Writing an epic fantasy

After nearly a week of lying sick in bed, my body seems to have rallied enough for me to have the energy to sit and type out this post.

Being sick is actually a good time to think. For while the body may be too tired to even head to the kitchen for a drink of water, the mind has enough active time to give thought to things you may otherwise sweep under the carpet of day-to-day work and worries.

And so, I thought about what I want to do with my life. I'm sure all of you have asked yourselves this question before - and so have I - but this time I gave it plenty of thought and I set some actual goals.

GOAL #1: Write an epic fantasy

Most, or all, of you reading this will be familiar with my obsession with fantasy fiction. Well, I have finally reached a stage wherein I have read so many authors and books in this genre that I could write a thesis on it. I have always wanted to write in this genre myself, as a result of which I have sometimes inflicted some of my short stories on you poor readers. Fortunately or unfortunately, the years have passed and the goal still remains. Some day, I will write and publish an epic fantasy series. The road is very long - as I learnt to my chagrin when I inflicted some of my short stories on you readers - but I still intend to make a serious attempt. Even if it takes decades.

GOAL #2: Be a champion for my country

These past four years, I have surprised myself with my hunger to learn more at the game of Bridge. Already, I can participate at the national level and not embarrass myself. In ten years, I might even be able to win something at that level. Now, India is not a country that can compete well at the international level at athletic-type events; our physiques are meant for farming, not hunting. But our brains have always been top-class. Viswanathan Anand is a world-class champion. I definitely feel we can be winners in the international arena in Bridge as well. Why wait for champions to arise? Aim to become one! (Edit: Took me a re-read to realize how arrogant that sounded. But hey, I mean every word of it!)


The rest of my goals are a bit confused. Academically, I want to be a scientist... in what field, I still don't know. I have some vague plans for my family business - we are well placed to expand our business and take a sizeable chunk of the market in South India. I have even vaguer plans to give something back to society in the form of education. Start a university? Or, more realistically, become a professor at an IIT?

Upon reading this, one might say that I must be unhappy with my work to have all my set goals only in my extracurricular activities. But that is not the case at all. I love research. Its just that some goals will become clearer with time.

Planning one's life is harder than planning than epic fantasy, after all - for you have to be realistic.