Hello, reader!

I am sharing updates and musings in an exciting new way. Starting today, updates will be one, long monthly update on the blog right here, on my personal website. My idea is for you to enjoy this post the way you’d enjoy a magazine: either in one sitting, relaxing with a cup of something hot and/or sweet to drink, or throughout the month, little by little. You can subscribe below to get these updates delivered straight to your inbox.

I have quite a few updates for you this month, including some older ones that happened while I was working on GIRL FROM THE ASHES and starting my next novel!

I spoke at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School and reunited with my fourth grade teacher!

In January, I had the pleasure of visiting Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, a private school in my hometown of Columbia, SC, for an author visit. This visit was special in some of the best ways. It was my first time ever visiting the private, K-12 school, and I would love to visit again. It was beautiful, and the children were inquisitive, excited about writing, and just plain nice. I loved seeing the assortment of Heathwood Hall uniforms the students put together and joked (but was kind of serious) about needing to visit the bookstore and pick up some Heathwood Hall gear.

One of the sweetest moments for me was reuniting with my fourth grade teacher, whom I grew up to know as Miss Drucker, but is now Mrs. Lourie. If you’ve ever heard me talk about the people who have supported me in my writers journey, you’ve heard me speak about my family and Mrs. Lourie. I have so many fond memories of excitedly arriving to Miss Drucker’s class, composition notebook in hand, ready to write about the daily creative writing prompt she’d wrote on the board. I felt seen and heard in her class, and I am so grateful that she saw my interest in creative writing and nurtured that in her classroom daily. Under her guidance, I was able to create and edit a classroom newspaper, write for the school newsletter, and read my stories at various teacher luncheons and events. I’d always loved writing, but in her class, I developed a true confidence for it that I was able to carry throughout my schooling and beyond, even when I faced other teachers and situations that could have made it waver!

Later, I transferred to a different school, and my family and I still kept in touch with Mrs. Lourie. I distinctly remember being hospitalized for about a week, and Mrs. Lourie showing up to check on me and bring me books 🙂

Mrs. Lourie is included in the author presentation I use to present at schools and events. I include classroom photos of me in 4th, 5th and 6th grades to give the students a glimpse of what I looked like back then. This was extra sweet since Mrs. Lourie actually teaches at Heathwood Hall and the students could see her in the picture as well!

After my author presentation, I was delighted by the creative and thought provoking questions the kids asked, and how some of the kids approached me after to share kind words about my novel and how excited they were to write one, one day. :0)

The Head Librarian, Mr. Jack Sutton, gave me a tour of the beautiful school grounds. What a blessing it is for Heathwood Hall to have such a friendly and approachable librarian.

I was in the middle of a creative writing workshop when Mrs. Lourie actually showed up and surprised me! She hasn’t changed a bit, in looks or spirit. It feels like only yesterday that I was in her class!

If you are an educator reading this, I hope this shows how far encouragement goes. I remember the kind words and enthusiasm Mrs. Lourie poured into me, and they’ve eclipse any not-so-kind words I’ve received by far. I am truly, truly thankful to have had the experience of being taught by her!

On Creativity at Alcorn Middle School!

I was deep in editing and drafting mode during the time I visited Alcorn Middle School in my hometown of Columbia, SC, and being around these creative, fun, and smart kids and their caring teachers inspired me so much in my work. I had the opportunity to be the first guest of their podcast, Knight Talk, where I talked about my writing inspiration, process, and journey thus far. You can listen to it here.

View this post on Instagram

I also had a chance to talk to the kids candidly, asking them what they liked and what their dreams were when they got older. I loved how easily they answered these questions. In middle school, they already know which paths they want to take, and are excited about the future.

I hosted a creative writing workshop, and let me tell you, Alcorn Middle School has some of the most creative children. The complexity and downright spookiness of their ghost stories showed real talent. As I walked around the classroom, answering questions and offering critiques,  I made sure to tell them to continue to pursue their writing, with it already being so developed and unique. I loved looking around the classroom at the students, so focused on writing great stories. Educators, is this how you feel daily?

As someone who loves creative writing and worked in journalism for years, I really saw myself in some of these students. Thank you for the honor of speaking at your school, Alcorn Middle!

A Southern Snow Day!

In February, we had our first real snow day in a few years! This is my youngest child’s first real snow, and likely the first snow my oldest remembers. We had a great time making snow angels, snowmen, singing snow songs, and even taking photos, including this super close up one of a few snowflakes! I stared at this photo for days, in awe and wonder of how the snowflake was so beautiful up close, and different from the others. To think, in the huge blanket of snow, every snowflake is so distinctly beautiful when you look up close. God is the best Creator!

Of course, as always on the rare occasions it snows here, I had to bring my debut novel, THE FORGOTTEN GIRL outside and snap a photo!

In case you missed it

I delivered a keynote at the Virginia’s School Librarians Conference towards the end of last year. I was still in writing/editing mode, so I only just posted the blog post and short video about it here.

In February, I also posted about the real Black History in my Middle Grade horror novels, and my YA romance novel, Rhythm & Muse. You can read that post here.

Thank you for reading my work, both on my website, and my books. 

Click here if you want to buy my books and here and if you want to book me for an author visit! 

Get my monthly update delivered straight to your inbox my subscribing below. While you’re at it, I’d love for you to comment and tell me what you’ve been up to this year thus far!

Warmly,

India