I was born in Bhavangar, India. Bhavangar is a city in the western state of Gujarat. I started Montessori school when I was three years old and lived in Bhavangar with my grandparents until I was eight. Afterwards, I moved to Mumbai, India, where my parents lived. Mumbai is a big city on the west coast of India, about 300 miles south of Bhavangar.
When did you come to the US?
I moved to the US when I was seventeen to attend college in Ames, Iowa. I received my BS in microbiology from Iowa State University.
Why did you choose Iowa?
Many people ask me why I chose to come to Iowa. My uncle is professor at the Iowa State University and he sponsored me to attend school there.
Did you ever work as a microbiologist?
Yes. After finishing my studies in Iowa, I moved to Madison, Wisconsin, andbegan working as a microbiologist for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture.
Did you study English in school?
Even though I did not attend a school that taught only in English, I did study English as one of the subjects. In high school, besides my first language of Gujarati, I had to take English, Hindi, and Sanskrit. Hindi is India’s national language and Sanskrit is a classical Indian language.
How did you become a children’s book writer?
When I was growing up, my grandparents and my parents told me and my brother stories. Many of them were from the Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. They also told us tales from Panchatantra, which are animal fables. When I was in school, I read novels written in Gujarati.
My favorite books were historical fictions. I also loved to read and write poetry. At that time I wanted to go into a science field, and eventually, I became a microbiologist. A few years ago, I received a letter from one of my uncles in which he wrote about his childhood. His writing made me see the world that existed in a different time and made me realize the power of words. That is why I decided to write.
What kind of training did you receive to become a writer?
When my daughters, Rupa and Neha were young I read to them. When they were old enough to read on their own, they would talk to me excitedly about the books they loved. Since I did not grow up here, and was unfamiliar with children’s literature, I began to read along with them. At that time I had no clue that I was going to write some day, but reading children’s literature was the best training for my future writing.
What is your advice for someone who wants to be a writer?
If you want to write, read, read, and read some more. My second piece of advice is to learn another language or two. When you learn a new language, your mind unearths new ideas and ways of thinking. The foreign language only stays foreign until you learn it. Once you are comfortable with a language, you start thinking and dreaming in it. It is a wonderful experience. And my third piece of advice is to write down your thoughts. Write something everyday. After a week, or a month, or six months when I read the things I wrote before, it always amazes me. I wondered how those thoughts and words came to my mind. If I didn’t write them down they would have been
lost.
Is Blue Jasmine autobiographical?
I was inspired to write Blue Jasmine based on my own experience as a teenager who moved from India to Iowa. The main character in Blue Jasmine, Seema, is much younger that I was. Seema also comes to the US with her family, while I came here alone. Blue Jasmine is a mixture of my own experiences and my imagination weaved together to make a story. It now belongs to Seema. It is her story.
Can you tell us about your new novel Koyal dark, Mango Sweet?
Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet is a coming-of-age novel set in contemporary
Mumbai (Bombay), India. Jeeta Parekh struggles between her desire to be
independent and her sense of duty and family loyalty. The novel will be
published by Hyperion Books for Children in April 2006.
Why do you write?
I write because I enjoy it. I even enjoy revising. It seems tedious to
work on the same project over and over again, but when I see my story
getting better, I feel satisfied. It is like dancing or any other art.
I need to practice dancing so that when I perform it flows. It is same
with writing. When I write the first draft of a novel, I have the basic
dance, but I need to master each movement. I must sharpen the dialogue,
and take out extraneous words. I must make the scenes vivid. Only after
several revisions can I turn my first draft into a really good book.
Besides writing what else do you like to do?
Aside from spending time with my family, I like to read, work in my garden,
go for walks, do yoga, teach dance, and travel.
I agree that writing is just like any other skill - the more you write, the easier it becomes over time. I also think it's important to read a lot, so one can get good ideas and learn different styles of writing. One book I've read recently is THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER & KLAY - it won the Pulitzer prize. Anything by O. Henry for me is fantastic.
Posted by: Joey Valdez | February 27, 2006 at 10:16 AM
I'm amazed that you like revising! I wish I did. Whenever I write, i try to revise as I go, so that I can minimize any time in the future spent editing!
Posted by: Rupa | February 27, 2006 at 10:30 AM
Andy and I will be attending the book launch at Barnes & Noble--one of our favorite hangouts. I think that your comment about writing every day is a very good one--I don't follow it but it's sage advice:) Do you outline your books before you begin writing or do you jump in and let them take shape as you go?
Posted by: Jamie Quanbeck | February 27, 2006 at 11:14 AM
I find it refreshing to see some one cross over from the sciences into english and wirtting. It is also nice to see someone who enjoys their job such as you enjoying writting.
Posted by: Sarah M | February 27, 2006 at 12:01 PM
Thanks for writing Joey. You are right about reading and writing. They both are connected and critical skills. I will have to read THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER & KLAY soon.
Posted by: Kashmira Sheth | March 05, 2006 at 05:54 PM
Jamie,
I do try to write every day and try to follow my own advice. I don't outline my books. I do have some idea where the story is going but I do not plot extensively. I love when a character or an event surprises me and takes me in a new direction. It seems to work for me.
Thanks for writing. I will see you and Andy at B&N.
Posted by: Kashmira Sheth | March 06, 2006 at 04:58 PM
Sarah, I am glad I had the chance to study microbiology. Writing is a totally new experience, and I feel like there is so much to learn. Except for getting a few rejection letters, I have enjoyed the experience.
Kashmira
Posted by: Kashmira Sheth | March 06, 2006 at 10:43 PM
Ru,
You haven’t tried revising your stories. I think it is very different from revising a paper or a report. When you are finished with a story it is fun to go back and polish it. :)
Posted by: Kashmira Sheth | March 06, 2006 at 10:48 PM
Kashmira,
I just finished reading Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet. It has many wonderful lessons for children that will stay with them their whole life. I know I will read it to my own daughter one day. Thank you for such a beautiful story.
Posted by: Charyn | April 13, 2006 at 02:15 PM
Kashmira,
We will definitely try to make it to Barnes & Nobles tonight to see you again and pick up a copy of your new book. I will also recommend your book to our teachers at Huegel Elementary and perhaps they can set up another Author Day event for next fall or spring focussed on this new book. I do know that they really enjoyed having you visit last year.
Posted by: Susan Palmer | April 18, 2006 at 09:16 AM
i think your book is intrigueing.it explains about your life in india and what it was like in america. i was wondering if you could send me a recipe for shiro and tal-sankali.
Posted by: monkey | August 09, 2006 at 01:48 AM
hi
i really liked yr book 'Blue Jasmine' . i could in some ways relate to it as i to moved from india to iowa city. even though seema is a fraction of ur imagination .....it seemed the book was an autobiography. and that is what makes it more beautiful. my daughter was born in india and she too learnt speaking english in india and i could actually relate to all the school incidents u mentioned, when my daughter started school here.
Posted by: shalini | September 15, 2006 at 09:54 PM
Hi!
Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet is one of the most beautiful books i've ever read. I started reading this novel last Friday and ...........i finished reading it on the same day! You are such a great writer! This has been the most interesting book I've ever read and i really enjoyed it!
Posted by: Thaksika | September 22, 2006 at 08:54 PM
Hi Shalini,
I am thrilled to hear that you liked Blue Jasmine and you were able to connect Seema's journey with your own life. I hope your daughter also had a chance to read the book.
Thanks for writing.
Kashmira
Posted by: kashmira Sheth | September 26, 2006 at 08:52 AM
Hi Shalini,
I am thrilled to hear that you liked Blue Jasmine and you were able to connect Seema's journey with your own life. I hope your daughter also had a chance to read the book.
Thanks for writing.
Kashmira
Posted by: kashmira Sheth | September 26, 2006 at 08:54 AM
I was one of the 7th graders at Iowa Public television on 10-6-05.
I read Blue Jasmine in a day. What is your next chapter book to come out going to be called?? Thank You for writing the book I really learned about being nice to everyone from Mukta and Seema
Manda
Posted by: Manda | October 08, 2006 at 01:00 PM
Dear Manda,
I enjoyed my Iowa visit and talking to many students. Thanks for letting me know how Mukta and Seema connected with you.
My second novel came out this past April. It is called Koyal Dark, mango Sweet. It is a story set in Mumbai, India.
My next novel will be published in November 2007 and it is a story of a thirteen year old girl. The story is based on my great aunt's life. It is called Keeping Corner. I'll have more info about it in coming months.
Kashmira
Posted by: kashmira Sheth | October 10, 2006 at 02:51 PM
Is there an email we can contact you at to arrange an author visit? I met you at East Madison Barnes and Noble and would love to invite you to attend our international educational week festivities.
THank you
Steph
Posted by: Stephanie Breunig | November 02, 2006 at 09:29 AM
Racine ,Wisconsin--each year we have English Festival and middle school students must read six chosen books and then they attend a "festival" that includes a guest author and several workshops that relate to the books they read. We are looking for a guest author for March of 2008. Your novel came up Blue Jasmine-- and we thought you'd be a great guest author. Who do we contact? Thank you!
Elizabeth Danowksi
Posted by: elizabeth danowski | April 06, 2007 at 05:40 PM
Elizabeth,
I hope you received my message.
Please let me know if you didn't.
Kashmira
Posted by: kashmira Sheth | April 17, 2007 at 09:14 AM
Hi Kashmira,
My daughters and I are big fans of your writing. I would like to contact you regarding a school visit in Madison.
Thank You,
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy Zellmer | May 08, 2007 at 03:19 PM
Hi Nancy,
I'm glad you and your daughter enjoy my books. You can contact me by email. My address: ksheth@tds.net
Look forward to hearing from you.
Kashmira
Posted by: Kashmira Sheth | May 14, 2007 at 08:52 AM
Dear Kashmira Sheth,
When I read your book Blue Jasmine, I loved it. It really made me remember India. I am born in America but I'm indian and no matter what. I love India! I was about to cry thats how great the book is. And I really liked it that it was kind of similar to your life an autobiography. You're a great author with great advice. Thank you so much for making a great book like that.
Posted by: Stacey | July 22, 2007 at 03:48 PM
Dear Kashmira,
I am the Youth Services Librarian at the Beaver Dam Community Library in Beaver Dam, and I heard you discuss "Keeping Corner" at A Room of One's Own during the 2007 Book Festival. I really enjoyed your comments that day; I read "Keeping Corner" this winter and I liked it a lot. I have chosen it as the April book for my teen book club here at the Beaver Dam Community Library. I was wondering if you would be interested in speaking to our book club members. The club will meet on Wednesday, April 23 from 4-5 p.m. here at the Library.
Thanks for your consideration,
Lori Bird
Posted by: Lori Bird | February 14, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Hi Lori,
I'd love to come to Beaver Dam Library! I hope you got my email.
Thanks,
Kashmira
Posted by: Kashmira Sheth | February 18, 2008 at 11:25 AM