In the master's class

The recently concluded Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature (EAIFL), which brought to Dubai some of the greatest authors, was a great opportunity for a budding writer like me to learn from the masters of the art of language and literature.

Ever since I can remember, I have been a voracious reader. My fascination for books was fuelled at a very early age by my parents. In fact, as a child, I preferred reading an Enid Blyton novel to playing a video game.

I think books provide the easiest medium for people to navigate around the globe, through different time zones — and that too without having to leave the cozy confines of one's home! Sadly, I do not think many of my peers share the same view and I hope this changes soon.

Apart from providing entertainment, reading has helped to develop my writing skills and I aspire to be an author some day.

Among the invitees at the EAIFL, one of the most popular and prolific authors was Wilbur Smith. Although I am too young to read his novels, we have all his books at home. Often, my father would read out excerpts of African adventures from his books, which always left me spellbound.

I was privileged to attend Smith's interview, which was conducted by Giles Ford. I was astonished to learn it takes the author almost a year to research and write each novel.

He has written 32 novels so far, over a period of almost half a century, and his energy and enthusiasm — even after so many years, is astounding. At EAIFL, Smith launched his new book Assegai and it was a very proud moment when he autographed it for me.

— The reader is a grade three pupil at The Millennium School in Dubai.

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