Dashami is special. Each year, we have a small performance for all the children at dance class. They wear nice clothes and jewellery. Their faces glow with the anticipation of a dance programme. It's the one day in the year that parents are allowed to come for class and watch them dance! Dressed in their best, adjusting their bangles and dupattas, they are the stars of the show. Plus, there's food. It's like a party because our teacher, Mythili Mami, makes sundal for all of us. When I say 'all of us', I do really mean that. There are about 50 students in all, plus parents. There are workers in the society, who clean the hall and collect the garbage. There's the watchman and his family and other people who happen to be around. All morning, my teacher works towards making our Dashami special. Apart from sundal, we have chips and pedas. We dance and have a small ritual where we go … [Read more...]
Giggi and Daddy and Four Others
Yes, this post is about five picture books I read last week, but Giggi and Daddy is special, so special that I think it's probably one of my favourite picture books of all time! I bought a bunch of books at Pickle Yolk Books' birthday sale and ah! I could read all of them over and over again. And on that note, if you haven't yet had a look at their sale yet, do. It is on right through the month of October. Of my treasures, I read The Tree Boy first. I was intrigued by the title and the illustrations, plus, the writer is a friend. I've read and loved several of her other books - It's a Laddoo Party! on StoryWeaver is one that I've used multiple times during workshops, I attended the launch of her award-winning The Clever Tailor ... It was time to read another. And I loved it! The artwork, the layout and the story itself come together to create a gorgeous, … [Read more...]
How to Write a Limerick
What is a limerick? A limerick is a (usually humorous) five-line poem with a strict AABBA rhyme scheme. It's fun to write and, usually, fun to read. I've always loved limericks by Edward Lear, and over the past few years, I've read many, many more. Do you remember the nursery rhyme 'Hickory Dickory Dock'? That was probably the first limerick most of us learned! Why should I write a limerick? While I can't give you an answer to that, I can tell you why I work with limericks so often at creative writing workshops I conduct. Limericks are fun.Limericks are funny.Limericks have a definite structure, which forces us to pay attention to both rhyme and meter. Read more about that here.Limericks are short, with no room to wax lyrical. What do I need to know about limericks? The best way to understand the form of a limerick is to read dozens - or hundreds - of limericks for … [Read more...]
Queen of Earth
In the author's note at the end of Queen of Earth, author Devika Rangachari talks of Queen Prithvimahadevi's story having been ignored by gendered historiography. That gave me pause. I've barely thought about that. I've barely thought about all the women who, most certainly, made significant changes to the course of history, but have been ignored by a patriarchal telling of the course of events. And that's why historical fiction of this kind is important. It brings alive untold stories that inspire wonder. Just like Queen of Ice, which I read three years ago, Queen of Earth is the story of a powerful queen. Daughter of a powerful Somavamshi king, Prithvimahadevi (later Tribhuvanadevi II) rises above being the "daughter of" a king and becomes a queen herself, one with a keen understanding of what it takes to be accepted by the people she is to rule, the Bhaumakaras. Though her father … [Read more...]
Moonrise
I've been so busy working with my online creative writing programme that I simply haven't had the time to write about all the books I've been reading. Two of them stand out, and one of those is Sarah Crossan's Moonrise. This is the fourth book that I'm reading by this wonderful writer, and it seems as if I can't get enough of her work. I began with the one I enjoyed most of all - One. I went on to Apple and Rain, which I loved for completely different reasons. Apple's poetry teacher, Mr Gaydon, is one of my favourite fictional teachers of all time! Toffee, somehow, was a little too sordid for me, so I didn't review it on my blog. Yet, it left its mark. I can't forget it. And now, Moonrise. With every beautiful verse novel I read, I realise how much I love this genre. The words are simple and sparse and for me, they create maximum impact because of this. A book like Moonrise … [Read more...]
Creative Writing with Children
Every time I work with children on creative writing, I realise why I enjoy it so much. Each interaction is full of laughter, fun, and most joyous of all--moments when children finally understand something and it shows on their faces. I'm still elated after yesterday's online creative writing session! Since I launched the programme on the 5th of October, I've had a regular routine. Early in the morning, I log on to my forum. What will I find? Which of the writers would have contributed something delightful? One morning, I discovered a letter to be placed in a high technology envelope that could be opened and closed with a button. Another morning, I discovered a list of words that one of the young writers loves - goofy, amazing, surprise ... And soon, I will find a set of limericks. I can't wait to read them! Yesterday, as usual, my session was full of all kinds of activities. I … [Read more...]
A Week of Reviews
As a writer, receiving (nice) reader reviews is always delightful. This week has been special!One child read How I Feel as part of his weekly library activity and enjoyed it thoroughly. When he found out that I was the author, he was thrilled because he's read Dragonflies, Jigsaws and Seashells too!And that was just one of the many responses I got from readers - young and not so young - this week!Handwritten notes are lovely, aren't they? The girl in the picture, I'm told, is little Shraavya, not me. I love the story "Treasure Hunt" too, so much so that that's the story I chose to read on World Read Aloud Day 2018. Take a look at the video here.And yes, do tell me if you like it! I don't mind if you don't include a picture of yourself. Not everyone can do self-portraits like Shraavya! Explore Dragonflies, Jigsaws, and Seashells Another … [Read more...]
Online Creative Writing Programme (ages 9 to 11)
Please note that registrations are now closed for this batch. To find out about the next batch for this age-group, please fill this form, or follow me on my social media handles - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Outline Different kinds of poetryMaking a story engagingCreating believable charactersWorking with plot and settingGenreStructureDialogue writingEditing and publishing Details Age-group: 9-11 years Start Date: 5th October 2020 End Date: 28th December 2020 Online Interactions will be held every Monday from 4 pm to 5pm. Please note that Monday the 16th of November will be a holiday for Diwali. Fee: ₹15,000 per participant (payable via UPI to seshanvarsha@okhdfcbank or bank transfer. International payments may be made via PayPal to seshanvarsha@gmail.com) This includes 12 online interactions, access to a private forum to share … [Read more...]
Online Creative Writing Programme (ages 12 to 14)
Please note that registrations are now closed for this batch. To find out about the next batch for this age-group, please fill this form, or follow me on my social media handles - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. “I’ve written five poems. Will you read them?” “I’ve written three stories. How can I get them published?” “What is self-publishing?” "How can I have my book sold at Crossword?" This 12-week creative writing programme seeks to answer all these questions and more. It will guide children through their creative journeys. Participants will explore a range of literature to hone their writing skills, working towards finding a unique voice and an engaging storytelling style. Outline Different kinds of literature Poetry, prose and drama A short history of English literature Writing what you know Writer's discipline Copyright and intellectual property Heroes and … [Read more...]
Number the Stars
What does it mean to be brave? And how can we help one another to be brave? Number the Stars is a beautiful work of historical fiction set in Denmark during the second world war. I love historical fiction that comes alive to me. Some time ago, I wrote about ten works of middle-grade historical fiction set in ten different places, and if I had to rewrite the piece, I would add Number the Stars to the list. Annemarie, who lives with her family in Copenhagen, knows stories about courage, but she is sure that if her bravery is ever tested, she will fall short of the mark. Other people are brave, not she. In tales about the Resistance and stories about their beloved king, people are brave. Not she. However, just before the Jewish New Year, the rabbi announces that Jewish homes will be raided. Annemarie's neighbours, the Rosens, must flee. Young Ellen comes to stay with … [Read more...]
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