A Conversation with the author of "from the ground up"
"from the ground up" explores the themes of romance, loneliness, life, and identity when faced with heartbreak. The beautiful collection of poems embraces the painful aftermath of love and infatuation and reminds readers to take care of themselves first. It shows the journey of love and finding oneself through the storm.
First off I’d like to congratulate you on publishing your work! So to start, what inspired you to write your book?
During that time, I was inspired by some of my favorite movies and books, including “Paper Towns” by John Green, “The Perks of Being A Wallflower”, and “All The Bright Places”. There are so many beautiful works out there that have a similar feeling to me, and I wanted to duplicate that emotion in my book.
Many people say art can heal, does writing about heartbreak tend to be a healing experience for you?
Writing in general is always a very healing experience. For me, I think I was able to express some thoughts that I’ve never even said aloud. Whenever there is something so strong that I feel nervous to say, I just write it down. It helped me grow and become more honest and truthful to myself. Because the more sincere your writing is, the more passionate you feel about it. And I feel like passion is such an important part of writing.
How long was the process of writing, and publishing? What was your favorite part?
The process took about 4-5 months in total. I published my book through the self-publishing service on Amazon, and it was really easy. I just uploaded the manuscript and the book cover on their website and went over some proof copies to make sure everything was perfect. My favorite part was seeing the physical copy of the book in my hands. It felt so surreal and crazy because writing a book is something that I’ve wanted to do my whole life. I am so happy that I got to write about my experiences and share them with the people I love.
Did you learn anything about yourself while writing?
I learned tons, actually. There were a lot of things that I suppressed, but I was able to let it all out in this book. I learned how to be patient because ideas can take a while to pass through and that love is everywhere as long as you look hard enough.
Who are your all time favorite poets/authors? How has their work impacted or inspired you?
My favorite poets and authors are Allen Ginsberg, Rupi Kaur, and Amanda Lovelace. Their work has shown me that authenticity and honesty are super important in confessional poetry. Poetry should be a safe place for people to let out their emotions and experiences without feeling judged, and I think that just shows how impactful and beautiful words can be.
Lastly, do you have advice for any young writers who may be reading this?
My best piece of advice would be to be brave and write about what you feel passionate about. You shouldn’t shy away from writing about a subject because it’s uncomfortable or controversial, as long as it feels right and true to you. And last of all, never give up. Writing is a difficult and daunting task, but listening to that voice in your head can truly get you places. Good luck!
What have you been reading recently?
I have been reading “Einstein: His Life and Universe” by Walter Isaacson and “On Death and Dying” by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. I love reading books on philosophy and science because it helps me learn the truth about society and the world around us.
How do you overcome writer's block?
Ideas often come and go, and it sometimes takes a while for creativity and motivation to come. I usually go for a walk to clear my mind and think. Sometimes, I listen to music, and I rethink what kind of messages I want my book to express. I think that everyone has their own unique way of generating ideas, and that’s totally okay. Figure out what works best for you.
What is one thing you want people to feel once they read your work?
I want them to feel loved. I hope they walk away from my book having a deeper appreciation for themselves and the world around them. I want them to know that the pain they are feeling at the moment is temporary, and everything works out fine in the end.
Which poem from the book is your personal favorite and why?
My favorite poem was:
“I wish I could’ve told my younger self
That everything works out fine
That souls were not meant to be broken
And those written words were meant to heal
You aren’t supposed to be stuck in motion
Take your time to slow down and breathe
Because you still have a long way to go”
This poem is my personal favorite because it’s so simple yet so distinctive. It basically summed up everything the main message I wanted my book to express.
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