Meet Mia and Keerthana!

Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Mia Balventy and Keerthana Suresh, the authors of Bery the Blue Panda: Be Your Own Favorite Person- a book about self-love, acceptance, and embracing what makes us different.

I'm curious, how did the two of you meet?

Mia: We met through a Facebook group where we connected over our love for children's entertainment.

Keerthana: We met on a Facebook group dedicated to authors.

Writing is often a very solo endeavor and finding the right creative partner can be difficult. Do you find that having a remote writing partner presents specific challenges?

Mia: Working remotely has its challenges, but good communication and shared vision make it easier.

Keerthana: Definitely, challenges are a part of work life no matter the setup. I think with me and Mia; we always overlooked the challenges and found a way around everything!

As authors, you could have chosen any genre to work in. What drew you to children's entertainment?

Mia: We believe children's entertainment makes learning fun and engaging, which is why we chose to work in this space.

Keerthana: The purity of their understanding and the limitless opportunities to play with their imaginative structure make working in children’s entertainment a fulfilling experience.

When did you start writing?

Mia: We both started writing at different points, but our shared passion for storytelling brought us together.

Keerthana: Some things never have a start or end to it. I do not recollect when I started writing first, but I will definitely remember the first time I’m going to have my book published.

Keerthana is a Mother, Writer, and Storyteller

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Speaking of character, what comes first when you write, plot or character?

Mia: Characters usually come first, and then the plot naturally develops around them.

Keerthana: Characters.

What is your creative process like?

Mia: Our creative process involves brainstorming, outlining, and refining ideas through collaboration.

Keerthana: Consistency and visitation coupled with accountability and acceptance.

Now that you've written and published your first book, what do you find to be the most difficult part of the writing process?

Mia: The most difficult part of writing is refining ideas into a cohesive and compelling story.

Keerthana: Writing with an element of “what’s going to happen next?” so as to keep the readers hooked to the book.

Do you listen to music while you write?

Mia: Sometimes I listen to music while writing, depending on the mood I want to create.

Keerthana: No. I need complete attention on the blank sheet in front of me.

If you could tell your younger writer self anything what would it be?

Mia: I would tell my younger self to keep writing and trust the process.

Keerthana: Read and re-read everything you’ve written multiple times on different days before finalizing it.

What was an early experience you had where you learned that language has power?

Mia: An early experience that showed me the power of language was seeing how stories could inspire and influence people.

Keerthana: As a young girl I had a lot of friends and the main reason for that, I learned very early on, was the power of my command over language. And that is when I knew how important language is.

That's a great segway into your latest book, Bery the Blue Panda. What makes this book important to you? Why was this the first message you wanted to share?

Mia: Bery the Blue Panda is important to us because it teaches valuable lessons in a fun and engaging way.

Keerthana: Bery the Blue Panda is both of our first children’s book and this book is important not just for the message it carries but because Bery is exactly what we wished we had when we were a kid to help us navigate this complex world of “acceptance”.

Did any books, movies, or TV shows inspire the book's aesthetic?

Mia: The book’s aesthetic is inspired by colorful, heartwarming animations and classic children’s stories.

Keerthana: For me, it's Puffin Rock and Oswald the Octopus.

What is the book's age range?

Mia: The book is primarily for children aged 4 to 8, but anyone can enjoy its message.

Keerthana: 5-9 years.

With so many children's books being turned into TV shows, do you plan to do any adaptations with Bery?

Mia: We would love to explore more book series for the same character

Keerthana: Sky is not the limit. We might explore various options.

Bery is such a cute character, how did you decide a panda would be your main character?

Mia: We chose a panda because it’s cute, lovable, and appeals to children worldwide.

Keerthana: Pandas are considered to be cute, friendly, a little bit awkward from the “Societal” acceptant eyes and most of all a figure children could get hung upon!

Do you want to write for other age ranges or just kids?

Mia: I personally just see Kistemo for children groups so books on this publishing house will be directed towards them.

Keerthana: I have explored writing for different age ranges. Currently found my niche in the YA books.

What is your favorite childhood book?

Mia: We each have different favorites, but classic children’s books hold a special place in our hearts.

Keerthana: Famous Five by Enid Blyton.

If you had to do something different as a child/teenager to be a better writer as an adult, what would it be?

Mia: Reading even more diverse books and practicing writing daily would have helped me grow faster.

Keerthana: Show my writings to a mentor and get as many bad feedback as possible.

What is one medium you're most excited to explore?

Mia: We’re excited to explore animation as a new medium for storytelling.

What is your favorite genre to read?

Mia: I enjoy reading a variety of genres, but children's literature always sparks my creativity.

Keerthana: Adventure/Mystery/Thriller.

Has your cultural background influenced your writing?

Mia: Yes, our cultural backgrounds have shaped the way I tell stories and the messages I share.

Keerthana: Not at all. I have grown up, brought up, and currently living in all completely different cultural and regional backgrounds.

How do you balance the need for creativity versus the demands of commercial success?

Mia: We aim to create meaningful stories that are both creatively fulfilling and commercially viable.

Do you believe storytelling can influence societal change?

Mia: Absolutely! Storytelling has the power to inspire change and shape perspectives.

Keerthana: Storytelling is a timeless tool to influence, inform and intent thoughts, beliefs, and change in the younger generation.

I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to interview these wonderful ladies and can't wait to see what they do next. The message behind Bery the Blue Panda is one that is important for everyone, especially young children just learning who they are. If you'd like to back the Kickstarter, you can find it here: Bery the Blue Panda

Mia is an Author, Creative Director, and Founder of Kistemo

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