Insiya Patanwala, Author & Poetess

A 14-year-old budding writer Insiya Patanwala, is a gifted child with a creative imagination who is going to make a debut today in the literary world with her fantasy novel series titled Esoterica. This book speaks about the world of angels which fears an invasion by the devils and the story is all about how nine teenagers battle it out to save the angel world.

 

A grade IX student in one of the leading schools of Mumbai, Insiya’s passions include reading, writing poems, short stories and painting. She is passionate about her budding skills and plans to write a series of books, that connects her fascination of this world to the netherworld. Insiya is the elder daughter of renowned pediatrician Dr. K.S Patanwala and Counselor, Ms.K Patanwala, and she has a younger, naughty, brother who she fondly calls Hatsy.

 

Welcome Insiya!

 

What is the premise for "Esoterica”?

The story of Esoterica revolves around a girl called Sophia who despises herself more than anything. Sophia doesn’t love herself at all for the simple reason that she is a misfit everywhere she goes until she and her friends find a strange book with inscriptions in the middle of a football field. The book is the turning point in their life. Sophia discovers many secrets and dangers but she knows that it is too late to turn back. None of them will ever be the same. Along with their friends from another world, they dig through the many hidden secrets. Will Sophia be able to cooperate? Will she maintain herself between the two worlds without getting stampeded? Will she defeat the evil sorceress who awaits her death? Will she be able to protect her friends and loved ones? Or will she fail to keep her promises to protect the universe?

 

Are your characters and storyline based upon your own life experience?

All the characters in my book are not based on my experiences. However, the protagonist in the book, Sophia, carries my personality and nature. Some of the emotions in the book are related to what I have felt in my school and teenage life. You would understand Sophia’s feelings if you know me well.

 

Who is your favorite character in "Esoterica"?

I really don’t have a favorite character in the book. Each character has his/her importance in the story. Each character plays an important role in the book and has a special place. However, I like Sophia’s character the most since she is the one on whom the whole book is focused. She is witty, smart, and sentimental, she messes things up but gets everything right in the end, she can sacrifice everything for her loved ones, she is strong and the MOST important thing is that she is just like me.

 

Who is your target audience?

This book is meant for all age groups especially teenagers who face the same problems as me.

 

When did you realize you wanted to become a writer?

I don’t really remember when I started writing but it happened as a result of reading fictional novels. I started writing short stories at the age of six years, that’s what my mom tells me. Then I realized that the stories were actually good so I started combining them and proceeded to write a novel.

 

Where do you like to write?

I like to write in a place which is quiet and peaceful where I am alone with my thoughts and ideas.

 

How do you maintain thoughts and ideas?

Usually when I feel alone, sad or negative, I make it a point to write something like a poem or an essay down. It helps me feel positive again, like all the negativity is leaving my soul. For the poems and short essays, I maintain a file.

 

Sometimes when I am bored, like in the middle of a lecture at school, I imagine scenes in my head, which I later put it down on paper when I get time. I keep the thoughts at the back of my head and when I want to write, they naturally come to me.

 

Who is your favorite author?

My favorite author is J.K. Rowling. I have always been a fan of the Harry Potter series. In fact, I got the idea of writing a novel from the Harry Potter series. J.K. Rowling is my idol. The Harry Potter books fascinate me.

 

What are you currently writing?

I am currently writing the third book in the Esoterica series.

 

What are you currently reading?

Currently, I am reading The Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan.

 

Can you share one of your poems?

 

THE GIRL

Aren’t you stunned and mesmerized?

Look at that girl staring back at you.

She is in tears but still she smiles,

She is strong enough to keep it all inside.

You can see the pain in her eyes,

Deep in the darkness it hides.

But still her smile doesn’t falter,

Even she feels like breaking down.

She has got a thousand problems, fake friends and bullies,

But she never complains about it.

I am proud of that girl in front of you,

Do you think you know her?

‘Cause she is the one staring back at you,

Your own reflection through the mirror.

 

Where is your favorite place on earth?

My favorite place in the world is a place where you can sit peacefully without any disturbance. There should be no noise except the songs of the birds and chirping of insects.

 

There should not be a paved road but moist grass that touches the bare feet. When you inhale, you can feel the fresh air without any pollution and the soft breeze kisses your cheeks. The best place in the world is to be somewhere where there is no human activity.

 

What do you like to do for fun?

I like to listen to music, paint, sketch, write stories or poems for fun.

 

The blurb of Esoterica:
Life is dull and boring for teenaged Sophia when all of a sudden one fine day life decides to surprise her. She finds a book that threatens to change her world. For good or for bad, only time will tell. Suddenly all that she believed in till now seems challenged as new realities begin to emerge. She is facing some of the weirdest truths of life confusing her if they are a dream come true or a nightmare turned into reality. What is in that book? Who is Sophia? What would you do if you were told – You are the savior of the Universe? To find these answers and many more join Sophia and her friends as they take a journey into the unknown where the lessons in knowing begin from themselves. From greed to deceit…..from friendship to families ….from adventure to fun and frolic, from joy to sadness, from victory to losses , from power to enmity and from love to hatred witness it all as you travel along on a magical journey of a lifetime to the world of Esoterica.

Connect with Insiya…

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorInsiyapatanwala

http://www.amazon.in/gp/product/9384180734/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=560&creative=3856&creativeASIN=9384180734&link_code=as3&tag=momenmagaz-21&linkId=5FGFMEHYAS5XQU5N