One Page a Time

1. What’s your favorite thing about being an author?

With each book I’ve written, I spend most of my writing time convinced that I have no idea what I’m doing. But eventually,  I realize all these loose threads I’ve been twirling are coming together, tying into a cohesive, real story. I think that’s my favorite part of being a writer. It feels very much like magic. 

2. How long did it take your first book to be written?

I spent about a year writing Pack of Dorks, my first published book. The fastest I’ve ever finished a novel was three months, but somewhere between six and nine months seems to be the sweet spot for me. 

3. What’s a story or plot you’ve always wanted to write about, but it didn’t work out?

I love reading fantasy books and have sketched out plots for several. I even finished writing two books in what would be a series about a boy fights supernatural monsters to save his brother from a witch’s curse. I love that story, but it never quite found its home with a publisher. Hopefully I’ll land on the right plot in the future! 

4. What was the first book you ever wrote?

I was a super quiet kid, to the point that one time, a classmate asked me if I even could speak. I spent most of my time reading; the school librarian was my favorite person in the world. Even so, one day in fourth grade, I ran out of books to read. I had no choice but to write my own. At three pages, calling this a book might be a bit of a stretch, but it was the first story I had ever written for myself. I filled up every line with my own thoughts, and fell in love with this new (to me) way of having a voice. I don’t remember what I named that book, but I can tell you one thing: It was awful! The literary version of the first time I tried riding a bike—a total wreck! But finishing it was the first time I considered myself a writer, and I loved that feeling, so I kept on pedaling, so to speak. 

5. How do you get past writers block?

I have a lot of mind tricks for this! My favorite to find a song that makes me feel the way my characters might in the scene I need to write, and playing it again and again. (My family dislikes this one after the tenth or so repeat.) I also find going for a long walk or run can shake off whatever is blocking me. 

1. How do you decide all of your characters possible names, and personalities? It’s so hard to find the perfect match!

Usually the names come to me. Often they have something to do with the book’s themes. Veda in A TIME TO DANCE is told by her mom about the fifth Veda, and how she embodies this concept. Vidya in CLIMBING THE STAIRS is growing up in India in the 1940’s and yearns to go to college which is usually an unattainable goal for a girl in her society; her name means intellect in the Indian language of Sanskrit. Kabir in BORN BEHIND BARS has a Muslim father and Hindu mother and his name honors a saint who is honored by people of both religions. 

2. What’s a story or plot you’ve always wanted to write about, but it didn’t work out?

I wanted to write fantasy and tried repeatedly to get it published but at the time I started people didn’t want fantasy with a multicultural element. I still have had no success getting my fantasy published though I have written it and love it! 

3. What is your favorite thing about writing?

Through books I as an author can touch the hearts of people i  may never meet. Sometimes my books have helped change other people’s  lives for the better. That’s the most important and amazing gift, to know my words have increased compassion in the world. 

4. How do you think up the titles for your books?

Many of my titles have metaphorical resonances. ISLAND’S END can refer to the actual place in the novel at one end of the island or to the threat to the islanders’ way of life. THE BRIDGE HOME can be the home that the four children build on the ruined bridge, or about how they are seeking a home and building a bridge of trust and friendship towards finding what home means to them. 

5. What is your favorite book and why?

My books are like my intellectual children. I can’t choose one favorite!!!

Thanks to Padma for sharing her writing tips. Continue reading to see the next interview in our series.