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1. Hello! Please tell me about yourself! You may start wherever you’d like.
Hi, I am Ayesha Anam Althaf. I am 17 years old and from Bangalore. You can tell I am an extrovert-introvert person; I like socializing, although sometimes I love being all by myself. A person, who loves listening to music at any point of the day or in any mood. A person, who loves to read a lot when it comes to novels. A foodie. I have been writing for a year and have been published in many anthological publications. I have been working on my solo book “Thought I’D Never See You Again”. I hope to publish it soon and be a recognized author soon. My contact
Instagram:- anaalfa.writes
Wattpad:- anaalfa.writes
Mail :- anaalfa.writes@gmail.com
2. When did you start writing, and what makes you enjoy it?
I wrote my first poem in 8th, I suppose. Then, it restarted in the 10th standard when there was a lockdown. To be honest, I never thought I would be a writer. I was always interested in writing a story. I never knew it would turn into a strong passion, I would be persuasive. It's been a year now. Exactly around this time of the year, I was nervous about being selected for my first ever anthology. Now I am proud of how far I have come. For the second part of the question, I can tell it’s the best thing that makes me happy. It helps me to be the real me who doesn’t have to fake it to be perfect or change myself the way the world wants me to be. It helps me smile through my dark times and become happier.
3. What is the most challenging part of your writing process?
I think getting over a poem or an emotion or writing one when I am mentally tired. It’s tough to remember every single detail when I’m working on my novel. If I get back to writing after taking a break for a few days, it is challenging for me.
4. I love how in one of your works titled "metamorphosis" you depict the hard truth of growing up which isn't always fun and quite often far from what we imagined when we were kids. How does writing this make you feel?
I feel that life was better as a kid than being a teenager. Teenage years in one's life are always kind of messed up at one point in their life because they will be treated as a child but at the same time, they are expected to act like adults by others. It’s a stage of life where it can help you to make it to the top or fall on your face and never want to get up, that’s when the reality of life starts hitting us. We need to come out of our comfort zones if we have to top the list in our field of interest. We forget how we used to smile and cry with our innocent hearts when we were kids. When we became more mature, we smile when our heart is screaming inside so that we don’t have to explain to others what’s going on inside our head, that’s when maturity hits us hard. I’ve always thought that life will be good when we come out of school but, now I feel we stay in school forever.
5. 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?
I don’t fully support the first statement. However, it could be an exception in some cases. I believe creativity isn’t something that is forced. Either it’s inbuilt or learned with interest with self inputs. Yes, sometimes I write to heal myself because I am not strong enough to tell someone. It helps me to be a better person and a happier version of myself while I ink my sadness onto the paper.
We all feel different kinds of the feels simultaneously because we are distinct individuals with varying life stories and mindsets. It’s good to be aware of your feeling and keep them in control so that they don’t overpower you.
“Creativity is your intelligence having fun.”
-Albert Einstein
I agree with him on this statement.
Creativity, to me, is like keeping your legs on the ground even when you know how to fly. Your creativity is something that makes you unique in your way.
6. 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?
Yes, a lot. I think it is most needed when it comes to writing. It helps you to calm down some time of your thoughts. The fear will always be there even if you’re great at writing. If you let that fear take over, you can’t do anything when it comes to writing.
That is what I usually do, I will take a break for a while to calm myself down, and I would come up with better ideas while I write down any ideas that pop inside my head, in a book that I’ve always carried with me when I think I am ready to work on that content.
Tips;- it's okay to have writer’s block, but it’s not okay if you give up thinking; you can’t give up. Stay calm and focus; everything will fall into place eventually.
7. What is the best way to improve writing skills?
By letting myself get more exposure to other literary works by other poets and poetesses. By taking things slow, taking another step further. Works on topics or poems that might seem difficult. I do collaboration posts with a lot of writers on my writing account, which helps me be exposed to different styles of writing while learning something new at the same time.
8. If you could spend a day with a famous author, whom would you choose?
Sudha Murthy or maybe Colleen Hoover or Chetan Bhagat, I can’t choose. But probably I will choose Sudha ma’am, her book the magic drum was the first book I had ever read back when I started reading. I think I have read almost all the books in her collection ever since. She is one of my inspirations when it comes to writing. After that, I started reading other authors as I’m still looking for exposure, adventure, and experimenting with my writing by reading new ones.
9. Have you read anything that makes you think differently about life? Can you share some of your favorite books so far?
Not quite sure because every book comes with its own back stories and adventure in itself.
Twilight series, a favorite of all time
It ends with us
House of cards
400 days
Dork diaries
10. Finally, what would you say to young creatives trying to craft their ethic?
Always believe in yourself. Never give up, even if you feel like you won’t make it. You might be just one step away when you think of it like that. It's okay not to be okay. If it is meant for you, no one can take it from you.
That’s the end of our interview session, thank you so much for your participation!
Interviewed by Saufa Natzira
Edited by Kanishka Kataria
Cover page by Brianna Paulino
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