Inspiration Behind Heir To Malla

I was the girl who had her nose in a book throughout childhood. It all started with my grandmother’s stories. I spent a few weeks every summer at my grandparents, and she would regale me with stories during mealtimes. She was a remarkable storyteller and would weave a beautiful tapestry of mythological tales and mighty rulers of India. I would happily eat a three-course meal to hear more stories.

As I grew older, the seed she planted grew, and I turned to books like a plant chasing the sun. I accompanied Jim Hawkins on his journey on a pirate ship in 19th Century England and watched Tom Sawyer kiss a girl in 19th Century America. How easy for a girl growing up in a crowded city in India to be transported to the world of English boarding schools. Books were a magical portal into worlds I could scarcely imagine.

The books I loved the most were historical fiction about the kings and queens of India. Many of these were published in Indian magazines as a weekly series in local languages. The royal world filled with traitors and spies had me spellbound. The consequences of a wrong decision could result in a kingdom thrown into chaos.

As an adult, I continued to read. Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance, Mystery, and YA all called to me for various reasons. I have read all Jane Austen novels. Who says romance is easy to write? To write a book that appeals to someone 200 years later is monumental. Her female characters were witty, headstrong, made mistakes, and very human.

I have read several Charles Dickens novels, and my favorite is A Tale of Two Cities.

Epic fantasies with complex plots, alternate universes, and a myriad of characters are a delight to read. I have read Lord of the rings, Mistborn series, A Song of Ice and Fire, among others. Magic, when weaved carefully into a tale, can be a powerful tool in the writer’s tool kit.

Science fiction opens our mind to possibilities, and Neal Stephenson books tackle some contemporary issues, and the Dune series takes you into space.

You can find more of the recent books I have read on GoodReads at: https://www.goodreads.com/annabushibook

While I was reading A Song of Ice and Fire (made famous by the TV show Games of Thrones), the stories about the Indian royalty I read as a teen floated into my mind. I tried to find English novels based on medieval India and came up empty-handed. That sparked my desire to write my own.

For over five years, I wrote about Princess Meera and the Malla royal family. The story unfolds as Meera learns her brother Crown Prince Jay is missing. She sends the man she is in love with, Rish Vindhya, to search for him. Prince Amar of Padi, known for his penchant for violence, harbors desires for Malla and Meera. Suddenly, Meera is catapulted into the battle for her kingdom. If Jay is not found, the price she needs to pay is steep, her love and happiness.

When I started writing the book, I aspired to craft a strong female protagonist, while staying true to the medieval settings. Princess Meera wields no sword or magic. Yet, her strength is palpable. She has influential role models to learn from, her grandmother, and her stepmother. These older women have different traits and provide Meera with two distinct paths to follow.

What she learns from them is a subtext in her story. Strength comes in different forms, and Princess Aranya provides an intriguing contrast to Meera. Two adjacent chapters feature Meera and Aranya, where their similarities and differences are presented, and I had fun writing those chapters.

Apart from Princess Meera, I have a male POV character as well. Readers would have to read the book to find out who the male POV character is. Including a male and a female POV allowed me to write about palace intrigue, battle scenes, and temple dances. The hardest scenes to write were the battle scenes. Human emotions stand front and center in my battleground, and the action sequences spun around it. I had the most fun describing the sari colors in the book.

For aspiring writers, my advice is to read widely. Let the stories tug your heart and make you laugh. Fall in love with the characters. Read first, second, and third-person narratives. Then write about what you like to read.   

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HEIR TO MALLA, Anna Bushi

Princess Meera of Malla unexpectedly finds love in Rish Vindhya, a noble young warrior. Then her brother, Crown Prince Jay, goes missing in Saral lands, throwing the Malla kingdom into chaos. Prince Amar of Padi, known for his penchant for violence, harbors desires for Malla and Meera. Suddenly, Meera is catapulted into the battle for her kingdom. If Jay is not found, the price she needs to pay is steep, her love and happiness.

Coming of Age story of a royal sibling torn between love and duty.

Based loosely on medieval India, this family saga of the Malla dynasty takes us through Meera’s struggles, uncovering treason, royal secrets, and shattered hearts.

Reviews:

I will start by saying it is a great read if you like the historical fiction genre. What I liked is that for a first-time author, there were many twists and turns, and not very predictable. Kept me wanting to continue reading and not put down the book till I finished. The book is a delicate balance of romance, thrill and culture which will attract male and female readers of various ages. You may see some influences from some of the fantasy/fiction shows on TV or books that you may have read, but she still keeps it unique. It was very relatable for me because it was about Indian culture.

I love historical fiction/regency romances. I have tried different historical books in Indian settings, but this one by far was the most enjoyable. The pace was quick, it was a page-turner, and the main protagonists were very likeable.

BUY HERE

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Anna Bushi lives in California with her family. Engineer by training, she writes to escape into her imagination and create new worlds and live in the minds of her characters.

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Visit her at https://annabushi.com to learn about her upcoming books

Blog  https://annabushi.com/category/blog/

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Category: Contemporary Women Writers, How To and Tips