Author Sharika Chauhan on the Journey Behind Maya’s Worldly Wonders: Inspiring Young Adventurers
On a sweltering afternoon in Malaysia, while traveling between Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, the idea for Maya’s Worldly Wonders took root. Watching the lush greenery blur past the coach window, I wondered: What if I could create stories that transported children to far-off lands without them leaving home? Stories that could ignite their curiosity and inspire them to explore the world themselves?
That’s when Maya’s Worldly Wonders was born—an adventure series inspired by my own travels, brought to life through a bold fictional character called Maya. My goal was simple: to empower young children to embrace the beauty of travel, adventure, and discovery. Growing up with a love of adventure books, I knew how powerful stories could be in sparking curiosity. But I wanted to go beyond just storytelling—I wanted to show children how travel could help them grow, build resilience, and expand their understanding of the world.
The Transformative Power of Travel
Travel has been one of the greatest teachers in my life. Each of the 40-plus countries I’ve visited has taught me something new—about the world, about people, and about myself. I wanted to share this magic through Maya’s Worldly Wonders, giving young readers the chance to experience the transformative power of travel through Maya’s eyes.
Maya doesn’t just visit new places; she faces challenges, learns valuable lessons, and grows with every adventure. Through her, I hope to show readers that the world is not just a mysterious place but a vast classroom where every experience teaches something—whether it’s overcoming language barriers or dealing with unexpected mishaps.
Breaking Cultural Barriers Through Solo Travel
Coming from a South Asian background, the idea of solo travel holds a special significance. In many traditional South Asian families, travel—especially solo travel—can be discouraged, particularly for women. The notion of venturing out alone is often seen as risky or unnecessary. Maya’s Worldly Wonders challenges that belief, encouraging young readers, especially from South Asian communities, to embrace travel as a way to learn and grow.
Maya, the fearless protagonist, represents this message. Through her adventures, I want to show both girls and boys that the world is open to them. They can explore it with confidence, curiosity, and an open mind, no matter where they come from or what their culture may suggest.
From My Own Adventures to Childhood Reading
My love for adventure began with books. As a child, I was transported to new worlds through the pages of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five and The Secret Garden. (And Jacqueline Wilson books were my staple). That sense of wonder stayed with me, and when I eventually began to travel, it felt like I was living out those childhood dreams.
Maya’s Worldly Wonders is a tribute to those early literary adventures, but it also reflects the lessons I’ve learned through my travels—stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing personal growth. I wanted to pass those lessons on to children through Maya’s exciting and enriching journeys.
Tips for Aspiring Self-Published Authors
The self-publishing journey has been an adventure of its own—challenging but incredibly rewarding. For those considering this path, here are a few things that have helped me:
- Use Mind Maps to Plot: Coming from a finance background and with a Maths degree, I used to rely on spreadsheets and numbers. But when it comes to writing, I use mind maps to structure my stories. These colourful maps help me plot out storylines, character development, and key themes, making the creative process as organized as crunching numbers used to be. Mind mapping keeps my ideas flowing and ensures I stay on track.
- Go Wide with Distribution: Don’t limit yourself to one platform. One of the best decisions I made was going wide with distribution, using platforms like Amazon, Bookvault, BDS Live, and IngramSpark to reach readers globally. This approach has helped my books become more accessible in bookstores and libraries worldwide.
- Build Your Own Website and Strong Social Media Presence: Having my own Wix website has been invaluable. It’s my digital home where I can sell my books and connect directly with readers. Social media—Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn—also plays a huge role in building my community and keeping readers engaged with fresh content.
- Use AI for Draft Illustrations: As a heavily illustrated book series, visualizing my ideas early on is crucial. I use AI to generate draft images of characters and settings. While my illustrator created and edited a lot of images, AI helped me brainstorm and bring ideas to life during the development stages.
Travel and Personal Growth
At its core, Maya’s Worldly Wonders is about more than just visiting new places. It’s about personal growth. Travel teaches us to adapt, solve problems, and embrace the unknown. These are important life lessons, especially for children. I want young readers to see that obstacles aren’t setbacks—they’re opportunities to learn and grow.
Through Maya’s adventures, readers can watch her face challenges, learn from her mistakes, and discover her strengths. My hope is that these stories will inspire children to embark on their own journeys, whether by traveling the world or navigating the challenges of growing up.
Final Thoughts
The self-publishing journey, much like Maya’s adventures, has been filled with ups and downs. But just like travel, it’s a journey worth taking. I encourage writers and aspiring authors to take the leap, tell their stories, and embrace the creative process.
For anyone dreaming of adventures, whether through writing or travel, remember: The world is wide, and the possibilities are endless. Keep exploring, keep writing, and never stop learning.
(c) Sharika Chauhan
Maya’s Yeti-licious Himalayan Hike, Maya’s Whimsical Japanese Journey, Maya’s Marvellous Malaysian Quest, and Maya’s Soulful Brazilian Bonanza are available to purchase on Amazon or directly off Sharika’s website: www.mayasworldlywonders.com. Paperbacks RRP at £8.99 and Hardcovers RRP at £11.99.
