;)
Frequently Asked Question
Q: So, uh, how do you say your name?
A: Click on my name (above) for a guide and, as a bonus, see it in its native language: Hindi.
A: Click on my name (above) for a guide and, as a bonus, see it in its native language: Hindi.
Bio
Swati Avasthi has been writing fiction since she read Little House in the Big Woods at age five. Emily Bronte, Harper Lee, and many others furthered her addiction. She institutionalized her habit at the University of Chicago, where she received her B.A., and at the University of Minnesota, where she is currently studying for her M.F.A. She has received a Loft's Mentor Series Award, a Marcella DeBourg Fellowship, University of Minnesota's GRPP, the Thomas H. Shevlin Fellowship, and her fiction has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Her work has or will appear in numerous publications, including The Portland Review, Water~Stone Review, and Special Gifts (Wyatt-Mackenzie, 2007). Her first novel, Split (Knopf), will be published in Spring 2010, and her second novel, title still pending (also Knopf), is scheduled for 2011. She lives with her riotously funny family - two large dogs, two small kids, and one (but worth two) husband(s) - in the Twin Cities.
Fun Stuff
Fun Fact. Something weird, but true.
My favorite writing mode is on my laptop in Starbucks listening to a particular play list. Each book gets a different list that is designed to do three things: keep my fingers on the keyboard; evoke my own emotions that underlie the basis of the book; and capture the voice of the character.
When I wrote the Split Starbucks scene (and yes, I did that while I was at Starbucks), I listened to 8 mile road for approximately 3 hours while I wrote it. And again, each of the times I edited it. Which was -- no kidding -- more than a dozen. The record: 8 hours straight.
p.s. the strangest thing about the playlists is that I don't make them. My husband does. Amongst his other special powers, John has an uncanny knack for understanding what I am trying to do with a book and he has an eclectic taste in music.
What Peter Gabriel was for Split, Charlotte Martin is becoming for BIDDEN.
Nomenclature
Naming characters is a long process for me. Often characters will just show up and I'll have to give them a name so I'll throw in a placeholder and then alter it. So, I rename my characters. A lot. I make a
specific point of trying to never use the same letter to start people's names, just for clarity. So often the tricky part goes something like this: I can't name Mirriam Lianne, unless I rename Lauren because I can't have two girlfriends whose names begin with L. I can't spell Lauren Lauryn because it looks too much like Caitlyn, etc.
Christian Marshall: Christian Law (When I googled, I realized my mistake)
Mirriam: Lianne, Audrey, Kira, and something else I forgot
Lauren Silver: Pamela and just about every last name you can think of.
Dakota: Madison, Marty
Felix: Jace's best friend in ABQ who was axed in draft 6. Very sad to see her go.
Eric: Max, Lowell, and then back to Eric.
Split: Gravediggers
Who they were
Jace: Bryan (for about 5 minutes)
Christian Marshall: Christian Law (When I googled, I realized my mistake)
Mirriam: Lianne, Audrey, Kira, and something else I forgot
Lauren Silver: Pamela and just about every last name you can think of.
Dakota: Madison, Marty
Felix: Jace's best friend in ABQ who was axed in draft 6. Very sad to see her go.
Eric: Max, Lowell, and then back to Eric.
Split: Gravediggers
School Visits
As a teacher, I know that bringing in a visitor can offer a change of pace and generate energy. In a traditional author's visit, I'll discuss Split, the writing/publishing process, and a Q and A. Or, I offer creative writing classes, varying in length from a few hours to a semester.
Manuscript Consultation
For writers, it can be difficult to see whether our work is - well, working. Sometimes we need another set of eyes on the words, another set of ears to tune the voice. For $2/page, I provide in-manuscript comments, a letter of review, and a 60-minute consultation.
;)
Current Projects
Status: I'm writing the first draft of BIDDEN.
With Split just out the door, I'm on to something new. But just what I'm on to is a bit of a mystery. Here is the most likely possibility. BIDDEN is not yet finished, much less approved by my patient editor, so everything - from the title to the characters to the existence of this book - is pending.
BIDDEN
Holly, her twin, Corey, and Savitri are best friends, joined by their love of comic books and free running (see video example on this page). A drive-by shooting leaves Savitri and Holly to mourn and rebuild. Only Holly can't seem to start over PC (post-Corey), falling inside herself and inside a reality that Savitri can't enter. Told in alternating points of view, BIDDEN is about how far we'll stretch to keep those we love with us.
With Split just out the door, I'm on to something new. But just what I'm on to is a bit of a mystery. Here is the most likely possibility. BIDDEN is not yet finished, much less approved by my patient editor, so everything - from the title to the characters to the existence of this book - is pending.
BIDDEN
Holly, her twin, Corey, and Savitri are best friends, joined by their love of comic books and free running (see video example on this page). A drive-by shooting leaves Savitri and Holly to mourn and rebuild. Only Holly can't seem to start over PC (post-Corey), falling inside herself and inside a reality that Savitri can't enter. Told in alternating points of view, BIDDEN is about how far we'll stretch to keep those we love with us.
Organizations
Writers
Upcoming
January 17th 2010
I'll be in Boston, MA with Knopf to introduce Split to librarians and book lovers for the ALA mid-winter conference.
February 8-19 2010
Appearing on Random Buzzers discussion group.
February 13th 2010
Teaching Pacing and Structure workshop at the Loft.
March 6th 2010
The Loft's Second Story Reading Series will feature authors Lynne Jonell and Stephanie Watson.
March 9th 2010
Split is released. Oh yeah.
March 18th 2010
I'll be interviewed on KFAI's Write on Radio Program.
March 20th 2010
Launch of Split at the Loft, Minneapolis, MN.
April 8-11 AWP Conference in Denver, CO
April 8, Panel on Grants Proposals and Queries: How to Write about your Writing
April 9th, Panel on Elements of Voice in Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction
April 9th, Panel on Elements of Voice in Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction
April 17th 2010
Teaching Discovering Your Character at the Loft, Minneapolis, MN
April 24th 2010
Teaching Show Me the Story at the Loft, Minneapolis, MN
May 1st 2010
Presenting at the Loft's Festival for Children's and Young Adult Literature & Illustration, Minneapolis, MN
May 22nd
The Loft's Second Story Reading Series. Authors TBA.
May 25-28 2010
Book Expo America, NYC
Voice and the Young Adult Novel
Voice is the touchstone for young adult novels. It defines the world of the book, the protagonist, and guides us through the journey. This 8-week class explores plot, character, scene and summary, and dialogue, always returning to voice as our guide through the process and as the reader's guide through the novel. We will brush up on the basics, but also push beyond them to discuss omissions and clarity versus complexity for the teen audience. We will grapple with the perennial question: what is YA?
Discovering Your Character
We all know that characters are the foundation for fiction: whether our readers invest in them, know them, breathe with them is the distinguishing factor of good fiction. What does it take to create a compelling, real character? In this workshop, we will use a plethora of exercises designed to explore your character's history and motivations. Then, we will put them in action. Please come with a character in mind and plan to leave with a host of exercises that you can use time and again.
Show Me the Story
Of course you've heard the cliche: "show don't tell," but what does this mean? And why is it crucial to good writing? How do you show your character's melancholy, fury, or passion, and how do you get the reader to feel those emotions along with your character? In this workshop we will define showing; find effective ways to show; and work with description, dialogue, and narrative. We will do writing exercises to help you get specific and show, show, show.
Pacing and Structure
Are you trying to see your piece as a whole, instead of in fragments? Looking for the forest through the trees? This workshop is designed for intermediate or advanced writers who want to organize their piece whether a short story or novel. We will learn how to storyboard or outline the story and use "the universal human question" theory to refine our work. We will also consider how to control pacing both with an individual scene and within the whole work such that the story flows.
Writing a Query Letter
Time to take your book to market? Writing a strong query letter is a skill in and of itself. We will begin by reviewing samples of successful queries, write our own, and then discuss how to use it. Agents or editors? How can you tell if they are a good fit for you and your work? We'll discuss what resources you can tap for your research and what to do when you get that first bite of interest.
Curriculum Vitae
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Split
Reviews
"Avasthi has a great ear for naturalistic dialogue... Jace's own history of violence makes him a complex and tortured protagonist, and his process of letting go is heart wrenching. A nuanced and mournful work; Avasthi is a writer to watch."
~ Booklist
"SPLIT, by first-time author Swati Avasthi, is an exceptionally smart and incredibly intense read. It is one of those real must-have stories for high school kids about what it is to grow up to be a man."
~ Ritchie's Picks
Booklist ~
Publisher's Weekly (spoiler) ~
Ritchie's Picks ~
Abstractions of chinchilla ~
the merope ~
Every Second Tuesday ~
Sakura of DOOM ~
The Neon Season ~
Phoenix Rising ~
Megan B. Moore ~
Joy Kim ~
TeacherLibrarianNing
The Heart is a Lonely Reader
~ Booklist
"SPLIT, by first-time author Swati Avasthi, is an exceptionally smart and incredibly intense read. It is one of those real must-have stories for high school kids about what it is to grow up to be a man."
~ Ritchie's Picks
Booklist ~
Publisher's Weekly (spoiler) ~
Ritchie's Picks ~
Abstractions of chinchilla ~
the merope ~
Every Second Tuesday ~
Sakura of DOOM ~
The Neon Season ~
Phoenix Rising ~
Megan B. Moore ~
Joy Kim ~
TeacherLibrarianNingThe Heart is a Lonely Reader
;)
;)
Current Project
BIDDEN - my best guess
College-bound Holly, Corey, and Savitri, are going to make this last summer together count, indulging in free-running and comic-book reading. But a random act of violence changes everything. Now, Corey is dead. Savitri, who was heading for a major in peace studies, is seeking revenge. And, Holly is so distraught that no one - not even Savitri - knows how to reach her. Written in dual points of view and a graphic component, BIDDEN will address how far we can stretch for our friends.
The best thing about writing the first draft is the exploration, when I don't know yet what will happen and everything is new. Characters and plot lines show up and play around and sometimes they take a graceful bow and exit. Other times, I need a cane to pull them off the page kicking and screaming.
I don't know whether Savitri will succeed yet or be taken down in the trying. I don't know if Holly will recover. Lots I don't know. Yet.
The best thing about writing the first draft is the exploration, when I don't know yet what will happen and everything is new. Characters and plot lines show up and play around and sometimes they take a graceful bow and exit. Other times, I need a cane to pull them off the page kicking and screaming.
I don't know whether Savitri will succeed yet or be taken down in the trying. I don't know if Holly will recover. Lots I don't know. Yet.
But I do know that this novel will be somewhat of a hybrid, mainly prose with a graphic novel component to it that reflects Holly's state of mind, as words leave her and only pictures remain.
A note about the art: Lindsay Hinckley has generously provided some sketches for me as I try to imagine the whole of this book. Just as the text itself is in flux, so is the art, in terms of concept, the artist herself, and of course, look and feel.
A note about the art: Lindsay Hinckley has generously provided some sketches for me as I try to imagine the whole of this book. Just as the text itself is in flux, so is the art, in terms of concept, the artist herself, and of course, look and feel.
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