Guest Post with author Viji K. Chary

More Than Action

by Viji K. Chary

When I was in middle school, I used to read the same books over and over again. Most were below my reading level. At that time, I was not interesting in reading middle-school books. I found them lacking in excitement - too many books with long descriptive passages, undecipherable characters and not enough action.

So, when my sixth grade teacher, Ms. Kahn assigned the class to write a story, the first thing I put in was action. Looking back, that was the only good writing trait in that story!

I wrote about a main character who swam a race across a lake with her friend. Soon after the race began, ‘something’ pulled on her foot. Scared, she climbed out of the lake and ran to the other side.

Other students must have needed excitement as well, because my story was voted one of the best in class! I was thrilled with my story. I remember telling my aunt that I wanted to be a writer when I ‘grew up’.

Fifteen years later, after graduating college, working full time and getting married, I enrolled in a correspondence writing course. I learned the basics on plot, character, setting and dialogue. I read many children’s books and magazines and I dabbled in writing. But, my writing had too many rough edges and quick, simplistic resolutions.

A few years later, I decided to give my writing proper attention. I attended as many workshops as I could, and enrolled in one children’s writing class after another. I joined a critique group. I analyzed as I read children’s literature. My writing metamorphosed. The stories flowed, characters were developed, and resolutions were believable.

Writing is hard work. It grew to become exhilarating work, for me. At some point, I would still like to write an exciting novel – an exciting middle-school novel.

About the Author:  

 

Viji K. Chary was born in India and immigrated to the United States at the age of two. Her passion for writing stories began in elementary school and has evolved from coaching children in various activities; including gymnastics, classroom activities and creative competitions. Her stories have been published in Highlights for Children, Ladybug Magazine, Hopscotch for Girls and many more.