1.How did you get the idea to write a poetry book?
I have always been fascinated by poems.I believe poetry is a free flow of human emotions embellished with beautiful words. During COVID days, when the entire world was shut, I opened up my creative outlet to write poems.
2.At what age did you start writing?
I have been writing since my school days. I had maintained my secret diary wherein I would write everything- quotes, poems, stories and dear diary.
3.Is this your first book?
Yes, this is my debut book, Fireflies In A Jar.
4.Why did you name your book as ‘Fireflies In A Jar’?
Actually there is a personal reason to it. I remember as a school girl, me and my friends would love to watch fireflies in the evenings. And it used to be an awe moment for us. The poems written in this book are like those fireflies from childhood.
5.Which is your favourite poem from this book?
Well all of them are close to me but my favourite being the last one,’ Bliss’. It’s an Ode.
6.What do you think is more important- the words used or the feelings?
Here I have to quote what William Wordsworth used to say about poetry,” The spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings, recollected in tranquility.”
So I guess expression of powerful feelings wrapped in aesthetic words with proper meter and rhythm to strike that perfect chord with the readers.
7.Do you think only a good reader can become a good writer?
Yes, I very much believe that in order to write a good book one must be well read, especially classics.
8.Is there a particular time of the day when you write your ideas? When?
Yes, for me my creative juices are overflowing mostly during the early hours of the morning.
9.Who is/are your inspiration?
If you talk of my inspiration, more than external it is internal.I feel words are sacred and writing is like worship. So everything around me, nature, human behaviour, relationships and above all love inspires me to write.
10.What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment?
The fact that when the entire world was ailing during the pandemic, physically as well as mentally, I was able to come out with my first book that too with some very positive poems, is something I am proud of.
11.They say, “Nobody can judge you, as much as you yourself can.” Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Well, this is a very difficult question as it talks of future, which none of us are aware of. But I wish I continue writing every single day and come up with some beautiful stories and poems.
12.What would you do if you weren’t into writing?
Well, I am a teacher and I would have still continues writing, if not fiction than academics.
13.How do you react to the reviews that you get about your writing from your readers?
I have got some very positive reviews about my poems. Everyone says they want more of my writing. This motivates me.
14.Which is your favourite fictional character?
Well, I have read so many books but my favourite character so far has been Santiago, from The Alchemist. I feel there is a Santiago in all of us.
15.Who is your favourite author?
There are many. My choice is not limited but I like poetry more than fiction. So my favourite poet happens to be Emily Dickinson.
16.List any 3 books that you would recommend to our readers.
Well three books that I would recommend is:
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
The English Teacher by R. K Narayan
17.Is there one specific subject you would never write about? What would that be?
Well one subject that I would never be able to write is Horror.
18.Which is your favourite genre? Why?
My favourite genre is fantasy because as a girl I was always fascinated with stories woven around imagination. I think fantasy requires lot of creativity to write.
19.Which genre, according to you, is the most difficult to write?
I feel for me horror would be more difficult to write as I don’t enjoy it.
20.Are you working on your next? What is it about?
Yes, I am working on my next manuscript which is going to be fantasy. I am sure both children and adults are going to love this book.
21.What is your message to other budding poets/writers?
My message to my fellow poets/ writers is to Keep Writing. Everything else is secondary.
