Author Interview: Rani Ramkrishanan

Author Interview: Rani Ramkrishanan

Rani Ramakrishnan is an authorpreneur from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. She writes contemporary thriller novels. Operation Turquoise, which is the first book of the The Mavericks Series, is her recent release. The Mavericks is a special unit of Special Forces of India who excel in executing covert missions. 

We recently got the opportunity to ask Rani Ramakrishnan, via e-mail, a number of questions related to her newly released book and her writing process. I hope you’d like this short interview.


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Author Interview: Rani Ramkrishanan


Hi, Rani Welcome to Ek Book Journal. Would you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?

Hi, Thank you for having me. I’m looking forward to our interaction here at Ek Book Journal. 

I am an authorpreneur from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. My primary school librarian introduced me to the world of books and I have been hooked since. But my relationship with books was restricted to only reading for a long time. 

Like most youth of our times, I too took up a fulltime job after my masters. Being an extrovert who enjoys challenges, my stint in the corporate sector was both satisfying and adventurous. 

These experiences planted the seeds of entrepreneurship in my mind and for a few years, I ran a small business with a friend. And then, writing happened.  Now, here I am, almost five years since the launch of my debut thriller, still pinching myself to know if this is really happening.  


As a writer are you a pantser or a plotter?

My process is somewhere in between. I have a broad idea of what I want to write, but spontaneous ideas play a huge role in the way I create stories. Plots, themes, even characters change as my vision of the story develops.  But if I were to choose, I’d say I’m more of a pantser than a plotter.   


How important is the title of the book for you? Do you find it easy or difficult to give a title to your book?

Your readers may think this crazy, but I must have a title to start my book. It’s like an anchor for my thoughts.  The title is always the first thing I write.

Most of the time, I come up with a title easily. Especially if I have a theme in mind for my novel, I can narrow down on a title with little effort.


Does the title change during the course of writing the book? Was Operation Turquoise always the title or did it change?

The title stays the same throughout the writing stage, but after that, it is subject to change. Once the book enters the publishing phase, the readers’ perspective takes precedence. So, the final title of the book is decided based on reader expectations from that genre.

I had originally titled the book 'Ambuscade'. Since the word meant ambush, throughout the writing process, I toyed with surprise attack alternatives for the central plot. I hope your readers enjoy the option I finally used.

I changed the title to 'Operation Turquoise' post editing.    


What inspired you to write this book? Was it a particular thing or a thought that led you to write this book?

When I started, 'Operation Turquoise' was supposed to be a curtain raiser to a new political military thriller that I had already written. I hoped that this short novelette, which had the same characters in the lead, would serve as a reader magnet for that full-length novel. But the story developed well, so I opted to launch it independently as the first book in a series.


The Major and the Poet are two main characters of this book. Other than them, what other character is your favourite in this book and what makes him/her so?

All my books, except 'Operation Turquoise', have strong female characters. Unfortunately, the setting of the book didn’t offer scope for including women in the pivotal roles. But I snuck a woman into the narration. She is an un-named outsider whom neither the readers nor the characters actually meet. Yet, she makes the entire mission possible. She is my favourite. 


Which character was the most difficult one to write in this book? And what made it difficult?

The Poet was the toughest character to write. He had to be at once a man of words and a man of action. His words had to be hypnotic and his personality evil. The contrasts in his persona made him quite tricky to bring to life on paper.


Do you do research for your books? What research did this book entail?

Of course, substantial research goes into every book. Except for the characters and the story, everything else in 'Operation Turquoise' is rooted in facts. 

For example, the Mavericks are an actual covert division of India’s Special Forces. An Afghan Airlines plane did crash near Kabul in 1998. From transmission via amateur radio to the inner workings of instruments inside the cockpit of an aeroplane, Cairo’s Iftar cannon  to the Windsor hotel, flight timings to military uniform components… research was necessary to fill almost every page of the book.  


You have written both mysteries and thrillers? Which one do you like writing most and why?

In a mystery novel, one keeps dropping a clue here and a hint there as the story progresses. Tying them all up and explaining the purpose of each is not always easy. Because of that, mysteries are probably a little more challenging and therefore that much more fulfilling to write.


What are you reading nowadays and who are your favorite Authors?

I am reading Then She was Gone by Lisa Jewell, a must read if you enjoy psychological thrillers.

My favourite authors are Jeffrey Archer, Agatha Christie, J K Rowling, and George R R Martin. 



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You can read more about 'Operation Turquoise' here: Book Blitz: Operation Turqoise

'Operation Turquoise' is avaliable on amazon and you can get the book from the following link:


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