Today, we have one of my favorite MG/YA writer’s, and I’m not just saying that because she is a fellow South East Asian. Here to tell us about her writing style is Mitali Perkins!
What is your brainstorming process for a new book?
Long showers and long walks. No system, really.
Can you explain your typical work week day?
On days when I don’t have author visits, I write for 3 hours. I manage my online presence and do marketing and booking via social media, emails etc: for another 3 hours. I read for 2 hours.
Tell us about when you made the decision to write.
I have always written, but I decided to submit my first novel to Little Brown because they were holding a contest called “New Voices.” I don’t think I would have submitted it otherwise. I had no clue about the publishing process. Amazingly, Little Brown wanted to publish “The Sunita Experiment.” From then on, I climbed the learning curve mainly through my participation in SCBWI.
What suggestions do you have for aspiring writers?
You can watch a video here on my three tips for writers (risk, revision, and rejection)
Tell us about what you’re working on right now and what we can expect from you in the near future.
I’m revising BAMBOO PEOPLE, a novel about a teen soldier and a refugee who meet along the Thai-Burma border, due from Charlesbridge Fall 2010.
Thank you so much for joining us today, Mitali! We look forward to more work from you! You can pick up Mitali’s books at your local bookstore or here.
Mitali Perkins was born in India, traveled all over the world, and has finally settled down in Newton, Massachusetts. She is the author of five books, the most recent being Secret Keeper.
