Student Achiever: This literary artisan has just begun his journey by writing his first book

Meet Sarthak Raj Kapoor, a student of MYP-2, a passionate bibliophile who turned his summer vacation into a productive journey by writing The Ruskin Bond Chronicles, a captivating biography of the renowned author Ruskin Bond. Refusing to waste time, Sarthak channelled his love for literature into this exceptional work, celebrating the life and legacy of one of India’s most beloved writers. 

Read the full interview below.

Tell us about yourself.
I have always been passionate about books, both buying and reading. This love for literature inspired me to write a book of my own. I dedicated my summer vacation to this project, utilising the time to complete the entire manuscript. 

What inspired you to start writing at such a young age?
I have always been an avid reader and dreamt of writing my book. One day, while sitting in a mall, I was inspired to take out my laptop and start typing on topics that intrigued me. As a fan of Ruskin Bond, I decided to write a small biography about him, which aligned with my interest in biographies. This initial idea soon evolved into the ambition to transform it into a full-fledged book.

How long did it take to write this book?

Once you have the structure and know what you want to write, the writing process doesn’t take too long. So, this book took me two weeks to write.

Did anybody help you write the book?
I wrote everything on my own. I typed out the manuscript, after which I collaborated with the editors provided by the publisher. They reviewed and refined my work, leading to the successful publication of my book.

How do you balance your passion for writing along with your schoolwork activities? I keep a diary to manage tasks and stay organised with a daily checklist. After school, I rest, review my to-dos, and use my free time to pursue my passion for writing.

Has your school helped you in your writing journey?
I wrote the book during my summer vacation, with valuable guidance from my school on sentence structure, story formation, and the fundamentals of writing a biography. Their support played a key role in shaping my writing.

Which genre do you enjoy reading the most?
I am at present, exploring fiction by reading various works, as I plan to write my next book in that genre. In my view, it should be a fiction-based book, as other formats

Do you plan to continue with your writing? 

I’m passionate about Biology and plan to blend it with storytelling in my next book, combining fiction with elements of science.

How has writing impacted your life and what are the tips you would want others to take from you?
Writing has positively transformed my world. Many dream of writing books, but dedication is essential. Without it, the process can take much longer. That’s why I used my summer vacation to focus fully on writing.