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Live In Order To Write, Active Meditation, Digital Fasting And Publishing In India

September 23, 2013 by Joanna Penn 43 Comments

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OLD POST ALERT! This is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date. Please click on Start Here on the menu bar above to find links to my most useful articles, videos and podcast. Thanks and happy writing! – Joanna Penn

I'm just back from two weeks cycling through South West India – from Mysore in Karnataka, through Tamil Nadu and into Kerala.

cycling

Cycling down the Western Ghats from Ooty into the tea plantations

Here's some of what I thought about, as well as some pictures from the trip.

Write in order to live, but also to live in order to write

Since September 2011 I have been making a full-time living as an author, speaker and entrepreneur. I love my work, it's my passion as well as my income and I write because I love it, as well as to pay the bills.

But we all need inspiration and time for an Artist's Date (an idea from Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way). I'm also a visual writer and setting is incredibly important to me. I find my inspiration in places, from architecture and culture, in religion and myth.

Traveling has always been central to my life, my husband even says I have ‘itchy foot syndrome'. When I worked as an IT consultant, I needed to go on holiday, to escape, a few weeks to forget how much I hated what I did. But now I love my work and my life, travel is for my soul, my creative spirit, the compost of my mind. I need to live hard in order to write, so trips like these will continue to be part of my journey.

Kerala beachI also crave change and variety, I need to push my comfort zone so I will generally choose a new place, or a new activity in order to learn while on the trip. I've been to northern India before (the opening scene of Pentecost is set in Varanasi), but this was my first time in tropical, southern India.

Active meditation. Get in touch with the body again.

As writers, we spend a lot of time in our heads. We are supremely in touch with our thoughts, feelings and emotions but sometimes, we forget the physical body.

On this trip, I cycled almost every day. In hot sun and almost monsoon rain, under stormy clouds, sprinkled with ocean spray, battered by the wind. Through the high pine forests of the Western Ghats and the protected national park forest of Bandipur, where wild elephants roam; through eucalyptus forests and tea plantations, down into bamboo, rice paddies and coconut palms; on pot-holed roads filled with tuk-tuks, wandering holy cows, pedestrians, bikes, buses and cars, the ever-present hooting and organized chaos of India driving.

cyclingThis was active meditation, in that the only thing you could concentrate on was avoiding the obstacles, whilst pedaling and trying to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous/interesting surroundings. There was no time or brain bandwidth to think about anything else.

I have a Brompton bike in London, a small-wheeled, folding bike and I used to have a ‘sit-up-and-beg' when I was at Oxford. I have never done a serious days cycling in my life, so this was quite a change for me. A 27-geared mountain bike, 60+ kilometers a day on varied terrain (although there was a support bus, which I'll admit to using!) on variable roads … it was a challenge.

bandageWith this focus on the body, I also have to admit to my first bike fall and injury. It was the last day, the final afternoon and I knew I was tired but I wanted to do the final kilometers. In a coastal village, just after a downpour of rain, I misjudged a pothole and ended up with a lot of impressive bruises, a hole in my knee and a dent in my pride. It could have been a lot worse, but I cried like a baby. A good reminder of how fragile we are …

Need refreshment of the mind? Try a digital fast

I spent the 15 day trip with no internet, no cellphone, no social. This was entirely by choice as India is a highly connected nation, but it was a decision to focus on the moment and give myself some head-space.

Keralan houseboat

Houseboat on the backwaters in Kerala

In August, I launched ‘How To Market A Book‘ and also ‘One Day In Budapest‘, as well as keeping to the blog/podcast/speaking schedule.

Before I left, I was exhausted, ready to give up on social media, the blog and anything that didn't just let me write and sleep.

But all I needed was a break!

I love you guys, my blog readers, I love my podcast interviews, I love my twitter fun and everything I do online actually has a purpose, as well as being enjoyable. But I need to make sure I don't burn out. There's a vibration, a speed at which we rev up to when we spend too long immersed online. It's addictive, exhilarating, awesome fun – and I believe it's necessary – but it's not mandatory all the time.

mysore temple

Hindu temple in Mysore

Of course, I knew this before!

I removed email from my phone about a month ago and that helped a lot. I am also now tracking my hours on a timesheet using OfficeTime app on the iPhone (an idea from the guys on the Self Publishing Podcast – language warning). This helps me monitor the time I spend online vs creation. Now I am adding in at least a digital Sabbath every week, and perhaps a whole week off now and then.

In between the bouts of physicality, I had a lot of time for deeper thought, for hand-writing my diary, for focusing on the spiritual side of life that I always need to return to. These things will emerge in my fiction for sure, and I am brimming with new ideas for stories!

My impressions of books and publishing in India

banana leaf mealThis wasn't a business trip and I didn't even do any official research (although of course the ideas are flowing!) But I did have some thoughts on books and publishing based on my brief impressions in south India and chats with my marvelous Indian guide, Vishnu.

  • Print dominates the market and book shops seem to be mostly independent, choosing surefire Western hit authors to stock the shelves along with Indian authors. The mix of fiction and non-fiction in English is impressive and even the small bookshops I visited had a good selection.
  • fishing nets

    Chinese fishing nets at Fort Cochin

    Many Indians read and speak English and there are (at least) twice as many English speakers in India as there are in the UK (perhaps unsurprising in a population of over 1 billion). It's the language most used for signs and also for communications between Indians across the states as there are so many languages, they need a common one. Literacy is high in India and there is a rising middle class based on a booming economy. So India is a big potential market for writers in English, hence why Amazon has recently opened a store there …

  • However, Amazon is barely known as yet, ebooks are a blip on the radar and I can't see the rise of ebooks until the internet is a faster speed which will in turn proliferate smart phones, e-reading apps and smart-phones. BUT/ given the bike with bamboopace of change in India and the economic growth, I would see digital becoming important in the next few years. As self-publishers have generally been making more money through ebooks, I would see this as the most likely source of future revenue. However, there are some self-publishing print on demand companies – I have known of Pothi.com and CinnamonTeal.in for a number of years. Now Author Solutions (Penguin) have moved in under the brand Partridge Publishing as well – so if you're considering publishing in that market, please do your research first.
  • I love India and I want to spend more time there. I want to write books set in India and use the rich culture, mythology and religion in my work. And yes, I want to reach that market. So I am definitely going to keep an eye on things and try to grow my online fan-base at least. For now, I am going to sort out my pricing in rupees on Kindle – the print books I saw were around 150 – 499 rupees for fiction. You might want to check your pricing on Amazon.in too.
  • You can see some more photos from my trip here on Flickr – all Creative Commons. If you like the look of the trip, we went with Exodus Travel: Cycle Kerala and Tropical India.
  • India Rainbow Back WatersIn case you're interested, here's my reading list while I was away – soon to be reviewed on Goodreads: One night @ the call centre – Chetan Bhagat, Arranged Marriage – Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, The Rozabal Line – Ashwin Sanghi, Travels – Michael Crichton, Never Go Back – Lee Child, The Blood Whisperer – Zoe Sharp, The Sacred History – Jonathan Black.

Right, back to business as usual … please do let me know your thoughts in the comments. And, Indian readers, I would love to hear from you about your thoughts on the market in India, and how authors could start connecting/learning more. I'd also love to give away some review copies of my books for the Amazon.in store, so please leave a comment if you're interested.

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Filed Under: Creativity Tagged With: Creativity, cycling, digital fast, india

Comments

  1. Linda Bahnan says

    September 30, 2013 at 10:34 am

    This was a surprise post from you! I didn’t have you down as an Indiaphile. I was wrong. As someone who has sold a few books in India – I write about India from a 70s freak prospective and am currently editing an Indian friend’s Hindu philosophy book, I was interested. It was an informative post, for which I want to express my gratitude. You didn’t get to Goa? Well, you can’t do everything. Thanks again.

    Reply
    • Joanna Penn says

      September 30, 2013 at 10:42 am

      I’m not sure why Linda 🙂 My first novel opens with a scene in Varanasi! I also spent time in North India a few years ago, and intend to go back – hopefully to some book fair events! Enjoy the Hindu philosophy …

      Reply
  2. Mary McFarland says

    September 30, 2013 at 10:53 am

    You’ve got it right with those digital days off and attention to leading a balanced, meditative writer’s life. Time management is the key, as you suggest, and I wish you the best. I’m also thrilled to see your post on how technology advancement is opening up ebook markets in countries outside the U.S. (Anne Allen had a great post about this on her blog). Like you, I’ve focused on adding mythology and culture to my novels, but I’m focusing on the Middle East and to date, primarily, Israel (both present and in first century CE). I’ve got your “Pentecost” and the rest of your books in that series on my to-be-read list. I so love your most recent endeavor and look forward to reading your next work.

    Reply
    • Joanna Penn says

      September 30, 2013 at 12:11 pm

      Thanks so much Mary – and thanks for the mention on your site. My books also feature Israel, so I will check out your stories too!

      Reply
  3. Srinivasan Gopal says

    September 30, 2013 at 11:11 am

    Hello Joanna,

    I loved reading about your trip to south of India. I recently did the circuit myself – Ooty, Bandipur & Coorg by road and loved the place. The photographs were wonderful with a painting quality to it. I would definitely like to know what camera and settings you use. Perhaps you can write a wonderful coffee table book with all these wonderful pictures.

    The digital market is still in a nascent stage and I am hoping it will become the biggest market in another 5 years. Indians are thirsty for knowledge and lap up all they could read up. In preparation of the coming ebook boom, I too am trying to find my writers voice and hoping to earn a living out of it. (That’s how I found you). There’s phenomenal amount of material in India to keep one busy for a lifetime.

    I appreciate the balanced way you have projected India unlike many writers who write more about poverty here rather than the riches and wealth along with a wonderful multi cultural universe that is India.

    Thanks & Welcome Back!
    Sri

    Reply
    • Joanna Penn says

      September 30, 2013 at 12:18 pm

      Hi Sri,
      I met lots of Indians on that route – I think Ooty is a honeymoon spot for Indian couples 🙂
      Glad you like the photos – they are either iPhone 4 with Camera+ app, or I use just a basic Canon and post-process in Aperture – I like HDR mode which gives the extra colors and light 🙂
      I absolutely believe India will be a huge market in the next few years – that’s why I am so keen to be part of it – I love your country – don’t forget me when you’re uber-successful and famous!
      You mention the poverty of India, and I know it exists, but I see more homeless beggars in London every day than I saw in 2 weeks in India. Things have changed a lot – and Kerala in particular is a wealthy, educated state – I think India is many countries really. I’m excited about its future … (good job you’re mostly Anglophiles as well!)

      Reply
  4. Thom Reece says

    September 30, 2013 at 12:26 pm

    I loved your observations and thoughts on both India and the Indian Market for books. I envy you such an exciting trip… wish I could make it, but age and health are a bit of an obstacle. Please keep sharing your experiences… they are valuable and full of great insights.

    Thom Reece

    Reply
  5. helenscribe says

    September 30, 2013 at 10:26 pm

    Loved the report of your ambitious trip to India, especially the glorious photos. Brought it all back to me, you taking a spill from your bike. Did the same thing on a bumpy road near Pondicherry. Swerved to avoid a shadow and splat. We learn, and not just in the school of hard knocks. Thanks for all the posts and publishing guidance.
    H.

    Reply
  6. Ganesh says

    October 1, 2013 at 12:14 am

    Hello Joanna,
    I am amazed to see the realistic photographs you clicked here in India! Also feel happy that overall you liked the culture and the nature of India.
    Recently I found your blogwriting interesting because it contains lot of motivation for the writers like me. (Especially while trying to publish my thriller novel as an e book.)
    I also liked to read that you meditate here and tried to align your body with your Mind & sole. I found meditation is the only remedy in my life. Thanks for projecting India nicely through photographs and writing.
    Regards,
    Ganesh

    Reply
  7. Caroline Gebbie says

    October 1, 2013 at 5:19 am

    That sounds like a great trip. I would love to go to India, and wash an elephant, it is on my list. I have to ask, were you stiff after all that biking?
    Great information about Amazon.in I always set my prices automatically but will adjust them for the emerging markets after reading this.
    It is also great to have a total technology break, hope you are feeling rested and rejuvenated from your trip.

    Reply
  8. Carol Balawyder says

    October 30, 2013 at 7:43 am

    Hi Joanna-
    I loved what you wrote about your trip in India. I’ve always been fascinated by its culture and especially its literature. I’m going to look into your reading list. It was fun to read about the places you visited but I especially liked your focus on the spiritual side of life and that you want to write books set in India and its mythology, culture and spirituality. That’s a book content that really interests me. Hope you’re well rested from jet lag.
    Regards, Carol

    Reply
« Older Comments

Trackbacks

  1. ebook Markets Opening Up Outside U.S. | Romance Global Bound says:
    September 30, 2013 at 11:10 am

    […] At this point, overseas ebook markets are considered “niche markets,” but that is changing.  I’m beginning to see interest in these markets picking up among U.S. authors like Joanna Penn, who in the attached article discusses her plans to add the “mythology” and “culture” of India to her future work.  While Joanna focuses on sharing wisdom gained from her trip, she also briefly discusses the potential of global ebook markets as technology moves forward in countries, for example, like India.  http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2013/09/23/india/ […]

    Reply
  2. Combating Platform Fatigue And Thinking Long Term For Your Writing Career With Dan Blank | The Creative Penn says:
    October 2, 2013 at 12:19 am

    […] the intro, I talk about my trip to India and my 2 year anniversary as a full-time author-entrepreneur. I also mention the opportunity of […]

    Reply
  3. Am I Good Enough? The Validation Of Awards For Writers | The Creative Penn says:
    October 17, 2017 at 7:26 am

    […] went back to India in 2013 and cycled through the south of the country, and many of my experiences on those trips come through into the book. I'm one of those people who […]

    Reply

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