Bengaluru, India – At an age when most children are immersed in schoolbooks and play, 11-year-old Nishka, a seventh-grade student from Bengaluru, has taken the literary world by storm with her debut fantasy novel. Her book, a captivating tale where “power is feared, love is dangerous, and trust is the deadliest mistake,” plunges readers into a world of magic, betrayal, and self-discovery.
A World Woven from Imagination
Nishka’s novel introduces Isolde, a protagonist marked by forbidden magic and hunted by those who fear her power. Her life is a carefully constructed lie, even from Cassian, her loyal companion. A violent act forces Isolde to reveal her true nature, transforming her into a witch, a threat, and a weapon in the eyes of the world. Desperate for answers and safety, Cassian leads her into the clutches of Vale, the cold, ruthless ruler of a kingdom shrouded in secrets. Vale, a dangerous and powerful figure, surprisingly sees Isolde’s magic as sacred, creating a complex dynamic that challenges Isolde’s perceptions of fear and trust. As war looms and lies unravel, Isolde must confront her true identity and the sacrifices she’s willing to make. The gripping narrative promises a journey where the girl they tried to burn will ultimately claim the enemy’s throne.
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The Young Author Behind the Magic
Nishka, who shares her home with her parents, sister, cats, and a dog, is a natural storyteller with a profound love for fiction. When she’s not crafting intricate characters and weaving surprising plot twists, you can find her engrossed in reading, skateboarding, playing chess, or enjoying a game of football. Her passion for bringing magical worlds to life shines through in every page of her debut.
The Genesis of a Storyteller
Nishka’s writing journey began remarkably early, at the tender age of seven or eight. “I’ve always loved storytelling and creating new worlds, so writing feels like a natural way to express that,” she shared. The inspiration for Isolde’s complex relationships sprang from her appreciation for stories and movies featuring intriguing friendships. “I wanted to write about what it’s like when people you care about also cause problems,” she explained, highlighting the nuanced dynamics between Isolde, Cassian, and Vale.
While Nishka had a general direction for the story’s conclusion, the characters often surprised her with their unexpected choices, making the writing process even more exhilarating. The powerful opening line, “Power is feared. Love is dangerous. Trust is the deadliest mistake,” encapsulates the novel’s core message. For Nishka, it’s a poignant reminder that “everything is not as simple as it seems.”
Developing Isolde’s character involved a deep dive into the complexities of human emotion. Nishka aimed for authenticity, exploring the struggles of facing difficult choices and feeling torn between loved ones. Writing Vale, a character described as “cold, ruthless, and impossibly powerful,” proved equally fascinating. Nishka enjoyed delving into his multifaceted nature, revealing layers beyond his initial menacing façade.
The magical world of the book, vibrant and believable, was primarily built in Nishka’s imagination as she wrote, without the need for initial maps or drawings. While some characters bear subtle inspirations from people in her life, most are original creations, a blend of various traits and imagined behaviors. The entire book took about a year to complete, with Nishka maintaining a regular writing schedule, sometimes driven by inspiration, other times by sheer dedication.
Like any writer, Nishka encountered writer’s block. Her solution? Taking a break or engaging in other creative activities. “Sometimes just stepping away for a bit helped me get new ideas and get back to writing,” she said. The most challenging scenes to write involved Isolde’s momentous decisions, due to their emotional depth. Conversely, her favorite parts were the moments of genuine connection between characters, which felt truly special. Nishka’s sister was her first reader, and although she didn’t finish the entire book, her positive feedback meant a great deal.
Literary Influences and Future Aspirations
Nishka draws inspiration from a diverse range of fantasy authors. She admires Lauren Roberts’s Fearless for its emotional impact, Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen for its intense narrative, and Shannon Messenger’s Keeper of the Lost Cities series for its immersive storytelling. She prefers the tangible experience of physical books, loving the feeling of holding a story in her hands.
If her novel were adapted for the screen, Nishka envisions Katherine Langford as Isolde and Joe Keery as Cassian, while still searching for the perfect actor to embody Vale’s powerful presence. While a sequel is unlikely, Nishka is eager to embark on new literary adventures, exploring different magical worlds and crafting fresh characters.
Looking ahead, Nishka dreams of becoming a well-known author, but her ambitions extend beyond the literary world. She also hopes to venture into the food and beverage industry, perhaps even establishing her own restaurants. Her advice to aspiring young writers is simple yet profound: “Don’t give up. Keep going no matter what.”