- Can you tell us a little about your book?
Pocket Staples is a collection of narrative poetry, that portrays the relationship of humans with non-living objects. Each poem takes you on a journey of warm and rustic tales and then leaves a comforting imprint on your heart towards the end. This old-fashioned approach not only sends out a message but also celebrates the simplicities of the earlier times.
2. Is there a specific event that inspired this book or was this an out of the blue idea?
When I was fourteen, I lost my dog and like most writers, I also wrote in pain. I wrote about his sufferings and sacrifice on the last page of my school notebook.
Today, even though that page rests in a dispersed state somewhere, I am glad that it gave birth to my writings which you are reading today.
3. What got you writing in the first place?
The realization that I enjoy writing came to me quite late in my life. I was never a voracious reader or a writer while growing up. When I was in law school, I started noticing a pattern that I was happiest when I weaved words and phrases. My weird habit of observing everything possible around me just helped me to imagine and come up with this creative piece of art: ‘Pocket Staples’.
4. What was your impression of your first draft when you read it?
I was actually proud of myself for being finally able to achieve something that I have been dreaming of for years. My face kept beaming constantly while I was placing respective illustrations to each of the poems.
5. Which part of your story connects the most with you? Why?
The ‘Twig Pen’ is closest to my heart, as the ending lines of this poem were the actual dying wish of my late grandfather. This wisdom note left by him speaks about a valuable message on materialism.
6. What makes your book the one to read?
When people choose to read a book, they need to take out time from their busy schedule and they try to read something more relatable. Hence, this short collection of poems helps people to relate and relive the past stories of the bygone rustic era. Also, in today’s time, when everything seems complex in life, this book is an attempt to give you a feel-good comfort and warmth.
7. What was the best advice you got while writing?
I was initially very conscious about sharing my writings. That’s when I was told that all I need to do is just remain confident about what I write and not everyone would love my writings, there will always be critics.
8. Who’s your all-time favorite author? Which book of his/hers made you fall in love with them?
My all-time favorite author is Ruskin Bond and his book ‘Small Town Big Stories’ made me fall in love with his writings. I like the fact that even in this 21st century when most of the authors are busy trying to come up with complex language and fanciful fictional work, there is this one old man living on hills and creating magic through his simplistic style.
9. What is your evergreen tip to the writers out there?
I would like to give two tips to the writers out there. The first one would be to preserve your writings, even if they are untidily scribed on a piece of paper. And the second one is to be open to criticism as it makes us grow.
10. Do you have another plot brewing?
Oh yes! I have a list of ideas for my next book which would probably be a classic ballad.