Scriptwriting Contest Winner - Interview With Drishti Mohnani

Hello Drishti! Please, tell me about yourself! (This can range from telling us about your life story with personal anecdotes or a general description of what you would like others to know about who you are.) 

I'm a 17-year-old from India. I love writing. I've written several poems in the past, some of which are published, and a few short stories, but this was the first time I wrote a screenplay. For me, writing has always been a therapeutic experience, whether it was stringing beautiful words into a poem or simply venting in my diary. I believe that writing is the best way to connect with others, share my experience, knowledge, and even inspire others.

What are your favorite creative hobbies to do, and why do you like to do them? When did you realize you enjoy the creative hobby you like to do?

I love writing poems. The first poem I ever wrote was for a school assignment, and ever since then, I've realized how beautiful it can feel to jumble up a bunch of words and sew them in a beautiful thread of poetry. Poetry has given me new ways to express myself and to store my feelings in words. Every time I write a new one, it feels like I'm having a conversation with myself. I'm getting to know a part of myself that remained unknown to me before.

How does expressing your creativity make you feel?

Writing poems makes me feel happy and invincible. It makes me feel as though I possess the power of words, which can help me influence other people’s thoughts and send a message out there to the world through my words. I can express myself and make myself heard in this world full of voices, and be a voice that stands out. A voice that is unique yet relatable. However, the most important thing is that I express my thoughts and turn those thoughts into a poem that can bring a smile to everyone's faces, especially mine!

Tell me about when you created the first piece that you were so proud of! If you feel comfortable, please share this piece with us!

The first piece I wrote was for a school assignment along with my project partner. To be honest, it didn't turn out to be the best work we did, but it was good. The actual piece that I wrote myself was almost 2 years later. I didn't know that something so ordinary, when described with a little bit of creativity, could sound so different. 

The day covered with mystical mist

Wondering if its because of a beast

Full of fear I'm marching in it

Althought I'm using a bus for it

People around me are carefree

As they are all fearfree

Because all of us know it's not a mystical mist

Neither it was created by beast

They are just my thoughts

That I was thinking in the crowds

Have you been published before? If you have, please tell us about the experience. If not, feel free to express your thoughts on getting published one day, by either our organization or another! 

One of my poems on science has been published before in the magazine of a Science center that I used to attend. But I'd love for my poem to get published someday somewhere where it can reach more people and they can feel those emotions that I felt as I wrote them, and through my poems, people find words to express themselves as well. 

Is there anyone who gives inspiration to your work?

Nature inspires me the most.

 Is there any poet or person in literature who inspired and/or still inspires you to take up a pen and write? 

Robert Frost is my favorite poet. His poems inspire me to write, and they also make me realize how some of the most important lessons of life can be learnt just from observing simple things. 

Do you have a future dream job related to the hobby you do? If not, what would you like to be when you’re older? 

As much as I love writing poems, I just want it to be a hobby that brings me and others joy. When I'm older, I'd like to pursue a career in scientific research.

Any future poems or artworks in the works? If so, what are they about?

Currently none.

What advice would you give to young creatives trying to craft their skills and work ethic?

I'd only like to say that follow your heart! Carpe Diem!

Read Drishti's award-winning script here on our website!

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Cover page by Brianna Paulino

Interviewed by Ainsley Ancheta