IN the vast tapestry of the literary world, where stories can bloom like wildflowers and dreams simply take flight on the wings of imagination, there exists a realm where age knows no bounds and creativity knows no limits.
It's within this enchanting landscape that teenager Natalia Ashley Cheong has carved her own niche — of a world where feline adventures dance across the pages of her debut e-book, The Cat on the Bridge, which recently charted at the No.1 spot in the Children's E-Book category in Malaysia (Google Play Books).
"My name is Natalia Ashley Cheong," she introduces herself with a playful grin, voice brimming with youthful exuberance. Eyes dancing mischievously as she gazes at me from across the table of a "bougie" cafe in leafy Taman Tun Dr Ismail suburb in Kuala Lumpur, she exclaims: "I'm Chinese, but I get it, my name isn't very Chinese! People think I'm English but I'm not!"
Born in Singapore (when her mother was studying for a while and father was working), the young Cheong returned to Malaysian soil after three years in the Lion City. Her multicultural upbringing served as the fertile soil from which her creative spirit blossomed.
Growing up in a household where music filled the air — her father is a freelance music teacher, specialising in the ukelele — and imagination soared, Cheong, the eldest of three siblings, found solace and inspiration within the pages of the many books that lined her bookshelves.
"My first passion was reading. My favourite authors growing up included Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton. Oooh, I also love J.K. Rowling and her Harry Potter series," she reveals, grinning broadly before adding that her favourite subjects at school have always been English, History and Bahasa Melayu.
Did your parents encourage you to read, I ask, curious, as my mind drifts back to my early years where my passion for the written word and love of reading were honed by my dear father.
The shake of her head catches me by surprise. "Nooo," she exclaims in response before sharing that it was her own childhood passion for reading that inspired her parents to then shower her with books. And more books.
EMBARKING ON A JOURNEY
Smiling, Cheong shares that her journey into the realm of storytelling truly began when she crossed paths with a captivating storyteller — a family friend whose tales ignited a spark within her young heart.
"The way he told the different stories was sooo engaging," recalls Cheong, eyes under her dark-rimmed glasses sparkling with wonder. "I was really drawn. Then I decided ooh, maybe this is something I can do."
Chuckling, she confides that the very first story she penned was in the pages of her brown school exercise book. "I really can't remember what it was about! Something in the mystery genre but I never finished it!"
After a while, the youngster stopped her efforts on the story. "Maybe because at the time I didn't really see any need to continue with it," she muses, elaborating: "Most of the time I was just busy writing school essays, not works of fiction. But everything changed when I turned 12. I met the people from Ascendance."
It was to be the start of a new journey for the youngster, guided by the nurturing hands of Ascendance, an organisation dedicated to empowering young talent. "They opened my mind to my passions and interests. I got involved in their events, conferences, and even applied to become the Ascendance apprentice. That's when I discovered my love for writing," reflects Cheong, gratitude lacing her tone.
Continuing, she adds that the people at Ascendance made her realise that age need not be a barrier to her aspirations. "Their events enabled me to meet people from different backgrounds and professions. It was so inspiring and from this, I realised that when I focus and set end goals, anything is possible.
Armed with newfound determination, Cheong set out to pen her own story sometime in March last year. It was supposed to be a personal project and not for mass consumption. "I never planned on writing a book," she confides, adding: "I thought why not I just write this story and at least try to finish it. That was the goal."
FINDING HER MOJO
She embarked on her writing journey with much fervour, crafting three to four chapters of her tale. However, for the ensuing five months, her writing stopped. "It felt like a bout of writer's block, but in retrospect, I realised it was more than that," admits Cheong, expression thoughtful.
The crux of her struggle, muses the teen, lay in the essence of her story — a narrative centred around a cat's journey to the ethereal realm known as the Rainbow Bridge, where pets find solace in the afterlife.
While the concept was intriguing, it lacked the personal resonance she craved. "It dawned on me that the idea, which actually came from a friend, didn't fully align with my imagination," admits Cheong, adding that without that connection, her writing momentum waned, resulting in the five month "hiatus".
But she's swift to add that even though she wasn't writing, the time away from words still offered her valuable experiences. "Through my involvement with Ascendance and interactions with my family, I found avenues for growth — not just in honing my skills, but also in nurturing my mental and personal well-being. Those months were utilised for introspection and realignment."
It ultimately propelled her back onto the path of storytelling with renewed vigour.
After months of dedication and perseverance, Cheong's labour of love materialised into her maiden e-book, The Cat on the Bridge. "I definitely didn't think I would make it this far," muses Cheong, tone tinged with disbelief. "But here I am, living my dream!"
At the heart of the youngster's success lies not just her talent, but the unwavering support of her family and mentors at Ascendance. "I'm very grateful to have had four guides throughout my journey," acknowledges Cheong, elaborating: "My parents and two of Ascendance's founders, Mathura Kannan and Sanadt Kumar — they mentored and guided me through each moment, the good and even the bad!"
CATS' EYES
As readers immerse themselves in the whimsical world of The Cat on the Bridge, which took Cheong five months to complete, they're transported to a realm where curiosity reigns supreme and adventure lurks around every corner.
Set against the backdrop of the Rainbow Bridge, the story follows the exploits of four feline protagonists as they navigate the trials and tribulations of pet heaven.
"The big idea that I had was about this cat who goes to this world called the Rainbow Bridge," explains Cheong, adding: "It's basically a place where all pets go when they die, something like a pet heaven. That was the big setting of the story."
Her research involved observing the behaviour of her own pet cat, Toby. "We're all cat lovers in the family. I love watching Toby and seeing all the funny things he does. Then I try to incorporate all my observations into the characters in the book."
Yet, amidst the fantastical elements and whimsical settings lies a story rooted in the universal themes of friendship, courage and the power of belonging. "I added more of my emotions … what I was feeling into the story," she shares, elaborating: "The setting was the same as when I first started writing it, but the whole flow of the story changed, the characters changed a bit, and then the different emotions that the animals went through… I just felt more connected to the story."
From heartwarming encounters to pulse-pounding adventures, The Cat on the Bridge offers readers of all ages a glimpse into the magical world of pet heaven, a world where every meow, purr and whisker tells a story.
As the minutes tick, I'm reminded by Mathura, one of Ascendance's co-founders who'd joined us for this chat, that her young protege has a family gathering to attend.
Gazing at the bubbly youngster whilst preparing to gather all my things for my next appointment, I ask Cheong if she has any tips for aspiring young writers. She giggles in response before replying: "Don't be afraid to write BAD stories. For example, the first draft of my first story… I wouldn't say it was baddd, but it wasn't great."
Continuing, she muses: "But on hindsight, if I hadn't written that bad first draft and stopping for five months, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to experience all those things that I did during that period that led me to write a better draft. What I'm trying to say is just keep writing!"
DREAMS TAKE FLIGHT
As Cheong's debut effort looks set to captivate readers, the future looks bright with promise and possibility. With aspirations of eventually seeing her book in print and penning more stories brimming with meaningful lessons, Cheong's journey as an author has only just begun.
From her love of music to her interest in sports, the genial teen's zest for life is as boundless as her imagination. "I like music — guitar and violin music," she shares, smile infectious. "I love Coldplay. I do enjoy sports too, although people don't think I would be the type to enjoy sports. Maybe it's my glasses!"
And as if her plate wasn't already full, Cheong has also embarked on a new venture — a talk show titled Cerita, where she'll be interviewing different writers and storytellers, and getting them to share their insights and experiences with the listeners.
"It's a Youtube video," Cheong reveals, her excitement palpable. "The first episode is coming out this month. I interviewed someone who had written a book! It was my first episode."
Indeed, for the young writer, the journey from avid reader to accomplished author is just the beginning of an adventure filled with endless possibilities. With her infectious enthusiasm, unwavering determination, and boundless creativity, I'm so certain that her star will continue to shine.
About Ascendance
Ascendance is an international youth organisation dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and leadership skills among young people. Through innovative peer-to-peer programmes and mentorship, Ascendance empowers students to transform their ideas into sustainable ventures while positively impacting their communities and the world at large. For more info, visit www.ascendancepro.com.