Amazon poetry best seller, Harnidh Kaur, when agreed to do an interview with us, the whole team of The Muser Square had been over joyed. She is not someone from our simple Millennial Generation but a person who knows how to gamble with her words, how to emote the necessary and inspire others.
1. Tell us the story behind ' The Harnidh Kaur ', as an evolving writer.
I don’t think there’s a story yet. Stories are born out of adventures and hard work, and I’m still building mine.
2. Why did you choose writing? Why not another medium to express yourself? Besides writing, how else do you express yourself?
It comes very naturally to me, because I was born in a family of storytellers and writers. Other than writing, cooking is my favourite way of expressing myself. I love taking care of people!
3. How do you deal with writer's block?
People treat a writer’s block like it’s the end of the world. It’s not. It’s often your brain asking for a break. Give it that. If you feel like it’s taking too long to get over it, start writing, even if it’s gibberish. Writing is as much a physical task as a mental one. If you just put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), you’ll push yourself to move through the block, as opposed to around it.
4. What is your writing process like?
To call it a ‘process’ would be according it dignity it doesn’t deserve, I think. I write all day. When I’m not writing, I’m mentally collating inspirations for it. My process is to treat writing as something fundamental to my being.
5. How was your experience getting published? The first book, "The Inability Of Words". How did your family/friends react to it?
Oh, the response has been enormous and overwhelming from all quarters. It’s especially lovely because my mother was my editor, it was such a labour of love for everyone involved.
6. What do you think is the most interesting part about getting published?
Understanding what goes into a book, I think. When you read, you just read the words in front of you. When you write, it’s much the same. When you publish, you realize how many resources have to be mobilized and infused into each other to produce a single copy. It’s fascinating.
7. Do you think you have a specific genre? Should there be one?
Well I write poetry. But I’m also going to stretch myself into prose soon. Is ‘compulsive’ a genre? Because that's how I write.
8. What kind of environment do you need to do your best work?
The whole need for an ‘environment’ or ‘mood’ feels like a farce to me. I write when I feel like it, spaces be damned.
9. What do you think makes a good story?
It’s ability to unfold over re-readings, at least for me, since I read every book at least thrice.
10. Do you ever feel like you’re running out of ideas/thoughts? How do you overcome that feeling?
I take a deep breath, pause, and ask myself what I want to think about. We live in a world that's overwhelmingly conducive to creativity. We’re bombarded by stimuli. It’s just a matter of choosing.
11. What about criticism/ Carping? Do you believe in standing out, being a strong voice for your own thoughts or sometimes you chose to be with the herd?
I’m always going to pride myself on being a strong voice. That’s how I was built. The herd is comfortable, sure, but it usually just follows.
12. How has your family carved in and supported you through this entire journey, specially Sukhnidh.
My mom is my editor. My dad’s my reality check. My sister is the grounding road to my lightening. She makes sure I’m never bullshitting.
13. Who are some of your favourite authors? What impact have they had on your writing?
I read immense amounts of contemporary poetry by young women of colour. They’re my favourite. So much talent, so much context and nuance, so many stories unfolding themselves. I wont name people, but young women are the best reading one can do.
14. What is your advice for writers?
Write. Writer is not a word you tack next to your name. It’s a vocation, a passion, a very visceral need. So write. Write about your world, your contexts, write the stories you wish you could've heard when you were young and needed words to empathize with.
15. What do you think about the age barrier between writers?
It’s a myth that young writers can’t write. Most excellent writers I know are younger than I am (and I am VERY young). Having said that, I don't think youth is an excuse to not hone your skills. Your hustle is independent of your age.
16. Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly? Why?
I’m fairly sure they could be technically excellent. Writing isn’t just an wave of emotions penned down. It’s structure and finesse too.
17. Do you wish to train writers and help them evolve?
I mentor poets every April under NaPoWriMoxNidhScraps and conduct workshops on occasion, depending on the time I have. So yes, I’m already doing that. I plan to expand soon.
18. You have been interviewed before by many. ( Open Road Review, BaySide Journal, epw, coldnoon, thought catalog, moledro magazine, an inception, creative yatra, every writers resource, The bombay review and many more ). Do you feel sometimes the success rules you?
Hahaha, I see interviews more as markers that people are curious about you rather than the fact that people think you’re successful. I don’t let it get to me, and neither does my support circle.
19. What would the last line of your autobiography say?
‘I will always have more to say’
It was really an honor to interview Harnidh. We are glad we could connect to you.
If you want to connect with Harnidh as we did and want to read her beautiful work and enjoy the delicious recipes she shares, do visit her Instagram.
( harnidhk and foreverandawkwardeating )
Compiled and curated by : Devanshi Doshi ( Instagram: blogbydee__ )