Meet 17-year old debut novelist Bhavyasri

Born to software engineers, Srinivasa and Vijayalakshmi Kodali, Bhavyasri Kodali migrated with her family to the US in 1999. With roots in Vijayawada, the young author and aspiring pediatrician says, “It all started as a hobby. I was 16 when I started writing the novel.”

Having just finished her schooling from Simi Valley High School in California, she is now all set to join her pre-medical degree course. However, her eyes are firmly set on pursuing writing in her spare time and crime writing is her forte.

“I had to do a lot of reading and writing in classes according to topics, prompts and guidelines. That is how I was always interested in reading. I never stuck to one kind of book,” Bhavya explains.

But when it came to her manuscript, she sensed an air of freedom and gave into it. “I felt free in writing whatever I wished; turning the story around and building the characters was something I loved doing,” says Bhavyasri as she talks about her passion for writing.

“I started writing the book in May last year and my first draft was ready in about two months. My English teacher was the first one to read it and she also helped me find a publisher.”

There has been no looking back since then for the young teen.

“When I started writing Vindictive, I did not even plan the plot; I just wrote sentences. When it came to the point that I needed to come up with a name for the character, I just did it and the story just formed as the characters moved on,” she says.

Adding a little more on the whole journey from writing to publishing her debut novel, Bhavya says she did not expect to see her work in print and was just writing for fun. “It was difficult to get to the final draft because you have to keep reading it and editing it. It is a very tedious process. It took some real effort.”

So, what in her opinion has made the novel the success that it is?

“I think my book is to the point and does not exaggerate or withdraw the necessary details. The characters are different from each other and can be related to the real world. It’s not the plot, but it is the sequence of the story that interests people,” Bhavyasri opines.

After selling over 25,000 copies, Bhavyasri has already started working on the sequel. “This marvelous exploit is still a motivation for me as I begin to write my sequel a few months ago. The characters this time are even more engrossing and fast-paced,” she explains. Apart from the sequel, she is also working on a non-fiction book set in India.

“All I can say right now is that the book is about a stubborn Indian girl. I am also looking for publishers willing to publish me.”    

With pre-med on the charts and a novel under her arm, the 17-year old says to her fellow teenagers, “I think that every teen has an inner passion or at least the ability to stand up for something. Something like this proves that he/she can achieve anything. I wanted to become a doctor ever since I was a child, but after this twist, I probably will also continue writing. I am fortunate to have come this far,” Bhavyasri signs off.