Vaishnavi Anantha
November 01, 2024
Tell us about the books you have written.
‘Beauty & Beyond: Story of 2 Warrior Princesses’ is an imaginative description of the youth of Rani Velu Nachiyar and Rani Rudrama Devi, two warrior queens from South India. Nachiyar was among the first Indian women to fiercely fight against the British. While people are familiar with Rani Lakshmibai or the Queen of Jhansi, very little is known about these two warrior queens. This book revolves around subjects such as courage, friendship and women’s empowerment. Through this book, I wish to inspire young readers by highlighting the incredible achievements of these historical icons.
I have also authored the JAZ Gang series, which describes the adventurous journey of three teenagers who use a time machine to travel thousands of years into the past, wishing to meet Princess Sita.
What inspired you to begin writing?
It was my mother who encouraged me to begin my writing journey. The other reason I started writing is because I found our history books a bit boring. Thanks to the National Education Policy (NEP), our books have improved. However, initially, I felt the content in our history books didn’t do justice to India’s glorious past. So, I thought of writing novels that would delve into our history by adding elements like suspense, mystery, magic, adventure, thrill and friendship. I also believe that people should be familiar with India’s rich past. Most of us love Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and similar books. We want to explore other cultures more than our own unique culture. I wish to change this by uplifting India’s unique heritage through my books and sharing its magic with children my age.
How does writing help you?
Writing has transformed me from a shy child into a confident person. Designing my book covers, creating book trailers and attending prestigious events have boosted my confidence immensely. I had the opportunity to attend the Hyderabad Literary Festival 2024 (HLF). Additionally, I presented my novels to Bandaru Dattatreya, the honourable governor of Haryana, and well-known authors such as Kevin Missal and Amish Tripathi. Furthermore, writing has taught me to manage my time better. I am now able to manage my studies, extracurriculars and writing together.
How have people reacted to your books and how do you handle feedback?
I was moved by the response I received from the readers of the JAZ Gang series. I have received appreciation from both the young and the old and some people even suggested that my creations be adapted into a movie. A few even called it the ‘Indian Harry Potter’. Though most of the feedback I received has been positive, I keep myself open to constructive criticism too. My mother has taught me to not get caught up in praise or criticism. She has taught me to be thankful to god for my achievements and dedicate everything to him. I have learnt to embrace every piece of feedback and use it for my improvement.
What is next in the pipeline?
I am planning to start my fifth novel, which will be a self-help book for tweens and teens. This book will be in a story format and will focus on stress management among youngsters. After that, I plan to work on the last part of the JAZ Gang series.
What issues do you think authors need to address in present times?
With advancements in technology and access to phones, social media and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, social interactions among people are decreasing. As a result, feelings of insecurity, depression and anxiety are becoming very common, even among children. So, I feel writers should focus on addressing these issues through their work. Authors can create stories that delve into themes of love, friendship, patriotism, history and bonding. Through touching poems and inspirational stories, I believe authors, including child authors, have the power to transform society.
Who is your favourite author and why?
I admire the work of many authors; however, Sudha Murty is my favourite. I like her work as I feel everything she writes comes from her heart. Her stories are simple, to the point and very touching. Hence, I connect with them deeply and enjoy reading them.
BOOKS BY YOUNG AUTHORS
- The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl, maintained a diary that described her life experiences during World War II when the Germans occupied the Netherlands. The diary was later published and gave the world an insight into the young girl’s challenging life during the war.
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Mary Shelley was only 19 years of age when she began writing the well-known science fiction, ‘Frankenstein’. Shelley’s creation was among the most groundbreaking works of its time.
- Eragon by Christopher Paolini Christopher Paolini began writing ‘Eragon’, a popular fantasy fiction, at the age of 15. The book is the first in Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle series, which has sold millions of copies internationally.
ACTIVITY: Are You a Bibliophile?
We’ve listed 10 famous children’s writers. Name any 1 book they have written.
