An Interview with Preethi Saravanakumar

Preethi Saravanakumar is a software developer by profession and a poet at heart. Writing poetry remains her deepest passion, and she also enjoys creating imaginative works for children. Over the years, she has written hundreds of poems, many of which have appeared on her blog, in magazines, and across social media.

Preethi’s debut poetry collection was published in 2011. Her acclaimed book Scribblings of My Soul has earned three literary awards, while her nonfiction work Pearls of My Mind has received two. Her recent children’s picture book was honored with the Literary Titan Silver Award and warmly received by readers.

Several of Preethi’s books are archived in the Library of Michigan’s Local Authors Heritage Room, as well as in numerous public libraries across the United States. She recently released her twelfth book – a science-fiction novella titled Lost. Leap. Loop. –which also received a Literary Titan Award.

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What inspired you to start writing this book?

My humble greetings to all the readers!

Back in 2010, I was part of an online writing community where I maintained a basic portfolio of my poems and short pieces. We often participated in various contests, and one of them featured a picture prompt. The image showed a breathtaking sunset, with the silhouettes of an elephant on the ground and an eagle soaring above. That picture immediately inspired this story. I felt an instant connection to the scene and never once questioned the stark differences between the two creatures. In fact, that contrast is the heart of the story; true friendship doesn’t depend on equality, power, or similarity, it simply grows where it’s meant to.

Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

We all know that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. The thought that lingered in my mind was: What would happen if you kept traveling with the sun? That intriguing question became the seed of my story. The idea felt perfect for a children’s tale, and that’s how Walking with the Sun was born. The title was inevitable – after all, that’s exactly what the characters do.

Describe your dream book cover.

I love the book cover art! I wouldn’t change a thing. Julia Duclos (@juhd) is my fantastic illustrator. We have collaborated on seven books so far. We are working on the next one. I love Julia’s unique, dreamy illustrations and memorable character designs. First, she read the story and made a storyboard; we split the text into a standard thirty-two-page book with twelve full Illustration spreads. Then, we started with the characters Gaja and Garud. I was specific about the characters’ features being expressive. After a few attempts, we locked the character looks. I was highly impressed! Having your characters come to life after almost ten years is a great feeling. We celebrated by posting the character introduction on all our social media platforms. Once the characters were designed, everything else just flowed. Despite any artistic disagreements, we share a beautiful friendship after working together for so long. We have a really strong bond that way. To work together as collaborators, we need the delicate understanding to treat work disagreements separately and not take things personally. After all, both the author and the illustrator are walking toward the same destiny and want the book to excel. Keeping the best ideas of both is the key. To more collaborations!

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

During the book’s release phase, Julia sent me a music track featuring the ocarina. We were both enchanted by its sound. It felt absolutely perfect for the theme of jungle friendships! The music album I used in the reels is no longer available on social media, but the instrument itself is timeless. The ocarina’s gentle, soulful tone is truly divine. It felt clear to me that this had to be the signature instrument for Walking with the Sun.

What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?

I generally read nonfiction; I am naturally drawn to it. I also enjoy other genres, nothing specific. I read a lot online, any writing, poetry or stories, irrespective of books or not. Sometimes, I feel just a couple of words, sounds, silence, or nature visuals could inspire you more than anything fancy! Also, I believe knowledge appears to you just when you need it; for the most part you don’t choose wisdom, wisdom chooses you. If you are meant to get a lesson or a piece of wisdom, you will!

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I am a software developer by profession, coder by day, and writer by night. Alongside my full-time work, I have been learning Odissi, an Indian classical dance form, for over five years. I’ve had the opportunity to perform on several local stages, including at the Detroit Institute of Arts. So yes, I’m a dancer too, in every sense of the word.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

As a nature/plant lover, I know that the pure green energy awakens something within you every time you are cradled in the wild. It’s inexplicable! Something like your body tries to align itself with the energies around you. I think we all know this truth internally; it’s just the matter of remembering. We are definitely evolved souls, but humans forget. And our whole life is about remembering and re-learning.

Maybe that’s why Nature was my first poem as a fifth grader! Here’s my very first poem that I wrote when I was ten years old. This poem won the class writing contest. So, my English teacher inspired me to write. That was the day I realized I could not only write, but write better than many:

Nature is beautiful,

It keeps me cheerful!

The birds singing song,

makes me sing along!

The tall trees stand,

they look very grand!

The cold wind blows,

As the river flows!

The thunder sounds,

As the clouds bound!

The rain-drops fall,

like a silver ball!

Nature is beautiful,

It keeps me cheerful!

Where is your favorite place to write?

Anywhere! I don’t have a preference. But nature inspires me. So, if I can be amidst nature, a water body, or just near my house plants, that’s sufficient for me to get into the ‘flow,’ as I call it. A state where you are inspired and words just pour out.

What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?

Nothing! I think I needed all my lessons to stand here today. The delays, or rejections were necessary for me to remember and recognize my potential.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

“Following Garud’s idea, they walk towards the West to escape the scorching heat. The ignorant friends only learn at the end that they are walking with the Sun. Later, there is a big surprise awaiting Gaja!”

As I wrote the story, I knew I had to talk about sorrow and how to handle discomfort. It is essential to show children that it is impossible to come out of sad feelings if you sit with them. You have to walk out and move away to overcome discomfort. And there is hope in any situation. There is definitely a way out.

Three key talking points/messages in the book:

An interesting journey with Gaja, the elephant, and Garud, the eagle. Beautifully illustrated characters and story events. The illustrations are dreamy, soothing, and intriguing all at the same time!

Morals:

– Walk away from discomfort to overcome it.

– Sorrow is never permanent.

– After every sunset, there is a promising sunrise. A sweet surprise and a celebration at the end!

Walking with the Sun is a cute jungle friendship story, with an elephant and an eagle as

characters. This book is a winner of 2023 Literary Titan Award and a 2024 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist.

I thank all of you for taking the time to read this interview and for your continued support!

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