Conversation with Stuti Gupta

Stuti Gupta, the Chief Editor at Srishti and a celebrated author of two best-selling children's books, "Magical Mythology" and "Vahana," is a literary force to be reckoned with. With an M.Phil degree in literature and over a dozen years of experience as an editor, Stuti's journey in the world of words has been nothing short of magical.

Driven by a profound love for stories, Stuti's passion for weaving narratives led her to become a storyteller herself. Her storytelling prowess not only captivates young minds but also spreads joy and love through the imaginative tales she creates and narrates. Stuti believes in the power of storytelling to instill values, ignite creativity, and bring happiness to children.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Stuti's personal life has played a pivotal role in shaping her multifaceted identity. As a mother to a preschooler son, she has embraced a myriad of roles with enthusiasm and dedication. From being a chef whipping up delightful meals to a photographer capturing precious moments, a caregiver providing unwavering support, a teacher imparting wisdom, and an entertainer bringing smiles, Stuti effortlessly embodies these roles to near-perfection.

The inspiration drawn from her son has not only influenced her personal life but has also seeped into her creative work. Stuti's books, "Magical Mythology" and "Vahana," reflect her deep understanding of the enchanting world that captivates the hearts and minds of young readers. Through her storytelling, she not only imparts knowledge but also sparks the imagination of children, fostering a love for literature and learning.

Stuti Gupta stands as a beacon in the literary world, not only as an accomplished Chief Editor and author but also as a devoted mother who finds joy in nurturing both her family and the imaginative worlds she creates through her stories. Her ability to balance professional excellence with personal fulfillment is a testament to her resilience, creativity, and the enduring power of storytelling.

1. Can you tell us about your journey in the publishing industry and how you found your passion for children's literature?

Stuti Gupta : I have been a part of the publishing industry since 2006, in various capacities, and have been actively involved in making books for close to 18 years now. Starting off as a content creator and growing in the editorial duties, I am currently spearheading the editorial department at Srishti Publishers.

I was often told by my author friends and associates that I would someday write a book. I used to pass it with a wave of my hand. Essentially because as an editor, I have honed my critical skills so much that I couldn’t ever be satisfied with whatever I wrote.

But when my two-year-old insisted on hearing a new story at every meal time, I had no choice but to turn into a weaver of stories. My motherhood journey gave wings to my storytelling, and that’s how I entered into the magical world of children’s writing.

2. Your latest book, "Vahana" has gained significant popularity. What inspired you to delve into mythological tales, and how did you approach making them interesting for children?

Stuti Gupta : Like I mentioned above, I was always on the lookout for new stories for my son. And when I went out to buy books for his age band, that would have illustrations and good stories, I could only find fairy tales like Cinderella, Pinocchio, Goldilocks, among others. Taken aback at the lack of any appropriately researched and easy to read stories for children from the heart of India was a shock. I decided to change that.

I have a background of studying scriptures from my M.Phil days, and I went back to my research papers and dissertation and dug out stories that were both informative and entertaining.

To make them friendly for children, I introduced several activities that they could enjoy. Also, the thing that works best is to write the way I would narrate that story to a child. Using emotions with the information always works wonders.

3. With a background in literature, how do you merge academic knowledge with the art of storytelling, especially for young minds?

Stuti Gupta : That’s the toughest part, trust me! Because I have more knowledge than I’d like to put into a story, and on the other hand, it is also important to simplify the stories and give the children/readers a background. So I try to keep the language simple, uncomplicate ideas according to the age of the readers, and then narrate a story.

The key is to assume that your reader knows nothing about the subject of your story and is starting from ground zero. That’s how an easy to follow and engaging narrative is built.

4. "Popular Indian Fairy Tales" showcases the charm of Indian stories. What motivated you to compile this collection, and how do you believe these tales resonate with today's children?

Stuti Gupta : In a world obsessed with fairy tales that are not Indian at their core, I wanted the children to know that India has a rich heritage of fairy tales too. I wanted my son, his peers, and all other children across the world to know how rich the Indian storytelling traditions are. Starting from the epics, going on to bards, vrat kathas, theatre and so many modes of expression, this book was an honest attempt to bring Indian fairy tales to everyone.

5. Your books often include illustrations, puzzles, and activities. How do you think these elements enhance the overall reading experience for both children and adults?

Stuti Gupta : The biggest challenge I personally face when dealing with children is their attention span. They get distracted at the drop of a hat, and to keep them engaged requires a lot of innovation. Plus, visuals work better than words, when you want to get them to reading in the beginning. That’s how these activities and beautiful illustrations made it into the book.

Ishan Trivedi is a super talented illustrator and he has given life to the mythological figures through his amazing work in my books.

The activities have also been designed in consultation with educators and counsellors to give the children all-round growth.

6. Being a Chief Editor at Srishti, how has your editorial role influenced your approach to your own writing?

Stuti Gupta : There are both pros and cons of my work profile on my writing. The pros are more, of course. I have the opportunity to stay in touch with a large number of actual readers through the social media handles, and I get first-hand feedback from parents and children on their reading experience. That has helped me in getting better with each book.

The only side effect, as I’d like to put it, would be that I am very critical of my own writing. I am never satisfied with what I have written, and end up writing and rewriting to achieve perfection.

7. You mention testing your stories on your five-year-old. How does their feedback influence your writing process, and what insights have you gained from this firsthand testing?

Stuti Gupta : Since the books are aimed at young readers, who better than a young reader for first-hand feedback! My son, nephew and niece actually become the test cases. They give me insights on words usage – if they find any word or concept too difficult to fathom – or give their honest feedback on activities and illustrations. Whether it’s likeable, too tough, too simple, out of syllabus (haha!) or such nuances.

Most of all, their reactions, their oohs and ahhaas while I am narrating the story tell me the impactful points of the story. As an adult, I might be more focused on the moral or the end, but in working with these children I have figured that they enjoy the tiniest of drama during the story, some funny dialogues or phrases, and that’s helped me grow as a storyteller.

8. Your books seem to bridge the gap between ancient texts/mythology and modern generations. How do you strike a balance between preserving the essence of traditional tales and making them relevant for contemporary readers?

Stuti Gupta : We as a civilization are forever evolving, and I have come to realize that every generation dislikes being told what they should/ shouldn’t do. And as parents/ guardians, that’s at the top of our minds. So to bridge that gap, we use stories. Through these tales, I touch upon relevant topics like gender, safety, equality, bodyshaming, respect, emotions, mental strength, social etiquette and several other diverse aspects.

9. In your extensive experience, how have you seen the landscape of children's literature evolve, and what trends do you foresee in the future?

Stuti Gupta : Children’s literature is at the peak of experimentation right now, with narratives written for the children, and also penned by the children. It’s a delicate situation, honestly, because there’s knowledge knowledge everywhere, and you’ve got to pick the best for you. In the last few years, from travel diaries to short fiction, mythological tales to epic stories, everything has been written about. I have seen an increase in books that touch upon subjects of contemporary need – to hone them to be global citizens, while still keeping their country’s culture and heritage fuelling their core.

Plus, with increased exposure due to the internet, you cannot get away with half-baked knowledge, and research becomes the bottomline.

10. Besides writing, you express a love for reading and making learning fun. How do you incorporate your passion for learning into your storytelling, and how important do you believe it is for children to find joy in the process of learning?

Stuti Gupta : Writing comes only when you have a rich background in reading. Because it is only when someone processes the knowledge others already possess, that they can bring about a new thought, or way of learning and expression.

With children specifically, you will notice that they won’t remember what they don’t enjoy learning. We often see grades falling when children can’t learn through fun. I firmly believe that stories have the power to change lives, and that’s what I try and do with my stories too. Each story has many in-built lessons, if only one has the eye for it 😊