Congratulations on your first book ‘Worlds of Wonder: Journey to the Floating Paradise I’. Can you briefly tell us what this is book is about?
My book is about a prodigious young boy named Dremith who receives a map and embarks on an expedition with his close friends to find an undiscovered land known as the ‘Floating Paradise’. Along the way they come across many adversaries and gather new allies. They pass through captivating places, unravelling secrets along the way. The question is whether they will reach the Floating Paradise? You will have to turn the pages to find out.
You wrote this book when you were 12 years old, and published it a year later. How and when did it strike you that you wanted to write this book?
At first, I wrote this book as a form of entertainment to myself. However, I slowly started putting it into proper form and typing it on my brother’s laptop. At the same time, I realized that my classmate had also published his own book. This inspired me to share my writing with others as well. So this came about randomly.
‘Wolds of Wonder’ is a fantasy novel, filled with magic and mystery. What inspired you to write on this subject and this genre? Any particular books or films that had an influence on you?
To write this type of genre, I was inspired by other books of the same genre like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. This genre is really interesting and intriguing. It also has a vast field of ideas and many writing options. And the story itself was inspired
by my dreams and mostly the events that took place in my life. Most of the ideas are from real life experiences and events. The characters are based
on my close friends, family and classmates. Some of the characters share very similar personalities, looks and traits to that of my classmates.
One major book that inspired me to write would be the Percy Jackson series as it is a very interesting fantasy fiction adventure novel series that has been a huge inspiration for me not only in the genre but writing itself.
‘Worlds of Wonder’ is an interesting title. How did you come up with this title and what is so different about this book?
The title was changed quite a lot as it took a while for me to find a fitting one. My book includes a lot of mystifying events and wondrous tales. Many worlds coexist in my story, hence the title ‘Worlds of Wonder’. My brother also helped me to decide on this title.
What’s so different about the book?
Well, every book has its unique quality and I will leave it to the readers to figure that out but one obvious thing that you will notice is the name of the characters. They are representative of different cultures and societies to imagine a world where different people coexist without discrimination based on race or color.
As a young writer, how do you create and craft the world of your stories? Any particular process?
Generally, I wake up early and try to recollect my dreams. Then, I write it down in short points and later, I elaborate it further. And when something interesting happens in my life, I try to make it magical and include it as a scene in my book. But mostly, I keep the ideas in my mind, recollect it and put it into writing when I have free time.
You have already completed the second book and you are working on the third sequel. What can we expect in these two sequels?
In the sequel, the main characters travel to a country similar to Bhutan and continue their adventures there. In the third part, it is heavily based on Arthurian Legend. New characters also make an appearance and many more adventures takes place in new captivating places.
Writing a book is one thing, and publishing, altogether a different thing. How did you manage to pull this off?
That is right. I was able to successfully publish my book because of the support of
my family. They helped in the advertising, printing and distributing of my books. It would’ve been impossible to publish my book without their support.
This is just the beginning for you. How do you see your future as an author?
I’m not sure I would like to pursue writing as my main profession in the future as I have other aspirations. However, I would still love to write and publish more books and maybe take writing as a side job. So I wouldn’t really say I have a future as a professional author but I would still be writing and sharing my stories with others as that is my passion.
Your first book is a huge success by its own standard. You have been invited to speak to students in the schools. It is a huge achievement for you at such a young age. How do you feel about that?
I feel very humbled and honored that I was given the opportunity to speak at other schools and maybe inspire the future authors of Bhutan.
I am grateful for all these opportunities I was given to spread word of my books and give inspiration to read more and even publish their own books.
As a young writer yourself, what kind of support do you think is required to encourage more readers and writers in our country?
For more readers and writers to come out in our society, it will definitely need the attention of adults. People can’t write books without guidance and support. And people won’t read books without someone encouraging them and helping them along the way. One way, I would suggest would be to organize reading and writing programs so that people with hidden talents will be able to let their abilities shine and get support from others as well.
