1. Can you tell us a little about your book?
Darkness and Light comprises a set of verses written on an impulse over a week or so. The impulse was instinctive and not drawn by any motivation except of self-expression. I guess, there were these emotions inside me waiting for release and they moved from that realm into one of words and verses.
2. Is there a specific event that inspired this story or was this an out of the blue idea?
It was an out of the blue idea to the extent that they found instinctive release but the experiences they represent were spread over time, some of quite recent origin. Events with deep psychological and emotional impact demand release in some form or the other and I chose the path of poetry.
3. What got you writing in the first place?
You see, there is this unknown and then there is the known. In between there is a door that gets one to the other space. The enterprise of dealing with emotions function in quite a similar way. That door for me was poetry. Maybe many emotions would have remained faceless and unrecognized had they not found their physical manifestations, which in this case was in poetry.
4. What was your impression of your first draft when you read it?
Of horror and surprise. Was all of that really me? Today they look like strangers in a country fair that has moved to another town.
5. Which part of your story connects the most with you? Why?
I can connect with the entire set of poems simply because they are intimately connected to me. It’s difficult to divorce a part of yourself, the denial will not be justified. Reality is not a possibility I can afford to disregard.
6. What makes your book the one to read?
I guess everybody may find a part of themselves in it. In one way or the other. If not in the words it might be in the rhythm. It isn’t so profound for it to be considered a mystery. Life has a simplicity, an eventuality about it at the end of the day. Everyone may want to relate to it.
7. What was the best advice you got while writing?
None. The exercise was very individualistic and I just used an inherent intent.
8. Who’s your all-time favourite author? Which book of his/hers made you fall in love with them?
There is such brilliance out there it would be preposterous to single any one out. Besides, the authors I admire keep changing with the years. The relevance they have for you is an evolutionary process. Right now I am reading A Treasure Trove Of Spiritual Transmission by Longchen Rabjam and his other works but it would be disingenuous of me to say that others have not had deep influences on me at different stages of my life.
9. What is your evergreen tip to the writers out there?
Be yourself. That’s the best you can be and you have to rest in the belief that it is more than good enough.
10. Do you have another plot brewing?
Yes, things are stirring inside. They will demand an expression soon, I guess.