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Interviewed during March 2023
1. Hello! Please tell me about yourself! You may start wherever you’d like.
Answer: My name Is Alika Gupta and I am very glad that I got this opportunity to do this interview with you, so thank you for that. I come from India. I am currently a high-school student. I am quite passionate about writing and even reading new kinds of poetry. My other interests include public speaking, debating, and playing badminton. So that’s all about me!
2. When did you start writing poems, and what makes you enjoy it?
Answer: I have written poems since I was a kid, be it for school projects or competitions. But back then neither was I exceptionally good at it, nor did I thoroughly enjoy it. I also had very little knowledge of what poetry is. I only very recently found out the kind of poetry that I truly appreciate. The part that I enjoy is the end product. It is not always up to the mark, but it is all a part of learning, isn’t it?
3. Who are some of your favorite poets? Why do you like their work?
Answer: I was introduced to Robert Frost quite early in my life, grade 5 I think. So he is one of my absolute favorites. His poems are not particularly abstract, yet hold a deep message. I like that about his work. Another poet I respect is one from my country, Gulzar. His poems and even his songs are just heart-touching to me.
4. What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Answer: While in the process of writing, I usually don’t face any problems because I am continuously writing what comes to mind without a break. But after the poem is done, it has happened many times to me that the poem seems incomplete, as if something is missing. Finding that completing piece for that particular poem proves to be difficult.
5. What’s your favorite poem that you’ve written? And what’s the story behind it?
Answer: Ah, I love this question! I like some parts of each poem. A line of this poem, a line of that poem. So I don’t really have a favorite poem of mine. As for the story, there really isn’t a story behind any of my poems. It might sound like I lack inspiration and passion because of this answer of mine, but that’s not the case. I have quite a mundane and regular life is all, and so there isn’t a particular chain of thought attached to a piece. My words might be hollow, but I adore them just as much.
6. Some people say that desperation will force creativity to emerge, some even write to heal, and artists are known as those who feel things deeply. Do you believe in all of those? And what does creativity means to you?
Answer: Interesting question there… yes I do believe in these statements. It is quite natural to get inspired to write something, or just perform some kind of art when you are feeling a lot. In that moment, your ideas and creativity may get magnified. I do know many people around me who wrote beautiful pieces of work when they were hurting or were euphoric, so maybe artists do feel deeply. But as for me, this statement stands false. There are very less things that perplex me, that make me wander away from my black and white way of viewing things. So I guess I can say that these do not hold true for me personally, but definitely for many others.
Creativity to me is being unfiltered. If what you’re writing, or putting out there is really your own and if you truly love what you’re doing, then it’s creativity to me.
7. To what extent has being a poet influenced the way you see the world and vice versa?
Answer: Now that I write poetry quite often, I am always searching for beauty, or even ugliness in everyday regular things. Words people have said to me or around me, I imagine putting these words in a poem of mine. Things I see people do, I try to turn them into words and fit them in my poems. I have started observing things more deeply now. The same goes vice versa. Because of looking at things more minutely, I can add that touch of humanity to my poems if I want to.
8. Writers can experience some level of writer's block, which could stem from fear of failure or criticism that prevents us from writing. How do you deal with that? And do you have any tips for others on how to overcome this?
Answer: I am aware of the fact that there are many kinds of poetry and there is an audience for each type of poetry. If you write romantic poetry, there are people out there who will appreciate that. If you write experimental poetry, which I do, there are fellow poets who do that and similarly, there is an audience which likes this type of poetry. So that’s what I do and that’s my tip, find the right type of audience who can appreciate what you write. But that’s not it. Constructive criticism is necessary, especially when it makes you better. So don’t be afraid to let other people read what you write. if you feel like whatever the other person is saying is correct, then accept and apply it. Otherwise, keep writing and be confident.
9. What do you think is the best way to improve writing skills?
Answer: Be persistent. Your first, second or even third piece of writing may not content you, but that doesn’t mean it never will. Every time you write something, you realise your mistakes, make corrections and learn. Also, read poems by other poets. This is an excellent way of getting new ideas and discovering new ways of writing. This is exactly how I learned that poems need not always rhyme and that I can not follow rules if I don’t want to. And again, believe in your words and write what you truly like, not what others consider “poetry”.
10. What would be your number one piece of advice for someone who wants to start writing poetry but doesn’t know where to begin?
Answer: the very first step is reading and listening. You cannot start writing without knowing the epistemology of words. So take your time learning about words, which are so very needed while writing poetry. Second is find out what kind of poetry you yourself like. This can again be done by reading poems written by other poets. Discover whether you like writing about nature, emotions, real life incidents, social problems, or anything and everything. Then pick up your pen (or your keyboard) and write away. You will definitely get better with time. Thirdly, decide the theme of your poem before you start writing anything, and work towards that theme. Make sure your poems are not vague. And always follow your intuition! That’s important.
That’s the end of our interview session, thank you so much for your participation!
Check out the Instagram page that she's a part of: https://www.instagram.com/voiceyourvichaar/
Interviewed by Saufa Natzira
Cover page by Brianna Paulino
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