Chitra’s Comments (group member since Mar 26, 2009)

Chitra’s comments from the Q&A with Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni group.

Elaine wrote: "Hi Chitra -- I am hoping you will reply to question 68 soon, and I thought of an addendum. Is it your intention when you start a story to introduce your readers to a fascinating crossroads of cult..."

Hi elaine, sorry i missed that earlier post somehow. as Jo said, do take a look at the earlier post on favorite writers. yes, i like to write about indian culture--it's something i know and love and want to share with readers of all backgrounds.

Kara wrote: "Hello,
I just wanted you to know I love your writing. Your story telling abilities are phenomenal. I have fallen in love with all of your characters.
Thank you
Kara"

Thank you Kara!

Diane wrote: "I love that you rescued a golden retreiver AND that she is the household darling ! Thank you for sharing that with me :) (I tried to find the poem you mentioned that you wrote about her that is on..."

Look on my website under Divakaruni's Muse. Her photo is there too!

Yes, I remember you, Diane!! Great to meet up with you again. So glad your book club liked Arranged Marriage. Thanks for recommending my work to friends.
You might be interested to know that about 3 years back we rescued a golden retreiver mix and she is now the darling of the household!

Hi Nikki--sorry for the delay--somehow I wasn't sent the notification for this post. Thanks so much for teaching the story. It came out of my experiences with my own mother and mother in law, both now in their 80s. Having them stay in my house made me sensitive to how difficult it is for older people, who are confined to the home, to adjust to life in America, and how in moving here, they have had to relinquish their (often extensive)support system of friends and activities & become dependent on their children. If you take a look at the back of the Best American Short Stories where this was originally published, I've written more there about why this story was a challenge to write.
Where are you teaching?

Hi Carol
"Mrs Dutta" is, of course, the story of a particular family and focuses on the plight of old parents who follow their children to the US. In general, yes, it's a struggle for parents of Indian origin to maintain their traditions and pass it on to their children. Now there are many heritage/language classes being offered by community centers, temples and spiritual organizations to support parents in their efforts. My experience is that when these children grow up and have their own kids, they tend to return to their roots because they now experience the desire to pass on their heritage to their own children!

Friends--please note: a q&a on my books is also going on under the topic Hello to my readers. Please do post comments about books or questions there. and please do tell your friends.

Diane wrote: "I was Chitra's author escort when she appeared at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books! She was so delightful to escort to her venue and was so gracious to her "fans", chatting and signing their..."

Hi Diane--I remember you! Welcome!

Jenn wrote: "I grew up in Cupertino and Sunnyvale and knew many Indian families in my neighborhood and children that attended my schools. I was always very intrigued by their exotic culture. Chitra's books ha..."

Thanks Jen!

Lisa wrote: "I saw Chitra speak at a Women's Conference several years ago and have read most of her work and recommended her to many other readers. I am happy to join this group."

Thanks Lisa--welcome! I appreciate you recommending my work.

Elizabeth wrote: "I met Chitra several years ago when she made an author's visit to our school after the publication of The Conch Bearer. I love her books. Thanks for the invitation to the group."

Thank you, Elizabeth--I remember that visit--to Spring ISD, right? welcome!

Hi Ram, thanks for your kind words. Of course I want him to start with my books! take a look at The Conch Bearer & its 2 follow up volumes, magical adventures set in India with Indian characters. Books I loved/love: Black Beauty, almost all Enid Blyton books (esp the circus series), the Narnia books by CS Lewis, The Magic Compass series by Pullman, Heidi, the Harry Potter series, Lemony Snicket's books. Children's Ramayana and children's Mahabharat, and Indian folk tales (there are many good collections).Also King Arthur tales and Robin Hood tales.

Ms. S........... wrote: "Hello Ms. Divakaruni,

I enjoyed your book, Palace of Illusions, very much. Your writing is beautiful. I read it awhile ago, so please excuse my slight confusion, but I have a question... the mou..."

Ms. S--That mountain range is the Himalayas, and that tradition of going there to die is unique to the Mahabharat, though even now in India there is a tradition of old people retiring to a holy city to live out their last days there. So glad you liked the book.

Harvee wrote: "Hello Chitra: I mean to read some of your books in the not so distant future. Which would you suggest I begin with? I am interested in women's issues as well culture and society. Thanks. "

Hi Harvee
Start with Sister of My Heart if you like contemporary realism. Or Mistress of Spices if you like the magical. Or Palace of Illusions if you like stories set in ancient epic times. All are centered around strong women.

Indu wrote: "How can I, as a parent, improve my children's writing skills? They are 12 1/2, 10, and 6 and all love to read.
Thank you.
Indu"

Hi Indu
it's great that they love to read. that is already a fine start.
see my reply above to ashlee.also,
have them write and illustrate stories for you, and then make them into little books that they can give friends and family. with the desktop programs, it's easy now. that will inspire them.

Ashlee wrote: "Hello! I'm so excited to be able to talk to you here. To be honest, I had never heard of you or any of your books until this last year when my sister introduced the Conch Bearer to me. I read in tw..."

Ashlee, 1.create an outline first.
2.read a lot--that will give you structuring ideas
3.write regularly--there's nothing as helpful as regular practice
4.don't give up. i struggled with my short story "Mrs. Dutta writes a Letter" (now in my collection Unknown Errors of Our Lives) for 7 years. i would give up and put it away, then go back to it after a month. but finally when it was done it went on to be published in the Atlantic Monthly and was included in Best American Short Stories and is now in many college lit anthologies.
hope this helps. good luck. writing is a great gift--and like all great gifts, it requires great effort to flourish.

Laurie wrote: "I was introduced to you when my daughter's Israeli friend gave me the gift of "Sisters of the Heart." From there, having shared her love of this wonderful story, I have been devouring all of your ..."

Hi laurie
Thanks for your kind words--and thanks for sharing the books with readers who come to you. I'll be going to Miami in May, to teach at the Writers Institute & to give a reading--is that close to you?

Chandler wrote: "Namaste Chitra!!

Your books have given me great joy!! They have also increased my understanding of my favorite culture (Indian) and my soul walked away from each of your books with a new dimens..."

Hi Chandler--Thanks so much! I gave some of my favorite writers in one of the other replies--take a look. I'm working on a novel titled One Amazing Thing, about people trapped in an Indian visa office by an earthquake & what happens to them. I guess one of its themes is grace under pressure.

Ami wrote: "Hello Chitra,

Pleased to "meet" you! I am a poetry publisher and have read and enjoyed not only your fiction but poetry as well. Please let me know if you are ever interested in sending us some po..."

Thanks Ami, I'm working on a novel right now, but will definitely keep you in mind.

Thanks everyone for your comments and questions! If I missed anyone who posted above, my apologies & please
send the question/comment again.

Love and happy reading to all of you. Come visit me on my Facebook Author Page, where I'm asking people to post their favorite poems, and also the women whom they found inspiring. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chitra-...