- When did you discover your love for writing?
I remember writing stories, poems, and even song lyrics when I was in 4th standard but never sure that I had a serious thing for writing, I had never even thought of becoming a writer or something. I just used to write my thoughts on paper but to be very honest I fell in love with writing when I was suffering from a deep depression in my teenage days and I somehow figured out that writing makes me calm and deal with it very much. Writing also made me control my emotions and ever since I came more close to writing my emotions on paper, my brain felt lighter and I became happier as a person. I can proudly say, writing has been certainly the best cure for depression to me. - What drives you to write or who inspires you?
My problems, literally my problems inspire me to write. Whenever I feel there is something wrong in my life I try to think how to get over with it and I try to write my emotions, it makes me happy and I always think of sharing good thoughts with others so I always try to write down my thoughts so that if ever someone read my poems they get motivated. - Do you like reading? If yes, please tell us about your favourite authors and books?
Of course I like reading and I love reading more than writing to be very honest because I know what is on my mind when I am writing but reading is an adventure to me, and I get to learn new things, explore new mindset and ideas which can sometimes be relatable and sometimes completely different in a unique way. I love visualizing things as I said earlier and when I am reading something I visualize each and everything which makes the story or the poem more interesting in my terms. So reading has always helped me developed my mindset and creativity to a great extent. Also, I don’t have any specific favourite writer or author because I believe every author/writer has their own unique way of presenting the story which never disappoints me. I always enjoy reading so choosing one wouldn’t do any justice. - Do you prefer writing poetry only or you write prose too?
I write only poems because I am very much into music and when the words rhyme it almost feels music to my ears and I enjoy it a lot. But I have so many thoughts in my mind to write a novel in the future of course. - Do you participate in open mic?
Umm, yes I have performed in one show called ‘The Social House’ and I couldn’t be more grateful for them to giving me a chance to perform in their show and I was so nervous because that was my first time performing ever in front of the crowd and I have this phobia of public speaking.
So they cheered me up and motivated me to speak and I was literally shaking while I was holding the mic because I had this big camera shooting me and a big spotlight and I could see so many pair of eyes starting me and I just wanted to run but I made it and I just poured my emotions out. I knew my content was good but I wasn’t still people were applauding which really boosted my confidence and encouraged me to fight with my fear. And now I have no longer fear of public speaking maybe I have a little bit but I am not afraid to try it again. - What’s your thoughts on storytelling platforms or open mic?
I would love to as I said I am not afraid to try it again. I am even more confident about storytelling. I just know one thing the way I visualize things to write down my emotions, I should do the same with my storytelling. But the only difference is I visualize things for writing and in storytelling I should be telling in a way that others visualize. - Every month there are so many calls for the anthology, how you choose the anthology?
Haha, I have never got any calls or came across such an event. This is my first time submitting my piece ever. - How you come across Album of Hearts Anthology?
So there is a friend of mine (Ashu), who is such a great writer, he shared me one of his poems and a few days later he showed me the same poem in a book with his picture and I was so glad to see his piece published in a book of course by ‘InkQuills Publication House’ and he is the one who told me that I should give it a try and he also told me that how you people are helping new authors/writers to present their talent. So he shared me the link where I had to submit a poem and I was so scared to do that because I knew there would be so many great writers/authors already that no one even look at my piece I literally thought that I wasn’t good enough for this but I didn’t lose hope because of him and I am so blessed to have a supporting friend like him, and I just submitted the least favourite piece of mine because I was scared if I submit my best piece and what if it gets rejected I would totally be heartbroken. Yeah, I am afraid of rejections and who doesn’t? But I never knew that my piece would get selected and I am so grateful to InkQuills Publications House for understanding my emotions and thoughts. - Do you have any near plans for writing your full-length novel or poetry book?
I am not a professional writer but I have written for about 10-15 poems and I really want to publish a book of poetry. Also, I have this story in my mind which I am surely going to start writing very soon for a novel. This is one of the things to do from my bucket list(to write a novel). - Apart from writing, what other things you prefer doing?
Apart from writing I really like travelling and exploring new places and food. I am also planning to start a youtube channel. - Do you have any message for your readers?
Yes, I just want to say be kind and humble to everyone even if there is something you don’t like about the others, just be nice. Smile more and keep going, one day you are going to make it whatever you want in your life. Just have the trust in yourself and never give up. Just do it. God bless you. - What’s your message to budding/ aspiring writers?
Haha, even I am a beginner but one thing I have learned so far that if you really thinking of writing, just do it, just write. Keep going whatever inspires you and write. You don’t have to use fancy or heavy words to become a writer/poet/author just be open about your feelings and jot it down on paper. Best of luck! - Lastly, how was your experience working with us?
It was truly a miracle for me, I never thought that my piece would ever get selected because it was such a beginner thing and the poem I have submitted ‘Learning about Colors’ is a real-life situation of my childhood so there’s a child mind behind the poem. But I am so grateful for the fact that InkQuills Publication House picked up my poem out of so many good writers. I really want to thank you guys for supporting my poem and getting it published. Also, you guys have been a very good host from the start, always kept up updating about everything from choosing the cover of the book to sending us the final book before printing which I really liked. I still don’t believe it but yeah my poem has been published in a book by InkQuills Publication House. Wow!!! This is so amazing. You really motivated me to write even more. Thank you so much!!!
So that was Sushmita. Thank you for taking out time and interacting with us.
Wishing her good luck in all her future endeavours.
You can read more about her here.
— Interviewed by Aditi Srivastava.
