We warmly welcome Vikas Prakash Joshi, an-award winning writer, editor, translator, podcaster, public speaker, novelist, amateur cook and occasional journalist in Pune, India. His first book for children, My Name Cinnamon (Hay House India), was published in November 2022 , and it has been lauded all over the world, in over 30+ countries, endorsed by many top Indian writers, and received 7 publishing offers. Story Ink, a Mumbai-based production company, has also acquired the book for screen adaptation. It was illustrated by the well known and award winning illustrator for children's books Niloufer Wadia. It has received 5 recognitions already: A3F Literary Award for Fiction 2023, Asian Literary Society Award for Best Debut Fiction,Asian Literary Society Certificate of Excellence in Fiction, Skipping Stones Magazine Honour List for International Books 2023, Longlisted and Shortlisted for Valley of Words Awards for Young Adult Fiction 2023. It was also chosen among 60 selected books by Indian authors for kids and YA by Hyderabad-based Beyond the Box organization, an organisation working in the field of literature.
Summary
We discussed Vikas Joshi's book "My Name is Cinnamon," focusing on the last chapter, "Chapter 17: Going Home." Vikas shared insights into the book's creation, including the integration of Usher Syndrome and the emotional journey of the protagonist, Cinnamon. The discussion highlighted the importance of early disclosure of adoption to children and the challenges of bullying. Vikas emphasized the significance of community in his writing and provided advice for aspiring authors, stressing regular writing and resilience. The session concluded with a group photo and a reflection on the book's themes.
Sandeep Dutt discussed the progress and schedule of "My Good School," a comprehensive educational program. The school meets on various days for different activities: Sundays for master classes, Saturdays for teacher sessions, Fridays for book readings, Thursdays for poetry, Tuesdays for music, and Mondays for art.
The annual fee is 2500 rupees, offering 160 hours of learning. The program includes a structured internship, fellowship for teachers, and workshops. They share learning through newsletters, blogs, podcasts, and a YouTube channel. The meeting concluded with a dance performance and a song celebrating the joy of learning.
Chapter 17: Going Home is the last chapter of My Name is Cinnamon, here are the reflection questions:
1. Character Growth
- How has Cinnamon changed from the beginning of the book to the end? What are the key moments that shaped him?
- Does this chapter provide a satisfying conclusion to Cinnamon’s journey? Why or why not?
- What is the most important lesson that Cinnamon (and the reader) learns by the end of the story?
- How did this final chapter make you feel? Did it leave you with any unanswered questions or reflections about identity and family?
- If you could ask Cinnamon one question about his journey, what would it be and why?
Based on the conversation, here are some strategies Vikas Joshi suggested for aspiring writers to balance quality and quantity:
- Write regularly, but don't expect everything you write to be publishable. You'll need to discard a lot of content.
- When you get stuck on something, leave it for a while and work on other parts of the story. You may find a solution later as you continue writing.
- Focus on producing content, even if it's not perfect. The "worst piece of writing done is better than the best piece of writing which is in your mind."
- Be prepared to receive a wide range of reactions, both positive and negative. Don't get discouraged by negative feedback, but evaluate if it's constructive.
- Commit to writing a few times a week, even if you can't do it daily. Consistency is key.
The key is to balance the discipline of regular writing with the patience to refine and improve your work over time. It's about finding the right mix between quantity and quality.
Key messages Vikas Joshi leaves behind:
1. Embrace the ups and downs in your journey as a writer/creative person. Be prepared for the fact that your definition of success will change as you progress.
2. Focus on developing your ability to deeply understand and connect with people. Interpret their words and behaviors beyond the surface level.
3. The "worst piece of writing done is better than the best piece of writing which is in your mind." Don't be afraid to discard content and keep writing.
4. Be resilient and consistent in your writing practice, even if you can't write every day. Commit to writing a few times a week.
5. Evaluate feedback carefully - not all criticism is constructive. Learn to discern which feedback is worth taking seriously.
6. For aspiring writers, start writing and don't wait for the "perfect" moment. The more you write, the more you'll improve.
7. Incorporate your personal experiences and memories into your writing, as it can make the story more authentic and relatable.
The overall message emphasizes the importance of perseverance, self-awareness, and a willingness to learn and grow as a writer. Vikas encourages aspiring writers to embrace the challenges of the creative process.
Reflection questions based on Chapter 12: Crowd Intelligence from The Inner Life of Animals by Peter Wohlleben:
1. Collective Behavior
- How do animals benefit from collective decision-making, and what are some examples from this chapter?
- In what ways does crowd intelligence help animals survive in the wild? Can you think of a situation where acting alone might be more beneficial?
- How does the concept of crowd intelligence in animals compare to human group behavior, such as teamwork or social decision-making?
- What can humans learn from animal crowd intelligence when it comes to solving problems like climate change or resource management?
- Have you ever experienced a moment where working as a group led to a better outcome than working alone? How does this relate to the examples in the chapter?
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