Santanu Bhattacharya - On Writing LGBTQ+ Fiction

Join us for an inspiring conversation with award-winning author Santanu Bhattacharya as he shares his journey from engineer to acclaimed writer, and discusses his creative process, latest works, and approach to addressing sensitive social topics through fiction.About the Episode:Discover how Santanu balances his full-time career with his passion for writing, waking up at 4 AM to pursue his craft. Learn about his two novels - the critically acclaimed ""One Small Voice"" and his upcoming book ""Deviants"" which explores three generations of gay men in India. He discusses the evolution of his writing process, the challenges of balancing a full-time job with his passion for writing, and the importance of crafting authentic characters. Santanu delves into the complexities of writing about recent history and sensitive topics, particularly in the context of LGBTQ+ narratives in India. He also highlights the influence of Bollywood on storytelling and reflects on the cultural roots that shape his work.About Santanu Bhattacharya:Santanu is an Oxford University alumni and recipient of the 2023 Desmond Elliott Prize Residency. His debut novel ""One Small Voice"" was named one of Observer's best debut novels of 2023. His second novel ""Deviants"" releases in February 2025.TakeawaysSantanu transitioned from engineering to writing, driven by passion.He writes early in the morning to avoid distractions.Characters in fiction should have their own lives and journeys.Writing about recent history involves navigating contested narratives.Deviants explores the experiences of three generations of gay men in India.The writing process evolves with each project and book.Handling sensitive topics requires a deep understanding of characters.The decriminalization of homosexuality has opened up new spaces for LGBTQ+ voices.Bollywood's storytelling techniques influence Santanu's writing style.Cultural respect for art in Kolkata shapes Santanu's perspective.Chapters:0:00 - Introduction1:16 - From Engineering to Writing3:04 - Managing Work-Life Balance6:25 - Writing Process & Creative Journey8:34 - Addressing Political Topics in Fiction17:59 - Writing Deviants: Three Generations28:31 - LGBTQ+ Community in India34:24 - Bollywood's Influence on Writing42:01 - Writing Advice & Future ProjectsTranscript: https://open.substack.com/pub/xpandin... Connect with Santanu:https://x.com/santanu_bxInstagram: @santanu_bxHis Books:https://www.amazon.in/dp/9360454230?r... https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/46314...🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with authors and creative professionals!#Writing #AuthorInterview #CreativeProcess #LGBTQBooks #IndianLiterature #WritingCommunity #CreativeWriting #WritingTips #AuthorLife #BookLovers" #authorship, #LGBTQ, #India, #storytelling, #fiction, #character development, #recent history, #Bollywood, #cultural influence