POETESS INTERVIEW - BATI SHARMA

We interviewed Poetess Bati Sharma recently. 

SHORT BIO:

Bati Sharma is an India born author. She has worked as a senior editor for more than five years with leading Indian dailies like 'The Hindustan Times' and 'The Indian Express'. She currently lives with her husband and one-year-old son in Madison, Alabama.  

'Towards dawn...' is her first book. It sketches the experiences of her life in eight poetries and endeavours to give hope to many like her who faced or are facing difficulties in their lives. While it reflects on her past it doesn't fail to entertain a mature mind with a love for poetry

So here goes :

1. When did you start writing poetry? How did you find the poet in you?

I started writing poetry a couple of years back. Unlike many who discover the poet in them in their schooldays, I found the poetess in me during my years of work. I had by that time had a lot of experiences and one fine day just thought of starting to pen them down.

2. Can you talk about your hometown and how it serves as a backdrop to your life and work?

I come from a small town of Uttar Pradesh, Allahabad. It keeps me grounded most of the times. It in no way influences my poetry but the serene waters of the Ganges in my hometown definitely provide a certain calm to my soul and poetry.

3. How did you get the inspiration to write?

I wanted a record of my life's experiences and thought poetry was a good way to express myself and soothe my disturbed soul which sought many answers.

4. I feel getting published for poets is a lot tougher than writers. Tell us something about your publishing journey.

It is definitely difficult for poets to get themselves published. The poetry market is small but has its readers who are always on the look-out for new talents. I approached a publishing house and gave them my manuscript. I was lucky they liked it and published it for me.

5. Do you have any advice for aspiring poets?

I would tell aspiring poets to believe in themselves and their work. They may find the road tough but some or the other day they will definitely run into some publisher who would publish their work. I would, however, tell poets to write contemporary stuff rather than using archiac ways of expressing themselves. Live in this era not Shakespeare's age or Wordsworth's age. The more their poetry would be closer to the life these days, the better their chances are of getting it published. Aspiring poets should keep in mind that their work should relate to the people around them.

6. How do you deal with The Writers Block?

I haven't so far encountered 'The Writers Block' because writing poetry is not my profession. I write at leisure and don't stress myself. Whenever I get an idea, I pen it down. I take breaks of several months sometimes before I write my next poem. Good art can never be forced. It is very spontaneous.

7. Tell us about your life online, the sites you maintain.

I am a blogger but my blogs are so far not for everyone to read. So far I am not maintaining any sites but plan to do so in the future.

  

8. What is your dream project?

My dream project is to write a New York Times bestseller someday.

9. Poetry in India & in Foreign countries. What is difference in terms of recognition and scope?
I think poetry as a form of art is much more appreciated here than in India. Here some people like reading short poems while on vacations etc. In India apart from academicians I don't find many people reading poetry. I think the scope of poetry is definitely more over here.

10. Do you have a favourite poet, someone you look up to and admire?

I like the poetry of TS Eliot and Slyvia Plath. I hope someday I am able to become as famous as Eliot.

We thank Bati Sharma for sparing time for this interview.
Her book is available with leading online bookstores such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, eBay, etc.