Sochumlo Suki Ezung
‘Suki’s Spacecraft’ set for release on April 29
Vishü Rita Krocha
Kohima | April 26
At the age of twelve, Sochumlo Suki Ezung has defied odds by writing two books. Her debut book titled, ‘Suki’s Magic Box’ was published two years ago when she was just ten, making her the youngest published author from Nagaland. Her new work- ‘Suki’s Spacecraft’ is slated for release on Monday, April 29, 2019, and the child prodigy for literature is already thinking of her third book.
Prior to the release of her second book, Sochumlo Suki Ezung told The Morung Express in an exclusive interview that it took her 6 months to write the book. “It would have taken only 3 months if I was not distracted with other things”, she says. “A year after my first book, I was thinking what story should I write, and then one foggy afternoon while sitting inside the class, the teacher said- look outside the window- and I got all imaginative and a thought struck me. I know the school cannot fly but what if it could fly?” Right then, she wrote a note to remind herself to write about it later.
Having drawn inspiration from there, ‘Suki’s Spacecraft’ is dedicated to G. Rio Higher Secondary School, where she currently studies in standard 7. The book is a brave story of six young girls who fought the ‘untamed talent mutants’, Alvera and his robots to save their school- the place chosen by Albert Einstein during his time travel for his special spacecraft.
And she is certainly not done with two books under her belt and is 100% sure- in her words- that there will be more books. Suki started writing at the age of 7 while recalling how she wrote songs and letters to God in a notebook gifted by her mom. “I found my love for reading while I was in class 2 (which, she considers late) and I was so excited when we were first allowed to go to the library in class 3 and pick books of our choice”, she says.
Much ahead of becoming a published author, she had already created waves in school with her literary talent. She had crafted an imaginative story of her teachers in a notebook, which was passed around in school and read by not only her friends and classmates but seniors and teachers as well. ‘That notebook got lost in the end’, she regretfully says.
What sets this child author apart is the discipline with which she manages to balance her school work or project and utilizes her free time in writing, reading, playing the piano or pursuing her other interests. “I write mostly after school, even when in school if I am free. I write while my friends talk and play”, she states while insisting, “I am better with grownups.”
Her mother, Meripeni Zares feels that it has a lot to do with creating the environment where they thrive and can freely imagine to be whatever they want. “When I noticed Suki writing those stories and letters to God, I started to encourage her”, she says while asserting that each child is gifted. Also impressing upon that Naga parents are not too good with vocalizing their support and encouragement, she feels that as parents, it is really important to give them the space, the environment to thrive and grow, to seize that and give them wings to fly.
Apart from writing, Suki is interested in playing the piano, singing, and adds, “I am also trying out two new things- beatboxing and photography.”
