Name: Sara Kapadia What you Write: middle grade, young adult, and picture books Agent: Naomi Davis Why BookEnds? I have always thought of BookEnds as a stellar agency with top notch agents. I love the videos, posts, and vibe of BookEnds with a team of supportive, inspirational agents.
Tell us a bit about your writing process. Where do you write, and how often?
I try to write everyday, even if it is just a few lines. I make artwork of my characters to inspire me! I picture everything in my head and just write about what I ‘see’. Usually I start with the opening image and go from there!
Where can readers find you on the web and social media?
@sarakapadia on Twitter @samsarakapadia for my artwork in Instagram sara.kapadia.com is my website
Do you have any writing rituals? (e.g. burning a candle if you’re having trouble getting started at the computer or writing longhand first if you’re feeling uninspired.)
I love to set the mood with the artwork I make, then I usually have incense or a candle. I have music in the background usually from Cirque Du Soleil. I imagine each chapter as a mini story and just focus on that for each writing session. Usually I think of a scene at a time and just write it out.
What do you love about writing your genres?
I love that writing fantasy allows me to deal with real world issues in an imaginative way. Rather than escaping reality I think it actually helps to face the issues in a way that feels freeing. I love the lush worlds created in fantasy. Anything is possible!!!
Why did you choose the genre you’ve chosen?
Fantasy has always drawn me in. I love to write it, watch it, and in a way live it. I found that I was able to process through my own trauma by using fantasy to face the challenges head on.
What is the hardest part about writing fantasy?
I think balancing real world emotions in a fantasy story takes practice, there needs to be a balance. I strive to make my humans believable enough with a bit of magic to inspire out of the ordinary experiences.
Do you get inspiration from any TV shows or movies? If so, which ones?
I enjoy children’s movies, I find that they really have a focused plot and a strong message. I love Finding Nemo. I also love Spirited Away, and of course Alice in Wonderland! I grew up on Indian movies, Bollywood, that are really colorful and totally unrealistic! I enjoy sci-fi shows like The Expanse. I love when I can really immerse myself in the characters in a world different to my own.
If money were no object, what would be your dream writing location?
Oh, I would spend six months in one country and then go to another one. Beachside huts, mountain cabins, Italian villas, Indian forest villages, these are places that could really spark inspiration!!!
Do you belong to any writing organizations?
I am a part of my local critique group in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles. I am a part of several groups on Twitter and we do video calls every week: MGpies, Quokkas, Narrative Narwhals, The Cool Kids, YAmazing, and the Optimystics.
What was the most important question you asked when interviewing agents?
Honestly, more than one question it was the general interaction and feeling while I was on the phone. Naomi sounded so happy, and had so much knowledge about the submission process. I was smiling the whole time I was on the call. I also wanted someone with passion and integrity and Naomi had both!!! I’m BEYOND excited that Naomi chose to work with me. How did you know your book was ready to submit?I had revised it through a MacMillan mentorship and the editor told me it was ready. It had many readers, including children. I had revised it so many times, that each time there was less moulding of the clay to do. I am still expecting to revise it again, but I knew it was ready to submit after so many rounds of revision.
Name: Sara Kapadia
What you Write: middle grade, young adult, and picture books
Agent: Naomi Davis
Why BookEnds? I have always thought of BookEnds as a stellar agency with top notch agents. I love the videos, posts, and vibe of BookEnds with a team of supportive, inspirational agents.
Tell us a bit about your writing process. Where do you write, and how often?
I try to write everyday, even if it is just a few lines. I make artwork of my characters to inspire me! I picture everything in my head and just write about what I ‘see’. Usually I start with the opening image and go from there!
Where can readers find you on the web and social media?
@sarakapadia on Twitter @samsarakapadia for my artwork in Instagram sara.kapadia.com is my website
Do you have any writing rituals? (e.g. burning a candle if you’re having trouble getting started at the computer or writing longhand first if you’re feeling uninspired.)
I love to set the mood with the artwork I make, then I usually have incense or a candle. I have music in the background usually from Cirque Du Soleil. I imagine each chapter as a mini story and just focus on that for each writing session. Usually I think of a scene at a time and just write it out.
What do you love about writing your genres?
I love that writing fantasy allows me to deal with real world issues in an imaginative way. Rather than escaping reality I think it actually helps to face the issues in a way that feels freeing. I love the lush worlds created in fantasy. Anything is possible!!!
Why did you choose the genre you’ve chosen?
Fantasy has always drawn me in. I love to write it, watch it, and in a way live it. I found that I was able to process through my own trauma by using fantasy to face the challenges head on.
What is the hardest part about writing fantasy?
I think balancing real world emotions in a fantasy story takes practice, there needs to be a balance. I strive to make my humans believable enough with a bit of magic to inspire out of the ordinary experiences.
Do you get inspiration from any TV shows or movies? If so, which ones?
I enjoy children’s movies, I find that they really have a focused plot and a strong message. I love Finding Nemo. I also love Spirited Away, and of course Alice in Wonderland! I grew up on Indian movies, Bollywood, that are really colorful and totally unrealistic! I enjoy sci-fi shows like The Expanse. I love when I can really immerse myself in the characters in a world different to my own.
If money were no object, what would be your dream writing location?
Oh, I would spend six months in one country and then go to another one. Beachside huts, mountain cabins, Italian villas, Indian forest villages, these are places that could really spark inspiration!!!
Do you belong to any writing organizations?
I am a part of my local critique group in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles. I am a part of several groups on Twitter and we do video calls every week: MGpies, Quokkas, Narrative Narwhals, The Cool Kids, YAmazing, and the Optimystics.
What was the most important question you asked when interviewing agents?
Honestly, more than one question it was the general interaction and feeling while I was on the phone. Naomi sounded so happy, and had so much knowledge about the submission process. I was smiling the whole time I was on the call. I also wanted someone with passion and integrity and Naomi had both!!! I’m BEYOND excited that Naomi chose to work with me. How did you know your book was ready to submit?I had revised it through a MacMillan mentorship and the editor told me it was ready. It had many readers, including children. I had revised it so many times, that each time there was less moulding of the clay to do. I am still expecting to revise it again, but I knew it was ready to submit after so many rounds of revision.
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