"Perfect for reluctant readers": author Savita Kalhan introduces her thriller 'The Long Weekend'
The thriller The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan was published in October, and we’re delighted to have Savita here ‘on the blog’ to talk about the book.
“The Long Weekend is about two boys, Sam and Lloyd, who get into the wrong car after school and don’t realise their mistake until it’s too late. They are taken to a mansion in the middle of nowhere by a man who means to harm them. Do they get out alive? The answer to that question has had many readers reading late into the night.
“The book was inspired by a flyer that was sent to parents from local schools warning that a large flash silver car had been seen cruising outside schools and that the driver had tried to snatch children. It got me thinking about how something like that might happen. Thankfully, children are very aware of stranger-danger these days, so it’s not so easy for it to happen. But we all watch the news and read the newspapers, and we know it does happen.
“A scenario came to my mind where it happens with terrifying ease and I started writing The Long Weekend immediately. My main character, Sam, appeared in my head and his voice was strong and clear and the book just flowed. I could feel his fear. It was palpable, each emotion, each thought, every fear for himself and for Lloyd, felt so close that I could almost touch them. There were even times when I had to look over my shoulder when I was writing the book because I thought I had heard a noise behind me! The boys’ fear was so powerful, their situation so dire, that I did not have to overelaborate it, which allows the reader’s imagination to run riot.
“As a reader (and a writer) you’re rooting for the two boys, Sam and Lloyd, all the way through the book. And you also see how the experience begins to change Sam, how he finds a confidence and inner resilience he didn’t know he possessed.
“The Long Weekend is perfect for reluctant readers as it’s a thriller that combines high tension action and suspense. And because it is a shorter read, it’s not so daunting.
“Teachers have said that it’s far more effective than an assembly talk to students about staying alert for stranger-danger. “After reading The Long Weekend they almost certainly will never, ever allow themselves that moment of being a little distracted or unaware when they’re out,” said one head teacher.
“What’s really wonderful is that the story has also inspired students to be creative and imaginative – some have written their own version of this book, or short stories based on the book, and sent them to me. Some have sent me artwork of scenes, and others have made their own book trailer based on the original trailer. I usually play one of their videos during my author talks at schools because it’s fun and also interesting for pupils to see how reading can be such an inspiration.
“Growing up, I read every single book in the children’s library and I fell in love with books and the thousands of worlds that stories opened up for me. Later, my love of reading opened many doors for me too. So inspiring teenagers to read and to explore books and stories has always been a great passion of mine. It’s why I set up a teen reading group in my local library. It’s why I love going into schools and talking about the power and the pleasure of reading. It’s why I write for teenagers.”
Find out more about Savita Kalhan and her work at www.savitakalhan.com
Follow Savita on Twitter @savitakalhan