Shabd Manch - A Festival of Letters - Author Richa Jha
Richa Jha, an author and publisher of children's books, connected with the children talking about her journey, leaving everyone inspired by her passion for telling stories. She shared that all her stories as a beginner emerged from closely watching her children and their friends grow up which always gave a context for her to work around.
One of the highlights of the session was Richa Jha’s journey of her books and how they reflect her perspective on life. Her first book ‘Best Friends Are Forever’ is about how two best friends in school were separated because of relocation and takes readers on a whimsical journey that resonates with both children and adults.
The narrative, coupled with captivating illustrations in her latest work, ‘Mommies,’ explores the multifaceted roles of mothers, capturing the essence of parental love and the complexities of the role of a mother. She ended the story by creating a word web with children describing mothers and building a beautiful connection between a mother and the ‘person’ she is.
Answering umpteen questions coming from ever curious children, she touched upon the process of publishing books for children, her involvement at different stages - selection, editing, illustrating, publishing, processes and limitations in a writer’s world - through ‘Pickle Yolk House’, not just as an author but also as a collaborator with other writers.
Her reflections on ‘writer's block’ and the challenges of creativity were particularly resonant. Richa Jha expressed how moments of doubt and difficulty are an inherent part of the creative process, yet a writer has to remain motivated by their love for storytelling and the desire to connect with the readers.
To another question coming from children eager to know more about her journey, she recounted experiences from her early days as a writer in school magazines and penning personal journals to her decision to quit her job and dive headfirst into freelance writing and publishing,
Pushing the boundaries of children's literature filled with warmth was a perfect match with the lively Class III children. With a heart full of anecdotes, Richa Jha also highlighted the power of stories, inspiring children to find their voice and pursue their passion to tell their own stories.