For the curious, and for those aspiring to write their next book, let me share how I researched and wrote Charlie’s Boys. Of course, each author follows their own process, and it might differ for each book. I am sharing mine for this book.

NOTES IN LONGHAND
I scope all my books in longhand first. Usually on yellow ruled legal size writing pads. I wrote whatever came to mind in whichever order. A point could just be a sentence, or extend into paragraphs or multiple pages too. I don’t miss anything. It is for later to decide the order in which these go in the book, if at all. I will talk about the merits of this approach in a separate post.

INTERVIEWS
I spoke to my schoolmates and teachers; of the latter, not too many were contactable or even surviving unfortunately. I probed them for anecdotes; surprisingly the schoolmates were very fuzzy with their memories. I assumed they would have lots to share. Only the late actor Mukul Dev could remember things vividly.

SCOURING OLD SCHOOL MAGAZINES
Fortunately, I got access to the digital archive of our annual school magazines. Not only did I get useful information from them, but they all triggered other memories for me to jot down.

TRANSCRIBING ON COMPUTER
Only when much of the intended notes had been written on paper did I take out my computer to make sense of them as a flowing narrative. Not all points were used, but more popped up as I wrote. Each was expanded upon suitably.

PLAYING A GAME TO TRACK PROGRESS
Once I start writing on the computer, I make a note of how many words have been written on each day, and cumulative to date. When the word count is low on any day, I urge myself to make up for it the following day. I also try to set records without compromising on quality.

The FIRST DRAFT of Charlie’s Boys was 58,340 words and took 66 days starting March 3, 2025. There was a 13-day period when I did not write so it was effectively 53 days.

SHARING ONLY BITS WITH OTHERS TO GET REACTIONS
I do not share my manuscript with anyone till at least the first draft is out. In this case, I shared a few nuggets with those whose opinions would matter. They could not have been in a position to give a direction to the complete book but they did give vital inputs to determine stuff that went in and the tone to use.

PRINTING FIRST DRAFT AND EDITING ON PAPER
I always print my drafts on paper to edit – that’s what I did for the first cut too. Reading on paper makes comprehension easier for me. And I can use different coloured pens and highlighters to jot comments, mark corrections and makes notes to self. And even write fresh sections in longhand on the blank side of the sheets.

REVIEWING SECOND DRAFT
I usually edit the second draft on paper too but in this case I did on the computer itself.

OFF TO PUBLISHERS FOR FURTHER EDITING
And then the manuscript was off to the editors. My own training and experience makes life easier for my editors – they did not need to make too many changes to my version. I preferred it that way too – what I wrote and what I intend to convey went through the filters without any structural changes. Of course, there were multiple rounds of exchanges with grammatical and styling changes.

THE COVER DESIGN
That was a parallel process, and fell in place around the same time as the edits!

PRESS PRINT
And then the book was off to print! To be in my hands mid-November 2025.

I am often asked how long it took me to write Charlie’s Boys. 50 years is my immediate reply.

Why that long? The book was published 50 years after I was admitted to kindergarten in St. Columba’s School. I stayed there for 13 years. Life took me places after that – further education, different occupations, creative pursuits, and exposure to people and ideas.

I initiated a book on my days in school in 2010 – but could not get going. I tried a few more times, but the narrative just would not flow. And then something clicked late 2024. And I was ready with the first draft in a few months.

I had to go through a certain evolution – in my skills and thinking - to be able to write what I did. I would not have been satisfied with the product and its quality anytime earlier than this. And that is why I say: Charlie’s Boys was 50 years in the making.

I wanted Charlie’s Boys out this calendar year. The problem? I completed the second draft only early-June, and would not have the book until early to mid 2026 going by the usual publishing cycles.

But I looked at my options. A senior editor at a major publishing house agreed to take it. Only to come back with regrets – his seniors could not find space for it in the calendar. It was mid-July by then, and precious time had been lost.

I was crestfallen. Almost in tears. How will the book come out this year? And then I composed myself, and reached out to the top management of HarperCollins. They heard me out. And said yes, we will do it.

The book should be out mid-November if all goes well.

P.S. Why did I want the book in 2025 itself? Because it marks the 50th year when I got admitted to St. Columba’s School. And Charlie’s Boys is a memoir, and a reflection, of my time in one the greatest educational institutions of India.

My grandfather was a teacher – he taught in schools of rural and small town Haryana and Punjab. My father did not let me miss a single day of school except on medical grounds. When it came to education, there would be no negotiation. Nor when it came to the position of teachers in my life.

Teacher’s Day falls in September, an occasion for society to reflect on the values we are imbibing in our young. Mental health issues, falling standards in the classroom, ineptitude at the workplace, and general irreverence are just some of the traits we are increasingly identifying the youth with. But who is to blame?

The biggest influencers shaping those at an impressionable age are their parents and teachers. Each have a role to play, and they did so within their clearly defined boundaries when we were growing up. The teachers never came home, and the parents never went to school (except to collect report cards). And then one day, the parents were given the permission to infiltrate the domain of teachers.

It seems teachers are answerable to parents now – in teaching, in assessments, in discipling children. Leading to loss of the former’s authority, undermining of their efforts, and a sense of disrespect in general. Parents seem to be teaching teachers how to go about their job; who would not find such an atmosphere demoralizing? How will teachers give their best? How will the profession attract the best?

It is time the authorities, the school managements, media, any self-appointed watchdogs and parents restored the dignity of teachers. So they can focus on delivering education of the highest standards. Schools have gates, and technology has firewalls – parents should stay on the other side. For the sake of their own children.

Photo: Teachers of the junior wing of my alma mater, St. Columba’s School, in 1980-81.