Title: Unfathomed
Author: Nidra Naik
What inspired you to explore themes like love, longing, and self-discovery in Unfathomed?
- One’s life if observed carefully can be a huge experience to any writer. Hence, for Unfathomed, I have to say that it’s my experiences that contributed the most.
How does realism influence your poetic style and the themes you choose to write about?
- I had not thought about the poetic style at all while writing poems and if you’d notice, it doesn’t feel like one theme- there are multiple themes like dejection, acceptance, self-discovery which are essential for any writer to observe in the regular life. So, I wanted to share or express a few of my significant experiences through poetry. And that’s how it came to existence.
What do you hope readers take away from your poem The Infamous Us?
- Hehehe…well, I want the readers to understand that some of our morals are just created to comply and satisfy the outside world and it is absolutely okay to not dwell on it. I will quote one of my friends who’d very aptly said that, he has no moral compass but lives by a principle.
Could you share the creative process behind The Hate Taught Me to Love?
- I was at an extremely vulnerable point while penning this down. I was observing life from distant and I realized that one should never be bitter from bitter experiences. And that’s how I the poem came into light.
How has your personal journey shaped the themes of transformation in your poetry?
- I feel a little accomplished considering it was my first attempt at compiling a poetry book and avid readers/reviewers like you are accepting it! That’s an encouragement! Wisdom struck late in my life and thanks to these poems. J
What’s the significance of the title Unfathomed – #ThinkingNidra for you?
- I personally love the title and wanted readers to connect with my social handle (for worldly reasons). Unfathomed because any life experience is non-quantifiable, mysterious yet enriching if we learn from it. Hence, literally, this title struck a chord with me. I could innately resonate with it.
How do you balance vulnerability and strength in your writing?
- First of all being vulnerable is very resourceful if redirected in the right way. I redirect my vulnerability in writing, which is a beautiful experience. And when I read it later, that puts a smile on my face reflecting on my core strength.
What emotions or experiences challenged you most to capture on paper?
- Good question! To capture happiness and love was the most, most difficult things for me. I can write well when I am remorseful, the thoughts flow naturally, however, I cannot express happiness or love on paper properly! Strange me!
How would you describe the journey from heartbreak to contentment in your work?
- Heartbreak is a precursor to grow in life. It teaches you different things at different stages of life. But what ultimately matters is to find that safe spot, sweet spot within yourself after the incident, letting yourself be and being glad that something has bettered you! This I tried to encapsulate in my book.
What advice would you give to readers navigating their own journey of self-discovery?
- March on! I read somewhere that ‘self-awareness’ is the purpose of life and I found it deep. We spend a lot of time to understanding others, but it should be the other way round. And self-awareness is not ‘self-obsession’.