A Bahrain-based award-winning young author has published her first book of short stories after getting her first claim to fame in the popular GDNLife short story competition.
Tanisha Biswas, 14, recently published Short Story, a collection of 12 short stories written over the last two years.
The collection includes Our Weakness, The Last Night of Sarah and The Prisoner inside the Turret, all three of which won the top prize in the under-18 category of the GDNLife competition.
“I started writing stories when I was nine years old,” Tanisha, a Bangladeshi expatriate living in Tubli with her parents and brother, told the GDN.
“My first short story was a mystery inspired by a movie I was watching, which triggered the idea and then one day, my mum found the notebook where I was writing the stories down.
“She encouraged me to start writing more stories and I haven’t stopped since then.”
Her first big break came when she won the U18 prize in June last year, with her story Our Weakness about twins with an intangible connection.
Her story drew more than 2,000 views and judge Chris Fenton, head teacher of the British Primary Department at Al Noor International School, found it to be “a very original idea and one that would make a great novel or screenplay.”
“I enjoy writing all kinds of genres from mystery to thrillers and romance,” Tanisha, who studies at Al Noor International School, explained.
“My favourite authors include Rick Riordan and JK Rowling, and they have really helped me expand my vocabulary and improve my storytelling.”
After writing Our Weakness, she won in October with her murder mystery The Last Night of Sarah and took home the December award with The Prisoner inside the Turret, a short story about a prison-break.
In addition to the award-winning stories, the new 88-page book features The House in the Dark Woods, Darkness and Colours, Curiosity, The Truth Behind the Bridegroom, The Immortal Roses, Yesterday Night, The Blind Witness, The Three Survivors and Good Night.
“My stories are targeted generally at my peers, so I keep them simple and fast-paced,” Tanisha, who grew up in Bahrain, added.
“I base some of my characters on people I have met. Once I am done, my brother Tushan helps me edit my stories and gives me a reader’s perspective.”
Since compiling her book and getting it published by Bangladesh-based Panjeree Publications, Tanisha has not sat still.
She went on to win last month’s GDNLife competition with Her Imaginary Friend, inspired by horror stories and mystic folklore.
The young writer is also working on her first novel, which is centred around ‘four teenagers who have to defeat a maniacal villain and save the world’.
Although she has already made a mark as an author, she sees writing as a hobby and wants to focus on a career in the publishing industry, which may just include becoming a bestselling author!
naman@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))