Hello everyone! Welcome to our Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Spotlight Event! Win’s Books Asian American Pacific Islander Spotlight Event is a literary event that highlights and celebrates the works of Asian American and Pacific Islander authors. It is an opportunity to showcase their diverse voices and experiences through literature. So, without further ado, let’s get on with this amazing spotlight!
About the Author:
Vidya Murlidhar is a Conscious Parenting coach and the author of the children’s books Rinni and Bo and The Adventures of Grandpa and Ray. The written word has been her sacred anchor and her writing carries the flavor of the city she grew up in, Mumbai. Her essays have been widely published in parenting websites and magazines. When she’s not writing or coaching, she enjoys dancing and spending time with family, friends and her furry sidekick Leo. You can read all of her published work at vidyawrites.com.
How and when did your love for writing start?
I wrote my first poem when I was six years old and continued to write throughout my school years. Writing has always been the way I’ve expressed myself. I pour my heart out on paper when I feel deeply about an experience. For many years of my life these writings were just for me. It was only much later, during a major transition period in my life, that I took to writing and publishing on my blog and sharing it with the world.
Of all of the book genres, what drew you to write about yours?
I’ve always loved picture books. They’re like TED TALKS in a 32-page format. A good picture book has wisdom embedded within a delightful story outline replete with captivating illustrations. Reading it leaves you feeling inspired. The message that I wanted to share with the world came to me in the form of poetry and fit the picture book format perfectly. So, it felt right to make it into a picture book.
Who is another Asian author you think people should know about?
Sudha Murthy and Ruskin Bond. Both of them write prolifically and are widely read in India. Not so much here. Their books give children a simple and authentic glimpses into the ways of the people of India.
How does your heritage impact what you write and how you write?
My writing carries the flavor of my homeland. When you write from the heart, you write about what you believe in, what touches you and so many of our beliefs and perceptions are influenced by culture and heritage. The settings in my stories and the way my characters think are often impacted by my own experiences and as such the culture I grew up in. When I began writing my essays on motherhood, I often wondered if people from other cultures would relate and what I found was the more open and vulnerable I was about my personal struggles, the wider was the appeal. It’s beautiful that however different our stories and essays may appear, at the heart of each of them are a spectrum of emotions which are always universal.
What makes your book(s) special?
Even though I’m a soft spoken and laid back person, I’ve often been told that my writing voice is very strong. I think this is different.
So… what are you working on now?
A collection of short stories along with a friend.
Thank you for taking the time today to speak with us, Vidya Murlidhar! I really appreciate the opportunity to learn more about you and your amazing writing and storytelling! For more information about Author Vidya or to connect with her, please visit:
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It’s finally here!!!
— Winnie Tataw (@WinsBooks) December 5, 2020
The 3rd Book in the Gods’ Scion Series, The Lone Star Child is out now !!!
A thrilling Sci-fi Fantasy about loneliness and revenge
Order your copy here:https://t.co/7V2uBcBEVd pic.twitter.com/yHtDMWKOTP
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