Irtika Kazi in “Stormbound” writes poetry on random subjects that connect one emotion to another. Simultaneously, it also connects the readers to their abilities to observe and appreciate how the author gives words to ideas that would otherwise find difficulty in expression. Author has shared some more insights on her literature career during her latest interview with The Literature Times. Here are some glimpse of the interview we had with her.
Akhila Saroha: I would like to begin by congratulating you on the publication of “Stormbound.” How has the response to the book been so far?
Irtika Kazi: Thank you, Akhila! The book is doing fairly well, I think I can only assume that and especially so because it is my debut poetry collection. I was and I am still jittery about its post publication existence.
Akhila Saroha: What led to the idea of writing “Stormbound”? Were there any events that inspired the work?
Irtika Kazi: “stormbound” was never planned. I started writing since 2017 only to realise I was writing nothing more than doggerels, until I attended poetry workshops hosted in Pune by writer groups. I think we need a community to really make things work, moreso for poetry which doesn’t sell much. So, yes stormbound is a compilation of all my poems I have been writing, of course the renewed and edited ones. There is no specific theme to the poem at large, since its only a compilation. But in my upcoming book, I am trying to align my poems to a theme. Hope it works out fine.
Akhila Saroha: How easy or difficult was it for you to write poems that held relevance for all and also remain objective about them in your collection “Stormbound”?
Irtika Kazi: Poems can be categorized under various buckets. I am definitely not a writer who tries to please the readers and people in general by the topics I choose to delve in. So I feel that might be leading to a sense of detachment to the readers with my poems. Actually, I also feel that at times when I try my hand at writing abstract poems. Take my poem “Why do we desire” as an example. It is highly objective and abstract in nature, but not unreal. It still becomes relevant for readers.
Akhila Saroha: What are your views about present-day writing? Do you think it does complete justice in depicting human nature in the light of “Stormbound”?
Irtika Kazi: The practice of writing today, be it in any genre, has become highly personal for the writers. Writers, today, are becoming more aware of their needs and what they want to express and how. I think this is a very very positive change since we have veered off far away from the make-believe world we used to believe in as children. As far as the poems in stormbound are concerned, no matter how objective or abstract, are not far away from reality.
Akhila Saroha: “Stormbound” shows the uniqueness of your style of writing. Are there any authors that you enjoy reading or any books which are your favorites?
Irtika Kazi: I absolutely admire Sylvia Plath’s work, not to forget Anne Sexton and her style of writing. I like the confessional poetry form.
Akhila Saroha: How would you categorize “Stormbound” as its appeal seems to be to a broad audience?
Irtika Kazi: no categories at the moment, I really want it to appeal a broader audience and be relevant ubiqioutously.
Akhila Saroha: “Stormbound” has given a powerful introduction to your potential as a writer. Can the readers expect more from you in the future? Please share about your future projects.
Irtika Kazi: Thank you so much! So glad to hear that. I am currently working on my second book of poems and trying to align it to a theme unlike my debut collection. The work still hasn’t started off in full bloom, wish me luck 😊
Akhila Saroha: What is the story behind the title of your work, “Stormbound”?
Irtika Kazi: there is no story whatsoever, like I said it was unplanned to write a book, I kind of went with the flow and things fell in place. I think what drove me immensely was my passion for writing and reading! That’s the fuel.
Akhila Saroha: In the present time, poems featuring people like your situations in “Stormbound” do not find much mention. What, according to you, could be the possible reason for that?
Irtika Kazi: People don’t attach much importance to poetry due to its long impressed notion of being lamentative and that poets employ this powerful form of expression only for the purpose of rant and rave. We need to break away from this notion and it is happening now. People are covering all sorts of untouched topics and themes in poetry. I have tried to keep my poems less lamentative and more constructive in form and nature. People must see the various ways in which poetry can be impactful.
Akhila Saroha: If you were to describe your book “Stormbound” in a few words without giving any spoilers, what would those words be?
Irtika Kazi: intense, positive and evocative.
Akhila Saroha: What advice would you give to budding writers who may be planning to write in the same genre as “Stormbound”?
Irtika Kazi: be less self loathing and more constructive with regard to your writing style. And please don’t forget to edit work, and read a lot!!!!
Akhila Saroha: Thank you very much for sparing your time. I look forward to reading more books from you in the future. All the best.
Irtika Kazi: Thank you again!