This month I interviewed Sandhya Acharya, author of lovely children's books.

• Tell us about your writing journey. How did you become a writer?

My professional background is in Corporate Finance, but I was always passionate about books and harbored a long pending desire to find my identity as a writer. Then a couple of years back, I decided to dedicate my time and energy in fulfilling this lifelong dream of becoming a writer and an author. Since then, I have tried different genres. I remember the exhilaration I felt on getting my first piece accepted on NPR (KQED) Perspectives. It was a humorous piece about the dilemma of having a long south asian name for my son. I also had articles in India Currents, Indian Moms Connect, Thrive Global as well as a few short stories in the Peacock Journal, Aaduna. I also won the third prize for my story Cherry Blossoms in Katha 2017 a short story contest organized by India Currents and Wellstone Center. This was a story about a young immigrant newly married woman coming to the U.S. Through these stories and articles I have been exploring and finding my voice. It has been not just an enjoyable but a very illuminating journey for me. I feel like I have just begun!

I always enjoyed making stories for my sons. Some of these stories and just being around my sons and observing their antics have been the inspiration behind my adventure with children’s books. My first children’s book was titled Big Red Firetruck and was published through the Amazon KDP program in March 2016. It was well received with 4/5 rating with 29 reviews. But more than anything, it was such a fun project that soonafter I set my heart on another children’s book. This time my goal was to have hardcover books since children really enjoy the sensory experience of touching and feeling a book. That brings me to my latest children’s book 10 Gulab Jamuns - Counting with an indian sweet treat.

• Tell us about your new book 10 Gulab Jamuns. What was your inspiration for this book?​​​

I am really excited about this book. The story is inspired by a true story. I had a sweet tooth growing up and my mother is always telling me how it was a challenge to keep me away from the sweets she prepared for guests. I decided to retell a favorite childhood story of mine in the current context with my two sons. Gulab Jamuns the ever present indian sweet delicacy is the subject of this one.
While on my writing journey,  I learned there was a huge gap in the children’s books market.  Did you know that ..

• 37% of children in the US identify themselves as multicultural, yet only about 10-15% of the children's books have characters that look like them
• Just about 10% of children’s books are written by people of color
• About 3% of children’s books have characters from asia pacific

With my book I hope to close that gap a little.  Here’s a short blurb about the story.
Brothers Idu (Ee-doo) and Adu (Aa-doo) are very excited. Guests are coming over for dinner and their Mamma has already cooked a lot. Next, she is cooking Gulab Jamuns, but Idu and Adu don’t know what Gulab Jamuns are. Before long, they discover just how good these wonderful golden, sugary syrup-soaked balls are and how quickly they melt in their mouths. But Mamma has only made 10 Gulab Jamuns. Will they last until their guests come?

The book not only provides the opportunity for multicultural/south asian descent kids to relate to the characters but also encourages kids of all backgrounds to learn something new about each other. It includes some basic lessons in counting, models positive parenting through its fun story-line and also highlights sibling love and dynamics. What’s more, it includes  a recipe by a well loved Bay Area food blogger to make those delicious Gulab Jamuns yourself. Nothing better than reading the book and then doing a fun cooking project with kids.

The book is ready for pre-order here
https://shop.trycelery.com/page/10-gulab-jamuns

• What is your writing process? Tell us one unique or quirky habit you have when it comes to writing.

My process is ever evolving. My first draft is more about getting whatever is inside of me out on paper. Then I rewrite and rewrite and rewrite. Sometimes if I am not satisfied I leave a peice alone for days and even months and come back with a fresh look to edit. I have tried using prompts when I need a creative push and that has worked out very well too.
I love to sit in coffee shops and libraries. Sipping a coffee, looking around, observing people and being surrounded by books is the perfect inspiration I need. It stimulates my thinking process and gives that perfect balance of having enough subtle distractions to concentrate.

• What is your advice to aspiring writers?

First of all, I am just a humble aspirant and I have miles to go. If I were to give some advice, My biggest advice is - Keep at it. Writing, like any other trade, takes a lot of practise and a lot of hard work. If you have a passion for it, keep at it. It is of course not easy to break into the top. I believe it takes a lot of time to build a body of work and gain appreciation for what you do. I also believe that you have to listen to your heart. If writing is what brings you satisfaction, make sure you keep some space in your life for it. Whether it is full time or part time, make sure it is part of your routine. The satisfaction from pursuing a passion and giving it a 100% is wonderful.
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• What is your most important message to your readers?

Thank you so much for stopping by and reading. I hope to put forth views and stories that entertain you as well as add some value. You may not realize it, but you are making a HUGE difference to authors, writers when you appreciate their work. Be it by supporting us or through social media with like, comment, share and tweets. You won’t believe the joy I feel when I hear from someone who may have liked an article or blog post I have written. Writing full time has been an exhilarating journey for me and I hope to continue with your support and love.

About the author
Sandhya Acharya grew up in Mumbai, India and now lives in the Bay Area. She previously worked in corporate finance and is now a writer. She is mother to two young boys, a dance and running enthusiast.Her articles have featured in NPR(KQED), India Currents and IMC connect. She won the third prize in Katha 2017, a short story contest by India Currents and Wellstone Center in the Redwoods for her story “Cherry Blossoms”. Her short stories have also appeared in literary journals like Peacock Journal, and Aaduna. She also blogs regularly at www.sandhyaacharya.com.
 
Be sure to check out her facebook page and website
www.facebook.com/AuthorSandhya
www.sandhyaacharya.com
And do remember to preorder a copy of 10 Gulab Jamuns. I promise it will be fun!
https://shop.trycelery.com/page/10-gulab-jamuns

Today author Kari Holloway talks about her short story, "Gunpowder & Wool" which appears in A Haunting of Words, a collection of spooky stories from authors around the world. Look out for my story Jimmy's Shadow which also makes an appearance.

Synopsis of Kari's story:
Corporal Hulett greets the morning on the eve of battle, readying his men to march forth, but what comes through the ghostly fog of gunpowder and scattershot leaves him defending the merits of battle and the rights of brothers-in-arms.

What inspired you to write this story?
Where I am from, Andersonville, Georgia, is a staple from school field trips, national holiday activities, and the yearly reenactments honoring the men who lost their life for a cause they believed in. Not the cause of the government, but the cause of being beside their neighbors standing up together as a united front. Millions were affected with the civil war, and we like to look at it as an overview, but for the men serving, it wasn’t black and white, ideas vs truth.

How long have you been writing?
Professionally, July 2015 marks the starting point. I wrote Cracked But Never Broken and haven’t stopped writing since. Prior to that, writing was a dirty little secret I hid from everyone, even my parents.

What genres do you most associate with in your writing: Southern fiction is the umbrella I write while the specific genres would be romance (my Laughing P series) and paranormal (my Devil’s Playground series).

What are you working on right now?:
I’m working on the third Devil’s Playground novella, the final proofing for the second Devil’s Playground, titled Cry of Gold, which is due to be released in June. Never too Late is headed to the editor to finish up my Laughing P. I’m gearing up a book signing at Xion and having a table at Epicon.

What else do you have available/published:
Cracked But Never Broken (http://books2read.com/CrackedButNeverBroken)
Behind the Lens (http://books2read.com/BehindtheLens )
Forgotten (http://books2read.com/DPForgotten)
Beneath the Mask (http://books2read.com/BeneaththeMasks ) [a perma free short story found on all e-book retailers]
Unbound (http://books2read.com/UnboundAnthology )
Love, Lust, and Scary Monsters (http://books2read.com/LoveLustScaryMonsters )

What advice do you give to new writers?
Just because one idea doesn’t work now, doesn’t mean that idea won’t work later.

For the easiest list, they can check out my site http://KariHolloway.wix.com/fiction or www.facebook.com/k.l.holly. I use books2read links which lead to global and universal links making it a one click button for those around the world.
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You can purchase A Haunting of Words (available in paperback and eBook) through the Scout Media online store at:www.scoutmediabooksmusic.com/a-haunting-of-words and get an exclusive companion soundtrack CD, or through Barnes & Nobles, Target, Books-a-Million, and Amazon.

Today, author Lauren Nalls takes over my page to discuss her short story, "The Rub," which appears in A Haunting of Words, a collection of ghostly stories in which my story "Jimmy's Shadow" also makes an appearance.

Tell us about your story, "The Rub."
“The Rub” is a journey into the hell of the human mind and soul; from the line that splits reality and madness, to the place the rules of the game of life, and death, become blurred. 

What inspired you to write this story?
This story was inspired by one of my current works in progress, I was thinking about what happened “after” and this was the result. I also pushed myself to see if I could write outside my usual genres.

How long have you been writing?
I’ve been professionally writing for three years, but I’ve really been writing my whole life.

What genres do you most associate with in your writing?
Great question! This particular story is way outside my comfort zone as a macabre thriller, and was a challenge for me. I normally write dramatic fiction, historical, and women’s fiction.

What are you working on right now?
I’m currently working on a historical fiction coming of age story. I have a few more works in progress at various stages of development as well.

What else do you have available/published?
My other publications include my short story “Loose Ends,” A Journey of Words (Scout Media, 2016), and a poem, “Burgeon,” published in Fredericksburg Literary Review (spring 2014 Volume 2, Issue 1). I also blogged briefly for Fredericksburg Parent and Family, “Tortoise and Hair series” (2014).

What advice do you give to new writers?
Read, study, practice, and learn from mentors you trust. Keep going, don’t give up. Subject your work to critique but don’t get upset at criticisms. Writing is art and it’s up to the artist to discern what advice to keep and what advice to reject, but always be kind and grateful. That being said, art isn’t completely without rules, we have to learn the rules, or expectations, then break them with intention.

List links where people can find your work:
www.LaurenNalls.com
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLaurenNalls/
https://twitter.com/Scribbleglitch
https://www.pinterest.com/scribbleglitch/
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You can purchase A Haunting of Words (available in paperback and eBook) through the Scout Media online store at: www.scoutmediabooksmusic.com/a-haunting-of-words and get an exclusive companion soundtrack CD, or through Barnes & Nobles, Target, Books-a-Million, and Amazon.