There are some amazing young bloggers out in the world and we thought it would be fun to feature a few here once in a while who have similar goals. Today we’re visiting with Charvi and learning a bit about her blog Not Just Fiction. You can pop over and check it out here. The link sends you to the blog post where Charvi explains about some of the recent changes to her blog, which are mostly aesthetic, including the addition of some lovely digital art she created in collaboration with her sister.
Charvi writes a combination of thought-provoking and smile inducing posts and many of them are about YA Lit which caught my attention. We’re happy to have her with us today.
Please share a little about the focus of your blog.
My blog, Not Just Fiction, is focused around promoting and talking about books, especially diverse books. I read from a range of genres but my favourite is YA Contemporary. While Not Just Fiction mainly revolves around books, I do love to write posts on Psychology and movies or tv shows that I watch, from time to time.
What was it that convinced you to jump into blogging?
Honestly, I would have jumped into book blogging way earlier if I knew it existed. At the moment I barely had any friends who read books and gushed over them so I just wanted to talk about my love for books and make friends. Three years later, I’m happy to say that my life is filled with book lovers 🙂
Has the quarantine had an impact on your reading and/or blogging?
Most definitely! In the beginning of the pandemic and lockdown I had quickly turned to books for an escape. There was also the fact that I had much more time on my hands so I read a lot more books than I thought I would have. But I did keep away from darker topics since the times were quite distressing as it is. In terms of blogging, I did find myself with more time to write blog posts as well. Now though, my schedule has slowly returned to normal with online classes and as a result so has my reading and blogging.
Are there other young bloggers out there that you’d recommend following?
Yes, so many! I’m lucky to be surrounded with such wonderful bloggers that I have a huge list of names to choose from. I don’t know what’s the age range for ‘young’ but I would definitely recommend Shelea from Shut Up, Shelea, Fadwa at Word Wonders, Tiffany at Read By Tiffany, May at Forever and Everly, Caitlin at Caitlin Althea and Thya at Wilted Pages.
What has been your favorite part about blogging?
Definitely the blogging community. I’ve found so many wonderful people and friends who’ve opened me to so many new experiences and adventures. Readers make the best friends and most of the people are just so nice and kind and accepting! There’s not a day that goes by when I’m not either texting or chatting with them. The friendships I’ve gained through blogging have become my safe and happy space and I’m incredibly grateful for that.
Are there changes you’d like to see in publishing and in the literary world in general?
Ah, that’s such a broad question and I suppose as an aspiring author I do hold certain expectations but most of all I just wish that more diverse narratives were picked up by publishers and that authors of colour didn’t have to face the issues such as being paid less when compared to white authors. These are some topics that have come up for debate so many times and I think the publishing industry still has a long way to go regarding diversity.
What 2021 books are you most looking forward to reading?
Ahhh this is the single worst question you could ask me! I mean it does help that I’ve read a couple early copies of my anticipated books but still, trying to choose one will drive me mad. Off the top of my head, I’m dying to read The Ones We’re Meant To Find by Joan He, A War of Swallowed Stars by Sangu Mandanna, Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar, We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon and How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao.
Who are some of the authors you’d love to sit down and chat with someday?
I feel so privileged to say that I’ve had the pleasure to interview some of my favourite authors and they’ve all been just extremely sweet. But I would love to be able to chat face to face with Becky Albertalli. I absolutely adore her books and Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda was a huge part of my blogging and reading journey so I’m nostalgic. Oh and also Rick Riordan! I would probably pass out of excitement because he’s my ultimate hero, but still.
Now that you’re in your fourth year of blogging, what do you think you are most proud of and do you have any dreams for your blog?
I’m just so proud of my blog as a whole. My blog is at the stage where I’m happy with it and I’m no longer embarrassed if anyone from my real life finds out about it. I’m happy with the work I’ve put in and I’m especially proud that I found the courage to start a Psychology section on my blog because I love writing for it and it’s a hit with the readers as well. I’ve come a long way from my first post and I just dream to keep growing and sharing more content that makes people happy.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Not really, just that blogging has completely changed my life and continues to do so. I’m very grateful to everyone who supports me and for the opportunities that come my way! Thank you so much for this interview, I had a lot of fun 🙂
We hope you enjoyed meeting Charvi and if you’d like to read her posts or chat with her further, she may be found on her blog, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.