Shimla
Keekli Charitable Trust kickstarted its literary season with an engaging and insightful webinar for the young writers selected for its Short Story Contest – 2025. With 51 stories chosen from 135 entries, the upcoming anthology will showcase a new generation of storytellers. The session was attended by over 40 enthusiastic participants eager to hone their writing craft.
Moderated by acclaimed writer and editor Sonia Dogra, the panel featured Aastha Chadha, a multi-faceted storyteller and jury member, and Vandana Bhagra, publisher and editor of the Keekli News Portal. Together, they offered expert insights into the fundamentals of storytelling, focusing on narrative structure, plot development, and character creation.
Aastha Chadha encouraged students to trust their creativity, discussing at length the importance of pacing, voice, and perspective. She also addressed the growing trend of AI use in creative writing, advising students to rely on their own originality and experiences to create authentic stories.
Vandana Bhagra introduced the ‘5Ws and 1H’ framework—Where, What, Who, When, Why, and How—as essential questions that every writer should answer while crafting a story. Her advice helped young authors understand the building blocks of compelling narratives.
Adding a student perspective, Lavanya Muni, a Class 9 student and returning Keekli author, shared her journey as a published writer and the joy of being part of a growing literary community.
The webinar concluded with a lively Q&A session where participants asked questions about finding inspiration, overcoming writer’s block, and navigating unfamiliar subjects in storytelling. The discussion empowered students to refine their skills and deepen their commitment to writing.
With this successful session, Keekli once again reinforced its mission to nurture young literary voices and promote meaningful storytelling among children and teens. The upcoming anthology promises to be a vibrant reflection of imagination, effort, and originality.
