AN INTERVIEW WITH KARLA UPADHYAY
Question 1: Please let me know something that you believe in OR a few punchlines from your books?
Answer: I believe in not being afraid to be you or afraid to use your imagination. No one’s imagination is the same so, there is absolutely, no right or wrong. Write, draw, and be who you want to be. Following the crowd is something I always had a hard time doing, this can lead to being outcasted or looked down on when trying to fit in just being you.
Question 2: Are you happy about being an Author?
Answer: I think anyone brave enough to put something original out there should be proud. Not everyone will like what you put out but, the risk is always better than letting your fear of other’s opinions stop you from achieving what you want to do.
Question 3: What’s your inspiration as an author?
Answer: My inspiration is the hope of the readers to just have fun, enjoy the story and maybe even help someone feel anything inspiring.
Question 4: What are the best things or positive things about your stories ?
Answer: My books tell kids it’s ok to say how you feel, it’s ok to go to someone for help, it’s ok to give help, to take it, and that it’s ok to be you, you are the only you and that’s worth something.
I have never been the best student or the most dedicated to my studies. However, success is a success no matter how long it takes you, just keep going.
The worst part is feeling like you should finish when others do or keep up with the crowd. While competition is great to keep us motivated it’s also about what you take from that, what you’re trying to achieve. You can finish first and not fully understand what you even competed so hard for. Some just want to win or finish first and not even be happy. So, when it comes to school, learning new things, take YOUR time. As in the time it takes for you to understand, you can be the last person to finish but, end up being the best at what you put that energy towards (reading, writing, school, again whatever). These are some of the positive things I tried to put out in my stories.
Question 5: Which book or books have you published, and which are in pipeline?
Answer: I published 2 books as of now and have another I’m working on with no title so far.
The 1st book is called: I’m Hungry, But no Bugs Please!This is a fun, short story children’s book about a ladybug named BellaRose helping a young crow named Dexas to learn what she learned not too long ago. It helps readers to say how you feel and to know that you are the only you and that’s worth something.
The second book is called: Hello Pretty Cloud, what are we Drawing Today?’This book is about using your imagination. Salila is a cloud who lives in Galveston, Texas. She loves to watch the beachgoers and sea animals play. But, most of all, Salila loved it when a boy named Gage would find the time to visit the seawall to draw her as she transformed into beautiful, exciting things. One day, the other clouds noticed Salila’s different shapes and would laugh and taunt Salila for looking different.The book shows how Salila faced her struggle using her imaginations and daring to be different.
Question 6: How to deal with a “Writer’s Block”?
Answer: The only way I deal with writer’s block is by stepping away. I give myself a break sometimes for as long as a week. I normally take my phone out and text myself ideas so when I try again, I have bits and pieces of an idea that can sometimes come together finishing what I started with ease.
Question 7: Any “Top tips” for writers starting out?
Answer: The only tip I have is to just do it. If you feel the calling to write or do something do it! Don’t sit on it, it’s your job to make it happen. It doesn’t have to be a hit or perfect but, it will be a lesson.
Question 8: What are the problems that you have faced in your Author journey?
Answer: The problems I hit were the illustrations. Figuring out how it all needed to fit on whatever size pages I wanted for the book. I’m also not the best artist so having to find help on how to draw this or that on what apps, programs, etc., can be a big hurdle.
Question 9: How did you approach the writing process? Do you have a set routine, or does it vary?
Answer: I honestly had no routine, I came with my book through procrastination in all honesty haha. I was stalling a statistics homework assignment. In the end, I still had to finish my assignment, but I also created 2 books I’m happy about. It was a great development for me because I was able to break away from all the college assignments, drawing the illustrations in between. So, it was a great stress reliever because I enjoyed it. I was able to graduate and publish 2 books at the same time.
Question 10: For you, what makes a great story?
Answer: Anything people can enjoy, anything that can distract you from the stress of the world around you, anything that touches you and makes you feel something. That to me is what can make a great story. Putting your originality in and you feel good about is going to project out to readers. You make the story and sometimes people can feel what you feel when you write. Those make an even better story.
Question 11: What Genre of Books do you create and Why you chose it?
Answer: I chose children’s fantasy books. I guess I chose this because the message I wanted to put out there was directed towards children and I already had in mind what characters I wanted to represent that. It’s a bit personal the names I picked out for them but, my hopes are people will love the message.
Question 12: Where can people contact you?
Answer: https://karla-upadhyay.webnode.com or
Instagram: Karlaupadhyay
Question 13: Any final parting advice?
Answer: If there is anything else, I can leave with you today is to just be you like my book says. I fully believe everyone has greatness if they stop looking to others because they happened to find theirs first. It keeps us from finding ours. So, again Keep going.
