Q&A with Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni discussion

Hello everyone! I'm so glad to have discovered goodreads and to have become a goodreads author. I'm looking forward to chatting with you. If you have a question or comment about my books or my writing process, please post it here. It might take me a few days to get back to you as I'm traveling--my new children's fantasy novel, Shadowland, just came out. But I'll definitely get back to you.
Happy reading!

Hi Chitra,
This is one of the life time opportunity I am having to be able to talk to you. I first book was Palace of Illusions, and I was so impressed by the same. And I read rest of ur books backwars :)
There are very few female characters in Hindu Mythology like Darupadi which you characterized in ur novel. Will it be possible to do the same with Sita. Especially the time when she was abandoned by Rama for no reason and how she thought the life has treated her. And also the beautiful son-mother relation with Lakshaman. I am sure you are the best person on planet to depict this.
Regards
Lokesh

Hello,
How long does it take you to write a novel, disregarding the editing process? Whenever I attempt this, my plot is usually burned out in under 15 pages... How can I prevent this?

Hello Chitra,

I absolutely love your writing. Your bring such life to your characters. I am wondering if you know how your novels will end when you start writing? Do you work off an outline that plots the story or do you first start writing about a character and see where that character takes you? Also how many drafts does it take you before a book is final?

Thank you so much for the opportunity to "chat" with you. Please keep the great books coming.

Best,
Diane

Hi Chitra!!!!!

While I have read many of your books both for young readers as well as adults I have a question about your young readers series-

What motivated and inspired your ideas for Conch Bearer???? I wondered if there was a personal element that helped guide the story line.

Also, I would like to ask a question about Mistress of Spices, Sister of My Heart and the companion- I understand that you often write about womens issues.... what was the driving force behind the character development of these particular stories?

I think the reason I enjoyed them so much is that the characters felt real to me- these are real life struggles women deal with- I think culture plays into many of the scenerios however in general- we are so similar no matter where we are born. I am the daughter of a father born in Greece and the cultural differences of how I was raised and how my friends were raised were miles apart however- as an adult- the issues are often so similar. No matter if it is divorce/ miscommunication/ finding oneself.... etc. There is a level of magic to the evolution of each of us as unique individuals- I think part of the magic comes in with the realization that relationships of close female friends are paramount. No matter what... real life is stranger than fiction! Thank goodness for the support of othr woman! Some how discovering our similarities helps drive us to recognizing our uniqueness as well.

Thanks for the beautiful books- I am looking forwrd to reading more. I have just purchase a Kindle 2 and noticed that some of your books are downloadable.

Final note- I highly encourage you to furnish Kindle editions- for those of us who travel.... it is noice to carry our libries in our pocket!

peace an many blessings

N

Hi,

I'm a big fan of yours, from Indonesia.

The first one I read was "The Unknown Errors Of Our Lives." And, I fell in love right away.

Not only can you write beautifully, but you also create such wonderful stories.

BTW, I'm also a writer. And, I really look up to you.

If I'm not mistaken you also teach creative writing, right? Do you think you can share some tips?

Thank you.

Warmest Regards,
Nadiah Alwi
http://nadiahalwi.com/english

cool and brave feminist literature in a time when such things are no longer quite "fashionable." way to go!

Dear Chitra,

I just wanted to say that I'm a fan. Mistress of the Spices captured me in the Chicago airport and didn't let me go till the last page was turned at home in my bed in Los Angeles. Thank you.

Hi,
I'm a mom of an 8 year old girl who loves to read, and reads well for her age. So, I spend a lot of time reading books for her (trying to gauge what is written at an 8th grade level but appropriate for a 3rd grader). I have read some of your other books and have really enjoyed them, but The Conch Bearer was just wonderful.
I'm wondering if, as you write, you find yourself writing a novel that you hope (or plan for, maybe?) will be adapted for film. That was my impression somewhat with "Mirror".
In Mistress of Spices, did you have any expectation that someone like Aishwarya Rai would take on Tilo's character? Did you have any control over that?
Do you think about this series being made into film, what did you learn from going through the Mistress of Spices experience, and what would you want done differently?

Hello, Mrs. Banerjee-Divakaruni.

I'm an eleven-year-old homeschool girl, and I loved Mirror of Fire and Dreaming. I actually read that books before The Conch Bearer, but I thought the second book was better than the first. Some of my friends don't agree with me on that, but that doesn't matter at the moment. I have a few questions.

First off: How do you keep going? I'm a young writer, and I try my best to stick with an idea, but I often lose my drive by page 40. After I lose my driving force, I start something else, then lose it by page 40... and on, and on, and ON.

Second: How can you get through editing? I mean, I'm sure that you have an editor, but most writers have self-edited. I wrote a novel last November for NaNoWriMo, and I just can't seem to bring myself to editing. I really want to edit it, but it's just kinda painful to go back and look hard at it. I mean, it was my first writing attempt, and my style has really changed since then. I say to myself, "I'll go back and edit it now," but then I find myself unable to edit anything more than the first paragraph.

Third (and last): How can you keep from setting yourself up for a sequel? In my NaNo novel, it ends like it should have a sequel, but I can't find the inspiration to write the second. Like, I love a cliff-hanger ending, where you don't clearly know what happens at the end, but how can you set up the end with a slight cliff-hanger without any plans for a second?

Thank you, Mrs. Banerjee-Divakaruni, for answering all my questions. Oh wait! One more! When is your next book in the Conch Trilogy entering bookstores?

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Margaux

I find young adult fiction to be much more enjoyable than modern adult fiction. I am impressed with your style of writing and have enjoyed the 'conch bearer' series. You are from Texas? We just moved to Utah from Texas in 2007. Outsiders have no idea what a melting pot of cultures Texas has. (We lived in the northern Dallas suburbs). Please keep up the good work!

I've been a huge fan since I read Arranged Marriage Stories back when I was in college. It was the first book I had read with characters with which I could identify and I actually feel that it improved my relationship with my Mom. I reread your short story books about every year and lend out Sister of my Heart quite often.

I am mainly curious as to what you felt directed the path your writing has taken throughout the years. Do you still write poetry?

Lokesh wrote: "Hi Chitra,
This is one of the life time opportunity I am having to be able to talk to you. I first book was Palace of Illusions, and I was so impressed by the same. And I read rest of ur books bac..."

Mishti wrote: "Hello,
How long does it take you to write a novel, disregarding the editing process? Whenever I attempt this, my plot is usually burned out in under 15 pages... How can I prevent this? "

hi Mishti--it takes me a year to two years. Palace took me 4 because of the research. try to outline a plot before you start--and make sure you have a story that's interesting --that might keep you going.

Diane wrote: "Hello Chitra,

I absolutely love your writing. Your bring such life to your characters. I am wondering if you know how your novels will end when you start writing? Do you work off an outline that p..."

Hi Diane--thanks! no, i usually don't know exactly how the book will end though i have some possibilities in mind. i let the book unfold & discover it as i go along. i do start outlining about 1/2way into the book--by then things become clearer. my writing is very character based. i have to understand a character before i can write. i do 4 or 5 drafts, sometimes more because i'm an obsessive reviser.

GoldenjoyBazyll wrote: "Hi Chitra!!!!!

While I have read many of your books both for young readers as well as adults I have a question about your young readers series-

What motivated and inspired your ideas for Conc..."

hello N,
thanks for the good words and for sharing my books with readers. i recently wrote a blog post on how i started writing for children, "Happy Birthday Shadowland" on my blog, Amazing Things, http://www.chitradivakaruni.com/blog/.
much of my interest in women came from the commnity work i did in domestic violence. i agree, friendships among women are really important--that is a major theme in Sister of my heart.
And yes, kindle 2 is great--i have asked my publisher to provide all my books on it.

Nadiah wrote: "Hi,

I'm a big fan of yours, from Indonesia.

The first one I read was "The Unknown Errors Of Our Lives." And, I fell in love right away.

Not only can you write beautifully, but you also create su..."

Thanks, Nadiah! I will think of some tips and put them on my blog soon at http://www.chitradivakaruni.com/blog, but meanwhile: read widely and carefully--that's the 1st step to becoming a good writer.

jo wrote: "cool and brave feminist literature in a time when such things are no longer quite "fashionable." way to go!"

Thanks Jo. It's important for me to keep writing stories with women at their center.

That's a lovely compliment, Alison. thank you.

Rachel wrote: "Hi,
I'm a mom of an 8 year old girl who loves to read, and reads well for her age. So, I spend a lot of time reading books for her (trying to gauge what is written at an 8th grade level but approp..."

Hi Rachel
I'm so glad you liked the Conch Bearer & Mirror. CB has been optioned, so keep your fingers crossed! I think I would love for a magical, humorous but not overdone film--my all time fantasy film favorite is Lord of the Rings--so something like that. I thought The Golden Compass was also well done.
with the movie of Mistress of Spices, I was an informal consultant. I'd like to give a little more input for this one, if possible.

Margaux wrote: "Hello, Mrs. Banerjee-Divakaruni.

I'm an eleven-year-old homeschool girl, and I loved Mirror of Fire and Dreaming. I actually read that books before The Conch Bearer, but I thought the second bo..."

Hi Margaux, So glad you enjoyed the Conch & Mirror. the 3rd book, Shadowland is available in stores & on Amazon now.
1. you might want to start with stories. i wrote many short stories before i started writing novels.
2.get someone else to read & suggest edits--it really helps to get another opinion. then you'll be able to do it, too. that's why we teach in the workshop format in creative writing programs at most universities.
3. a good cliffhanger ending is just fine. you don't have to have a sequel.
good luck with writing!

Carol wrote: "I find young adult fiction to be much more enjoyable than modern adult fiction. I am impressed with your style of writing and have enjoyed the 'conch bearer' series. You are from Texas? We just ..."

Thanks carol! yes, houston is very cosmopolitan & i hope to use it as a setting soon

DMD wrote: "I've been a huge fan since I read Arranged Marriage Stories back when I was in college. It was the first book I had read with characters with which I could identify and I actually feel that it imp..."

thanks, DMD, and thanks for sharing my work with friends. i still do write poetry. there's a (funny?) poem about my dog on my website, http://www.chitradivakaruni.com. i'm not sure what has directed my writing path, or where my ideas come from. it's quite mysterious & wonderful.

That's funny you reference LOTR. When I've told teachers/parents about Conch Bearer I have said it's a cross between Harry Potter and LOTR :)
Definitely hope you get to have more imput this time around if CB goes big screen. It seems your perspective got lost in "Mistress".
If you have to wait another 10 years, maybe you can get A. Bachchan to play Abhaydatta??

Dear Mrs. Divakaruni:
Wow! What an amazing opportunity to let you know personally how very much I have enjoyed reading your books through the years. As an Indian woman raised in the U.S. by Indian immigrants, it has been a pleasure to read your stories of other immigrants and their experiences. My favorite book, by far, though has been "The Palace of Illusions." Absolutely beautiful!
Now that you have sons who are being raised in America, do you think you will write books about their "Indian-American" experience...which is probably somewhat similar to mine--of maybe that of my children?
Thank you.
Indu

Or have you ever thought of writing a book from the standpoint of "someone like me": born and brought up in the U.S. during a time when there weren't a lot of other kids who were "like us." My parents emigrated to the US in the mid-60s. There are so many of us who shared a very common and unique experience being the first generation to grow up outside of India!
Indu

Hi Chitra!

I just had to tell you how much I love your writing, especially in "Sister of my Heart". It is truly one of my favorite books and I have told everyone to read it. You are able to give eloquent words and descriptions to things that I have felt and of course made me want to visit India one day. Beautiful writing!

what a great opportunity! i have Mistress of Spices on the Shelf to read, so will have to bury myself away and read it.

Chitra wrote: "Lokesh wrote: "Hi Chitra,
This is one of the life time opportunity I am having to be able to talk to you. I first book was Palace of Illusions, and I was so impressed by the same. And I read rest o..."

Thank You Chitra for the reply, I will check out this novel if available in English and yes I still believe you are the best person on planet to outline the same. I feel the character of sita is much less complex till she returned to ayodhya from lanka, and from then the real struggle for her starts. And at the last how she had to take the difficult decision to even leave her sons and go back into the earth from where she was born.
Regards
Lokesh

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 dimension on the world at large.

What are your favorite books and what are the books that have influenced you?

Chandler

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 poetry. Feel free to peek in for a quick visit:

http://www.pirenesfountain.com

Ami:)

Thanks for replying! Are you working on anything right now (as in a novel)?

Hi,
I am also from Indonesia, only few of your book already translated to our language...but I realy-realy admire your work...and look forward to have your book translated to Bahasa...

BTW I am still speechless to have an opportunity to write my opinion directly to you..

your books are very beautifull, inspiring, and imaginative...

love ya!

Hello Chitra,
I have only read ne of you books but it was so awesome i loved it so much and I cant wait to get my hands on the others I read "The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming", now i have to go back and read "The Conch Bearer", and i cant wait, just thought you should know how amazing i think you are, so please keep writing, take care ^_^

HELLO Mrs. Divakurni
I LOVED CONCH BEARER AND IT WAS AWESOME
SO I WANTED TO ASK YOU WHAT LANGUAGE DO U SPEAK IN INDIA

Hello Ms. Divakaruni,

I'm an American-born and raised Bengali woman, so I was excited to find your book "Arranged Marriages" years ago- that was my first introduction to your writing and I still re-read that book every year. I find your prose so poetic and inspiring.

I was wondering if you recommend setting aside a manuscript for a certain period of time. If so, what's the time span you would recommend? Also- do you recommend attending writer's conferences? I always see ads for them in writing magazines, but they're so expensive that I want to make sure they'd be helpful if I went to them.

Lastly- do you write your scenes in any particular order? For example, if you happen to think of the ending of a story before the middle, do you write down the ending and start from there? Or do you always write "beginning-middle-end"? Thanks!

Hi Mrs. Divakaruni!!

My name is Hima, and I am a 6th grader a Miller MIddle School in CA. I really love your Conch Bearer duo, and was ecstatic to find out that there was a third one while scrolling down through the messages. I would like to wish you good luck with your book tour. I emailed your agent, Mrs. Dijskatra about a month ago, asking for you to be my professional interviewee. Although, my request was declined, as you were about to start on your book tour, my project went smoothly, as I was able to contact another author.


I would like to thank you for putting your amazing writing talents to use through your beautifully written books. THank you so much!

Love,
Hima

Hima wrote: "Hi Mrs. Divakaruni!!

My name is Hima, and I am a 6th grader a Miller MIddle School in CA. I really love your Conch Bearer duo, and was ecstatic to find out that there was a third one while scrolli..."

isnt this so cool. . .

Hello Chitra - im just starting Mistress of Spices, i notice theres a commendation from Amy Tan on the front cover, i love 'Thejoy luck club' have you read any of her work?

Do you have a top 5 contemporary authors whos work you admire?

Jon

Rachel wrote: "That's funny you reference LOTR. When I've told teachers/parents about Conch Bearer I have said it's a cross between Harry Potter and LOTR :)
Definitely hope you get to have more imput this time ar..."

(smile)

Ariyani wrote: "Hi,
I am also from Indonesia, only few of your book already translated to our language...but I realy-realy admire your work...and look forward to have your book translated to Bahasa...

BTW I am..."
Thank you, Ariyani!!

Lashanae wrote: "Hello Chitra,
I have only read ne of you books but it was so awesome i loved it so much and I cant wait to get my hands on the others I read "The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming", now i have to go back..."

Thank you, Lashanae!

Hima wrote: "Hi Mrs. Divakaruni!!

My name is Hima, and I am a 6th grader a Miller MIddle School in CA. I really love your Conch Bearer duo, and was ecstatic to find out that there was a third one while scrolli..."

Thanks, Hima. Sorry I was so busy at that time. I am so glad you are liking the books.

Jon wrote: "Hello Chitra - im just starting Mistress of Spices, i notice theres a commendation from Amy Tan on the front cover, i love 'Thejoy luck club' have you read any of her work?

Do you have a top 5 c..."

Yes, Jon, I have read and enjoyed Amy Tan. I love these writers (among many others): Amitav Ghosh, Louise Erdrich, Tim O Brien, Cristina Garcia, Maxine Hong Kingston.

Salma wrote: "Hello Ms. Divakaruni,

I'm an American-born and raised Bengali woman, so I was excited to find your book "Arranged Marriages" years ago- that was my first introduction to your writing and I stil..."

Hi Salma,
Glad you enjoyed Arranged Marriage. Thank you for your comments!
Put a manuscript aside for a month.
Writers conferences can vary in quality. if they allow you individual conferences, then they are more helpful. see who is teaching.
i write my scenes start to finish, but then sometimes i move them around.

Anand wrote: "HELLO Mrs. Divakurni
I LOVED CONCH BEARER AND IT WAS AWESOME
SO I WANTED TO ASK YOU WHAT LANGUAGE DO U SPEAK IN INDIA"

Thank you Anand. you have the same name as my hero in Conch! I speak Bengali

Indu wrote: "Or have you ever thought of writing a book from the standpoint of "someone like me": born and brought up in the U.S. during a time when there weren't a lot of other kids who were "like us." My par..."

Thanks Indu--that's a great idea. i'd love to write that.

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-...

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.

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.