My first novel

Hi Reader,

I recently completed my completely trashy first draft of my first novel (You can guess by this sentence how my novel would be). I was forced to write a novel because I participated in this competition called National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) where I had to write 50,000 words of a novel starting from scratch... and I did. It was difficult, very very difficult, because I am what every parent calls a 'Jack of All Trades' - so doing just the one thing over and over again, every day for 30 days was difficult.

But thanks to god and all supporters - I finished. And so, despite a personal vow not to reveal the plot to anyone till I smoothen out the millions of plotholes in the story, I think I owe you this much at least. So here you go, the synopsis of my story (No spoilers...so read right on...)

Raja is a confused TamBrahm who is working in a software firm and then on goes to his dream land, America. He is thrilled to be there and is all set to settle down there. Little does he know how his life would take a turn.

He meets Harry (formerly Hari) at office and they both become friends. Harry is known for his pranks and at times for taking it to extremes. So much so that he loses his girlfriend to one of his pranks. And she is Smriti, the office cutie who meets and falls in love with Raja. Just when things are going well, Raja gets a double blow - his H1 visa application does not go through and his manager kicks him back to India.

Back in India, Raja's very close friend Kumar, takes him around to meet the children in the NGO that he runs. Kumar has quit his job and wishes to gain an entrepreneurial scholarship that will give him the freedom to work for the society without worrying much about personal financial security. And hence, takes up this project at a village near Pollachi. Kumar and Raja visit the village regularly during weekends and get to know the situation there with the help of the mysterious Guna Sir. Though Guna has lived in the village for long, his actions and his worldly knowledge at times are so sophisticated that Kumar has his own doubts as to the background of the man who is the elected village cousellor.

One day Raja's parents come to know of his relationship with Smriti and are, understandably, livid. Raja's other close friend Kuldeep, a captain in the Indian Army, advices Raja to stay calm and take wise decisions.

Raja gels well with the kids in the village and gets them involved a lot in activities in the local school. So when it is time for him to go back to America, the children bid him a tearful farewell. Raja too leaves with a very heavy heart.

Soon after, Kuldeep is embroiled in a major hostage situation when terrorists capture a major landmark in India's financial capital of Mumbai.

Does Raja come back? Do he and Smriti get together? Does Harry play one last prank?

Does Kumar get the scholarship that he wants? What is the mystery behind Guna sir?

Does Kuldeep come out alive from the clutches of the deadly men from the sea?

For all these and more...await the latest potboiler... Swades!!!