A conversation with Lalitha Natraj, author of Diamond Discovery, published by Bluerose Publishers 1. Tell us about yourself. I’m Lalitha Natraj, a twenty-year-old storyteller.
2. If not being an author, what was your dream in life? My dream has always been to live the right way. With the right thoughts and the right actions. Of course, I am still on the journey of achieving that dream, and I am aware that the journey is a never-ending one. Be that as it may, I need to try. With writing, I immerse myself in different worlds and try to learn from my characters, their follies and their triumphs. And that’s what I love about stories! They enrich you. Had the winds of fate somehow persuaded me away from writing, I would still be storytelling and I would definitely still be learning.
3. Who do you attribute your success to? Diamond Discovery was a journey of sorts and I couldn’t have done it without my family. They encouraged me and kept me going. I honestly have the best support system in the world and I couldn’t ask for more.
4. Any message you would like to give to your readers? Diamond Discovery is aimed at the middle grade demographic. As a middle schooler, you will be interacting with a lot of people who find themselves at different stages of maturity. And in this raw amalgam, a survival of the fittest ensues. An aggression in some to dominate and a fear in some to be outcast. It is important then, to understand the importance of individuality. Understand the irrelevance yet omnipresence of stereotype. Take the time to unfold who you are. In this book, filled with fantasy and magic, you go on an introspective journey along with the protagonist Anna Rose and witness the battle she fights to recognize her self-worth when everything seems to be snatched from her. Although set in the medieval times, the story mirrors the struggles of the modern middle grader and I think it would not only be a fun but also a reflective read.
5. Who or what inspired you to write the book? I cannot pinpoint anything particular that inspired me to write this book. Overall, I wanted to write a story for the middle grade demographic that did not underestimate their emotional and intellectual capabilities. I also wanted to write about a strong sibling relationship because I think there could definitely be more stories that promote sibling synchronization rather than describe sibling rivalry.
1. Tell us about yourself.
I’m Lalitha Natraj, a twenty-year-old storyteller.
2. If not being an author, what was your dream in life?
My dream has always been to live the right way. With the right thoughts and the right actions. Of course, I am still on the journey of achieving that dream, and I am aware that the journey is a never-ending one. Be that as it may, I need to try. With writing, I immerse myself in different worlds and try to learn from my characters, their follies and their triumphs. And that’s what I love about stories! They enrich you. Had the winds of fate somehow persuaded me away from writing, I would still be storytelling and I would definitely still be learning.
3. Who do you attribute your success to?
Diamond Discovery was a journey of sorts and I couldn’t have done it without my family. They encouraged me and kept me going. I honestly have the best support system in the world and I couldn’t ask for more.
4. Any message you would like to give to your readers?
Diamond Discovery is aimed at the middle grade demographic. As a middle schooler, you will be interacting with a lot of people who find themselves at different stages of maturity. And in this raw amalgam, a survival of the fittest ensues. An aggression in some to dominate and a fear in some to be outcast. It is important then, to understand the importance of individuality. Understand the irrelevance yet omnipresence of stereotype. Take the time to unfold who you are. In this book, filled with fantasy and magic, you go on an introspective journey along with the protagonist Anna Rose and witness the battle she fights to recognize her self-worth when everything seems to be snatched from her. Although set in the medieval times, the story mirrors the struggles of the modern middle grader and I think it would not only be a fun but also a reflective read.
5. Who or what inspired you to write the book?
I cannot pinpoint anything particular that inspired me to write this book. Overall, I wanted to write a story for the middle grade demographic that did not underestimate their emotional and intellectual capabilities. I also wanted to write about a strong sibling relationship because I think there could definitely be more stories that promote sibling synchronization rather than describe sibling rivalry.