Roshani Chokshi
The second I read this question, my heart heaved in this gigantic OH DEAR GOD, THE HORROR. THE HORROR. Which is to say, yes, it was hard. But not always for the reasons one might imagine. Yes, finishing a book is hard. Crafting a query letter is hard. Wading through rejections from editors is hard. But here are the things that are truly thorny—doubting whether your voice is important enough to be heard, wondering whether this work is the best you can do, hating that you see what you could have done differently only when it's too late. I often tell aspiring writers to honor their voice. Not to give an inch to laziness or dreams of fast success because those are illusions. But it is hard to look at our work and know that fixing it requires us to break ourselves all over again. And it is hard to sit in front of a screen or notebook or what have you, and tune out the voices clamoring and screaming at you that you're writing your book all wrong. The lovely thing is that each day, you can look back and see the things you've conquered. And it's like growing armor. Making your dreams come true is hard, staying in that dream is even harder. But that's what makes it worth it.
Roshani Chokshi
The second I read this question, my heart heaved in this gigantic OH DEAR GOD, THE HORROR. THE HORROR. Which is to say, yes, it was hard. But not always for the reasons one might imagine. Yes, finishing a book is hard. Crafting a query letter is hard. Wading through rejections from editors is hard. But here are the things that are truly thorny—doubting whether your voice is important enough to be heard, wondering whether this work is the best you can do, hating that you see what you could have done differently only when it's too late. I often tell aspiring writers to honor their voice. Not to give an inch to laziness or dreams of fast success because those are illusions. But it is hard to look at our work and know that fixing it requires us to break ourselves all over again. And it is hard to sit in front of a screen or notebook or what have you, and tune out the voices clamoring and screaming at you that you're writing your book all wrong. The lovely thing is that each day, you can look back and see the things you've conquered. And it's like growing armor. Making your dreams come true is hard, staying in that dream is even harder. But that's what makes it worth it.
More Answered Questions
Kait
asked
Roshani Chokshi:
Hi Roshani! I have seen you mention on Twitter etc. that your first drafts can be lacking characterization, plot, etc. I’ve been working on a draft and have come to understand who my characters are and the world fairly well, but I don’t really know how to go about building out the plot! Not a whole lot happens and my plot feels very “bare bones” to me right now. Do you have any tips for working on that?
Alyssa Indira
asked
Roshani Chokshi:
HI! I loved Aru Shah and the end of time. I also loved your take on Indian mythology. Did you originally plan to have Aru's soul father be who he was, even though she was more than hesitant with that knowledge? Also, for Mini and Aru, how did you choose who would be the soul father of who/reincarnation of who? Did certain factors of their personalities fit with the matches or were there other elements involved?
Lucia
asked
Roshani Chokshi:
Hi! Your Aru Shah books always make me laugh! I was wondering if the cliffhanger in Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes made you feel delightfully evil (I would also WHAAAATTT? HOW COULD THAT BE?!?!!! AHHHHHHHH (runs around screaming)) and I am really excited to meet the last Pandava sister! Also, did you base the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture in any museum you've been to? Sorry for the multiple questions.
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Nov 22, 2016 08:36PM