sentence, what would it be?

Nitin Nanji: ‘Better late than never!’

Akhila Saroha: How do you see the future of reading and writing since it has gone through tremendous changes from past to present?

Nitin Nanji: I see more self-publishing, more electronic books and better connections between authors and readers. I don’t really know about AI, the more I learn of it the more it frightens me! I suspect one day it will have its own genre and who knows, maybe replace human authors.

Akhila Saroha: In your busy schedule, how do you devote time to writing? Do you allocate a certain number of hours every day? Or how do you manage?

Nitin Nanji: Frankly, I write whenever I can. But I need a peaceful mind. If I am anxious, I find I cannot write well.

Akhila Saroha: Writer’s Block is an ordinary happening in the writer’s world. How do you overcome it or what do you do when you are going through it?

Nitin Nanji: Thankfully, I did not really experience it much. If I found myself struggling, I would look up my research notes which inspired me again. 

Akhila Saroha: What are some of the dos and don'ts you follow as a writer?

Nitin Nanji: Do research well, allow your natural style to come out, and experiment if you feel inspired. Don’t try to squeeze your work into any constraints of genre or formula of writing.

Above all, write, write and write first. Once down on paper, the work of self-editing begins when you can satisfy your appetite for changing things.

 Akhila Saroha: How was the book publication journey as an experience for you? Are there any guidelines you would like to share for aspiring writers?

Nitin Nanji: When you are done editing the Nth time, select your beta readers carefully and get professional edits commissioned as necessary. There is more work to be done after this before professional type-setting. If you are self-publishing then enjoy the last phase of getting the cover designed. That is the best part and so much fun.