Author Ambika Vohra Embraces Finding Joy in the Little Moments
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Time to read 4 min
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Time to read 4 min
I'm a writer of young adult novels, and I'm based in San Francisco. My debut novel THE STICKY NOTE MANIFESTO OF AISHA AGARWAL came out through HarperCollins (Quill Tree Books) in 2024, and it was my dream come true.
My go-to fun fact to share about myself is that I created an elaborate treasure hunt with my best friend in middle school. I penned the clues, she slipped them in everyone's lockers, and for months leading up to summer break, we scouted spots around town to hide items. As the hunt progressed, many students (and even at the principal at our school) tried to find out who the hunt organizers were, but no one ever did. I think because my friend and I were quieter in school, we flew under the radar. The takeaway is, don't underestimate the quiet kids 🤫
I write books and draw comics, and I am not exaggerating when I say art of any kind (books, film, music!) is what makes my life worth living. Without art to make me laugh or feel seen, I would've turned into a sad dust bunny by now. I create to connect to other people, but also to process my own experiences and emotions. After all, this is all our first time on this spinning marble (as far as we know), and so it can be hard, confusing, and painful. I write as a way to say the things I'm too afraid to say aloud to those around me, and as a way to connect to those who I'd never meet. I love particularly coming-of-age stories, because I think at any age we can relate to the feeling of growing pains. The act of writing is special to me because there's no elaborate tools needed...no fancy film camera or editing software, no paintbrushes or palettes...just a pen and paper. And it doesn't even have to be nice paper.
There were not a lot of stories that spotlighted the AAPI experience when I was growing up, whether that was on screen or in books. A South Asian kid in a sitcom was simply a "nerd." When I saw the media landscape shifting, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. Particularly, I wanted to tell a story about not reducing your life to a to-do list or a set of milestones to achieve, but rather enjoying the tiny moments in life. Like whisking your matcha. Or telling your friend about how you're getting bangs, you're finally doing it, you swear!
I think that being present is not a value that is highly emphasized in Asian American families, due to the survival mode immigrants enter in when they arrive to a new country, often without money and limited (or no) knowledge of the language/culture. For my family, it was all about keeping your head down and working, not about looking up to celebrate your accomplishments. In writing this book, I reminded myself that we are not our to-do lists, and at any time, we can begin again. I hope that's what readers take away, too.
Finishing my first book and editing it was the most difficult thing I've ever done in my life, which is why it is my proudest achievement. In films there's usually someone who supports the aspiring artist's art - someone behind the curtain who tells them to go for it. For me, there was no such person. My family wanted me to focus on more "stable" or "productive" pursuits at the time, and I didn't share my dream of publishing a book with my friends until the draft was complete. This meant I had to be there for myself, and recognize that if I wanted this dream to come to fruition, I have to dedicate myself to it...and no one's going to be there slapping my wrist if I don't. That's why when I wrote THE END in my document, I felt a rush of pride, even though I didn't have an agent or publisher yet! What I wish I knew then is that you don't have to have a cheerleader in order to progress toward a goal or dream. You can support your own dream. YOU count as part of your support system!
South Asian heritage is so rich with folktales, mythology, and history. The culture today can be traced back thousands of years, and India has around 120 languages and over a thousand dialects, and so many cuisines! This is such a rich tapestry to draw from when it comes to creating stories. All of my books spotlight South Asian culture, whether that means our herbs, our traditional medicine system, or our history.
I think at times when people hear "diverse books" or "diaspora story", they think it's going to be a depressing story. And it is true that a lot of diaspora stories are not meant to be pleasant reads, considering there are many stories of refugees escaping war or prosecution, and generational trauma is very real (sad face). But I do think that there are also so many stories of AAPI joy and romance, too, and more being published each year. One of my favorite recent reads that was by an AAPI author is MAGNOLIA WU UNFOLDS IT ALL, which is filled to the brim with joy, cuteness, and adorable illustrations.
Personally, I'm excited that I have two plants that I have not killed yet. Professionally, I am so excited about my second book! It's about magical Indian teas that solve one's problems, and it comes out in 2027, so I've been hard at work on that.
You can find me on www.ambikavohra.com and subscribe to my newsletter, or my Instagram is @ambiwritesbooks!
