Uncommon Lives: Mitali Perkins

Uncommoners, we have a real treat today – the great and wonderful Mitali Perkins, author of six young adult novels, including the award winning Rickshaw Girl and Monsoon Summer, has been kind enough to share with us her uncommon life, told in her own words.  Be sure to check it out, and also be sure to check out Mitali’s newest novel, The Secret Keeper, availble now!

When I was growing up as an immigrant kid, reading fiction helped me understand myself as well as gain insight into North American mainstream culture. I kept scribbling stories and poems in my journals and reading children’s books, even while studying Political Science and Public Policy, and then teaching middle school, high school, and college.

I wrote my first novel, The Sunita Experiment, for fun after finishing my lesson plans and grading papers, and was stunned when Little Brown wanted to publish it. Although I was teaching at Pepperdine University at the time, I didn’t have a PhD. I enjoyed equipping my students with economic and political strategies in the battle against poverty and human rights violations, but was that what I really wanted to do with my life?

I took a silent retreat at a Monastery in the Santa Monica Mountains to wrestle through this decision. Through prayer and journaling, reading and reflection, it became clear that my “calling” was to write books for young readers. I knew firsthand how storytelling could inspire passion for justice, racial reconciliation, and peace, and that’s what I wanted to do.

My second novel, Monsoon Summer, came out eleven years after my first. It was rejected by many editors before finding a home at Random House. Mothering occupied me during the years between book one and book two, but that decade or so of rejection was crucial in refining my vocational decision. My desire to be a writer grew and grew, as did the determination to improve my craft and reach my audience. Monsoon Summer was released in 2005, and that’s when I finally started treating my writing as a profession instead of a pasttime.

Good stories take time to write, edit, get published, and reach the hands and hearts of readers. Writing is also a risky, potentially heartbreaking venture.  I wish I had obeyed that “calling” more deliberately from the start so I could have set aside more time and taken greater risks. But I was scared to fail, and so I dawdled and dabbled instead of diving in the deep end.

Now I have my dream job. I visit schools and libraries and speak into the lives of young people, and also have freedom to be still and create stories. I love working at home and being my own boss because I’m available when my family needs me, including seeing my parents regularly on the West Coast.

Any worthwhile vocation comes with sweat and tears. When discouragement and disappointment come my way, I try to remember the conviction that came years ago in a monastery garden overlooking the Pacific Ocean. My job? Creating stories for young people.

Mitali – On behalf of all of us here at The Life Uncommon, thank you so much for sharing your uncommon life!  I know that I am really inspired by your journey and commitment to pursuing your passions.

Don’t forget to check out Mitali’s books, appearance calendar, and blog entries at www.mitaliperkins.com !

Tagged as: Mitali Perkins, uncommon lives