If I had to give a piece of advice to aspiring writers like myself, I would tell them to read and write as much as possible. Write the way you want, write what you want, write for yourself- but in the end, just write. There's no other way to it.
1. When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?
I wouldn't say there was a particular time I consciously decided to become a writer, an amateur one at that, rather writing happened to me. On one of my low days, I picked up a pen and wrote a poem, I haven't stopped since.
2. Is it a financially stable career?
There's no definite answer to this one since it all depends on what and how you put your work out there with the ultimate judge being your audience that will, in turn, decide one's financial stability or vice versa. Nonetheless, one should keep trying until success comes around.
3. Who is your favourite writer and why?
My favourite writer is Khaled Hosseini. He is a master storyteller who weaves stories that leave an impact on your life in a way you didn't know was possible until you read his work while also bringing some real-life issues to the fore that you may have been completely oblivious to.
4. Where does your inspiration lie?
My inspiration stems from my surrounding environment in addition to life experiences that I pen down with a fictional touch.
5. What does your typical day look like?
My day usually begins with exercising in the mornings followed by the college routine, reading for a while and ending with writing in my diary.
6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future aspiring writers?
If I had to give a piece of advice to aspiring writers like myself, I would tell them to read and write as much as possible. Write the way you want, write what you want, write for yourself- but in the end, just write. There's no other way to it.
7. Which is your favourite book and why?
I can put down a whole list if given a chance. Beloved by Toni Morrison, Alice Walker's The Color Purple, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, Em and the Big Hoom by Jerry Pinto top my list.
But if I had to choose one book, it would be Shaun David Hutchinson's memoir titled 'Brave Face' that puts forth his struggle with depression along with coming to terms with the reality of his sexuality during a time when this whole concept was a novel one.
His journey towards self-acceptance is what stayed with me making it one of my favourites.
- Senova Fernandes (Writer)
Interviewed By - Pratibha Sahani
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