Multi-published Author Interview Series
Guest Author Khushboo Patel
As I mentioned in my previous post, ever since my middlegrade novel, Aarzu All Around, hit shelves, I’ve constantly been asked how I write across age groups and genres. I know this is no small feat, and I wanted to invite author friends to share their insights and experiences, too.
Today I have with me Khushboo Patel, author of the recently published picture book, Stolen Colors, A Story About Body Safety and Consent.
Khushboo has also authored:
A little more about Stolen Colors before I ask Khushboo more about her inspiration and writing process:
Shreya loves to paint. Her world is filled with bright, bold colors as lively as she is. Even her art teacher, Mr. Rao, thinks her work is “”marvelous.”“ But when he asks to paint her during recess when the other kids are outside, Shreya’s excitement turns to fear. The moment she arrives, she knows something is wrong, and in that moment, she freezes.
The experience shatters her love of painting, leaving her feeling awful and unable to find the words to tell her mother why.
Her former rival, Meera, has also become Mr. Rao’s new subject. But unlike Shreya, Meera yells “”No!”“ and runs for help. Meera’s example gives Shreya the courage she needs to reclaim her voice and her love of art.
This crucial resource for families and book collections everywhere includes guidance and resources to help parents and children navigate this important topic.
A powerful and sensitive story about body safety and consent that every family needs.
My questions appear in bold and Khushboo’s replies are italicized.
Thanks for joining me today, Khushboo! I’d love to start off with Stolen Colors’ origin story. At what point along your writing career did you start drafting this story?
I started my writing journey in 2021, signed with my agent in October 2022, and wrote the first draft of this story in November 2022.
What was the “spark” or the specific moment that inspired this book?
I was looking for books about body safety to read to my kids, and while I found some great ones that talked about body autonomy, good touch/ bad touch, good secret/ bad secret and how important it was to say No and tell a trusted grown-up, it made me think about how tough it is to actually do that, especially if it’s a trusted grown-up that crosses a line. I had this strong urge to tell a kid in that situation that if you can’t do what’s being asked of you, it’s not your fault.
Which mentor texts did you use for this book?
I was also working on My House Is a Muddy River around the same time, which also deals with a difficult subject matter (it is a flood story set in India that explores the meaning of home in the wake of hard times and the courage we need to carry on), and here are some books I remember reading at the time: Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson and E.B. Lewis Watercress by Andrea Wang and Jason Chin The Moon from Dehradun by Shirin Shamsi and Tarun Lak Bird by Zetta Elliott and Shadra Strickland Smoky Night by Eve Bunting and David Diaz Wishes by Muon Thi Van and Victo Ngai
Would you call yourself a panster or a plotter?
I do spend a lot of time thinking about the questions I’m trying to explore in the story, and while I don’t plot in detail, it helps me to have a general idea of what happens – the big moments. But while writing the first draft, I try to let myself be free and see where the story takes me. So I guess a bit of both, and each story is also different.
So true! What structure did you choose to follow for this book? Did you decide on it beforehand or did it come about during revisions?
I just knew that it would be intimate storytelling so that’s the way the story came out in the first draft.
What is your favorite thing about the book?
What did this book teach you about the craft/process of writing?
It taught me a lot about emotional honesty on the page and the freedom of fiction, and also a lot about how to think about story (plot, realistic characters, layers) with a subject matter that can feel so overwhelming.
Which type of books did you start off writing? What made you make the transition to other genres/audiences?
I started with writing picture books. Then I discovered verse novels and fell in love with the form, and had this feeling of – could I…do this? Could I…try..?
How do you switch between projects? Do you work simultaneously on many?
I’m still trying different things and figuring out my process, but I’m finding that I tend to focus on just one project at a time, especially when trying to write that first draft for a longer work.
Which is your favorite kind of book to write?
Just pursuing that idea/ question that won’t leave me – whether it’s a picture book or a novel.
So relatable! I wish you all the best with your upcoming releases and WIPs!
If you’re a reader, please let me know if you’d like me to feature a favorite author of yours.
If you’re a writer, I hope this left you inspired!
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Thank you for stopping by!
Love this interview!! Thank you 🩷🩷🩷