Alas, I became a writer instead, she cracks.
She was also inspired by such teen medical hits asDoogie Howser, M.D.
and the chance to tell a similar story with Indian characters at the fore.
Credit: Courtesy of Sona Charaipotra
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: This is your solo debut.
They had their own practice (in our house!
), and they really wanted one of us three kids to take over one day.
Macmillan
Instead, I became a writer, first doing entertainment journalism, then writing screenplays, and now books.
And then my sister and brother both picked artistic careers too.
And my husbands a writer too!
One day I was watchingDoogie Howser, M.D.
a 90s TV dramedy about a teen doctor and I was like, This character should have been Indian.
And it just struck like lightning.
Im not a doctor, but I could play… with one on the page.
And so Saira Sehgal was born.
Sadly, my dad passed away last year, just before this book sold.
But I know hes watching, amused and hopefully proud, from wherever he is.
I think he would have been pleased.
Theres plenty of conflict between Saira and her mother, working in the hospital.
Is there a bit of alternate-reality exploration in that?For sure.
The parents in the story are a force, and yes, can be a bit overbearing.
She does it all.
I learned a lot from my mom and dad especially about balance.
Were all strong personalities my dad especially, and people will tell you, Im definitely my dads daughter.
He was probably the only person I know who was as stubborn as me.
She cant stop her brain from going a thousand miles a minute.
She corrects people who mispronounce her name.
And hopefully, shes a bit funny, and relatable despite her unusual circumstances.
Ive definitely experienced that before.
But shes definitely not me.
I cant stand the sight of blood, and needles make me queasy.
Did you draw from your parents experience for the books medical content?I did and I didnt.
My parents are pediatricians, so theres definitely some aspects of the medical field I saw growing up.
I dont know how they manage it all.
My mom hasnt read it yet, so itll be an adventure when she does.
Shes a tough critic.
I love the cover.
and the medical elements and crafting a vision of Saira herself, of course.
The end result is amazing!
Its really simple and clever in the lines, but it pops.
I think my favorite parts are the heartline and her eyebrows.
Eyebrows are a critical part of the story, and the cover Sairas are quite impeccable.
Any recent favorite YA romances?
I hope the nuance of that show flavors just a bit of my own work, always.
