The past few years have been quite hectic for Vikas Swarup to conceptualise a new book but the seasoned diplomat-author is averse to rehashing old characters or writing a sequel to his popular "Q&A" and hopes that Canada, where he is currently posted, will inspire him eventually.
Diplomatic obligations have overshadowed the writer in him, the Indian High Commissioner to Canada says.
"But then I have always been a diplomat who writes, not the other way round," he adds.
After his debut novel "Q&A" was adapted into the multiple Oscar-winning "Slumdog Millionaire", Swarup has written two more books - "Six Suspects" (in 2008) and "The Accidental Apprentice" (2013).
"I haven't written anything since my last book 'The Accidental Apprentice' came out in 2013. My posting in Delhi was quite hectic and there was no question of trying to conceptualise a book while handling the pressures of being official spokesperson of MEA," Swarup told PTI.
"I've been in Canada for just over five months and I have been quite busy here as well," he says.
According to Swarup, he is at the moment focused exclusively on developing India-Canada relations.
"But I'm hoping Canada will inspire me eventually. It's a very large and beautiful country."
Asked if there will be a sequel to "Q&A", he says, "I don't really believe in sequels. As long as I have original material, why rehash old characters?"
He is also keen on attempting a non-fiction work on Indian diplomacy, saying, "I don't think it will sell as well as my novels which are entirely based on fiction."
Swarup, however, has found some time to read.
He is reading books on the history of Canada as also "Plutocrats" by Chrystia Freeland, a former journalist who is now Canada's foreign minister.
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