1. What inspired you to begin writing?
   
   Pain. I began writing all my feelings down every time I couldn’t get my thoughts out clearly because I felt things way too deeply - to the point where I could never find the right words to express my emotions out loud. I started writing all my sad, hurtful moments and writing slowly became a form of healing for me.   
    

2. What made you paint the cover of your book?
   
   I always loved art. I think there is so much magic and beauty in having a vision and bringing it to life in physical form. The title 'White Fire' came to me first before I painted the cover. I really identified with what that word made me feel, and I wanted to bring that word to life. I saw it in my mind, and I painted it immediately on a very large canvas - which was later made into the book cover. The art remained the same even after a couple of years.
    

3. Why a black lotus?
   
   I connected with the spiritual meaning of the lotus for a very long time. I really believe that in order to learn, grow and evolve we must go through life and all of its lessons. I feel like, I've been through a lot of emotional and mental battles without it tainting the person I wanted to be and for that reason I wanted the lotus to be a huge part of my book. I think as a writer my mind goes to many places, but I don’t become those thoughts. If I did, I don't know who I would be today. The beauty of a lotus is that it grows in murky waters but comes out pure. But I also don't like society's perception of what "pure" is so I made the lotus black to represent our differences and highlight the rareness that exists amongst all of us. We all carry a past that's part of who we are and who we are meant to be. Who we become from all that pain, is what determines our future. 
    

4. What is the meaning and significance behind the title: “White Fire”?
   
   I wanted to capture a word that speaks of an energy that comes from within. I think for a very long time, I kind of let sadness sit with me for longer than it should have. The first time, I felt 'strong' and 'powerful' and felt what it meant to really embody 'self-love' - I felt it like it was an energy. An energy that reminded me to wake up every day and be my authentic self. 
    

5. Is it difficult to write about sensitive topics?
   
   100 % it is really difficult. I think people see words and forget those words are deeply rooted in experience and trauma. I've always been so sensitive and writing really takes me to revisit certain topics that destroy me. I think the reality is, these sensitive topics are some of our lives. I feel like the universe made me equally as strong and just as sensitive - to feel everything so deeply to the point where I feel mentally devoured but I could still get through it somehow. Ironically it's hard to put into words what writing does to me, but I don't think I'd be able to write certain things if I didn't connect to topics on an emotional level - and I don't think my writing would be authentic if I didn't explore those complicated emotions.
    

6. Your book touches upon many issues pertaining to females. What made you write about these experiences?
   
   The female experience is different because at one point we weren't even considered 'human.' And I think the most powerful thing is, in the fight for equality for females - it has given rise to many other self-identifying individuals who have been able to share their stories and pave a path for more inclusivity, diversity, and an understanding of intersectional identities. And I think that's one of the most powerful things in the world, to claim who you are in a world that once didn't accept you.
   
   In my experience growing up as a female, I feel as if I was deprived or denied a lot because of my sex/gender - and I didn't realize then because it was the norm. Especially growing up as a South Asian Tamil female. I'm super proud of my traditional values I still uphold, but certain aspects of how a female is perceived really hurt me and the females around me. It made me feel voiceless at times too. The female experience is so vast and so different. And not enough words could ever cradle the hardships females endured throughout history and still continue to face.
    

7.  How does writing affect you?
   
   Writing takes me through many emotions. It depends on what I'm writing about too. I think the biggest impact writing has on me is that it can affect me on a mental level. Having to navigate emotions and experiences that don't necessarily belong to me, but I hold inside me and the ones that are my own - can be difficult at times.
    

8.  It took you three-four years to compile “White Fire,” why so long?
   
   I think I didn't want to rush it. It didn't feel completely right the times I did think it was complete. I took out many poems to the point where I was literally writing the entire book over again. At a point, I just had to tell myself that some things have to come to an end. And it was time.
    

9. How has your experiences as a South Asian woman shaped your writing?
   
   Identity is definitely a very complex thing. And each experience is so different. I think the South Asian experience in itself is so vast, so it really depends on who you are, what part of the world you're from, and all your intersectional identities. Speaking on my experience and being a female and having to learn about what the women in my bloodline endured, or the experiences I faced as a darker-skinned woman and upholding traditions, cultural norms, gender roles etc. It all shapes my writing but is not exclusive to this identity rather the interplay of who I am as a whole. 
    

10. How would you explain writing as being a vulnerable form of art?
    
    I think art can really be anything you want it to be. And art is left to be explored by the eye of the beholder. Because I paint and write, I feel writing is personally more of a vulnerable form of art in the sense that – I do feel like people are walking through my mind. You kind of have to get past the stage of not really being afraid of what anyone thinks to put your writing out there - because essentially it is you.
     

11. If you could tell your readers one thing, what would it be?
    
    Grow through what you go through and wake up every day as the person you want to be.
     

12. Do you feel like your poetry will offend anyone?
    
    I think it depends on who is reading it and what their viewpoints are. It may.
     

13. Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?
    
    I always enjoyed writing. The process of getting my thoughts out on something real and organic, through journaling, short stories, scripts, etc. writing for me always felt like art. essentially, piecing together these emotions, words, sentences, feelings and so much more. But I suck at grammar. So no, I didn't always know I wanted to be a writer. It's just been a passion I don't see myself stopping and a skill I'm constantly developing. 
     

14.  If you had one superpower what would it be?
    
    speak every language in the world. Or even the ability to travel anywhere - now that would be amazing.
     

15. What advice would you give someone finding it difficult to pursue their passion?
    
    If it’s hard, you’re not passionate about it. I think we all have this vision. It’s like a painting, you see the image in front of your eyes. But it takes time, skills, and a lot of different techniques to bring it to life. To birth a vision is a process and to follow your passion is to fall madly in love with that journey.

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