Heroes, villains, power of imagination take centrestage at SCRF

Sharjah 24: It was an evening of ideas and imagination at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF 2025) on Monday, as young readers and families gathered to listen to three leading Emirati voices in children’s storytelling and a noted English author.

Titled “Beyond Imagination” and moderated by Dr Lamya Tawfik, the panel discussion saw Sarwat Chadda, Dr Fatima Al-Zahra' bin 'Arab, Maitha Al Khayyat, and Hessa Al Muhairi share the secrets behind building unforgettable heroes, crafting thrilling worlds, and turning simple ideas into extraordinary stories.

A hero often believes they want something badly, but the real story lies in discovering what they truly need

Al Khayyat, the author of The Pearl Diver's Daughter and The Cowrie Necklace among others, spoke passionately about the emotional journey of heroes. “A hero often believes they want something badly, but the real story lies in discovering what they truly need,” said the Emirati author while using her own narrative to illustrate how her protagonist's dream of finding a pearl transforms into a deeper understanding of sacrifice and family legacy. “In my book, the young girl dreams of finding a pearl to prove her worth, especially as others taunt her for not having one despite her father's legacy. But by the end, she realises that the true treasure is not the pearl itself, but the sacrifice her father made for her.”

The best thing you can do is connect the hero and the villain’s journeys

Al Muhairi, known for titles like Whose Footprints Are These? and Dinoraf - which won the Sheikh Zayed Book Award in the Category of Children's Literature, said: “The best thing you can do is connect the hero and the villain’s journeys,” she said. “They might believe in the same goal, but the way they act on it is different — the hero uses it for good, while the villain twists it for control. In my latest book, my character comes from a planet where knowledge is collected to benefit everyone, but in another world, that same knowledge is used to dominate others.”

Meanwhile Dr Al-Zahra' bin 'Arab, an academic and author skilled in weaving complex narratives, shed light on the meticulous art of crafting children’s stories. "Writing a children's book differs from writing a novel," she said. "I arrange events carefully to build a logical progression towards the end." She described her process as a “spiral” – drafting, revisiting, and reshaping characters until they live and breathe on the page. Dr Fatima also stressed the importance of authentic dialogue, noting, “Each character must have their own voice, accent, and freedom to live or die. Dialogue should never be imposed.”

Sarwat Chadda, the internationally renowned author of Ash Mistry and the Savage Fortress and other gripping fantasies, brought a lively energy to the discussion. Speaking about the timeless appeal of powerful antagonists, he said, “Wisdom is often in the enemy. Think of Hannibal Lecter – he's the smartest man in the room. In the Ramayana, Prince Ram seeks blessings from his enemy because wisdom demands respect, even from a rival.”

Dialogue in romance is often the opposite of what characters actually mean

On a lighter note, Chadda admitted that romance, not horror or monsters, terrifies him the most as a writer. “Dialogue in romance is often the opposite of what characters actually mean,” he quipped. "Pride and Prejudice is the perfect example – just say you love her! That tension, that subtext, that's the real challenge.”

The session concluded with a spirited Q&A, where the authors encouraged young writers to trust their instincts, embrace imperfections, and above all, dare to dream beyond imagination.