The Literature Times: What inspired you to write Feeling Folded in Pages, and how did the idea for this debut book take shape?
Shubhangi Singh: Writing has always been my way of holding conversations with myself. Over the years, I often found that certain emotions, no matter how small or fleeting, carried a depth that deserved to be remembered. Feeling Folded in Pages was born from this very instinct to give those emotions a home in words. The book wasn’t planned in one moment but it grew quietly with me… like a companion, until one day I realized it was ready to be shared with the world.
The Literature Times: Your book captures emotions that often go unnoticed. How do you decide which feelings or moments deserve to be folded into words?
Shubhangi Singh: I believe it is the simplest moments that often leave the deepest impressions….like the silence after laughter, the ache of a goodbye, or the comfort of a familiar touch. I don’t sit down and decide deliberately instead, I let emotions choose me. Whenever something lingers in my heart long enough, I know it is asking to be folded into words.
The Literature Times: As both a lawyer and social activist, how do your professional experiences influence your perspective as a writer?
Shubhangi Singh: My profession allows me to witness struggles, resilience, and hope at very close quarters. As a lawyer, I see how words can change the course of justice, and as a social worker, I see how emotions can change lives. These experiences naturally flow into my writing, reminding me that stories whether in law or literature are ultimately about people and their truths.
The Literature Times: What role does vulnerability play in your writing process, and how comfortable are you with sharing such personal emotions with readers?
Shubhangi Singh: Vulnerability is the soul of my writing. It’s not always easy to put your heart on paper, knowing it will be read by strangers. But I’ve learned that what makes us human is not perfection but our openness to feel, break, and heal. If my vulnerability can make even one reader feel less alone, then the discomfort of sharing becomes worth it.
The Literature Times: You mentioned that the book is meant to be more of an experience than just a collection of words. How do you hope readers will engage with it?
Shubhangi Singh: I want readers to pause, breathe, and feel while reading Feeling Folded in Pages. Instead of rushing from one piece to another, I hope they let the words sit with them, maybe even remind them of their own hidden stories. My dream is that the book doesn’t just get read, but lived like a quiet conversation between the reader’s heart and mine.
The Literature Times: Many readers may find a reflection of their own journeys in your work. Was that your intention from the beginning, or did it emerge naturally?
Shubhangi Singh: Honestly, it emerged naturally. I never wrote with the idea of teaching or guiding… I wrote simply to express. But emotions are universal pain, joy, longing, love so readers inevitably see themselves in the words. That is the most beautiful part of writing for me discovering that what felt so personal to me was, in fact, something many hearts were carrying too.
The Literature Times: Who are the authors, poets, or thinkers who have most influenced your writing style and philosophy of life?
Shubhangi Singh: I have been deeply inspired by writers who embrace simplicity yet carry profound depth like Rupi Kaur, Gulzar Sahab, and Khaled Hosseini. Their words remind me that literature doesn’t need to be complicated to be powerful it just needs to be honest. Beyond literature, life itself…conversations, experiences, and silent moments has been my greatest teacher.
The Literature Times: Writing a debut book can be both exciting and challenging. What challenges did you face while working on Feeling Folded in Pages?
Shubhangi Singh: The most rewarding part has been seeing my emotions transform into something tangible a book that someone can hold, read, and maybe even find comfort in. It feels like I have taken pieces of my heart and given them a permanent place in the world. Knowing that my words could touch a stranger’s life is a joy that outweighs every challenge.
The Literature Times: Your motto—“When death finds me, may it find me alive”—is very powerful. How does this belief shape not only your writing but also your everyday life?
Shubhangi Singh: For me, this line is a reminder that life is not about existing, it’s about truly living. I don’t want to leave this world with unspoken words or unlived moments. That belief is what drives my writing I write so that nothing inside me remains unsaid. And in everyday life too, it teaches me to embrace people, experiences, and even failures with open arms. I want my life to be proof that I didn’t just breathe, I felt deeply and honestly.
The Literature Times: Now that your debut book is out in the world, what message would you like to leave with your readers, and what can they expect next from you as a writer?
Shubhangi Singh: The one message I want to leave is…your feelings matter. No emotion is ever “too small” or “too much.” If my book teaches anything, I hope it is that your heart deserves to be listened to. As for what’s next I don’t have a fixed roadmap, but I know I will keep writing, keep unfolding life’s little truths in words. Whatever I create next, it will come from the same place of honesty and love that gave birth to Feeling Folded in Pages.
