Interview with Mahtab Narsimhan and IWSG Day
nterview with Mahtab Narsimhan!Today is also... Insecure Writer's Support Group Day!
Insecure Writer's Support Group
A database resource site and support group for writers and authors. Featuring weekly guests and tips, a monthly blogfest gathering, a Facebook group, and thousands of links – all to benefit writers! #IWSG
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“Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
The awesome co-hosts for the November 1 posting of the IWSG are Jennifer Lane, Jenni Enzor, Renee Scattergood, Rebecca Douglass, Lynn Bradshaw, and Melissa Maygrove!
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. Remember, the question is optional
November 1 question - When you began writing, what did you imagine your life as a writer would be like? Were you right, or has this experience presented you with some surprises along the way?”
Great question! It's not easy to answer, because I've been writing since I first learned to read. I never imagined that I could be a full-time writer (starving in a garrett in Paris or something), but I loved always having that writing urge, and I still do!
Last month, I got to read the Tara Trilogy!
It all starts with The Third Eye...
Get ready for a heart-pumping adventure as Tara fights to escape the malevolent gaze of the Third Eye! For Tara and her brother Suraj, the past year has been a never-ending nightmare filled with cruelty, deception, and horror. But when a mysterious healer with a strange power suddenly appears in their village, all are entranced by his magic - all except Tara, who sees right through his evil facade.
With nothing but her own courage and cunning, Tara sets out on a mission to find her missing family members and save her village from certain doom. Alone and lost in the treacherous forest, she must call upon the powerful gods Ganesh and Yama for help, or risk falling victim to Zarku's terrifying third eye like so many others before her.
Will Tara succeed in her mission and emerge victorious against the forces of evil? Or will she succumb to the malevolent gaze of the Third Eye and become yet another victim in Zarku's deadly game?
The only way to find out is to join Tara on her epic journey and experience the excitement and danger for yourself!
Kiddo and I read all three books together and we both loved them! Richly drawn characters, fast-paced adventure, and a story that doesn't shy away from exploring the depths of human emotion--we couldn't put the books down.
Tara's both brave and "real", doubting her own strengths and abilities at times, but always seeking a way that will help those she cares about. The god Yama, especially, was intriguing, and I loved Tara's interactions with him, even when I feared for Tara's life.
I'm lucky to have Mahtab visiting the blog today!
Mahtab's name, in Persian, means moonlight. She has had four careers in her lifetime. Writing is her fifth and favourite.
While training to be a general manager of a hotel, she’s made hundreds of beds, cleaned way too many bathrooms, and served meals at restaurants. During kitchen training, she peeled and chopped a twenty-kilogram (forty-four lbs) bag of onions in one day, and cried throughout.
As a recruiter in the IT industry Mahtab thought SOAP was something you washed your face with, and ORACLE was the kind lady from the Matrix movies. She’s come a long way since then!
Mahtab immigrated to Canada in 1997 and started writing in 2004. Her debut novel, THE THIRD EYE won the Silver Birch Fiction Award in 2009 and she hasn’t looked back since. Mahtab is deeply committed to representing diversity in her stories.
Check out all of Mahtab's books on her website.
Welcome to Mahtab!
On writing
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book (if that’s your process)? What's the weirdest thing you've researched?
Since most of my books are set in India or Canada, these are lived experiences, so not much research is needed.
Some books like Ghost Queen needed a bit more research as it was set in a specific location in India (Bhangarh Fort in Rajasthan) which I haven’t personally visited.
When I was writing Valley of the Rats, I had to research the Karni Mata Temple in Deshnok, Rajasthan as well as the reproductive habits of black rats. I grossed myself out! While I’ve written in great (and gruesome) detail about rats, I wouldn’t dream of visiting that temple dedicated to the worship of rats. My imagination is a lot braver than I am.
Research really depends on the book I’m writing. Sometimes it takes 2-4 months. Sometimes I’m done in a couple of weeks. For a recent YA novel (currently on submission) research took almost a year.
Do you have a favourite writing-related quote?
“One of the things I know about writing is this: spend it all, shoot it, play it, lose it, all, right away, every time. Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book or for another book; give it, give it all, give it now. The impulse to save something good for a better place later is the signal to spend it now. Something more will arise for later, something better. These things fill from behind, from beneath, like well water. Similarly, the impulse to keep to yourself what you have learned is not only shameful, it is destructive. Anything you do not give freely and abundantly becomes lost to you. You open your safe and find ashes.”
― Annie Dillard, The Writing Life
Which scenes are hardest for you to write?
Action scenes. I want them to “move” a lot faster than the time it takes to read and write them. I always find that the speed of the scene on the page is far too slow for what I’m visualizing.
What are your favourite parts to write and why?
Descriptions are easiest to write. I love dialogue too, because you can show character through it.
I love how, the better you get to know your character, dialogue almost seems to write itself. At the point when that happens, it’s magic.
Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?
I love the book, plot, characters I am working on now, the most. Having said that, I love the exploring the idea of belonging, fitting in.
As in immigrant to Canada, almost 30 years ago, it was one of the things I wanted the most—to fit in. In some shape and form, my stories, even the fantasy ones, explore the theme of outsiders, looking in. Or fitting into a society or neighbourhood. It seems to be a thread that runs through most of my novels.
On characters
Do you have a method for creating your characters and their names, and what do you think makes them believable?
Sometimes characters pop into my head. Sometimes I think of the plot or the setting first which requires me to dream up characters to populate them. There’s never a single or consistent way I approach the creating of characters.
For names, I often look up Baby Name websites or jot down interesting names I’ve come across and see how best they fit in. Names are such a huge indicator of character, and their selection needs careful thought. It’s fun though.
Giving them age-appropriate problems, making them think, talk, behave the way a kid would is what makes them believable. Also, making sure that you, as the author, remain in the background.
Would you like to be one of your characters, or do you the writer torture them too much?
I think there’s a bit of me in most of my characters and I’m sure many writers feel the same way. Having said that, I don’t think I want to be any of my characters. I’ve put most of them through hell. Especially Krish from Valley of the Rats. Kudos to him for coming through what I put him through, virtually unscathed and a lot stronger!
Have you secretly chosen actors to play your main characters?
Haha…nope not yet!
On publishing
Which other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
I have a trusted group of critique partners (middle -grade novels and picture books) who review my work with fresh eyes and give me spot-on feedback. I do the same for them. Some of the most trusted ones are Jean E. Pendziwol, Valerie Sherrard, Deborah Kerbel, Mireille Messier, Kari-Lynn Winters, and Helaine Becker. All rockstars (IMO) in the Canadian kidlit space.
Having worked with them for years, we are way beyond worrying about “hurting each other’s feelings” and can give (and receive) honest feedback with the aim of improving our manuscripts. I’m extremely grateful for that and for my wonderful critique partners.
Day-to-day, what is the most challenging aspect of your work?
Finding a chunk of time to write since I have a day job. I don’t have the luxury of allowing my muse to saunter up to me to be inspired to write.
Monday to Friday, you’ll find me at my desk by 5.30am with a cup of tea, wrestling an idea into submission. Whether I am on a deadline or not, I work weekends, too (like today, as I fill this out ;)) though I might start a little later.
The Dowager Countess’ (Downton Abbey) words come to mind: “What is a weekend?”
Once the writing is done, I’ll do some promotional, social media activities or get material ready for presentations at schools or conferences.
What project are you working on now?
It’s impossible for me to work on just one. When I’m stuck on one project, I like the flexibility of moving to another and coming back to the first once I’ve resolved the issue that got me stuck.
I have two picture books and a YA novel on submission. I’m currently working on two middle-grade projects—one a contemporary standalone and the other a first in a trilogy with fantastical elements.
When not writing...
What do you do when you're not writing?
My favourite pastime is reading. I love to walk and do yoga at home when the weather is nasty. I also love baking bread. Except sourdough. My last starter was called Jon Snow. He died and sadly did not resurrect himself.
Which is the most embarrassing song, book, movie or TV show that you love?
I love Enid Blyton’s Faraway series as well as some of her other standalones. They were reflective of the times in which she lived but now they would be considered racist and politically incorrect. Still, I loved them growing up in the 70’s and 80’s in Mumbai where they were a staple.
What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
I have seen Oxford and touched the door which C.S. Lewis passed on his way to lectures and which was the inspiration for the portal to Narnia in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
Also saw Magdalen College where C.S. Lewis was a Fellow and where the Inklings literary group (comprising C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams and Owen Barfield) met.
What is your favourite childhood book?
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis.
Who is your favourite literary character not your own?
So many fave authors but if I had to name one, I’d say Philip Pullman. I love Lyra from the Dark Materials Trilogy.
If you could live in any book which would it be and why?
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien because The Shire is such a cozy place as described by Tolkien and presented by Sir Peter Jackson.
Visiting Hobbiton in NZ is at the top of my bucket list.
Where would you most like to travel?
I love England because it has produced so many fabulous writers. Lake District which inspired the stories of Beatrix Potter is at the top of the list.
I would love to visit the hometowns of:
- Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake who illustrated his books
- Enid Blyton
- A.A. Milne (Winnie-the-Pooh)
- Philip Pullman
- Kenneth Grahame (Wind in the Willows series)
Thank you, Mahtab!
I would love to live in the Shire too and I agree, I'd love to visit the hometowns of those authors. I'd like to go back to Oxford and the Inklings sites, too! And oh, boy, me too, I wish weekends were longer...
Thank you to Mahtab for dropping by! Find out more on her website.
Here are some of my previous interviews!
What other author interviews have you enjoyed recently? Please share!
Comments
The writing community is awesome!
Love the interview! Looks like a fabulous series.
Love the covers of Mahtab's books. Very evocative.