- How does an idea for a story come to you?
I believe that nature’s creation, our lives and emotions has so much of depth and layers that they become an inspiration. If we pay close attention then each thought and moment tells us a story. It was my tiny attempt to capture the essence of these moments and pen them down. My book is a collection of short stories and most of these stories are just moments captured in words.
2. At what age did you start writing?
Well, I started quite late and in my mid-twenties, I came to Mumbi to start my career. The first job that I got was my college campus placement. I loved the city and the people in metros but I started noticing that everyone was so busy with work and surviving in the rat race that they had slowly forgotten to enjoy and live the small moments of joy. I started writing to express and channelize my emotions and observation to remind of our inner being and to bring happiness.
3. Is this your first book?
Yes, this is my first book and I hope to write more.
4. What is the story in ‘Moments‘ about?
Moments is a collection of 42 short stories which are fictional but inspired by our society. How amid busy city life we are forgetting the little moments of joy. Moments, where there is love, lust, romance, the first kiss, hate, struggle, anger, dreams, dare, heartbreaks, death, and freedom. He or she in the tales are just references to the people we all know. And we know them very well… So come and join me in this exploration with an open heart and mind. Don’t judge… Don’t hate… Don’t even admire or love. Just see me, the way I am.
5. Why did you name your book as ‘Moments‘?
Each story in the book is about a small moment and hence the short stories are really short. Small moments can have a profound impact on our lives. So it is all about, taking a moment to sit back and relax. Close your eyes, feel your heartbeat, and then start reading this book. I wanted to present these little moments of lives for anyone who would care.
6. Which is your favorite character from this book?
Well, there are many such stories that are very close to my heart especially the ones of childhood memories. I love traveling and owning to that I have spent a lot of time on the train and doing long journeys. During such journeys, we meet unforgettable persons and experiences on the way. Some of these are my favorite.
7. What do you think is more important- the words used or the feelings?
I undoubtedly believe that feelings are more important than words. As for me, words are just a means to communicate the feelings and emotions.
8. If a favorite character of your favorite book comes alive in front of you, what would you say?
To do what they felt right in the moment, to listen to their heart and not to their mind. Let go of the worries and life will take over.
9. Is there a particular time of the day when you write your ideas? When?
Well there is no such time and I am trying my best to fix up a routine but that’s not happening anyways. So I let the creativity flow whenever it is happening.
10. Just like you are an inspiration to others, who is/are your inspiration?
There are many great personalities and authors who have been my inspiration but to name a few they would be Rabindra Nath Tagore, APJ Abdul Kalam, my grandmother who was a visionary and leader of her time, and many more.
11. What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment?
I am really sure that I am yet to do something big that I can consider as an accomplishment. And I personally feel that I my biggest accomplishment is that I am a student who is always eager to learn, evolve and grow together.
12. They say, “Nobody can judge you, as much as you yourself can.” Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Woww…. that’s a big question. I haven’t really been sure about that but I am certain that I will continue with my writing and I wish to establish my successful business.
13. What would you do if you weren’t into writing?
I am already doing a corporate job in product marketing, branding, and strategy. I guess would have continued in the same direction if I hadn’t found my calling for writing. And as a fun fact, I was always a good orator and very bad at writing though I was good at creating stories. I was surprised at myself in the start when I started writing and how effortlessly it came to me.
14. How do you react to the reviews that you get about your writing from your readers?
I feel so pleased and happy that they were able to connect and understand the emotions and expressions. When readers say that they relate to these stories, life incidents, and moments I feel very satisfied.
15. Which is your favorite fictional character?
Harry Potter, Lord of rings, Chandrakanta from the Indian fictional book series are my favorite.
16. Who is your favorite author?
Rabindra Nath Tagore, gabriel garcía márquez, paulo coelho, Premchandra, Maha Devi Verma and many more.
17. List any 3 books that you would recommend to our readers.
One Hundred Years of Solitude Veronika decides to die and Wuthering heights
18. Is there one specific subject you would never write about? What would that be?
Well, I don’t think there would be anything that I would want to restrict myself from and if the subject is relevant and needs to be discussed then I will write about it.
19. Which is your favorite genre? Why?
I mostly read fictional stories and they are my guilty pleasure. I love to get transported to another world.
20. Which genre, according to you, is the most difficult to write?
I feel it is not the genre but how deep we go in our writing. Bringing that kind of depth where the line of reality and illusion is blurred is the most difficult thing to do.
21. Are you working on your next? What is it about?
Currently, my next project will be on Quarantine and lockdown but the book outline is still in progress, and will share more details soon. I am also working on another book in collaboration with my friend Freedy which is a collection of poems showing love and life’s ups and downs. I am also working on a few movies and web series scripts.
22. What is your message to other budding poets/writers?
Writing is an inside activity and it flows from the inside out. As a writer, it’s our responsibility to go through all the emotions of ours and others, through pain and pleasure without judgment. It is upon us to be the reflection of society and present it to the coming generation in the most authentic manner. To help them value the emotions, imaginations, and creativity within each one of us. The power to observe our surroundings and then mold it as required. To believe that we are the torchbearers who are selected to pave the way, to show the light. To remind everyone that we can create anything we want from our imagination. That we have a heart and soul. And writing comes from within and it flows through us.
Book Your Copy Today :-
Amazon India :- https://www.amazon.in/Moments-Pankhuri-Kumari/dp/9352011805/ref=sr_1_2?crid=34SWD9BFY2E9D&dchild=1&keywords=pankhuri+kumari&qid=1631814292&sprefix=pankhuri+kuma%2Caps%2C321&sr=8-2
