Today I’m happy to welcome Neesha Meminger to my blog, to tell answer a few questions about her recently released debut novel Shine Coconut Moon.
Q: Tell us about a scene or character from your novel that was especially easy (or especially difficult) to write.
A: I’d have to say the initial, opening scene was especially easy to write. I knew the book should open with that because that was the moment that truly changed the entire direction of Sam’s (the main character) life. It flowed easily and helped me maintain the momentum I needed to keep going.
Q: What is your favorite (or one of your favorite) myths or fairy-tales, and why?
A: There’s a lovely Indian myth/folk tale about two lovers who secretly meet each night. The woman, who can’t swim, takes a clay pot and holds on to it to cross the river that separates them. It’s beautiful and it’s tragic and it was one of my favorites as a child.
Q: What has been the most exciting part of selling your book(s) and getting published so far?
A: The two moments that have really crystallized in my mind as gasp-worthy have been 1) when I first saw my cover, and 2) when my final, finished copies arrived in the mail.
The first because I was absolutely overwhelmed to see my characters and vision through the eyes of someone else who cared as much about them as I did, and the second because it was finally real. They were done and printed and no one was going to call me and say, “Sorry, it was all a mistake. We’ve decided not to publish this book after all…!”
About Shine Coconut Moon
Samar–a.k.a. Sam–is an Indian-American teenager whose mom has kept her away from her old-fashioned family. It’s never bothered Sam, who is busy with school, friends, and a demanding boyfriend. But things change after 9/11. A guy in a turban shows up at Sam’s house–and turns out to be her uncle. He wants to reconcile the family and teach Sam about her Sikh heritage. Sam is eager, but when boys attack her uncle, chanting “Go back home, Osama!,” Sam realizes she could be in danger–and also discovers how dangerous ignorance is.
About Neesha Meminger
Neesha Meminger was born in India, grew up in Canada, and currently lives in New York City with her family. All of her writing explores the inner landscape of her characters, and how it merges or conflicts with the outer. She writes stories of women and girls defining themselves and shaping their own destinies within the confines of their day to day realities.
You can visit Neesha at her website.
Shine Coconut Moon is available now! I encourage you to shop at your local independent bookseller.
Tags: debs blog tour
