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Exciting Author Visit: Aditi Krishnakumar @ the Young Readers' Club!

Writer's picture: TalkingCirclesTalkingCircles

We wondered what it would be like to interact with the author of the book that we are currently reading, The Magicians of Madh. Guess what? That wish came true! 


aditi krishnakumar


A random conversation post one of our sessions at the Young Readers' Club went in the following lines,

"We haven't had an author meet in a long time at the Young Readers' Club."

"True. Whom shall we call?"

A long list followed. One among the children's book's authors in that list was Aditi Krishnakumar.

That conversation set the ball rolling. One of the batches at the Young Readers' Club is currently reading and analyzing Magicians of Madh by Aditi Krishnakumar. What if she could come to the Young Readers' Club? Wouldn't it be fantastic to meet the person who wrote the book that we are currently enjoying?

There was a lot of excitement when the children got to know that Aditi Krishnakumar had agreed to come to their club.

"I have many questions to ask her!'

"I want to know if she reads."

"What made her decide to write fantasy? I have read her book That Year At Manikoil. That is historical fiction of course."

"Write down your questions, so that you don't forget." 


 

Planning the author meet to enable every reader was challenging and sadly a few couldn't attend due to pressing reasons. Having said that, all the effort that went in was absolutely worth it. The joy and excitement on the children's faces as they patiently waited for her to join us, was incredibly special.

She got a little delayed in joining our online meeting due to a technical issue. Theories began to float.

"Maybe she is writing or reviewing her book before she can talk to us!"

Just then, she joined and that very instance, there was silence and much anticipation. 


Our dream came true!

After a round of introductions and the realization that technology has enabled us to meet one another from across the country, the much awaited session began.

Aditi Krishnakumar enabled us to notice a fact that is right in front of us and yet somehow we hadn't noticed it. Although Indian children's literature is rich with Folktales, Panchatantra stories, and realistic fiction in recent decades, there is a dearth of books in the fantasy genre. The Geronimo Stilton Series, Harry Potter Series and the Lord of the Rings Series are perhaps the first titles in fantasy that became widespread in India and gave children of the current generation a taste of what it is like to travel to a magical land and experience adventures there. There weren't many Indian authors writing stories about magic or fantasy. This gap is what set her thinking in lines of writing fantasy.

The young readers pretty much took it from there. They took turns to ask questions and what followed was a surreal experience of learning and discovering something new to ponder about.


"How important is it to read for pleasure as an author?"

“Reading for pleasure is extremely important as a writer as it enables you to find your voice as a writer.” Aditi explained how diverse reading experiences enables a writer to sift through a variety of writing styles, assess what kind of writing appeals and what kind doesn't. “These experiences help shape your own writing immensely,” she added.


"What kind of books do you like to read?"

She spoke about books written for adults tend to be a little too realistic and sometimes there isn't much space for an element of hope. Children's literature on the other hand can deal with a variety of subjects and yet include an element of hope. In particular, she said she enjoys reading books by Terry Pratchett.

Side note: As adults don't we also need a dose of hope from time to time? Dear reader, if you haven't dabbled with children's literature, you may want to reconsider. Children's literature has a huge variety of books today which are incredibly satisfying and enjoyable reads. As a bonus you can strike a fruitful conversation with your child about books that both of you have read. Could that be a better approach rather than quizzing them to find out if they have really read the book and not getting a response? :)


"How do you find inspiration to write when you go blank?"

"Do you mean writer's block?" asked Aditi, before sharing very useful tips.

The term "writer's block" was quickly absorbed for later use and the audience waited in rapt attention to learn tips to deal with a problem that all of us face while we are writing.

She explained how she loves mathematics. To get over writer's block, she likes solving puzzles, rubik's cube and the like. "Anything other than writing helps too," she added thus suggesting there is no one fit solution for all. It differs from person to person and every individual needs to find that activity which releases them from the "writer's block."


"Who is your role model?"

She referred to Virginia Woolf and her essay, Room of one's own as her inspiration/role model. The essay published in 1929, talks about the need for women to have the right to write and be a part of literary works that are dominated by men. The essay also stresses the need for writing as a means of self expression as well as a source of income for women.


Writing is a process of continuous improvement

She went on to elaborate her writing process. She inspired the children to look at their writing as a continuous improvement process. She spoke about revisiting some of her writing from her younger days and thinking how she could write 'such rubbish'. However, she said, that experience also taught her that her writing has evolved over the years as she kept writing. She did not give up and kept striving to write better over the years.

She spoke about revisiting some of her writing from her younger days and thinking how she could write 'such rubbish'. However, she said, that experience also taught her that her writing has evolved over the years as she kept writing. She did not give up and kept striving to write better over the years.

Do you share your writing with someone before you send it for publishing?

"Sharing one's writing with someone to read is difficult. It is a feeling of being vulnerable. One needs to be ready to share. If you are asking me if I share my writing with anyone at home before I send it to the editor, I don't. I am fortunate to have a good editor with whom I am comfortable sharing my drafts and receiving editing suggestions."

At this point she emphasized once again the need to have diverse reading experiences to be able to experiment with different writing styles and zeroing on the style/approach that is most appealing. Analyzing what feels genuine, silly, funny, or impactful, while one is reading someone else's work goes a long way in shaping one's own writing. Furthermore she stressed upon the need for practice. Writing is a continuous improvement process. Writers are constantly evolving.

Analyzing what feels genuine, silly, funny, or impactful, while one is reading someone else's work goes a long way in shaping one's own writing.
Writing is a continuous improvement process. Writers are constantly evolving.

Realism vs Fantasy - which one do you prefer writing about?

Fantasy to her, she explained, is 'a world that can be'. That notion is something that inspires her to write fantasy stories.


How about historical fiction? That's about depicting reality as it existed before, woven into an engaging story for young readers. That would mean reading a lot of information and picking the most interesting bits that would be easy for readers of today to relate to. Could you tell us a little about this process?


That Year At Manikoil

She took the example of That Year At Manikoil. She explained that the facts were easily available to use. Weaving a suitable story in the setting of 1940s in India meant juxtaposing her own experiences of listening to stories from the elders in her family who lived at the time as well as visiting some of the places where significant events happened.

One common aspect then and now, she explained, is that there is the need to put food on the table. Fundamentally that need determines how people across time periods live their lives. That common element makes it possible to weave stories based on the past in such a way that they sound relevant even today.


Speaking of That Year At Manikoil, the cover looks very similar to the other books in the Songs of Freedom series. Why is that?

She explained how the theme being common across the series, the cover designs look similar across the series. This helped the group to understand what kind of thinking goes behind designing book covers. It isn't always entirely about the story inside but also what the book stands for in a series of this kind.


Discovering all the sequels to Magicians of Madh?

miracles of maharaja

Most of us were aware that the book we are currently reading, Magicians of Madh has a sequel, Murder in Melucha. But we were completely unaware that the Miracles of Maharaja was the sequel to Murder in Melucha. It was a pleasant surprise when one of the children from the Young Writers' Club (Jr.) asked the question, "What inspired you to write Miracles of Maharaja?"

The author explained how she was asked if she would like to write another book in the fantasy genre after Murder in Melucha and that's how the idea to write another sequel came up.



How has the journey of an author been so far?

Consistent hard work is the key. Rejections are common. One just needs to learn to be thick skinned and move past rejections. Getting published isn't easy. One needs to keep trying without giving up easily.


Any new books coming any time soon?

"White Lotus, another historical fiction novel, is on its way. They are hoping to release it early next year."

One of the young readers spoke for all of us when she reacted by saying "Next year? That's a long time away!"

Until then, we will be content that our dream to meet the author, Aditi Krishnakumar, came true! 


 

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Both weekday and weekend batches are available at the Young Readers' Club for the 8-12 age group.

NEW!  Writing programs for the 8-12 age group- Young Writers' Club Jr.  


The Young Writers' Club program for the 13-15 age group offers a weekly platform to read and discuss curated articles from the news, observe writing approaches and practise one's writing skills.

 NEW! Musings from the Young Writers' Club is an online magazine showcasing the work we do at the Young Writers' Club.


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