Writing With a Broken Tusk
Writing With a Broken Tusk began in 2006 as a blog about overlapping geographies, personal and real-world, and writing books for children. Since March 2024, Jen Breach (writer, VCFA graduate, and former student) has helped me curate and manage guest posts and Process Talk pieces on this blog.
The blog name refers to the mythical pact between the poet Vyaasa and the Hindu elephant headed god Ganesha who was his scribe during the composition of the epic narrative, the Mahabharata. It also refers to my second published book, edited by the generous and brilliant Diantha Thorpe of Linnet Books/The Shoe String Press, published in 1996, acquired and republished by August House, now part of Reading Is Fundamental, and still miraculously in print.
Posts on this site reflect personal opinion and commentary protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
Guest Post: Suma Subramaniam on the V. Malar Series
Writing the Book Uncle trilogy was a recursive process for me, as I had to go back and read the first book, pretending to be that new, naive reader demanded by revision. I sketched characters in small increments, then let them surprise me as their stories braided together. I became curious about how other writers approach the work of turning a single book into many stories. How do you do this in a way that respects young readers’ intelligence without condescension? Rewriting was where the trilogy found its shape: I pruned sentimentality, sharpened dialogue, and tried to make space for humor and everyday grace.
I read Suma Subramaniam’s first V. Malar book with particular pleasure on account of its setting. It is the precise rural counterpart to the urban setting of my Book Uncle books. I could see these characters talking to each other. I could see my little trio of friends finding themselves enlightened and challenged by the very same forest camp where young Malar finds herself.
So I’m especially delighted to welcome Suma back to talk about writing her second V. Malar book, V. Malar, Greatest Ranger of All Time.
Process Talk with Jen: Suma Subramaniam on V. Malar: Greatest Host of All Time
[Posted by Jen Breach for Writing With a Broken Tusk]
Suma Subramaniam’s V. Malar: Greatest Host of All Time is a glorious celebration of Southern Indian culture, diaspora, and family, all told in a personal, intimate story between a young Indian girl and the American-raised cousin she is meeting for the first time. The layers are nuanced and stunningly brought to life.