Alumni Author: The Trance Girl – Arjun Prasannan, PGP 2020
Arjun Prasannan, an alumnus of IIM Bangalore, has recently published his novel “The Trance Girl.” His inspiration for the book stemmed from a romantic anecdote shared by a friend during a hostel block party at IIM Bangalore in 2018. Arjun’s journey as a writer began with a lifelong passion for storytelling, influenced by his mother’s bedtime stories and the books and movies of his childhood. The COVID-19 lockdown in April 2020 gave him the time and space to start writing seriously, resulting in several short stories, fiction, and now, his debut novel.
“The Trance Girl” took six years to develop, with Arjun meticulously crafting the storyline and characters in his mind before putting pen to paper. His writing process involves extensive research, particularly on the diverse cities and cultures featured in his book. Arjun aims to keep his readers intrigued and entertained, focusing on powerful human emotions rather than forcefully addressing social issues. Currently, he is working on his next novel, “!Unicorn – Vigor, Vanity & Vengeance,” a coming-of-age story about a protagonist building a startup in Bangalore, set for release in 2025.
What inspired you to write “The Trance Girl”? Was there a specific moment or experience that sparked the idea for this book?
This is the most common question I have been asked recently, and I have mentioned the anecdote behind the creation of “The Trance Girl” in the preface of the book. Back in 2018, during one of the hostel block parties at IIM Bangalore, a close friend shared a romantic encounter he had while attending a semester exchange program from IIT Madras at the age of 19. He spent two months with a girl who, according to him, had the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. I was intrigued by his story and asked what made her so special. He described an emotional moment when they broke up, and he realized she also had the most beautiful tears in the world. As he recounted their time together, I began to wonder: what if they met again later in life? In reality, they never reunited, but I started to imagine how their story might continue. What would have changed? What would have stayed the same? Could they still find the same emotional connection after all those years? These thoughts inspired the origins of “The Trance Girl.”
Could you describe your journey as a writer leading up to “The Trance Girl”? How did you start writing, and how has your approach evolved?
Looking back, I’ve always wanted to be a storyteller. As a child, I was captivated by the bedtime stories my mother told and the countless books and movies that shaped my childhood. However, I never imagined I would actually write one myself. During my undergrad years and b-school days, I would often share my story ideas with friends, which I personally enjoyed immensely.
In April 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, I had more free time and decided to use it to finally write down the thoughts I’d been nurturing for so long. Writing became a healing, relaxing, and thoroughly enjoyable process for me. Since then, I’ve written around 10 short stories, 2 short fictions, and one published novel. Currently, I have numerous story ideas in mind and plan to transform them into appropriate formats soon.
How did you approach crafting the characters and themes in “The Trance Girl”? What aspects of their stories were most important for you to convey to your readers?
The journey to writing “The Trance Girl” was a long one, spanning six years and involving multiple trials and different formats. Over time, I developed a method that works best for me: I only begin writing once I have conceived the entire storyline in my mind. This includes the evolution of key characters, important scenes, dialogues, and the basic thread of the narrative structure.
This process of trial and error plays out in my head whenever I am mentally free—perhaps while listening to music, traveling, or during my daily commute to the office. Once the storyline is decided, I start writing and allow for improvisations along the way, ensuring consistency in storytelling.
The most challenging aspect of this story was the characterization of the titular character, Saesha, “The Trance Girl.” I wanted her character to unfold gradually, with each chapter revealing something new and different about her.
What research or personal insights did you draw upon while developing the characters in “The Trance Girl,” particularly the protagonist?
The story is set across ten diverse cities and countries, including Chennai, Colombo, Congo, Aalsmeer, Toronto, Montreal, Florence, Paris, and Frankfurt. I conducted extensive research on these places, delving into interesting activities, food, culture, and the unique themes of each location. This research significantly shaped the titular character and helped me develop a narrative structure where these cities interact with her in an organic way.
Additionally, before formally starting the writing process, I revisited some romantic classics to set the mood for writing.
Can you share any memorable feedback or reactions from readers that have impacted you as an author?
The most memorable feedback I received was from my mom’s elder sister. After reading my first draft, she called me and said she always knew I would do well in academia. However, she emphasized that having a skill in a creative space is a gift from God and advised me to treat it with utmost passion and sincerity.
How does your background or personal experiences influence the stories you choose to tell through your writing?
I believe all the stories I write are influenced by my background, personal experiences, and the grooming I have received. However, this mainly shapes the setting of the story. As a storyteller, I am more focused on the emotions that drive the narrative. Typically, I choose a background that I am comfortable with and that blends well with the story premise.
Over time, I have made a conscious effort to explore different socio-economic settings in my stories, as this offers new excitement and learning opportunities.
What message or takeaway do you hope readers will gain from “The Trance Girl”?
I honestly don’t intend for my readers to extract a specific message from my writing; I just want to keep them intrigued and entertained. If people have a breezy read of “The Trance Girl” with a smile on their face throughout, then I consider myself successful in writing this. If a reader happens to find a message or takeaway, that’s an amazing brownie point to possess.
How do you see your role as an author in addressing important social issues through fiction?
I don’t see myself attempting to forcefully address social issues through my stories. As a storyteller, I am always on the hunt for powerful human emotions that can drive my storytelling process. If I find a compatible social issue that can be woven around these emotions, then I would be happy to incorporate it.
Are there any upcoming projects or themes you’re excited to explore in your future writing?
Yes, indeed. I am already working on my next novel, which is about 20% completed. It’s a much more nuanced story—a coming-of-age plot about a protagonist who wants to build his own startup in Bangalore. It’s set for a late release in 2025. The novel is titled “!Unicorn – Vigor, Vanity & Vengeance.”
What advice would you give to aspiring writers who are interested in tackling sensitive topics or themes in their work?
Just keep on writing. There will be more bad days than good days; it’s all part of the game. Be very clear on the singular theme that you want to pursue. Stick to it, even though your mind may be tempted by multiple subplots. It’s crucial to keep your plot grounded yet ambitious. Be resilient, keep attempting new plots, and eventually, you will finish your masterpiece.
Thank you, Arjun, for sharing your insights and experiences with us today. For those interested in connecting with Arjun Prasannan or learning more about his work, you can visit his LinkedIn profile here. Don’t miss out on his captivating novel “The Trance Girl,” available for purchase on Amazon.
