S3E131: From Forests to Fiction: Arefa Tehsin on Writing, Wildlife & Women’s Voices
In this episode of The AboutHer Show, author and conservationist Arefa Tehsin shares her extraordinary journey of writing 19 books for children and adults, growing up in the wild with renowned naturalist Dr Raza Tehsin, and using storytelling as a powerful tool for nature conservation. From the internationally acclaimed The Witch on the Peepul Tree to the globally celebrated The Elephant Bird, Arefa speaks about fantasy, feminism, wildlife, and what success truly means as a writer today, a conversation rooted in forests, stories, and strong women’s voices.
Chapters:
(0:00) - Walking Into the Wild
An introduction to Arefa Tehsin, writer, conservationist, and storyteller rooted in nature.
(3:10) - A Life of 19 Books
From picture books to adult fiction, Arefa reflects on a prolific and genre-spanning writing journey.
(5:51) - The Witch on the Peepul Tree
The inspiration behind her acclaimed adult novel and its recognition at The Asian Prize for Fiction.
(10:43) - Building Fantasy Worlds
The creative challenges of writing fantasy and constructing immersive, believable worlds.
(13:20) - Growing Up Wild
Childhood days in forests with her father, naturalist Dr Raza Tehsin, and how they shaped her worldview.
(15:25) - Can Literature Save Nature?
How stories, especially for children, can nurture empathy, curiosity, and conservation.
(18:00) - Why The Elephant Bird Flew So Far
What made this picture book universally resonant across cultures, languages, and geographies?
(19:24) - Facing Bias as a Woman Writer
Navigating gender bias while writing across nature, fantasy, and literary spaces.
(20:51) - Writing Strong Protagonists
Why strength, curiosity, and agency come naturally to the characters she creates.
(21:33) - Life as a Columnist
Lessons from years of writing columns, features, and travel pieces for leading publications.
(23:26) - When Books Become Textbooks
The responsibility and joy of seeing her stories adopted by schools in India and Sri Lanka.
(25:41) - Redefining Success
Awards, impact, readers, and purpose, what success truly means to her today.
(27:22) - Looking Ahead
Themes, genres, and stories Arefa hopes to explore next.
(28:28) - Rapid Fire from the Wild
A fun, instinctive round revealing the person behind the pen.
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