Author Interview : Bhavani Krishna

Author Interview : Bhavani Krishna

Hello everyone,
Today I am going to introduce you to the poetess of 'Pristine Verses'.

About the poetess :
Bhavani Krishna is a freelancer based in Chennai. She holds a Bachelors degree in Computer Application after she quit her Medicine course. Her Dad is a poet and has written songs for Tamil movies (uncredited) and her Mom always motivated her to develop her writing skills. She is interested in reading short stories and poems for many years, and has decorated her book shelf with variety of books. She got the much-needed inspiration and motivation to write only because of her friends, mostly online ones. Their constant support urged her to write more and her poems got featured on many Instagram featuring pages. Her poems are published in 5 anthologies including Love Sparks 1 & 2 and Dear Future Soulmate under Raindrops Publishers. She is interested in learning new things and in her free time makes craft works.

Interview :

1) Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

A: I’m born and brought up in Chennai in a middle-class family. Education is the major priority in my family and after completing my graduation I did various jobs but was never really satisfied with what I did. And then poetry found me! 

2) When did you start writing and what do you think attracted you to poetry?

A: The thoughts I write now were once expressed to people, verbally! I never documented my thoughts. Maybe I felt it’s not worthy enough to write them! One fine day, I wrote some 4 lines about a dream I had during my nap and that’s the beginning. From then, I continued my writing journey. 

I always loved poems in my mother tongue Tamil. But for expressing myself I chose English. My dad is also a writer but I got inspired by two people whom I havent met in my real life. My inspiration - Vikas Khanna and mentor/friend - Shilpa Goel. 

3) When did you think you were a poetess?

A: Still I didn’t get that feeling! My friends used to remind me that I’m a poetess now! In my opinion, I became a poetess after people accepted me as one! 

4) As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

A: There’s a poem regarding this in my poetry book ‘Pristine Verses’. I wanted to be a teacher. But that didn’t happen. 

5) What poets did you enjoy reading as a child?

A: I don’t know how many of them reading this will be aware of the famous Tamil poet and freedom fighter ‘Bharathiyar’. His poems always focused on freedom of women and women empowerment. I got deeply inspired by his words and among English poets, poetry book by Shakespeare was the first book I borrowed from the library! Though it’s complex, I loved it. 

But the poem ‘The Road not taken’ by Robert Frost created a great impact on my life. It taught me to look life differently. I still visualise two roads in my mind whenever I need to decide on something. 

6) What motivated you to go on to focus on a career in writing?

A: Confidence! I think a lot before doing something. But with writing as my profession, I didn’t think much. I somehow felt that it will work. Gut feeling, maybe! 

7) Tell me something about your book 'Pristine verses '.

A: After a big round of emotional turmoil, Pristine Verses happened! Thankfully I had some supporters, well wishers and great guidance from my publisher - Bernard D’sa. Also blessings and love from my dear ones. Never in my dreams I thought of publishing a book. But I did. It is a tiring process and it drains you completely. But you’ll never regret! That’s the beauty of it. Publishing a book in my name is nothing less than a miracle. 

8) What do you like to do when you are not writing?

A: I used to search for many things related to arts and crafts. The interest keeps on changing from paper crafts to calligraphy to painting... Once I’m done with one thing, I move to another and the search continues.  

9) What's the best experience you've gained through your writing?

A: Likes and followers depends on time! A good post might go unnoticed. But what we write in last moment gets some major attention. So never lose hope. Keep writing and appreciation will follow. Never write for appreciation, that won’t work. 

10) How did you get started as a poet? How do your poems develop? Please guide us through the stages of a poem.

A: I opened a poetry account on Instagram to get connected with readers and fellow writers. I write whatever I feel. It will be apt to say that I type whatever I feel because most often I use the notes app on my phone to save my thoughts.  

If I chose to share it to the world, I’ll check for grammar, improvise the wordings if needed, then post it. 

I have been a part of some anthologies. That gave me some idea about books and publishing. 

Development is, initially I used to write whatever I feel. It purely depends on my mood. Now I explore new topics and write on that. 

Major development or milestone in this journey is publishing my debut poetry book ‘Pristine Verses’. Readers felt that the illustrations are as good as the poem. I spent many sleepless nights to create that and I’m glad that my work is being appreciated.

11) Tell us about your process: Pen and paper, computer, notebooks...how do you write?

A: As I said earlier, most often I type. But I love writing. So whenever my thoughts are blocked or I decide to write in detail on a specific topic, I sit with my favourite notebook and pen and allow my thoughts to flow. 

You have the privilege to scribble, score out unwanted words and phrases while writing. That looks more real and the emotions are raw unlike the fancy edited ones on Instagram. 

12) What do you see as the role of a poetess in modern-day society? Any message for your readers?

A: Be sensible and responsible. By following these two steps one can bring changes in themselves and also in the society. 

Thanks for reading.