Category Archives: BTB

Two to Tango by Gowri & Gayathri

At Beyond the Box, we are constantly thinking of ideas to give something unique, refreshing as well as challenging to our community of writers. Two to Tango is one such endeavour to encourage the participants to work along with another writer as a team and bring about a creative synergy. 40+ teams participated in Season 3 of this one-of-its-kind contest and the winners were chosen by prolific author Kanchana Banerjee. Below prompt was given to the writers and they were asked to narrate the same story from two different points of view. 

Prompt – Write a fictional story in which a book reveals a secret. Feel free to creatively interpret the prompt in any genre of your choice. 

Gowri Bhargav & Gayathri Achar (Team 44) received a Jury Special Mention in the adults’ category. Enjoy their story!

Continue reading Two to Tango by Gowri & Gayathri

Character Sketch – Ginger

Book – Black Beauty 

Author – Anna Sewell 

Character – Ginger
         Digital Art by Prisha Ambi

Ginger was a tall, elegant chestnut brown female horse, boasting a thick mane and tail, adorned with a white stripe running down her face, which only accentuated her natural beauty.

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World’s Weirdest Sandwich

This poem has been composed by 11-year-old Shaurya Gupta from Hyderabad and was chosen by the Jury as the Runner-Up of ‘Best Poem of the Year’ award at the BTB Wordsmiths of the Year Awards 2023.

Finally, I am conquering the feat
Of making the world’s most beastly sandwich seen
Poisonous if you do eat
Enough to make one’s mouth go scream

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Two to Tango by Ethan & Leona

At Beyond the Box, we are constantly thinking of ideas to give something unique, refreshing as well as challenging to our community of writers. Two to Tango is one such endeavour to encourage the participants to work along with another writer as a team and bring about a creative synergy. 40+ teams participated in Season 3 of this one-of-its-kind contest and the winners were chosen by prolific author Kanchana Banerjee. Below prompt was given to the writers and they were asked to narrate the same story from two different points of view. 

Prompt – Write a fictional story in which a book reveals a secret. Feel free to creatively interpret the prompt in any genre of your choice. 

The Winners in the kids’ category were Ethan Gonsalves & Leona Saldanha (Team 16). Enjoy their story!

Continue reading Two to Tango by Ethan & Leona

11 Tips for Writing a ‘Tips’ Article

In school these days, all of us have been learning different types of texts, and ‘tips’ articles are one of them. It can get confusing (I have first-hand experience), so I decided to write something to aid all of you.

1. Be Conversational

Use direct address with your reader. You don’t want your reader to feel left out or ignored in any way. They will feel encompassed in your words.

2. Maintain a Semi-Formal Tone

Have the perfect semi-formal tone to appeal to all audiences. A formal register frightens away adolescents, and a casual one might not resonate with more mature individuals.

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The Orange Cat of Bengal

A few years ago, in the Bengali town of Kalyani, there lived a young girl named Radha. She was a simple girl. She lived with her mother in a 2 BHK apartment above a sweet shop. Her father had gone to Chennai 10 years ago to make his fortune, but never wrote to them or sent any money back home. Her mother worked as a peon in a big office, and earned 1000/- a month, just enough for the two of them. Every morning she woke up at 5:30 in the morning to go to school, and by the time she came back, her mother would have left, but not without setting up lunch in the kitchen.

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Two to Tango by Narayani & Chandrika

At Beyond the Box, we are constantly thinking of ideas to give something unique, refreshing as well as challenging to our community of writers. Two to Tango is one such endeavour to encourage the participants to work along with another writer as a team and bring about a creative synergy. 40+ teams participated in Season 3 of this one-of-its-kind contest and the winners were chosen by prolific author Kanchana Banerjee. Below prompt was given to the writers and they were asked to narrate the same story from two different points of view. 

Prompt – Write a fictional story in which a book reveals a secret. Feel free to creatively interpret the prompt in any genre of your choice. 

The 2nd Runners-Up in the adults’ category were Narayani V Manapadam & Chandrika R Krishnan (Team 4). Enjoy their story!

Continue reading Two to Tango by Narayani & Chandrika

Book Review – Flyaway Boy

Book Title – Flyaway Boy
Author –Jane De Suza
Published By – Puffin
Recommended Age Group – 9-12 years

Kabir is an ordinary boy at first glance, but there’s an astonishing difference between his biological and mental age. Despite being an imaginative and kind individual, he often finds himself sidelined by peers, teachers, and even his own family, almost invisible to those around him. However, when he mysteriously disappears, he becomes the center of attention. His elder sister and the police mobilize to find him, leaving the question hanging – will Kabir ever return to his family? Discover the answer in ‘Flyaway Boy’ by Jane De Suza. 

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