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Surviving the Arid: Q&A with author Ananya Harish 

Ananya Harish is a chirpy 11-year-old who is fascinated by science and nature. Her book Surviving the Arid is a coming-of-age survival story of friendship, grit and determination. The book talks about a ten-story mansion, rich parents, and a caretaker who attends to his needs but has a lousy and dreadful attitude. In our interview with the author, we will discuss about her innovation and passion through her expedition of writing!

What inspired you to write?

I have always loved reading books and creating stories since I was in kindergarten. By the time I was in the second grade, I had started reading chapter books, and I realized that books, literature, and words are an extremely beautiful way of expressing stories. Since then, I have had a passion for writing.  

Why did you choose fiction writing over other forms? What privilege does it hold?

Fiction writing leaves most things up to the author. If the book is non-fiction, the author isn’t really using his or her creativity very much. Writing fiction gives you the privilege to create characters that brings meaning and emotion that you as a writer want to convey to the readers. I feel that fiction is the genre that’s most connected to me – I enjoy reading fiction. It allows the readers to forget their current state and transcend into another world. 

How do you pick your plotline?

To be fair, I don’t really ‘pick’ a plotline. I just have ideas popping up in my brain. After reading Kensuke’s Kingdom and studying Survival Fiction in school, I had plenty of ideas for a survival fiction novel – I just picked the plot that appealed to me the most.  

Is there a reason why you created an imaginary character who is rude and ungrateful in the initial part of the story? 

Character arcs are one of the most interesting things to read, for me, personally. As the reader sees the character transform himself due to the challenges he faces, the reader grows and learns with the character. I hoped to express meaning and values through Jamie’s journey.

Do you feel emotional while writing?

I certainly feel emotions like sadness and excitement when I write, but I don’t know if I become emotional. Writing for me is a tranquil state where I try and connect with a character’s emotions.  

How do you select the names of your characters?

Choosing names is one of my favorite parts of writing! I mostly choose them out of whim, but some names are meant to convey certain ideas. Like Joy was named so for her cheerful attitude and the way she spreads joy to all those around her. 

In your book Surviving the Arid, why did you label Jamie and the Fox ‘as thick as thieves’?  Please Explain. 

I used it to create a fun atmosphere. I needed to conclude the paragraph with a light phrase to express their friendship. And what better phrase for this purpose than ‘as thick as thieves’?

Is there a specific pattern that fiction writers follow?

I am not so sure about this, but from what I have observed, good fiction books have some elements in common. They all have complex characters and deep emotions, a plotline that keeps the reader glued to the book, and an ending that satisfies the reader. I hope to achieve these writing goals one day; as of now, my writing isn’t perfect, but I feel that Surviving the Arid was quite a good attempt. 

Would you like to give any advice to your readers?

Just keep reading. I can’t give much advice, since I myself am just a beginner, but if I had to give one piece of advice, it would be to never let the art of reading die. Most of my peers I meet feel that books are boring, but that’s not true! It just means you haven’t found the right book for yourself yet. 

So, keep trying, and keep reading!

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