Akhila Pingali

What was your favorite book as a child?

As a child I loved everything Enid Blyton wrote, and kept returning to The Famous Five and The Secret Seven whenever I could. But I would say The Wishing Chair Again was one of my favourite Enid Blyton books. I would look forward to entering all those made-up worlds with their very specific peculiarities, and the wonder never did wear off even when I knew the story.

Do you remember the original reason or motivation why you started writing creatively?

I think it was simply an organic progression from reading: I wanted to write something that could be read, too. In my case, writing was not a vehicle to express unspoken thoughts and feelings. It was writing for the sake of writing itself.

What was the most adventurous or thrilling thing you ever did/experienced?

It has to be the brief yet steep walk my father and I undertook on a narrow icy path 14,000 feet above sea level, to reach the Nathu La Pass on the Indo-Chinese border in Sikkim. The shivers from the cold added to the shivers from the thrill!

Do you listen to music while reading or writing?

Never! I need to hear the sound of the words in my head as I read/write and music would interfere with the process. I prefer being in a quiet place when I read, even more so when I write.