In the vibrant world of poetry, where emotions intertwine with words, Priyanka Jain stands out as a beacon of inspiration. Her debut poetry book, Plight to Light, is not just a collection of verses; it’s a heartfelt journey through her personal experiences, capturing the essence of resilience and hope. Priyanka’s poetry reflects her struggles and triumphs, inviting readers to embark on their own paths of self-discovery and healing. In this interview, she shares the motivations behind her work, the challenges she faced as an indie author, and the profound role poetry plays in her mental well-being. With each stanza, Priyanka reminds us that, regardless of the darkness we encounter, there is always a glimmer of light waiting to be found. Join us as we delve into her journey and discover the messages woven into her beautiful words.
1. What inspired you to write your poetry book, Plight to Light, and how does it reflect your personal journey?
I always wanted to have something to call mine. Something on which I have my complete rights on and also to have something through which I could connect with various individuals through my words.
To see my work inspire them. Those feelings itself led to the making of this book.
2. What challenges did you face while bringing Plight to Light to life, and how did you overcome them?
Well it’s my debut book and debut’s are always so precious to authors. As an Indie author I also faced some minor challenges while I was on my publishing journey. Like choosing the right printing press, the distribution, cover budget etc. we first time authors need some guidance over this things while publishing our book which I didn’t had.
But somehow I bumped into an author services site which offered some free consultation on such things which provided me with a clarity as to how I would like to go about it. So like that I was able to decide and published my debut book finally.
3. How has your personal life influenced the themes and messages in your poetry?
My personal life plays a pivotal role in the making of this book. Whatever I have endured in my life I have tried to pour in this book. For me, this book is a self-reflection of my feelings.
4. What role does poetry play in your mental health and emotional well-being?
Yes poetry soothes my soul. It’s like my best friend I often find solace and comfort in some of the best poets words. And it also helps me reduce my stress as I write it out. As I let the words out on paper.
I feel relieved.
5. How do you stay inspired and creative, especially during difficult times?
Yes, I admire difficult times because my poetry is born from such fusion of emotions only. It makes my poetry more deep and valuable.
Also, whenever I am facing writer’s block It’s like dry days when my emotions doesn’t find proper words. But I don’t try to force write instead I leave those meaningless and incomplete words as it is and let that time pass by until I am in the stage where I am able to write poetry naturally. Because I believe best poetries are written more naturally than forcibly. I am happy having less no of poems vs meaningless poems.
6. What advice would you like to give other women who are looking to pursue their dreams, especially in the creative arts?
I would encourage them to keep pursuing there passion and follow there heart. Every writer has there readers and you just need to find them in your writing journey over time.
So don’t get demotivated by thinking on how long it could take but stay motivated by thinking that how much it means to you.
“Before quitting anything just think why you even stated it in the first place”.
7. How do you balance your personal life with your creative work?
Am single 😂 so that is my big advantage in life so far. Because of that part only am able to find ample amount of time to focus on my creative work. Not that I would stop if am not single but I would rather need more time and attention then than now.
8. What message do you hope readers take away from Plight to Light?
Well, my book “plight to light” has a three structure themed book which are dark, dust and the light. Each theme is talking to them in a friendly way. While the dark is showing the truth of emotional complexities. The dust is pointing towards our surroundings and the light is finally guiding us towards a more acceptable life.
So, not all readers of my book will relate to all three structures. Some will find the dark more relatable, some will find the light motivating. But as in all one key takeaway I would like to give them is that no matter in which part of the life they are they will surely find a poem written for them in this book.
Lastly, I would always want them to look at it is that no matter to always hold belief strong
And always look at the better side of the life.
9. Can you share a specific poem from your book that holds special significance to you, and why?
Interval
This particular poem holds a special significance to me because I believe we as individuals also do have this interval period in our Life’s just like the movies.
But in our real Life interval period doesn’t get that attention. So I want people to realise it embrace it. And live there interval period of life with the same enthusiasm in real life as well. As they do it for movie interval time.
Interval
The beginning of the life was raw,
The later part was inevitable.
After all this plight I Come into
This phase of life.
Where time is fast, but things are slow.
Where life needs to be eased down.
It isn’t though.
Where most of them are settled yet am unsettled.
With my goals, my dreams, my journey.
Am sailing on along with the flow.
With unsettled things in hand,
Paving all along the way.
I have somehow reached the interval.
Part of my life.
Just like a filmy story am also wanting,
This interval period to end soon.
Hoping for the dark to evade
And looking forward for change
which welcomes ahead.
In this interval period am there where am
Supposed to be. But once it’s over
Soon I will be there
Where I wish to be.
Where I wish to be.
~Priyanka Jain.
10. Do you see your poetry evolving in the future?
I would like to write more on the traditional form of poetry than the free verses which I have mostly written in my debut book.
I would like to focus on the old form more and try to see my poetry evolve in that form more going forward.
11. What advice would you offer to women who are struggling to find voice or express their creativity?
To be a good writer you need to be a good reader.
Read the work of famous personalities in the field and learn from that
famous and classic old time poets for reference.
