MAHTAB NARSIMHAN is an award-winning author with numerous critically acclaimed books, nominated for several awards, including The Third Eye which won the Silver Birch Fiction Award. She is inspired by the desire to make sense of the world through stories and is deeply committed to representing diversity in her books.
My workshops and presentations are tailored to the age of my audience and peppered with personal anecdotes about the challenges I face as a writer. I like to have a fun and interactive session and encourage participation. My books include a strong element of my Indian roots and I discuss the inspirations for my stories. I also welcome discussions and questions on how to mine your own background for story ideas and inspiration. I immigrated to Canada in 1997 and I share the struggles I faced while trying to fit in, and what I did to overcome these challenges. I talk about the writing process and share writing tips with the students to make their stories more engaging and interesting. I’m comfortable with Zoom or Skype but am happy to work with the school’s or library’s preferred technology platform.
Workshop 1: Character:
We will start by discussing some favourite characters in middle-grade/upper middle-grade fiction (Eg: Harry Potter, Charlie Bucket, Lucy Pevensie) and why they are so beloved by readers. What is it about these characters that makes readers want to know more, to identify with them, and root for them? Next, we will discuss the types of characters you find in novels and what are their functions in making a story move forward. Do we need them all? Is it better to have a wide cast of characters or fewer? Once the participants understand the basics of character, we’ll figure out the elements that make a character appealing and three-dimensional. Special emphasis will be on the main character and the villain. Finally, participants will fill up a worksheet to create their own character and share with the class for constructive feedback. If time permits, I will share seven important tips to improve your writing.
Workshop 2 : Plot
We start by discussing what is a plot arc and why stories need them. We’ll move on to discussing the elements of a good plot. What does every story need to make it fast-faced, fun, and with multiple plot threads? How can we raise the stakes and increase the tension in a plot? I will show the participants how to make a story more exciting. I will also discuss the types of plots you normally find in middle-grade/upper middle-grade fiction and what are the key elements of those plot structures to make them work. Finally, the participants and I will plot out a story together so they can put their knowledge to practical use and will be ready to plot their own stories. If time permits, I will also share seven important tips to improve your writing.
My workshops and presentations are tailored to the age of my audience and peppered with personal anecdotes about the challenges I face as a writer. I like to have a fun and interactive session and encourage participation. My books include a strong element of my Indian roots and I discuss the inspirations for my stories. I also welcome discussions and questions on how to mine your own background for story ideas and inspiration. I immigrated to Canada in 1997 and I share the struggles I faced while trying to fit in, and what I did to overcome these challenges. I’m comfortable with Zoom or Skype but am happy to work with the school’s or library’s preferred technology platform.
