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.OutlineDifferent kinds of poetryMaking a story engagingCreating believable charactersWorking with plot and settingGenreStructureDialogue writingEditing and publishingDetailsAge-group: 9-11 yearsStart Date: 5th October 2020End Date: 28th December 2020Online 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.OutlineDifferent 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...]
The Chat Box
I love virtual school visits. I enjoy talking to children about my books, encouraging them to explore reading and writing, and taking them through my journey as a writer. Visiting schools virtually was such a novel experience that I wrote an essay for The Curious Reader about it. But of course, as virtual visits go on, more stories are created. That's the fun of working with children, isn't it?Recently, I did a session with a group of about 200 children. I know from experience that it's important to lay down the rules at the outset, and one of the rules is no mics. If 200 children switch on their mics, there's utter mayhem. Most children are now used to the idea, but at this school, the session was rather chaotic to begin with. In the beginning, before the session began, I did answer a few questions out of turn but as more and more participants joined in, I shook my head and kept … [Read more...]
One Crazy Summer
I took a while to get sucked into One Crazy Summer. I was intrigued, yes, both by the setting and by the characters. Yet, I needed more. I wanted to like the characters, which I could not really do--also because you're not meant to.Delphine, Vonetta and Fern go to Oakland to visit their mother Cecile. Cecile is unwelcoming--she does not want them there, she never asked them to come, and she makes it clear that they must stay out of her way. Delphine, the eleven-year-old narrator, is shocked that she does not even call herself Cecile anymore. She is a poet, Nzila, actively involved with the Black Panthers, and she sends them off for a summer camp where they can get free breakfast and stay occupied all day.It is a turbulent time and Delphine is more than a little nervous. She is supposed to take care of her sisters, but how is she supposed to do that when her mother sends them away … [Read more...]