Bhavna Khemlani is a Bangkok-based writer born in Pune, India, raised in Taiwan and Bangkok, Thailand. In this interview she talks about her life as an expat writer and The Wisher’s Well, a story for young adult readers set in Southeast Asia.
You’ve been living in Thailand since 1989. What do you think of the expat literary scene in Bangkok?
I see a footprint of creativity everywhere. The expat literary scene is progressive and more conferences, events, open mic, book clubs, and workshops are being developed slowly over the years. However, it would be great if more English literary events are being held so local writers and publishers in Bangkok get opportunities to collaborate and share the creative dynamics of storytelling for different age groups. The youth are creative and well equipped with English Startup ideas and with this various Educational Institutions will benefit.
Do you socialize and/or connect with other likeminded expat writers?
Certainly, it’s great to meet likeminded expat writers as we socialize, we also encourage and motivate each other with creative ideas. The best part is reading each other’s stories that instigate in increasing depths of writing different genres and getting out of one’s comfort zone. Being the member of the Bangkok Women’s Writers Group has enabled me to develop new plots and cross boundaries without any hesitance following my Heart. Attending the Bangkok Book Club and Bangkok Lyrical Lunacy indulges me into a creative buffet where people from different cultures perform and/or discuss various topics which is a wonderful inspiration.
What about Thai writers?
Thai writers are engulfed with strong Heritage and when they write stories whether Fiction, Non Fiction, or even Poetry it’s quite captivating and amusing. I love and get to learn more about expression. I do read some books translated into English. Thai writers can collaborate with other local Expat writers and bring about newness in co-writing or even translating Expat creative work into Thai. This will enhance into a transformative storytelling which will be a great learning. It would be nice to have ‘The Wisher’s Well’ translated into Thai language someday.
Your YAL book The Wisher’s Well is now in its 6th edition at BooksMango (2015). Has the book been that successful?
Having the book edited in its 6th edition was also instigated by some events occurring in the classroom. This edition is great now and yes it has been successful. The paperback – printed version seems to have done much better. More people should try out the Kindle version and I am sure they would love it.
How often do people get to read an Expat Writer’s work and ‘The Wisher’s Well’ helps one dive into a thought and manifest Abundance! Which destination one chooses is a secret that promises you a miraculous experience. Yuna Lee, Joben Saito, Alec Burley and Amporn Srisai will surely bring a smile on a reader’s face and have the reader join their travel plans.
Where did the inspiration for the story and characters come from?
The inspiration for this story sparked in my classroom when I was teaching IGCSE subjects. I would witness some students grumbling about exams, pressure, honor friendship and how life would be if they would just go on a holiday with their friends. From that conversation with me, I got an idea that funneled through creating, ‘The Wisher’s Well.’ The characters were developed in time as I wrote poems in a café. The observation of teenagers and their happiness to being around friends introduced me to Yuna Lee, Joben Saito, Alec Burley and Amporn Srisai who are such genuine characters whom anyone can relate to. They make the story alive, real, and youthful and show compassion between different cultures.
Why have you chosen to write about and for teenagers?
I believe the youth are also great in advocating their life stories. Writing for teenagers’ enables me to bring about present life events and/or also share how they feel through stories. Teenagers’ can be vulnerable, smart and having to dive into developing a Fictional plot where adventure, humor, romance, and suspense are being collaborated surely makes the story worth a read. Even when adults read the book they feel quite connected and go past a memory lane of their teenage life. At times, some parents would also learn how to communicate and deal with teenagers, too.
What are you working on right now?
I am working on an Anthology and another short storybook named, ‘Conversation with the Universe – by Animal@Telepathy.’
And finally, how has Bangkok shaped you as a writer?
Bangkok is home to me and my first ever writing pieces were born here. I have been raised here, progressed, crossed barriers, traveled, fallen in love with the people and food, and gotten baffled and mystified in this beautiful place that turned me into a passionate writer. Situations, scenarios, people, work, nature, strangers, and experiences have shaped me to be a better writer and still continues to navigate me to explore. There is so much creativity here and the spark amuses and mesmerizes me. I started to write more Non Fiction, Travel experiences, and Flash Fiction because of the Creative & Spiritual connection here.
Moreover, having been here has enabled Bangkok Women Writers Group launch the Anthology, Monsoon Midnights which showcases awe-inspiring short stories written by various writers about places in Bangkok never told like before.
Nevertheless, Bangkok has also introduced me to a great publishing house – BooksMango and I am glad there are publishers who look into expat writer works. It’s thrilling and gratifying. BooksMango brought ‘The Wisher’s Well,’ into the reader’s life.
