1. Can you tell us a little about your book ?
This book is a collection of 20 short stories. I have filled these stories with different colors of Indian traditions, craft, divinity of human mind, love, care, imagination and enthusiasm. While reading these stories, one can feel the soul of ancient India.
The short stories are written for children aged between 5 to 12 years but even grownups will enjoy reading them. The plot of these stories are very diverse and are largely based on Nature, King and Queens, magical creatures, science, Indian scriptures, mythology, mystics and legends. Each story invokes excitement and suspense and teaches values and morals to the readers. The readers will surely be glued to the book as they turn on the pages and will also form a special bond with the characters as they are largely connected with Indian roots and culture.
Main characters of these stories are written in such a way that they fascinate the readers with their greatness, love and dedication. Readers will not just enjoy these stories but will also get to know about some of the historical characters of our great civilization.
I have penned this book with utmost love and dedication, each story is fresh and different from the other.
2. Is there a specific event that inspired this story or was this an out of the blue idea ?
There is no one single event which inspired these stories as the stories are very diverse and different from one other. My inspiration has been Nature, my Granny’s stories, Indian heritage and the thing I was mesmerized by, when I was a child.
3. What got you writing in the first place ?
I wrote these stories at the peak of Covid 19 Corona Virus pandemic in 2020. This pandemic made us realize the importance of rejoicing small things in life, things that matters the most. With schools being closed, most of the parents are finding it extremely difficult to keep their child engaged and limiting their screen time has become difficult as even schools have gone online. That’s when I remembered how we spent our nights as child without TV and mobile phones.
We would form a circle around our Granny and pestered her to tell us a story. Some of her stories were so long that it continued over multiple nights. Many times, she used to fall asleep while narrating the stories and we would immediately wake her up so that she can continue.
Enchanted by these stories, we would lie on the cot and look up at the dark night sky full of stars and soon we were transported to another world through our imagination.
With this book, I have tried to bring back that magic and innocence keeping our vast culture and its values in the core.
Hope the kids would enjoy the stories as much as I enjoyed writing them.
4. What was your impression of your first draft when you read it?
I loved it, there was a deep satisfaction, peace and ecstasy all at the same time. That’s the reason, I decided to publish these stories as I felt that it would definitely form a deep connection with the readers. The book is filled with hope and innocence which is the need of the hour at these difficult times.
5. Which part of your story connects the most with you? Why?
Almost all the stories are rooted in Nature, has deep connection with all beings, teaches about our great heritage and civilization and that’s what connects with me the most.
I believe today’s generation, specially kids are losing connection with Nature, due to small spaces, cramped houses, limited parks and grounds to play and various other perils of modernization. I firmly believe that children should spend most of their time in open spaces and in close proximity with nature and that’s how their creativity can be unleashed.
If a child values and respects Nature, its force and all beings, be it animals, insects, wind and water, then the future would be a beautiful place where people can live with love and harmony with each other.
6. What makes your book the one to read ?
It’s a very easy read and opens a new world of imagination, magic and innocence. In the process, it also teaches about being one with Nature and about our Great heritage. I firmly believe that after finishing the book, readers will have a broad smile on their face and deep peace in their heart.
7. What was the best advice you got while writing?
Not to rush and never force the story, initially when I had writer’s block I would get really frustrated and would push my mind to think of something, but it never worked and I ended up getting more frustrated. My mother, who is a poet and writer herself, told me to stop pushing and to take break. She told me to find my creative space, it could mean having a nice cup of tea, gardening or just listening to your favourite song and the story will itself come to you.
8. Who’s your all time favorite author? Which book of his/hers made you fall in love with them?
As a reader my involvement with books started very early in life as my mother was a Teacher, Writer and an avid reader. She used to narrate stories from our epics, vedas. Every Summer vacation we used to buy/ rent piles of comics and would finish all during the vacation, Super Commando, Dhruv, Chanda Mama, Tinkle, Archie's, Pinki and Billu and many other were a very important part of my childhood.
I have favorite writer in every genre, but I love the work of Sudha Murthy, Rudyard Kipling, Ruskin Bond and J.K. Rowling for their work in children’s literature. I have always love Simple reads and short stories and I feel that the beautiful short stories are not written any more. As a child, Poems and short stories such as Ulysses, stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, The Horse, The Last Leaf, The Gift of the Magi, Pushp ki abhilasha had deep impact on me.
9. What is your evergreen tip to the writers out there ?
Keep writing, even if the first ten drafts doesn’t come out as you had expected. Perseverance is what refines your craft. Also, do find an inspiration, try to be more mindful and aware of your surrounding and you will find so many stories around you wanting to be written.
10. Do you have another plot brewing?
Yes, it’s in initial phase right now but I am definitely working on something. There is no stopping from here.