February 11, 2020 INTERVIEW AND GIVEAWAY WITH MEERA SRIRAM
I’m excited to welcome to the blog this week, author Meera Sriram!
* Meera is offering one lucky winner a picture book manuscript critique. To enter, check out the Rafflecopter giveaway following the interview below.
About Meera:
Meera Sriram grew up in India and moved to the U.S two decades ago. An electrical engineer in the past, she now enjoys writing for children, teaching early literacy, and advocating for diverse bookshelves. Meera has co-authored several children’s books published in India. “The Yellow Suitcase” is her debut picture book in the U.S. She believes in the transformative power of stories and writes on cross-cultural experiences that often take her back to her roots. Her next picture book “A Gift for Amma” comes out in Fall 2020 from Barefoot Books.
Connect with Meera:
Please tell us a bit about your debut picture book, THE YELLOW SUITCASE.
“The Yellow Suitcase” is a story about love and loss – it’s about how a little girl deals with her emotions when she loses her grandmother, and eventually finds comfort in a special gift. Since the girl travels to India to attend the funeral, it is also about the complexities of immigrant life and growing up bi-cultural.
So what was the timeline like for this story, from your inception of the idea to publication?
The idea for a story about a child going through the stages of grief came to me in 2015 when I’d just started writing picture books. This was the second story I wrote – I wrote the very first draft that fall. After many months of revising in 2016, I had a polished manuscript. In June 2017, Penny Candy Books expressed interest in publishing it. I went on to sign a contract with them. The book came out in March 2019. So, about four years in all.
How do you feel Meera Sethi and your shared background with her influenced the final product versus an illustrator who might not have shared and/or understood your culture to the same extent?
Meera Sethi, with her relevant background and incredible talent, brought so much more to the project! Meera added authenticity to everything! This was crucial when it came to cultural nuances, like the scene when the family is performing funeral rites or even in smaller details like the kind of furniture or items in a middle-class Indian household. There are so many details that can’t really be explained, they have to be experienced. She also brought the perfect aesthetics – her style is colorful, bold, and a bit whimsical – we needed all of that to complement a very quiet story. At the same time, all these qualities also worked great for our setting. Little Asha’s socks and clothes garnered a sizeable fan base 😊
Is there a specific part of the story and/or spread that you connect with most, and why?
If it’s what I connect with most, then it’s the spread showing the gift items that Asha brought back every summer. That’s exactly what we usually brought back in our suitcases when my daughter was little. And (artist) Meera and I hadn’t even discussed this! My most favorite spread, however, is the one with the big blue tears – every teardrop a precious memory – isn’t it how we all grieve?
I love that your main character Asha possesses cross-cultural identity. Was that a deliberate choice from the start?
Yes! YES, because many children – their identities and life experiences – are not represented in the stories they read. My own kids who are raised bicultural hardly see themselves centered in stories. And I’m committed to making that change in my own small way.
What were some of the challenges you faced crafting a story that deals with loss and the grieving process? How did you work through them?
There were several challenges. Firstly, it didn’t have a tangible conflict or resolution, particularly for the picture book age audience. It is an internal conflict and the situation cannot be 100% resolved (because you cannot bring a dead person back). So, the emotional arc and the character change had to be strong and solid. I also remember struggling with the ending – how do I give Asha the closure she is longing for? I wanted it to end with hope, with enough hope to focus on the memories to help her move on. I figured a child might need something tangible, something palpable. And that’s how the quilt and the luggage tag (which she creates for Grandma) in the end came about.
Who might this story appeal to?
I’m glad you asked because I often find the need to explain this – yes, this book is great when a child has lost a loved one or a pet. Or is missing a dear one for that matter – maybe a friend because of a move or a parent they don’t see as often. I hope it helps children find comfort during a difficult time. That said, this book can be read anytime (with no actual occurrence of death) and by everyone (not only South Asians or immigrants). This story could be used as a tool to open conversations with children about loss and grief, both universal and natural to humanity. Similarly, it could help raise awareness and start discussions around the challenges of having a faraway home. Reading diverse experiences helps children be allies to their peers during any difficult time or situation.
How does your background as a bi-cultural early literacy educator influence your process and the stories you’re putting out into the world?
Again, great question! As an early literacy educator, I have the opportunity to read many picture books on a regular basis. It helps me see that the void in representation and range of life experiences in stories is pretty stark. In other words, this drives me to write the stories I wish to see/read. “The Yellow Suitcase” is a book I wished my children had. Also, reading a variety of books and experiencing children’s reactions first hand allows me to see what works well (or doesn’t) when it comes to plots, openings, endings, themes, word choices etc. I use the collective knowledge when I write.
Is there anything you’re currently working on and would like to share with us?
I’m finishing up work on my next book, A GIFT FOR AMMA (September 2020, Barefoot Books) and I’m very excited to share more about the book soon! I’m also looking forward to going out on submission with a couple of manuscripts that I’m currently polishing.
Thank you, Justin, for this opportunity and for all the wonderful questions!
Thanks for your time, Meera!
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