An author who started writing in Class I introduced students at South City International School to a “smart, talented and stylish teenager”, the protagonist of her latest book.

Sampurna Chattarji came calling at the school to be part of a chat session presented in association with Scholastic India.

“This is the first public reading of my new book. Ela is about a girl whose world comes crashing down right after her 13th birthday. The book may belong to the young adult genre, but it is meant for anybody with a brain, curiosity and an interest in reading,” said the Mumbai-based poet, novelist and translator with 10 books to her credit. “Ela goes through an identity crisis in the novel, something most of us have experienced some time in our lives.”

The author shared some real-life experiences that motivated her to write this novel. “I like to write and address a problem that interests me. Writers write because they want to clarify things to themselves and seek answers,” she said.

The book that took two years to complete involved a lot of research into the psychology of an adopted child. “I had to ensure Ela sounded more like a teen and not a 42-year-old like me. Reproducing the young generation’s language was a tall task. Finally you listen to the voice in your head and decide what is right for your character,” Chattarji said.

A peek into Ela’s world and some book-reading later, it was time for the middle school students to interact with the author and get some tips from her.

What inspired you to write? When did you first start writing? What are your expectations from this book? Did you ever stop writing? The questions came thick and fast from the enthusiastic audience.

Speaking about her childhood, Chattarji recalled the Enid Blytonish growing-up years and a house full of books that steered her towards her passion. “School was like a picnic for us. I thought I was living in a storybook,” she smiled.

Inspired by Blyton’s Secret Seven series, Chattarji attempted an Exciting Eleven series as a kid. “After three chapters I did not know how to manage so many characters. That’s when I gave up being Enid Blyton and found my own voice.”

Chattarji admitted to her habit of rewriting again and again, her soft corner for poetry and how she enjoys translation when she is not writing or is suffering from a writer’s block. “Be a voracious reader. Fall in love with words. I was gluttonous for words and hence I enjoy writing. Make your taste personal,” advised the author, who gave up a successful career in copywriting to pursue her passion. Her first published work was an English translation of Sukumar Ray’s Abol Tabol.

The principal of South City International, John Bagul, too encouraged children to read. “We are what we are because of the books we read. Don’t stop reading,” he said at the beginning of the session.

Prapa Saha of Class VIII was left enchanted by the session. “The book reading whetted my appetite. I want to know more about Ela,” she said.

Her classmate Yashvardhan Saraf was happy for a totally different reason. “This is the first time I met an author in person and spoke to her,” he smiled.