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First of all, please tell me about yourself! You may start wherever you’d like.
Hi everyone! I am Palakh Khanna, an 18-year-old Indian Youth Changemaker and a social entrepreneur. I describe myself as an extremely ambitious, multi-faceted, and a happy-go-lucky dreamer! I am an enthusiastic poet, an active environmentalist, and writer as well! I love expressing my thoughts and pouring my feelings out on paper and I believe change can be brought if you inspire the right people.
What are your favorite creative hobbies to do and why do you like to do them?
As I said, I love writing. Whether it's writing poems or short stories or even compelling essays, writing makes me feel alive and content. I also believe my organization Break. The. Ice. is one of my creative ventures. An unconventional organization and platform where we talk about all things taboo and help in creating an enlightened youth community.
How does expressing your creativity make you feel?
Expressing my creativity makes me feel alive, motivated, and ready to bring change.
When do you realize you enjoy writing?
From forever actually. I don’t remember the first time I picked up a pen and started writing. It has been something I do unknowingly.
Tell me a story where you’ve created the first piece that you were so proud of.
I’m a very self-critical person and for me, my standards of “good” have increased tremendously over the years. But I am still proud of a piece I wrote, called “A Change in Our Approach”, which was published in an anthology that was released on Amazon. In this piece, I talked about how the pandemic has shown us the state of the environment and it is a constant reminder of the apology that human beings owe to the environment for their wrong deeds. I also talk about how we can change our approach and bring peace and overcome the uncertainty.
Have you been published in school newspapers, websites, and more? If so, how does being published make you feel?
I have and I truly believe it is the best feeling ever. It gives me such a boost of motivation to continue writing!
Is there anyone who gives inspiration to your work?
My mother actually! She also writes really well and she has always encouraged me to write more so that I learn how to write better and hone and finesse my writing skills.
What do you do when you have writer’s or artist’s block? How do you overcome it?
Just take a break honestly. I calm myself down, spend time in nature, and indulge in other things. I don’t usually have to overcome it as such since, after a while, I’m already excited to go back to writing.
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?
I don’t know, actually. I have so many passions and interests that I want to explore them all and wait for life to guide me to my future.
Any future writings in the works? If so, what is it about?
Currently, I am co-authoring a book! It is about expressing yourself.
What advice would you give to young creatives trying to craft their ethic?
Explore all the genres which interest you and then stick to one to actually finesse your skill of writing. This will help you become an expert in the field and help you in life!
Here are published works by the interviewee:
Poem published in A Head Full of Dreams Vol 2(picture of of the poem attached below)- https://www.amazon.in/dp/9355650469/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_ZMD8M4ZJYGS90MJPBCQF
Co-author of The Poet's Poetry Vol 2- https://dl.flipkart.com/s/wCVGbANNNN
Interviewed by Erika Chiu
Cover page and illustration by Brianna Paulino
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