i dont mind bls set in high school or university if they utilise that setting well tbh. not many do though

Porchay is on a Coming of Age Journey (a Character Analysis/Meta).

I kind of love how we joke around about Porchay’s “Wattpad” fantasies and his “university au b/l” timeline happening in conjunction with a whole ass mafia storyline, but I’d like to take a deeper dive into what type of story Porchay is actually experiencing.

To me, Porchay is going through a coming of age story. And yes, you might be thinking, “That’s pretty obvious, Dawn. He’s 17 going on 21,” but I think there’s more to Porchay’s rapid progression into adulthood than just heartbreak and mafia crimes.

Particularly, I’m thinking of the term Bildungsroman, which literally translates to “education novel” from German, and means, a story that follows the (moral, psychological) development of the hero from childhood or adolescence into adulthood, through a troubled quest for identity (x). There are several components that make a story into a Bildungsroman story, particularly the progression of these four stages: 1) Loss, 2) Journey, 3) Conflict, and 4) Maturity, and so far, we can trace Porchay’s journey through at least the first three steps.

1)  Loss

Porchay has suffered immense loss right from the start of KinnPorsche. We won’t stay here long, because it’s obvious: his parents are dead, he suffers from a “financial” loss since his family is in debt, and finally, Porchay “loses” his brother to the mafia. Loss and Porchay are like peanut butter and jelly. Loss also forms his sense of morality: Porchay doesn’t like secrets, doesn’t take pathetic excuses as reasons for keeping him in the dark. He’s gone through more than most adults, but he is still quite young; he, like most adolescents, believes people either do right or wrong. So, his sense of morality, at the start of KP, is very black and white. 

2) Journey

It is through these losses that Porchay resolves to work hard and get into university, to begin a journey. Usually, for a Bildungsroman, the journey alludes to a physical quest, which I think Porchay is on as well. He’s been displaced to the Main House at least once, and despite returning home, he does venture off to this bar, which seems like a new setting for him, going by his discomfort. Through it all, Porchay has been incredibly resilient, which I talk about more here. Regardless, this journey is hugely emotional for Porchay as he navigates life without his older brother. However, it is important to note that Porchay’s journey inevitably crosses with Kim’s (which I explain in this companion piece.) Kim becomes his mentor, literally helping Porchay on the journey of entering university, but also igniting another journey altogether: one based on love and intimacy. And we all know how that’s going so far: a literal rollercoaster due to both of their actions.

3) Conflict

Upon all these journeys, Porchay makes many mistakes along the way because of his youth and desperation to emerge (or to be taken seriously) as an adult. We see this heavily in episode 12; Porchay’s cutting his journey as a musician short by not attending the interview, even though he shows great promise. This points to conflict with his future, with his own dreams and goals, or the reason why he’s on the journey to begin with. Just as importantly, he’s at conflict with Kim, the guidance he had through a good portion of his journey, and disappointment is part of the Bildungsroman. I think, though, it’s important to note that while he’s conflicted and angry with Kim, this is still a highly personal journey for Porchay, and these scenes are moments of growth for Porchay. What Kim says is pivotal for us understanding this:

And yes, what Kim says is not what we want to hear, but it’s what Porchay needs to hear. Kim knows better than anyone that actions have consequences; to tell this to Porchay in such a harsh manner is a warning that Porchay is on the cusp of adulthood, and that he must brace himself for what it means to mature.

4) Maturity

Perhaps we should write off Porchay’s physical changes as drastic, teenage angst (though, I think we should point out that he looks alarmingly like Porsche now [sleeves, hair part], the one adult he can rely on). But I think these are changes that are ushering him into adulthood. He’s making these decisions himself. No, they’re not “mature” decisions, but he’s no longer sitting, waiting, pinning. He’s moving. He’s moving the plot too, putting Kim on edge and causing Kim to react. However, I don’t think Porchay has reached this last stage of the Bildungsroman. In accordance with the definition, a successful Bildungsroman means that the character has fully developed, has gone through a moral or psychological change that brings their journey to an end. The “end” of the journey doesn’t have to be dramatic or even culminate to the success of the hero (as 20th century literature has changed this expectation greatly.) So what does maturity look like on Porchay? I would hope it would be some sort of change to his moral compass. I hope these next few episodes tell us that because I want Porchay to mature and succeed in more ways than just a musician and a love interest. I want his sense of morality to change, which I think has somewhat begun, but can and should be further explored in the series.

Another aspect of Porchay’s Bildungsroman that we should look for is whether  he takes music back up again, and if he rejects or accepts being an everyday citizen. Not all Bildungsroman stories end in the acceptance of everyday life or an ordinary existence, but we know that Porchay’s life is changed due to the Mafia; so the ultimate question we should hope to get an answer for (in relation to his coming of age journey) is if Porchay will accept the Mafia as part of his life, and whether that impacts his growth as a character.

EDIT: This post now has a companion piece on Kim’s Coming of Age Journey.

It is my pleasure to welcome Sharon Booth to my blog. Sharon and I ‘found’ each other via Facebook and the Romantic Novelists’ Association. Sharon is a hardworking and inspired novelist and a generous supporter of other writers.

      We met ‘in the flesh’ for the first time last year at the RNA Afternoon Tea in York. Sharon is every bit as warm and friendly as I’d imagined. Take it away, Sharon . . .

I write contemporary romance, with a generous sprinkling of humour thrown in for good measure. For many years, I tried to write big, dramatic, historical sagas, as I’d grown up reading Catherine Cookson novels, and thought that was the sort of thing I should be writing. It took me quite some time to realise that, as wonderful as those books are, they’re not the sort of books I need to write. I started to create contemporary stories, filled with heroines I would happily hang out with, and heroes I fell in love with. Now, I have nine books published! Two of those books started life as People’s Friend pocket novels, which was a dream come true, as it meant my work was actually on the shelves in supermarkets and WH Smith.

I have also sold the large-print rights for the pocket novels, to Ulverscroft, and the first one was published last April, as part of its Linford Romance Library, with the second one coming out in March. This means I also have books in libraries.

I live in East Yorkshire with my husband and German Shepherd dog. I have five grown-up children and seven grandchildren.  I’m one tenth of the blogging group, The Write Romantics. I’m shamefully prone to developing huge crushes on fictional heroes, and I never lose hope that, one day, I will hear the sound of those Tardis engines …

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A Q and A session with Sharon. I’m sure you’ll find her answers and inspirational.

advice for fledgling authors

If you really want to write, do it. Don’t wait until you “have the time” or until inspiration strikes. Pick up a pen, or sit at that computer, and start. I’ve been told, many times, by various people, that they would love to write a book “if they had the time”. The fact is, you have to make the time. I have a family and a day job. If you want to write, you will push everything else aside and do it.

Seek out other writers. It’s a very lonely business if you don’t make contact, and the writing community is so supportive. Join a writing group, or make online connections. Maybe join the Romantic Novelists’ Association if your genre is romance.

Read the genre you write in. Read how-to-write books. If you can afford it, take writing courses.

Be prepared for rejection and develop a skin like a rhinoceros hide – or, at least, pretend to.

Don’t expect to get rich. Keep writing. Don’t give up. If you want this, you must make it happen.

Be kind to other writers. It’s a tough world out there, so share their news, encourage, support and congratulate. Learn to promote your own stuff, but don’t be afraid to promote other people’s. There’s room for everyone.

Most of all, don’t forget to enjoy it. Writing is a job, and it’s undoubtedly hard work. You started writing because you love it, never lose sight of that.

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Who or what has inspired you the most to become a writer?

Enid Blyton, whose stories sparked my love for books and reading, which, in turn, made me want to write my own stories.

My English teacher, from the age of thirteen until I left school. My English teacher was so encouraging and supportive, really making me believe that this was something I could do. For the first time in my life, I began to think that writing was a gift, and that I should nurture it and be proud of it.

A BBC programme, Reader, I Married Him, back in 2008, or thereabouts, ignited that flame of hope again, after years spent raising children, and writing nothing more exciting than shopping lists.

Jane Wenham-Jones’s book, Wannabe a Writer? convinced me that, yes, I really, really did, and led me to study creative writing, read numerous how-to books, and eventually join the Romantic Novelists’ Association New Writers’ Scheme.

Milly Johnson and Sue Townsend. Reading books by these two wonderful writers, about people I knew and understood, I finally realised that I could write about people like me, and that books could be funny, too.

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If not a writer – then what?

I do have a day job, working for the NHS. If I’m honest, though, that’s not a path I chose, exactly.  I’d already given up on the idea of university, as I’d been assured that it wasn’t for “people like us”. I wanted to be a primary school teacher at one point, in my early thirties, and took a further education course aimed at women keen to return to work after having children. A careers guide visited us, and suggested I should aim lower, and try to be a teaching assistant instead. My already fragile confidence was shattered. I spent a few more years floundering, before finally gathering my courage and signing up for a degree in literature with the Open University,  graduating with honours in my mid-forties. I want people to know that it’s never too late to realise your dreams,  don’t listen to the doubters.

      https://unsplash.com/@eryk10

https://unsplash.com/@michael_d_beckwith

Tell us a little bit about where you set your novels

I set my novels in Yorkshire – which is such a huge and diverse county. My Kearton Bay novels are set on the North Yorkshire coast, in a little village that bears a remarkable resemblance to Robin Hood’s Bay. Bit by bit, I’ve built up a whole world around that village, spreading out into the Yorkshire Moors and creating a network of villages and towns that also feature in my Moorland Heroes and Bramblewick series. The Skimmerdale series, on the other hand, is set over in the stunningly beautiful Yorkshire Dales. I have another series in my mind, which will take place in the Yorkshire Wolds, which is an area on my doorstep – the Wolds Way actually starts in my home town of Hessle, right by the Humber Bridge. It’s an underrated area, often overlooked as people rave about the Moors and Dales. I absolutely love Yorkshire, and like nothing more than heading out for the day to take in the stunning views or ancient buildings. We’ve got plenty of castles and abbeys to choose from, that’s for sure.

https://unsplash.com/fedweb/portfolio

My current book is Saving Mr Scrooge, the second in my Moorland Heroes series – the first being https://read.amazon.co.uk/kp/card?asin=B071P54ZFX&preview=inline&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_40ZuAbW97SJ7J“>Resisting Mr Rochester.

It’s the time of peace on earth and goodwill to all men, but at Carroll’s Confectionary, the meaning of Christmas seems to have been forgotten. New boss, Kit Carroll, is hardly winning friends with his high-handed attitude, his foolhardy approach to production, and his tight-fisted treatment of the factory’s employees. Marley Jacobs, his self-styled PA, is determined to make him see the error of his ways, and return the festive spirit to Carroll’s Confectionary.

Unfortunately, the little matter of their previous relationship, along with Kit’s callous treatment of her when they were teenage sweethearts, keeps getting in the way of her good intentions. With encouragement from co-worker Don, romantic sister Olivia, and — astonishingly — the usually sceptical Great Uncle Charles, Marley decides to save this modern-day Mr Scrooge from himself, despite having no well-meaning ghosts to help her.

But revisiting the past doesn’t just stir things up for Kit. As Marley struggles to deal with bittersweet memories, present-day events take a surprising turn. Can the future be changed, after all? And is it only Kit who needs saving?

“Sharon Booth’s writing just gets better and better…” Review of Saving Mr Scrooge: Being Anne Book Blog.

“Everything you want in a Christmassy book”. Review of Christmas at the Country Practice: Writer up the Hill.

“A terrific book from a terrific author”. Review of Resisting Mr Rochester: Antrim Cycle

“There Must Be an Angel is one of those delightful stories that grabs you by the hand on page one”. Review of There Must Be an Angel: Jaffa Reads Too.

“A hugely entertaining jaunt of a novel through the Yorkshire dales”. Review of This Other Eden: Random Badger.

      Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

https://unsplash.com/@marcuslcramer

I’m currently working on the second in my Skimmerdale series, the sequel to This Other Eden. I’m very much enjoying revisiting my gorgeous Yorkshire Dales sheep farmer, Eliot! I’m also working on the third Bramblewick novel, which continues the story of the village surgery, and the medical and reception staff who work there.

You can find out more about Sharon and her book here – www.sharonboothwriter.com

**featured image – Whitby, Yorks – https://unsplash.com/@grafiklee

Guest Post – Welcome Sharon Booth – It is my pleasure to welcome Sharon Booth to my blog. Sharon and I 'found' each other via Facebook and the…

Coronavirus Outbreak LIVE Updates: Global COVID-19 case count crosses 6 million; US records 960 new deaths in past 24 hours

08:49 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu Latest Update

Tamil Nadu govt extends lockdown till 30 June

Tamil Nadu govt extends coronavirus lockdown till 30 June, with new set of relaxations including the partial resumption of public transport.

Public transport by bus allowed up to 50 percent in all but Chennai and two other districts, while there are restrictions on public meetings, religious worships in public, bars, cinema halls and malls continue to remain shut in all districts till end June. 

08:35 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Kerala Latest Update

Malls gear up for reopening in Kerala

After the Union Ministry of Home Affairs allowed hotels, malls across the country to open from June 8, except those falling in containment zones, the management at malls in Kerala have been gearing up to ensure all safety precautions are met with as per the Centre's guidelines.

"We all are waiting for the malls to reopen. We have to give a safe environment to the customers, therefore, our staff is busy sanitising the place right now. We have done markings around the mall to ensure that social distancing is followed," Afshin KP, Manager at Mall of Travancore told ANI.

08:27 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

Modi to address the nation through 'Mann Ki Baat' at 11 am today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the 65th edition of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' at 11 am on Sunday, the final day of the fourth phase of nationwide lockdown.

The address by the Prime Minister is likely to focus on the relaxations being given from June 1, after over two months of lockdown to control the spread of COVID-19.

08:21 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Update

Global COVID-19 case count surpasses 6 million mark

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus worldwide has surpassed six million, according to data provided by the Johns Hopkins University. Meanwhile, the death toll from the disease has exceeded 367,000 and more than 2.5 million COVID-19 patients have recovered since the pandemic began.

The United States remains the worst-hit country with the highest number of those infected — 1,760,740 — and the highest COVID-19 death toll — 103,472. It is now followed by Brazil that has recorded more than 465,000 infections since the outbreak.

08:17 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Update

Police check IDs of commuters at Delhi-Gurugram border

Vehicles queue-up as the police officials are checking passes and IDs of people at the Delhi-Gurugram border. The state government has sealed borders with the national capital due to increasing number of cases, reports ANI.

Haryana: Police are checking passes and IDs of people at Delhi-Gurugram border. State government has sealed borders with the national capital due to increasing number of #COVID19 cases. pic.twitter.com/kKIAmaEmeA

— ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2020

08:09 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Assam Latest Update

Assam crosses 1,200-mark in COVID-19 with 159 new cases

Assam's COVID-19 cases crossed the 1,200-mark on Saturday with 159 people, including 20 air travellers, across districts testing positive for the disease, state Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

With these cases, the total number of COVID-19 patients has gone up to 1,216 in the state from 1,057 on Friday. OF the total cases, 1,046 are active, Sarma said in a tweet.

📌Alert ~ 31 new cases of #COVID19+ 20 Air travellers, Morigaon 11 ↗️Total cases 1216 ↗️Recovered 163 ↗️Active cases 1046 ↗️Deaths 04 Update 11:40 pm / May 30 / Day's total as of now 159#AssamCovidCount pic.twitter.com/0iX8oDcoX7

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 30, 2020

08:01 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

Conduct sero-survey to track COVID-19 spread,  ICMR tells states

The top health research body, ICMR, has advised states to conduct sero-survey to assess the proportion of population including asymptomatic individuals exposed to coronavirus infection.

A sero-survey involves testing of blood serum of a group of individuals for the presence of antibodies against that infection to know who has been infected in the past and has now recovered.

Depending upon the level of sero-prevalence of infection, appropriate public health interventions can be planned and implemented for prevention and control of the disease, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said.

07:54 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in United States Latest Update

US records 960 new COVID19 deaths in past 24 hours

The United States recorded 960 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours, bringing its toll to 1,03,758  as per Johns Hopkins University. 

07:52 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Update

Despite UP govt having over 70,000 buses, labourers had to walk home: SP chief

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday hit out at the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, claiming that despite having over 70,000 buses in its fleet, labourers had to walk home amid the COVID-19 lockdown resulting in many deaths.

In a statement issued here on Saturday, he said, "Despite lockdown, there has been no decrease in the spread of the disease. The infection has increased and economy destroyed.

"The BJP works to entangle the vulnerable public of the state and the country in emotional issues. The dream of poor, farmers and labourers have shattered. The trust of the country's citizens has broken," he said. "Has the dreams achche din (good days), promised by the BJP been fulfilled?" the SP chief sought to know.

07:41 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

India sees increase in cases, recoveries rate rises to 47.4%

According to the Union health ministry, in the 24 hours till 8 am on Saturday, the country reported 265 fatalities and 7,964 cases of the viral infection, taking the total number of those infected to 1,73,763 and toll to 4,971.

This is the second consecutive day that the country has registered more than 7,000 new cases. However, the recovery rate also went up with over 11,000 patients having recovered in the last 24 hours, the highest number of recoveries recorded in one day

According to the health ministry data, 11,264 patients recovered between Friday and Saturday updates, taking the recovery rate to 47.40 percent.

Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates: The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus worldwide has surpassed six million, according to data provided by the Johns Hopkins University. Meanwhile, the death toll from the disease has exceeded 367,000 and more than 2.5 million COVID-19 patients have recovered since the pandemic began.

The top health research body, ICMR, has advised states to conduct sero-survey to assess the proportion of population including asymptomatic individuals exposed to coronavirus infection.

The Centre on Saturday issued orders extending the coronavirus lockdown in containment zones to 30 June as the toll due to COVID-19 rose to 4,971 and the number of cases climbed to 1,73,763.

It also issued guidelines for a phased re-opening of activities outside the containment zones as the fourth phase of the lockdown ends on 31 May.

A nationwide lockdown was first imposed from 25 March for a period of 21 days till 14 April. It was then extended till 3 May, then till 17 May and for a fourth time till 31 May.

Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India's recovery rate rose to 47.40 percent on Saturday with 11,264 patients having recovered from the virus in the last 24 hours.

The number of active COVID-19 cases stood to 86,422 while 82,369 people have recovered and one patient has migrated, data showed.

Shopping malls, hotels to reopen from 8 June; lockdown to continue in containment zones

According to an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday, the lockdown imposed to control the spread of the novel coronavirus will continue till 30 June in all containment zones. The order said that containment zones will be demarcated by district authorities and only essential activities will be permitted within these zones.

Additionally, no movement in or out of these zones will be allowed, except for medical reasons and for the supply of essential goods and services.

From 01.06.2020 ●Within Containment Zones, #Lockdown restrictions to continue till 30.06.2020 ●#Unlock1 All activities to be relaxed in phased manner outside containment zones, as per @MoHFW_INDIA guidelines ●States may impose restrictions/prohibit activities as per assessment pic.twitter.com/LDbmvf6Gfa

— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) May 30, 2020

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"In the containment zones, there shall be intensive contact tracing, house-to-house surveillance and other clinical interventions as required," the order stated.

Representational Image. AP

The order, termed as "Unlock-1", suggested a phased removal of restrictions in areas other than the containment zones, adding that shopping malls and hotels can be reopened in such areas from 8 June.

"In Phase I, religious places and places of worship for public, hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services, and shopping malls will be permitted to open from 8 June, 2020.  Health Ministry will issue SOPs for the above activities, in consultation with the Central Ministries/ Departments concerned and other stakeholders, for ensuring social distancing and to contain the spread of COVID-19," the ministry said in a press release. 

As per the order, a decision on the reopening of educational institutions will be taken in Phase II. "Schools, colleges, educational/ training/ coaching institutions, etc, will be opened after consultations with States and UTs. State Governments/ UT administrations are being advised to hold consultations at the institution level with parents and other stakeholders.  Based on the feedback, a decision on the re-opening of these institutions will be taken in the month of July, 2020," said the order adding that the Union health ministry will prepare guidelines for ensuring social distancing in consultation with other stakeholders.

Phase-III shall consist of removing curbs on international travel, resumption of metro rail services, opening of cinema halls, gyms, swimming pools, theatres, bars, auditoriums, etc. Social, religious, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural events, and "other large congregations" may also be permitted.

However, the dates for re-starting these activities will be decided "after consultation", stated the orders.

All activities apart from those mentioned above will be allowed in non-containment areas but a night curfew from 9 pm to 5 am will continue to operate across the country, said the MHA. All movement will be restricted during this time and allowances will be made only for essential activities.

The government also clarified that there will be no restriction on inter-State and intra-state movement of persons and goods, and no separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements.

However, the Centre granted states and Union Territories leeway to impose more restrictions outside containment zones if deemed necessary.

The ministry also said that states/UTs may identify buffer zones where new cases are more likely to occur and restrictions may be imposed in such zones by district authorities.

Punjab, Madhya Pradesh extend lockdown

Separately, the Punjab government extended lockdown in the state till 30 June, with certain more relaxations in line with the guidelines of the Central government.

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also announced extension of lockdown in the state till 15 June while interacting with students through a video conference.

India sees increase in cases, recoveries rise too

According to the Union health ministry, in the 24 hours till 8 am on Saturday, the country reported 265 fatalities and 7,964 cases of the viral infection, taking the total number of those infected to 1,73,763 and toll to 4,971.

This is the second consecutive day that the country has registered more than 7,000 new cases. However, the recovery rate also went up with over 11,000 patients having recovered in the last 24 hours, the highest number of recoveries recorded in one day

According to the health ministry data, 11,264 patients recovered between Friday and Saturday updates, taking the recovery rate to 47.40 percent.

The health ministry, in a statement, also said that doubling rate had improved to 15.4 days in the past three days.

"As on 30 May, the doubling time in the past 14 days was 13.3, it has improved to 15.4 days in the last three days. The fatality rate stands at 2.86 percent," the statement said.

Of the 265 deaths reported since Friday morning, 116 were in Maharashtra, 82 in Delhi, 20 in Gujarat, 13 in Madhya Pradesh, nine in Tamil Nadu, seven in West Bengal, four each in Telangana and Rajasthan, two in Punjab and one each in Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

Of the total 4,971 fatalities, Maharashtra tops the tally with 2,098 deaths followed by Gujarat (980), Delhi (398,) Madhya Pradesh (334), West Bengal (302), Uttar Pradesh (198), Rajasthan (184), Tamil Nadu (154), Telangana (71) and Andhra Pradesh (60). More than 70 percent of the deaths are due to comorbidities, the ministry said.

According to the health ministry data updated in the morning, the highest number of confirmed cases in the country are from Maharashtra at 62,228 followed by Tamil Nadu at 20,246, Delhi at 17,386, Gujarat at 15,934, Rajasthan at 8,365, Madhya Pradesh at 7,645 and Uttar Pradesh at 7,284

"5,043 cases are being reassigned to states," the ministry said on its website adding, "Our figures are being reconciled with the ICMR."

States report new cases

However, states continued reporting new cases through the day and a PTI tally at 7 pm put the total number of confirmed cases at 1,70,522 and toll at 4,799.

The coronavirus related fatalities in Karnataka rose to 49 with the death of a 47-year-old woman while 141 new coronavirus cases were confirmed on Saturday taking the infection tally to 2,922, PTI quoted state minister S Suresh Kumar as saying. Among the fresh cases, 90 are inter-state passengers, he said.

Tamil Nadu witnessed a spike of 938 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, taking the infection count to 21,184, while four men and two women died of COVID-19 pushing the death toll to 160. Of the 938 new cases, 82 were returnees from other states and a foreign country.

In Nagaland, which had remained COVID-19 free till Monday, 11 Chennai returnees tested positive on Saturday, taking the number of active cases to 36, Health and Family Welfare minister S Pangnyu Phom said. Meanwhile, in Manipur, a 19-year-old woman who returned from Gujarat recently tested positive for COVID-19, taking the total number of cases in the state to 60.

New cases were also reported in West Bengal, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, among others.

Confirmed cases in West Bengal climbed to 5,130 on Saturday after 317 more people tested positive for coronavirus, the state health department bulletin said. Seven fresh deaths due to the disease were also reported in the state, taking the toll to 237, it said.

With inputs from PTI

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Graphic Novel Creators Kenny Porter & Zach Wilcox

Kenny Porter is a professional writer living in West Michigan. He's most known for content development, writing comics, copy, blogs, and fiction. He graduated from Grand Valley State University with a BA in Writing. The writing program at GVSU allowed him to create his own curriculum, which he used to focus on fiction, writing for the web, genre studies, and manuscript development. He started his career in writing during high school and has since gone on to publish short stories, write articles for online magazines, and has won the first Top Cow Talent Hunt for Writing.

Zach Wilcox is a cartoonist based in Philadelphia. He holds an MFA in Sequential Art from the Savannah College of Art and Design and a BS in Digital media from Drexel University. The goal of his work is to encourage young readers to get excited about art as a narrative tool and inspire future creators. When he isn't working on comics he enjoys time with his dog Finn and his three nephews.

Porter and Wilcox are the co-creators of the forthcoming graphic novel from Scholastic/Graphix, The Fearless Rider, in which a young girl and her pet ferret run away from home on their tricked-out bicycle on the first day of school to find her best friend who moved away and recapture her life before everything went wrong—pitched as a slice-of-life story with tone and setting of a Miyazaki film.

What do you enjoy about the comic book arts medium and what do you feel the graphic novel form of storytelling affords authors and creators?

KP: Comics have always been a part of my life and what I love most about them is that there are no limits to the kinds of visual stories you can tell. The great thing about original graphic novels is it allows you to break away from the single issue format of monthly comics to develop a pace that’s unique to the story. That’s something that Zach Wilcox and I are enjoying a lot with The Fearless Rider.

ZW: Graphic novels afford the reader a sense of control that you don’t get anywhere else. Being able to dwell on a panel or moment, or absorb a whole page at once, is such a unique and intimate experience. When you’re making something like that it’s sort of fun to imagine how the reader is going to interact with the work.

“I wanted to bring that same love of anime, manga, and live-action shows to Kara’s character.”

Have any anime/manga or comic book creators influenced The Fearless Rider, your forthcoming graphic novel? For instance, Hayao Miyazaki and Osamu Tezuka seem to come to mind.

KP: Miyazaki is definitely a huge influence on the tone of The Fearless Rider. I initially pitched it to Zach that way, as if it were a lost Miyazaki film about a girl who sets out to find her missing best friend. There’s also some influence of my love of Super Sentai and tokusatsu shows with the fake magical girl character Shinpi Rider that the main character adores. I grew up in a generation where Toonami was broadcasting these amazing shows from Japan that we had never heard of before, and I wanted to bring that same love of anime, manga, and live-action shows to Kara’s character.

ZW: Absolutely. I’m always finding new inspiration from other artists and people like Miyazaki really ignited my love for visual storytelling when I was young. The expressive nature of his work is something I’ll always be chasing.

“He lets the comic breathe and trusts the reader to immerse themselves in the story.”

The art of The Fearless Rider seems to be a mixture of manga influences, such as the gekiga or "dramatic" style of storytelling, often seen in the work of Tezuka. Your graphic novel also has many western influences, with inklings of ligne claire, the Belgium style of bold line comic illustration, often seen in Hergé's The Adventures of Tintin. How did you arrive at this style of art? Is it simply in vogue right now in comics, or has comic book illustration and storytelling been further globalized?

KP: From the start I wanted The Fearless Rider to have this kind of feel. I read a lot of manga and Franco-Belgian comics, so I’m always using those as an influence in terms of pacing and style. Also, Zach’s artwork completely fit the tone I was going for. I didn’t even consider anyone else for the project and called him right away with the idea.

ZW: The way Kenny addresses pacing and dialogue is something I really love. He lets the comic breathe and trusts the reader to immerse themselves in the story. I don’t know exactly how the style for the comic came about but I’m sure a lot of it has to do with his narrative structure and the world we’re building. Also, I love older comics like Tintin and Little Nemo!

Why a young girl's pet ferret as a character in The Fearless Rider...why not something more common, such as a cat or dog? Is there something more interesting or special there?

KP: I think it honestly has to do with my love of the movie The Beastmaster as a kid. He had a pair of ferrets named Kodo and Podo. I watched a lot of genre movies in elementary school and middle school, so I always thought that ferrets would make great adventure companions.

ZW: I always wanted a ferret when I was younger but that was a no-go from my parents, because apparently they have a bit of a smell. They are just so cute, who could care! I think it also fits Kara as she isn’t the type to have a basic pet. She’s unique in a lot of ways.

“...I’m still learning the ins and outs of the publishing world. It’s been a really exciting journey so far!”

How did you find your current literary agency and go on to get published with Graphix/Scholastic? What was the submissions process like?

KP: I found my current literary agency, Trident Media Group, after doing a Kickstarter for my original graphic novel Barnstormers!, which I created with artist Renny Castellani. I was contacted by you, Mark Gottlieb, during the Kickstarter and started developing a new project for the book market. From there, it was putting together the pitch with Zach and sending it out into the world. Graphix/Scholastic contacted us about the initial pitch and we fine-tuned the project from there.

ZW: I sort of let Kenny take the lead on this. The Fearless Rider will be my first published book, so I’m still learning the ins and outs of the publishing world. It’s been a really exciting journey so far!

Writing a graphic novel is so different from writing a miniseries or ongoing monthly title.

What do you feel the comic book publishing experience has been like with a larger independent book publisher like Scholastic, versus a direct-to-market comic book publisher such as IDW? Is the direct market holding comic books back?

KP: I’d say the pace is what’s mostly different. Writing a graphic novel is so different from writing a miniseries or ongoing monthly title. I enjoy both the traditional comic book publishing side and the larger independent book publishing side. Each has their own challenges and format that let me experiment with comic book storytelling.

ZW: I’m excited to work on a project I'm so passionate about for a long period of time. The struggle of smaller projects is tough because you spend so much time looking for work that you may not get as much done. I can’t wait to really sink my teeth into something more substantial.

“...I always let whoever I’m working with have their input in the storytelling process. It’s collaboration at every stage of the game.”

It is hard enough writing a story. Does also illustrating a story present its own set of challenges, or do you find that it is liberating in some way?

KP: Writing visually is a whole different skill set, so I always try to think like an artist (as best as I can) and I always let whoever I’m working with have their input in the storytelling process. It’s collaboration at every stage of the game. I’m just lucky to be working with someone as talented as Zach.

ZW: Kenny has been a blast to work with. He has a clear vision here and helping him to craft it is easier because of that. It’s always hard to bring a world to life but the back and forth of working with a writer takes a huge weight off my shoulders.

You get to be any comic book/manga/anime/video game character from whichever world of your choosing. Who do you choose to be and why?

KP: I would almost always choose to be a Green Lantern. Having that power ring and being able to fly through space and create insane constructs would just be too much fun. I recently wrote a Guy Gardner story for DC Comics and it was a dream come true to be able to play in that pocket of the DC Universe.

ZW: I’d say Link from The Legend of Zelda. The design of those game worlds are so immersive and surreal. Plus that outfit is tops!

“If you do great work and put yourself into your stories then people will resonate with that and will want to share them as well.”

Might you be able to share any advice with those still hoping to get their graphic novels published?

KP: I would say find a collaborator that you really gel with creatively, put your heart and soul into the book, and worry about making a great comic before worrying about publishing. If you do great work and put yourself into your stories then people will resonate with that and will want to share them as well.

ZW: Just create. As much as you can, as often as you can. Keep putting your creative energy out there and don’t be afraid to make connections. Rejection is a huge part of life so don’t let that stop you! Also, try to keep your stories small at first. Short sixteen page chunks are a great way to work and create a varied portfolio.

What can we expect next from the world of The Fearless Rider?

KP: I definitely have ideas for follow-ups and spin-off stories, even if they don’t directly connect with the main thread. The road is always wide open for more adventures.

ZW: I really want a one-shot of the Shinpi Rider character from the book. A fictional super sentai warrior with over the top action and drama! A guy can dream, can’t he?

08:49 (IST) Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu Latest Update Tamil Nadu govt extends lockdown till 30 June Tamil Nadu govt extends coronavirus lockdown till 30 June, with new set of relaxations including the partial resumption of public transport. Public transport by bus allowed up to 50 percent in all but Chennai and two other districts, while there are restrictions on public meetings, religious worships in public, bars, cinema halls and malls continue to remain shut in all districts till end June.  08:35 (IST) Coronavirus Outbreak in Kerala Latest Update Malls gear up for reopening in Kerala After the Union Ministry of Home Affairs allowed hotels, malls across the country to open from June 8, except those falling in containment zones, the management at malls in Kerala have been gearing up to ensure all safety precautions are met with as per the Centre's guidelines. "We all are waiting for the malls to reopen. We have to give a safe environment to the customers, therefore, our staff is busy sanitising the place right now. We have done markings around the mall to ensure that social distancing is followed," Afshin KP, Manager at Mall of Travancore told ANI. 08:27 (IST) Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update Modi to address the nation through 'Mann Ki Baat' at 11 am today Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the 65th edition of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' at 11 am on Sunday, the final day of the fourth phase of nationwide lockdown. The address by the Prime Minister is likely to focus on the relaxations being given from June 1, after over two months of lockdown to control the spread of COVID-19. 08:21 (IST) Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Update Global COVID-19 case count surpasses 6 million mark The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus worldwide has surpassed six million, according to data provided by the Johns Hopkins University. Meanwhile, the death toll from the disease has exceeded 367,000 and more than 2.5 million COVID-19 patients have recovered since the pandemic began. The United States remains the worst-hit country with the highest number of those infected — 1,760,740 — and the highest COVID-19 death toll — 103,472. It is now followed by Brazil that has recorded more than 465,000 infections since the outbreak. 08:17 (IST) Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Update Police check IDs of commuters at Delhi-Gurugram border Vehicles queue-up as the police officials are checking passes and IDs of people at the Delhi-Gurugram border. The state government has sealed borders with the national capital due to increasing number of cases, reports ANI. Haryana: Police are checking passes and IDs of people at Delhi-Gurugram border. State government has sealed borders with the national capital due to increasing number of #COVID19 cases. pic.twitter.com/kKIAmaEmeA — ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2020 08:09 (IST) Coronavirus Outbreak in Assam Latest Update Assam crosses 1,200-mark in COVID-19 with 159 new cases Assam's COVID-19 cases crossed the 1,200-mark on Saturday with 159 people, including 20 air travellers, across districts testing positive for the disease, state Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. With these cases, the total number of COVID-19 patients has gone up to 1,216 in the state from 1,057 on Friday. OF the total cases, 1,046 are active, Sarma said in a tweet. 📌Alert ~ 31 new cases of #COVID19+ 20 Air travellers, Morigaon 11 ↗️Total cases 1216 ↗️Recovered 163 ↗️Active cases 1046 ↗️Deaths 04 Update 11:40 pm / May 30 / Day's total as of now 159#AssamCovidCount pic.twitter.com/0iX8oDcoX7 — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 30, 2020 08:01 (IST) Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update Conduct sero-survey to track COVID-19 spread,  ICMR tells states The top health research body, ICMR, has advised states to conduct sero-survey to assess the proportion of population including asymptomatic individuals exposed to coronavirus infection. A sero-survey involves testing of blood serum of a group of individuals for the presence of antibodies against that infection to know who has been infected in the past and has now recovered. Depending upon the level of sero-prevalence of infection, appropriate public health interventions can be planned and implemented for prevention and control of the disease, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said. 07:54 (IST) Coronavirus Outbreak in United States Latest Update US records 960 new COVID19 deaths in past 24 hours The United States recorded 960 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours, bringing its toll to 1,03,758  as per Johns Hopkins University.  07:52 (IST) Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Update Despite UP govt having over 70,000 buses, labourers had to walk home: SP chief Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday hit out at the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, claiming that despite having over 70,000 buses in its fleet, labourers had to walk home amid the COVID-19 lockdown resulting in many deaths. In a statement issued here on Saturday, he said, "Despite lockdown, there has been no decrease in the spread of the disease. The infection has increased and economy destroyed. "The BJP works to entangle the vulnerable public of the state and the country in emotional issues. The dream of poor, farmers and labourers have shattered. The trust of the country's citizens has broken," he said. "Has the dreams achche din (good days), promised by the BJP been fulfilled?" the SP chief sought to know. 07:41 (IST) Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update India sees increase in cases, recoveries rate rises to 47.4% According to the Union health ministry, in the 24 hours till 8 am on Saturday, the country reported 265 fatalities and 7,964 cases of the viral infection, taking the total number of those infected to 1,73,763 and toll to 4,971. This is the second consecutive day that the country has registered more than 7,000 new cases. However, the recovery rate also went up with over 11,000 patients having recovered in the last 24 hours, the highest number of recoveries recorded in one day According to the health ministry data, 11,264 patients recovered between Friday and Saturday updates, taking the recovery rate to 47.40 percent. Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates: The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus worldwide has surpassed six million, according to data provided by the Johns Hopkins University. Meanwhile, the death toll from the disease has exceeded 367,000 and more than 2.5 million COVID-19 patients have recovered since the pandemic began. The top health research body, ICMR, has advised states to conduct sero-survey to assess the proportion of population including asymptomatic individuals exposed to coronavirus infection. The Centre on Saturday issued orders extending the coronavirus lockdown in containment zones to 30 June as the toll due to COVID-19 rose to 4,971 and the number of cases climbed to 1,73,763. It also issued guidelines for a phased re-opening of activities outside the containment zones as the fourth phase of the lockdown ends on 31 May. A nationwide lockdown was first imposed from 25 March for a period of 21 days till 14 April. It was then extended till 3 May, then till 17 May and for a fourth time till 31 May. Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India's recovery rate rose to 47.40 percent on Saturday with 11,264 patients having recovered from the virus in the last 24 hours. The number of active COVID-19 cases stood to 86,422 while 82,369 people have recovered and one patient has migrated, data showed. Shopping malls, hotels to reopen from 8 June; lockdown to continue in containment zones According to an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday, the lockdown imposed to control the spread of the novel coronavirus will continue till 30 June in all containment zones. The order said that containment zones will be demarcated by district authorities and only essential activities will be permitted within these zones. Additionally, no movement in or out of these zones will be allowed, except for medical reasons and for the supply of essential goods and services. From 01.06.2020 ●Within Containment Zones, #Lockdown restrictions to continue till 30.06.2020 ●#Unlock1 All activities to be relaxed in phased manner outside containment zones, as per @MoHFW_INDIA guidelines ●States may impose restrictions/prohibit activities as per assessment pic.twitter.com/LDbmvf6Gfa — Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) May 30, 2020 // // ]]> "In the containment zones, there shall be intensive contact tracing, house-to-house surveillance and other clinical interventions as required," the order stated. Representational Image. AP The order, termed as "Unlock-1", suggested a phased removal of restrictions in areas other than the containment zones, adding that shopping malls and hotels can be reopened in such areas from 8 June. "In Phase I, religious places and places of worship for public, hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services, and shopping malls will be permitted to open from 8 June, 2020.  Health Ministry will issue SOPs for the above activities, in consultation with the Central Ministries/ Departments concerned and other stakeholders, for ensuring social distancing and to contain the spread of COVID-19," the ministry said in a press release.  As per the order, a decision on the reopening of educational institutions will be taken in Phase II. "Schools, colleges, educational/ training/ coaching institutions, etc, will be opened after consultations with States and UTs. State Governments/ UT administrations are being advised to hold consultations at the institution level with parents and other stakeholders.  Based on the feedback, a decision on the re-opening of these institutions will be taken in the month of July, 2020," said the order adding that the Union health ministry will prepare guidelines for ensuring social distancing in consultation with other stakeholders. Phase-III shall consist of removing curbs on international travel, resumption of metro rail services, opening of cinema halls, gyms, swimming pools, theatres, bars, auditoriums, etc. Social, religious, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural events, and "other large congregations" may also be permitted. However, the dates for re-starting these activities will be decided "after consultation", stated the orders. All activities apart from those mentioned above will be allowed in non-containment areas but a night curfew from 9 pm to 5 am will continue to operate across the country, said the MHA. All movement will be restricted during this time and allowances will be made only for essential activities. The government also clarified that there will be no restriction on inter-State and intra-state movement of persons and goods, and no separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements. However, the Centre granted states and Union Territories leeway to impose more restrictions outside containment zones if deemed necessary. The ministry also said that states/UTs may identify buffer zones where new cases are more likely to occur and restrictions may be imposed in such zones by district authorities. Punjab, Madhya Pradesh extend lockdown Separately, the Punjab government extended lockdown in the state till 30 June, with certain more relaxations in line with the guidelines of the Central government. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also announced extension of lockdown in the state till 15 June while interacting with students through a video conference. India sees increase in cases, recoveries rise too According to the Union health ministry, in the 24 hours till 8 am on Saturday, the country reported 265 fatalities and 7,964 cases of the viral infection, taking the total number of those infected to 1,73,763 and toll to 4,971. This is the second consecutive day that the country has registered more than 7,000 new cases. However, the recovery rate also went up with over 11,000 patients having recovered in the last 24 hours, the highest number of recoveries recorded in one day According to the health ministry data, 11,264 patients recovered between Friday and Saturday updates, taking the recovery rate to 47.40 percent. The health ministry, in a statement, also said that doubling rate had improved to 15.4 days in the past three days. "As on 30 May, the doubling time in the past 14 days was 13.3, it has improved to 15.4 days in the last three days. The fatality rate stands at 2.86 percent," the statement said. Of the 265 deaths reported since Friday morning, 116 were in Maharashtra, 82 in Delhi, 20 in Gujarat, 13 in Madhya Pradesh, nine in Tamil Nadu, seven in West Bengal, four each in Telangana and Rajasthan, two in Punjab and one each in Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. Of the total 4,971 fatalities, Maharashtra tops the tally with 2,098 deaths followed by Gujarat (980), Delhi (398,) Madhya Pradesh (334), West Bengal (302), Uttar Pradesh (198), Rajasthan (184), Tamil Nadu (154), Telangana (71) and Andhra Pradesh (60). More than 70 percent of the deaths are due to comorbidities, the ministry said. According to the health ministry data updated in the morning, the highest number of confirmed cases in the country are from Maharashtra at 62,228 followed by Tamil Nadu at 20,246, Delhi at 17,386, Gujarat at 15,934, Rajasthan at 8,365, Madhya Pradesh at 7,645 and Uttar Pradesh at 7,284 "5,043 cases are being reassigned to states," the ministry said on its website adding, "Our figures are being reconciled with the ICMR." States report new cases However, states continued reporting new cases through the day and a PTI tally at 7 pm put the total number of confirmed cases at 1,70,522 and toll at 4,799. The coronavirus related fatalities in Karnataka rose to 49 with the death of a 47-year-old woman while 141 new coronavirus cases were confirmed on Saturday taking the infection tally to 2,922, PTI quoted state minister S Suresh Kumar as saying. Among the fresh cases, 90 are inter-state passengers, he said. Tamil Nadu witnessed a spike of 938 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, taking the infection count to 21,184, while four men and two women died of COVID-19 pushing the death toll to 160. Of the 938 new cases, 82 were returnees from other states and a foreign country. In Nagaland, which had remained COVID-19 free till Monday, 11 Chennai returnees tested positive on Saturday, taking the number of active cases to 36, Health and Family Welfare minister S Pangnyu Phom said. Meanwhile, in Manipur, a 19-year-old woman who returned from Gujarat recently tested positive for COVID-19, taking the total number of cases in the state to 60. New cases were also reported in West Bengal, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, among others. Confirmed cases in West Bengal climbed to 5,130 on Saturday after 317 more people tested positive for coronavirus, the state health department bulletin said. Seven fresh deaths due to the disease were also reported in the state, taking the toll to 237, it said. With inputs from PTI

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