The Literature Times: Life’s Secrets carries a deeply reflective and emotional tone. What inspired you to explore human emotions through poetry and couplets?
Shreya Talwar: Poetry and couplets have a lyrical rhythm with an innate ability to strike the right chord with the reader’s hearts. Emotions begin to flow like a stream as one dives into the depth of the words, establishing a connection way faster and easier than prose. That’s why I chose this form of writing for my book Life’s Secrets, as the theme of the book demands an instant emotional connect.
The Literature Times: Your book speaks about the neglected yet significant facets of life. Which emotions or experiences did you feel society often overlooks today?
Shreya Talwar: I feel the basics of emotions that we experience in everyday life are disappearing in oblivion. Feelings or sentiments that are at the root of being human need to be brought back to the forefront in today’s fast paced times. I feel the world will be a much better and happier place if we begin to look at things from a perspective that is not limited to self, but includes people around us. After all, a change in perception sprinkled with the toppings of kindness and gratitude can make all the difference.
The Literature Times: Many readers describe your writing as deeply relatable and introspective. Do your poems emerge more from personal experiences or observations of people around you?
Shreya Talwar: I am glad and deeply grateful that my readers are able to find their voice in my poetry. My writing in whichever genre it may be, it’s always inspired by the everyday facets of living. It’s based on observations that we all have seen and experienced, but maybe have never gone into the minutest yet significant details that are often overlooked. I just try and weave these attributes from my vision of life and try and paint a canvas of emotions, where everyone can find a shade of themselves in its hues.
The Literature Times: In an era dominated by fast-paced digital communication, how important do you think emotional sensitivity and introspection are?
Shreya Talwar: I feel it’s extremely important to keep the emotional sensitivity alive, otherwise with the advancing technological innovations, drawing a difference between humankind and a machine will become very difficult. After all, emotions are the premise basis which the human story is crafted. The mere thought of a world devoid of emotions is so terrifying, imagine having to live in one. This itself is proof of the importance of emotions in one’s life. With regards introspection, I feel till the time we are not able to decipher our potentials and flaws and work upon them, until then we will never be able to be a support system to the ones around us.
The Literature Times: Your work often feels philosophical yet emotionally accessible. Which writers, thinkers, or life experiences have shaped your literary voice the most?
Shreya Talwar: My mother plays the most crucial part in shaping my literary journey. Her outlook and understanding of life has carved my personality. I strongly believe that whether it’s the philosophical nature of my writing wrapped in emotional depth or my linguistic abilities, all the credit goes to her. I am truly indebted and grateful to her for bestowing me with the same, which has acted as the foundation block to building my literary journey.
The Literature Times: You mention your mother as your mentor in your literary journey. How has her influence impacted your writing and perspective toward life?
Shreya Talwar: As I had mentioned earlier, she is the pioneer to my craft of writing. Its she who identified the writer in me and gave me the wings to soar to greater heights on my literary voyage.
The Literature Times: Being an Army Officer’s daughter must have exposed you to diverse environments and people. How has that journey contributed to your understanding of human relationships?
Shreya Talwar: That’s true. Firstly, I take immense pride in the fact that I am an Army Officer’s daughter. The valour and courage of our Defence forces is second to none. Being on a constant carousel, relocating to different places, and getting accustomed to the new surroundings, has really helped me in getting to explore diverse cultures and environment. Interacting with people from all across the country, getting a glimpse into their lives and experiences, has definitely played a part in shaping my thinking and perception of the world around me. Not to forget that while on this expedition, the sea-saw of emotions that one goes through, the intensity of which can never be put in words, has had an impact on forming my emotional sensibility. Fragments of the same do find a way for themselves in my writing.
The Literature Times: Life’s Secrets feels like a book readers may return to repeatedly for comfort and reflection. What emotions did you hope readers would carry after finishing the book?
Shreya Talwar: As the author of Life’s Secrets, my primary intent was that anyone who reads the book finds themselves under the umbrella of a deeper understanding of other’s emotions and perspectives, more kindness and empathy in society, self reflection and gratitude. Basically, I wish that the book arouses a greater sense of emotional quotient amongst everyone, which is able to benefit them in leading their lives in a tranquil and fruitful manner, with a strong backing of emotional bonding.
The Literature Times: Poetry often becomes a form of healing for both writers and readers. Has writing this book transformed you personally in any way?
Shreya Talwar: It definitely has left an indelible impact on my mind and heart. When a writer begins writing a book, as and how the pages of a book turn, one begins to gain a lot more clarity on facets which might have been earlier just brushed aside as fleeting thoughts. While writing the book, at times one gets so immersed in the entire process, that you begin to look at things through a completely different lens, because that’s the time, when I get to view things straight from the heart, unaffected by the chatter around.
The Literature Times: What message would you like to share with aspiring writers who wish to express emotions authentically through their work?
Shreya Talwar: The one thing that I will like to share with writers who are just beginning their journey into this beautiful world of words, is that always be true to what you feel and try and bring exactly those same thoughts to paper. Don’t be inhibited by what is expected of a writer as that may camouflage your true self. When you are able to express yourself in a lucid manner, your readers will be able to connect with the sincerity of your emotions. Always try and create space for a better world.
