WRITING is much more than a hobby for Kameni Chetty of the Durban South Coast, who recently published her first book, a children’s book, titled The Porridge Explosion!.
“In the past, people have asked me if writing is just a hobby or if I plan to make it a career. For me, writing is more than a hobby. It is a form of art that represents who I am as a person. It’s not about the money or the number of books sold. The joy and pride I feel from creating something beautiful is what truly matters to me,” said Chetty, an academic content writer.
“While I enjoy writing, I also embrace my personal life with equal enthusiasm. I am currently happily single, enjoying the freedom and fulfillment that comes with it. This independence allows me to devote time to my passions, explore new interests, and continue growing both personally and professionally.”
She said she decided to write the book because there was a level of purity, sincerity and innocence in children’s fiction that gave her immense happiness.
“As I always say, ‘they are probably the sweetest bunch of humans that we will ever come across in this world’.I do not have children of my own. However, in my 20s we had a gogo who worked for us for several years. At the time, she took care of her stepdaughter, who was two years old. They both brought such a warm, loving and beautiful energy into our home. Some of what takes place in the story is loosely based on gogo and the little one.
"So often or sometimes we forget to take a step back and offer our little humans words of encouragement, love, patience and kindness in the big achievements as well as in the little achievements. Emotional support and giving them the confidence to achieve the unachievable in their minds, which might seem like a gigantic task, is pivotal in rearing a child."
Chetty said the book revolved around Little Victoria.
“She normally loves singing her favourite song when she and gogo walk to Miss Millie’s shop, The Honeypot, but lately her beautiful voice has been silent. Miss Millie misses the little girl’s singing and needs to find out what the problem is and if she can fix it.”
The book was published by Phillipa Mitchell publishers, illustrated by Gregg Davies and edited by Sheena Carnie and is available on Amazon as well as in Barnes and Nobles.
“I plan on doing readings of The Porridge Explosion firstly at the underprivileged schools in my area. The rest will fall into place,” said Chetty.