Vaishnavi Ram Mohan chasing her dreams

At only 19, VAISHNAVI RAM MOHAN is already a Summa Cum Laude graduate, a published author, and an international chess player. She spoke to LUCY MARONCHA.

Q: Is there anything you have left out in your skills?

V: Currently, I am part of an editorial team at Storymoja so apart from writing, I also edit.

 

Q: Have you ever worked anywhere else before?

V: No. This is my first taste of work, and I love it!

 

Q: What did you study at the university?

V: I majored in Psychology at United States International University Africa (USIU) and graduated top of my year with a Summa Cum Laude. Psychology fascinates me and I intend to pursue it further.

 

Q: How did you then become a writer and an editor?

V: Writing is a passion for me, and I think studying Psychology improved my writing. I began writing when I was six years old. As I read, I started criticising stories and telling my parents what I felt the author could have done differently. They (parents) encouraged me to try my hand at writing my own stories rather than simply criticising other people’s work. I accepted the challenge and wrote my first short story titled How Kimbu Almost Lost his Wife and submitted it to a local daily.

 

Q: What motivated you to keep on writing?

V: When my first book was published in 2008 at only 14 years, I was so thrilled to see my name in print that I was motivated to keep writing. The more I wrote, the more I loved it. That was when I really began to take writing more seriously. In 2010, Storymoja published my second book The Incredible Adventures of Pisho Pencil to critical acclaim.

 

Q: How did you join Storymoja?

V: Soon after my graduation last August, I received an offer from Storymoja to join their editorial team, and without a second thought, I agreed. I was eager to learn more about publishing. As a writer, I had seen only one side of the publishing world, and thought it fit to discover what the other side was like. Now I can assert that my editing stint has helped me improve as a writer.

 

Q: Indulge us in how you dove into chess?

V: Actually, it was my grandfather who taught me how to play chess. In time, I gradually eased into the sport eventually joining my school chess club. I was not much of an outdoor sports child, so I guess chess was my way of engaging in sporting activity. My teacher suggested that I participate in local junior tournaments that I did. And after a year or so, I became national junior champion in my age group, which allowed me to represent Kenya at international chess events. This was a great learning curve for me.

 

Q: In how many chess tournaments have you represented Kenya ?

V: I have represented Kenya in six international events. The 2004 World Youth Chess Championships in Greece, 2005 International Chess Festival in France, 2006 Youth Olympiad in Serbia, World Youth Chess Championships in Georgia, the 2007 World Youth Chess Championships in Turkey and the World Youth Chess Championships in Vietnam in 2008.

 

Q:  Share your experience in these tournaments ?

V: I struggled to do well at first, but improved with each tournament. The international chess scene is very competitive and you have to be really good to come out top. For me, just the experience and the chance to compete at such a high level was wonderful. I learnt a lot, picking up life lessons, such as learning to compete with myself, working as a team and interacting with people from all walks of life.

 

Q: How do you balance Psychology, Chess and writing?

V: It has been challenging, but enjoyable nonetheless, because I enjoy what I am doing, so it does not feel like a chore. Unfortunately, when I joined university, I had to give up chess. I was only 15 and found my course quite demanding. This meant I could not afford to take time out to travel for competitions. On the positive side, this gave me the time I needed to focus on my writing and school, so I have no regrets.

 

Q: What do you do for fun?

V: I am an absolute bookworm. I love reading, so you will often find me curled up with a book. For me, books are the ultimate source of entertainment. Reading aside, when I want to unwind, I enjoy watching sports and spending time with family. I also enjoy travelling.

 

Q: What was the reception for your first book Tales from Africa in India?

V: It received quite a positive response, though the release was limited. Mostly, people were impressed that I had written such a book at such a young age. Also, the fact that the stories in the book were set in East Africa, as well as based on some of my childhood experiences growing up in Kenya, made it stand out.

 

Q: What would you advise the youth?

V: Believe in what you do, do what you love, and do it to the best of your ability.

 

Q: What is your future career plans?

V: I have concrete plans to take my studies in Psychology further, while nurturing my passion for writing. I will be pursuing my Masters in Psychology later this year. I also have two books coming out soon. They are romance novels. One is titled The Best Laid Plans and the other is titled Lovestuck.