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Mitali Perkins is the author of Moonsoon Summer (Random House, 2004) and The Not-So-Star-Spangled Life of
Sunita Sen (Little, Brown, 2005). She has also authored short stories for children and has a number of middle-grade
and Young Adult novels in the works, including Rickshaw Girl (Charlesbridge, 2007) and Asha Means Hope
(Random House). Mitali runs a blog, Mitali's Fire Escape, where
she chats about life between cultures, life in general, books, writing, movies, or "anything" with her readers.
The Edge of the Forest:You are a well known writer of middle-grade and Young Adult fiction. How does blogging fit
with your writing? Do you find it adds to or detracts from your creative life and writing?
Mitali Perkins:Wow, Kelly. “Well-known?” Gee. Gosh. Not really. But thanks. Okay, on with it. While I love writing stories, I see
my job description in the realm of children’s books as more than just a “writer of fiction.” I try and serve a range of
constituents from young readers to writers, teachers, librarians, and parents, especially when it comes to a shared
interest in growing up between cultures. When I find myself thinking about issues related to books, race, kids, and culture,
I want to analyze and discuss them, and the blog gives me a way to do that. Prose via blog and fiction via print is the
perfect way to exercise both hemispheres of my writing brain.
The Edge of the Forest:Your books and your blog examine life-between-cultures. Do you find blogging about
life-between-cultures informs your fiction?
Mitali Perkins:Definitely. Writing blurbs about this and that gives me the chance to think about themes I may want
to explore in fiction, and other peoples’ comments especially help clarify my thinking. But I’m also finding the opposite
effect—that blogging provides a place to rant, opine, and mutter so that I don’t have to grind those axes in my fiction.
As I use blog posts to blow off steam about certain issues, I can sense that the stories I’m writing now no longer need to
bear the burden of those agendas. Having a non-fiction platform is setting my fiction free, and I’m excited about that.
The Edge of the Forest:What about blogging has been surprising for you as a writer?
Mitali Perkins:Two surprises come to mind. First, I started off playing it safe with my personal convictions. Then I
took a risk and expressed a strong opinion (about Kaavya Viswanathan’s situation), and discovered that I like engaging
in fiery cyber-debate. Second, it’s been amazing to realize that voice is as important in the blogosphere as it is in good
fiction. People are eager to read decent writing that feels personal instead of pedantic; that’s the kind of writing I enjoy
reading and strive to create.
The Edge of the Forest:Has blogging helped you market your writing? Do you think your blog has raised your profile
as a writer?
Mitali Perkins:I have no idea; that wasn’t my main purpose in blogging. I blog because I am, not because I sell. In fact,
as I take more risks and express strong opinions, people who disagree with me or think I’m nuts probably won’t buy my books.
On the whole, though, blogging probably has helped me market my writing, and is enabling me to get a bit more name
recognition. Writers who aren’t hermits, misanthropes, or extreme introverts should think about combining a website,
appearances, a blog, and of course, publishing more books. I have three books coming out in 2007, and I’m sure I’ll
probably see an increase in visitors to my blog. But marketing aside, I’d blog anyway. It’s fun.
The Edge of the Forest:Do young readers visit your blog and comment?
Mitali Perkins:I love it when young readers and writers visit and comment; I wish more would come. Please pass along
this rumor: Mitali Perkins loves to listen to young people. Now that would be a cool epitaph.
The Edge of the Forest:Do you have any advice for writers thinking about beginning a blog?
Mitali Perkins:Advice? Since I’ve decided to sage instead of age, Kelly, I have plenty of that. Length? Think brevity;
readers journey fast through the blogosphere. Content? Use the platform as a way to serve constituents, which means it helps
to identify for whom you’re writing, and what you’re trying to accomplish. Strive to add value to every reader stopping by
your blog. Include helpful links to other sites and quotes from other writers. Watch your spelling, grammar, and composition
along with your voice—each post is a sampling of the kind of writing you can provide. But don’t stress, my little
type-A peeps, the blogosphere is forgiving. Take risks in being known by strangers—that’s what good writers are
supposed to do. (Of course, be mindful of the occasional weirdo visitor, and don’t be stupid about giving away the wrong
kind of information.) Frequency? That’s up to you. I try and blog three times a week, and if I’m under deadline, I let
visitors know how long I’ll be on hiatus and when I’ll be returning.
The Edge of the Forest:Thanks again for talking to us about blogging and writing!
Mitali Perkins:Thank you. This was fun; I love crossing paths with you in the blogoglobe. Your blogs are great
examples for blogger wannabes. Signing off now, as the word “blog” is starting to sound weird because I’ve been using it so
much ...
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