Greatest Indian Novels: Interview with Ruskin Bond

Greatest Indian Novels: Interview with Ruskin Bond

What is Rusty doing right now?
Rusty is at the moment, 81 years old and very sleepy. Being my alter ego, I can tell you exactly what he's doing - drinking coffee at the moment

What does it take to write more than 130 books?
A lot of them are children's books. They're not very long. I don't overwork - a couple of hours a day is fine for me. I've been writing for more than 50 years - I'm sure there are many writers who've written more than that. When I feel like it, maybe a couple of pages. If I'm really immersed in a story, I try to finish it in a few days. If it's a longer work then it would take a few months.

And how do you write?
Well, I used to type but now typing or working with a computer, I get a stiff neck. So I prefer writing longhand. My desk is right next to my bed. So I sit on my bed. I write in a big notebook which is on the desk. And if I feel drowsy, I just have to slide into bed.

From HT Brunch, June 22

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