Subhechcha Ganguly 
In the vibrant landscape of contemporary literature, Kasturi Sinha stands as a beacon of creativity and intellectual prowess. Born on May 20, 1993, she embarked on her journey as a writer at a young age, driven solely by her passion for the written word. With an impressive repertoire of solo books including Ashes of Love, Vierzehn Echoes, and An Ode to Reminiscence, Miss Sinha has etched her name among the literary elite. Currently pursuing her research endeavours as a Scholar at Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, her commitment to academia is as profound as her love for writing and teaching. Today, we delve into her insights on youth, research, writing, and the art of poetic expression.
1. As a youth icon and an accomplished writer, what advice would you offer to the aspiring authors navigating the complexities of modern-day literature?
Answer: As a youth icon and an accomplished writer the first and foremost advice I will give to all the aspiring authors, first be a voracious reader and as a reader immerse yourself in a variety of genres, styles, and voices. Read intensely so that understanding the landscape of literature will help you find your own unique voice and style. Apart from reading one needs to be consistent in writing as practice is also essential. Set aside dedicated time for writing each day or week. Writing is a skill that improves with regular effort and perseverance. Don’t be afraid to revise, rewrite and edit your work multiple times. Feedback from trusted peers or mentors can be invaluable in this process. Being an author you need to also understand your audience, to know who you’re writing for. Understanding your target audience will help you tailor your writing to their interests and expectations. Write what you know and what you are passionate about. Authenticity resonates with readers and makes the work more relatable and compelling. The road to becoming a published author is often long and filled with rejection. So, don’t be dishearten and afraid of coming forward. Persistence and resilience are keys. Keep writing, submitting, and believing in your work.
2. Could you share a glimpse into your latest solo book, “Vierzehn Echoes,” and the inspiration behind its creation?
Answer: Vierzehn is a German word for fourteen. Vierzehn Echoes is a collection of 14-line wonders, a journey through the poetic merry-go-round, where brevity becomes a canvas for profound expression. Each of the fourteen lines acts as an echo, contributing to the overarching narrative of how our lives are intertwined in profound and often unexpected ways. This collection encapsulates a universe of emotions, thoughts, and reflections, carefully crafted within the constraints of a sonnet. As you delve into the verses, may you discover the power of conciseness, the beauty of language distilled, and the resonance of timeless themes. The poems here knit together a garland of beautiful emotional moments, dreams, and musings, inviting you to linger in the mosaic of words. The inspiration to create this type of collection has come from world’s greatest sonneteer William Shakespeare and others like Philip Sidney, Edmund Spenser and Thomas Wyatt. As a poet I personally loved the structure of sonnets, the perfect frame it provides, the fascinating Shakespearean couplets or the beauty of Petrarchan sestet, the breaking down of sections into quatrains, the rhyme scheme which talks of the little sound or song and the way each line was nourished in the praise of someone or something creating a fountain of emotions discovering the more in less. At that time love and romance were prominent themes in many sonnets but my collection stemmed from my fascination with how human experiences are interconnected. I was intrigued by the concept that individual lives, no matter how disparate, often share common threads of emotion, struggle, and triumph. This idea led me to craft a series of poems in a particular structure with some illustrations to enhance the echo that, while standing alone, collectively create a chain of shared human experiences.
3. Transitioning between your roles as a scholar and an author, how do you manage to balance academic pursuits with your passion for writing?
Answer: Balancing the roles of a scholar and an author requires careful time management, clear goal setting, and leveraging the synergies between the two pursuits. Here’s how I manage it:
Scheduling: Allocate specific times of the day or week for academic work and creative writing. For example, mornings can be dedicated to scholarly research when your mind is fresh, while evenings and nights can be reserved for creative writing.
Prioritization: Prioritize tasks based on deadlines and importance. Academic deadlines often have fixed dates, so those might take precedence when they are approaching.
Goal Setting:
Short-Term Goals: Set daily or weekly goals for both academic and writing projects. This helps in maintaining steady progress in both areas.
Long-Term Goals: Define what you aim to achieve in the long run, like publishing a research paper or completing a creative writing book. These goals keep you motivated and focused.
Integration of Discipline: This is a must need for both of the things.
Flexibility: Be prepared to adjust your schedule as needed. Sometimes, inspiration for writing may strike, or a research project might demand more immediate attention.
Breaks and Rest: Regular breaks and proper rest are crucial to maintain productivity in both scholarly and creative activities. Burnout can be detrimental to both pursuits.
Physical Activity: Engaging in physical activities can help clear your mind and boost creativity and concentration.
4. What techniques or practices do you find most effective in nurturing the creative process and honing your skills as a poet and writer?
Answer: Nurturing the creative process and honing skills as a poet and writer often involves a combination of habits, techniques, and practices. Here are some effective ones:
Regular Writing Practice: Writing regularly, even when inspiration is lacking, helps build discipline and skill. Setting aside specific times each day to write can make creativity a habit.
Reading Widely: Reading a variety of genres, styles, and authors exposes you to different techniques and perspectives. This can inspire new ideas and improve your understanding of language and structure.
Keeping a Journal: Maintaining a journal for thoughts, observations, and ideas can serve as a valuable resource. It’s a space to experiment and capture fleeting inspirations.
Writing Prompts and Exercises: Using prompts and exercises can push you out of your comfort zone and spark creativity. They can provide structure and challenge you to think differently.
Workshops and Writing Groups: Participating in workshops or writing groups offers feedback and support. Engaging with other writers provides new insights and helps improve your work through constructive criticism.
Studying Craft: Learning about the elements of poetry and storytelling, such as meter, rhyme, narrative structure, and character development, can refine your technique. Books on writing, online courses, and lectures can be beneficial.
Mindfulness and Observation: Being mindful and observant in daily life can enrich your writing. Paying attention to details in your environment and emotions can provide rich material for your work.
Revision and Editing: Revising and editing are crucial to honing your craft. Writing is often improved through multiple drafts, focusing on clarity, coherence, and impact.
Experimentation: Trying out new forms, genres, and styles can expand your creative range. Don’t be afraid to experiment and take risks with your writing.
Connecting with Nature: Spending time in nature can be rejuvenating and inspire creativity. It offers a change of scenery and can help clear your mind.
Setting Goals: Setting specific, achievable writing goals can provide direction and motivation. Whether it’s completing a certain number of poems or submitting work to publications, goals help maintain focus.
Finding Inspiration: Inspiration can come from various sources such as art, music, films, or personal experience.
5. Reflecting on your literary journey, which book holds the most personal significance for you, and why?
Answer: 1984 by George Orwell. 1984 is significant because it explores themes of totalitarianism, surveillance, and individual freedom. It has had a profound influence on discussions about privacy, government control, and the power of language. Orwell’s depiction of a dystopian society where the government exercises total control over all aspects of life resonates strongly with readers and continues to be relevant in today’s world. The novel’s concepts, such as “Big Brother” and “Thoughtcrime” have become part of our cultural lexicon, highlighting the enduring power of Orwell’s vision.
6. What was the biggest challenge you faced while writing your book?
How do you deal with writer’s block?
What have you learned about yourself through the process of writing?
Can you share a moment when you felt particularly discouraged or stuck, and how you overcame it?
Answer: Biggest Challenge Faced While Writing a Book
The biggest challenge many writallenge Faced While Writing a Bookers face while writing a book is maintaining consistency and motivation throughout the process. Writing a book is a long-term commitment, and it can be difficult to stay focused and dedicated over an extended period. This challenge often includes dealing with self-doubt, time management issues, and the pressure to produce quality work continuously.
Dealing with Writer’s Block
Dealing with writer’s block involves various strategies, and different approaches work for different people:
Setting a routine, taking breaks, encouraging free writing technique i.e. writing without worrying about quality or coherence can help overcome blockages by allowing ideas to flow freely. Then changing the environment plays a great role too, writing in a different location or altering the writing environment can stimulate creativity and lastly, seeking inspiration from reading other works, watching films, or engaging in creative activities can spark new ideas.
Self-Discovery through Writing
The process of writing a book often leads to significant self-discovery. Writers learn about their perseverance, creativity, and ability to articulate complex thoughts. They may also discover their strengths and weaknesses, both in writing and personally. Writing can be a cathartic experience, helping writers understand their emotions, beliefs, and the world around them more deeply.
Overcoming Discouragement or Feeling Stuck
Feeling discouraged or stuck is a common experience for writers. A specific moment that stands out might be hitting a major plot hole or receiving critical feedback that undermines confidence. Overcoming such moments involves a mix of resilience and practical strategies:
Seeking Support: Talking to fellow writers, friends, or mentors can provide encouragement and constructive feedback.
Revisiting Goals: Reminding yourself of the original inspiration and goals for writing the book can reignite motivation.
Breaking down the Task: Focusing on smaller sections or chapters can make the overall project feel less daunting.
Revising Plans: Sometimes, reworking an outline or shifting the storyline can provide new direction and energy.
Self-Compassion: Being kind to oneself and acknowledging that feeling stuck is part of the creative process can reduce pressure and self-doubt.
Writing a book is a journey filled with challenges and learning opportunities. It requires persistence, creativity, and the ability to navigate periods of self-doubt and writer’s block. The process ultimately offers valuable insights into oneself and one’s craft.
7. In today’s digital age, how do you perceive the role of technology in shaping the landscape of literature and poetry?
Answer: In today’s digital age, technology plays a transformative role in shaping the landscape of literature and poetry in several ways:
Technology has made literature more accessible through e-books and online platforms like Amazon Kindle, Google Books, and Project Gutenberg. This has democratized access to classic and contemporary works, allowing readers from around the world to access a vast array of literature with ease. Platforms like Kindle Direct Publishing, Smashwords, and Wattpad etc. have empowered writers to self-publish their works, bypassing traditional publishing gatekeepers. This has led to a more diverse literary landscape with voices that might otherwise have been marginalized.
The digital medium allows for interactive and multimedia storytelling. Authors can incorporate hyperlinks, videos, audio, and images into their narratives, creating immersive experiences that traditional print cannot offer. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter have become popular venues for poets and quoter to share their work. The brevity required by these platforms has given rise to new forms of poetry and quotes, such as “instapoetry”, and “instaquotes” characterized by concise and often visually striking compositions. The internet facilitates a global exchange of ideas, allowing writers and poets from different cultural backgrounds to collaborate and influence each other. This has enriched contemporary literature with diverse perspectives and themes. Websites like Goodreads, Reddit, and various writing forums provide spaces for writers to share their work, receive feedback, and collaborate with others. These communities foster creativity and support for emerging writers. Even the Podcast and Pocket FM these days are playing a great role for story tellers.
Digital archives and libraries ensure the preservation of literary works for future generations.
Institutions like the Internet Archive and various university-led digital humanities projects are crucial in this regard. Digitization projects have made rare and out-of-print books available to a wider audience, allowing scholars and readers to access historical texts that were previously difficult to obtain. Tools such as text mining, digital humanities software, and AI-driven literary analysis have opened new avenues for literary criticism and research. These tools allow scholars to analyze large corpora of texts, uncovering patterns and insights that were previously unattainable. The rise of e-books and audio books has changed the economic landscape of publishing. Traditional publishers are adapting to new business models, and authors are finding innovative ways to monetize their work through crowd funding, subscription services, and direct sales. In conclusion, technology has not only changed how literature and poetry are created, distributed, and consumed but also expanded the possibilities for creative expression and scholarly analysis. The digital age has introduced both challenges and opportunities, leading to a dynamic and evolving literary landscape.
