Sujoy Ghosh

As I am working on the follow-up writing to Zain Chisti’s story The Knock, I went through some of the reviews I received and through those lenses conducted an introspection where I made an honest attempt to be honest about my writing. Frankly, my dear, it is an arduous task, to say the least. Right off the bat, The Knock struggles to create a personal narrative for Zain. Arguably the biggest missed opportunity.
 
The reader knows people around Zain way more than Zain. It effectively reduces the main character of the story as a reflection of other people and their respective issues and insecurities. To be honest, it was by design. I wanted to show the character from the eyes of other characters and his reaction to different circumstances. In my mind, these various perspectives eventually coalesced into one clear imagery. As it turned out, it was way more blurrier than my visualization.
 
A few readers pointed out that a large portion of the book feels like reading commentary which drains their patience over time. The writing device was overused and bore them after the initial few pages. I can be candid here. A part of me always fancied myself in a room with the likes of Tony Greig and Harsha Bhogle, the artists I admire. Some of that seeped into my writing for sure. I also wanted to show Zain and on-ground dynamics in a manner I have always visualized, which has largely relied on live commentary and writings about the game. The balance was probably amiss. It was an indulgence without any doubt, and I would try to avoid it in future.
 
Another criticism that I completely agree with is the lack of emotional bonding between the characters. No excuses, it is a skill I have to work on. Sometimes I feel like there is some buildup of the emotional engagement between with enough catharsis or pay off.
 
In the follow-up writing – an untitled sequel, I would like to address the shortcomings and continue to learn as a writer. In the next chapter of Zain’s life, we will see him as a permanent member of the national test squad who plays in the county instead of the premier league which effectively torpedoes his limited-overs career. He explores romance during his stint in England county circuit which is followed by India’s tour to the green pastures. Some personal gains, some professional triumphs.
 
I hope I will be more content with the end product.

Best

~S