Author Ridhima Joshi uses the pronouns- She/They interchangeably. They hail from Mumbai, India, and started writing at the age of 13 and published their first solo poetry book in August 2022 at age of 19, prior to that they’ve featured as a Co-Author in several anthologies. Their literary work has been well-received and has gotten them several Awards and nominations.
Before venturing into the literary field, work-wise- they started off with their roots in the field of social impact – sustainable development and have gotten opportunities to work across borders at multilateral levels and participate in Diplomatic Youth Delegations and with several UN Agencies through their curated initiatives and programs.
At present, they’re supporting UNHCR in their endeavor as a Young Champion for Refugees. Academically, they’re inclined toward the study of Law and in the future, they see themselves in roles involving Diplomacy and Business, in addition to their literary career.
Summary of the book: WHIRLPOOL II is lighter. It’s happier, it’s the aftermath of becoming an Author, a role I am enjoying. Like a perfume, it contains the theme of my original vision but with new elements and undertones that are more powerful, joyful, and romantic. As a Poet, it’s me presenting my shades of writings to your jury of readers to judge.
1. Name of author: Ridhima Joshi
2. Can you tell us a little about your book?
Sure, the distinction point between both the versions, the original 1st version released in August 2022, and the republication ie WHIRLPOOL II, is a more powerful extension of the 1st one. Yet it’s not the same. The poems in WHIRLPOOL II are powerful, truthful, and romantic.
It truly is a Whirlpool in my opinion as a Poet-Author because it strikes a fair balance. There’s an equal share of darker and lighter undertones. It is lighter. It’s happier, it’s the aftermath of becoming an Author, a role I am enjoying. Like a perfume, it contains the theme of my original vision but with new elements and undertones that are more powerful and joyful, As a Poet, it’s me presenting my shades of writings to your jury of readers to judge.
The 1st version was calculated, it was a delicate blend of key elements I wanted to talk about such as Mental Health and the Lgbtqia+ Community, coupled with poems on solitude and metaphysics; Love and grief, it was a pie with slices for all who have a curiosity for it.
3. Is there a specific event that inspired this story or was this an out-of-the-blue idea?
No, it wasn’t out of the blue. The poems in this book are plucked from a compilation written over a period of 7 years, actively. It was the dream of my thirteen-year-old self who wanted to publish her first solo at age of 19. The dream is now a reality, it’s executed in truth.
4. What got are you writing in the first place?
If I were to pinpoint what is it that got me into writing and writing poetry in particular, I’d say it was spontaneity. Pure spontaneity and a wild curiosity steered me toward it. I remember picking up the pen and a notepad, writing away without a thought, the first poem I wrote was my take on children and what goes on in their little minds, how they’re brimming with joy, it was written by observation. I showed it to my father, who encouraged me to write more free verse and that kick-started my poetry journey – from a notepad to books of my own at 19.
5. What was your impression of your first draft when you read it?
When I read the first draft of WHIRLPOOL II, my 1st impression was: goddamn it’s going to be a bestseller, it has all the elements people love and I think it’s my creative best for 2022. I loved it. I was and am so excited for people to read it and tell me their thoughts!
6. Which part of your story connects the most with you? Why?
I think the entire creation itself is very personal but if I had to choose, I’d say the poems on Mental Health and Lgbtqia+ Community resonate the most with me. These topics are very close to my heart and it is something I’ve felt and experienced. I wanted to include the poems on these topics as I wanted to start conversations, talk openly about it, and not hush-hush. It shouldn’t be taboo like everyone perceives it to be.
7. What makes your book the one to read?
Interesting question. When it comes to my book or any book, I think it’s up to the readers if they want to give it a shot or not, I can’t force or persuade their minds. Everyone has a different taste and palette. Although what makes my book different is that it is a blend of poems across different subgenres. There’s a slice of pie for everyone that has either curiosity or liking for it.
The book has poems on Mental Health, Lgbtqia+ Community, Metaphysics and abstract topics, grief, love, and solitude as an original vision. It’s like Yin and Yang, there’s a balance of white and gray tones. Poems are Nonfiction mostly, written by observation, on inspection, and on life. The 2nd Edition is a happier version of the 1st, it has about 50% more poems in addition and it’s more powerful, joyful, and romantic in nature. This is the overall picture.
8. Who’s your all-time favourite author? Which book of his/hers made you fall in love with them?
I have many. My favorite modern-day Author is Cassandra Clare. I’m a sucker for her shadow hunter novels. The series that made me fall In love with her work is The Infernal Devices. Other than her, I deeply enjoy the works of Sarojini Naidu, short stories by Rabindranath Tagore, plays by Shakespeare, and poetry by John Keats, Alfred Lord Tennyson, and William Wordsworth.
9. What is your evergreen tip to the writers out there?
I don’t have any ‘evergreen tips’. I’d say writing is a journey, that is your own. It’s yours to shape and refine, have fun with it, don’t doubt yourself, and keep writing. The only tip I’d give is that read more. The more you read, the better your vocabulary and imagination will be.
10. What was your hardest scene to write?
There weren’t any. What was hard for me was choosing poems that are In line with the vision for WHIRLPOOL, the concept of it. I wanted to maintain the essence of the first one whilst creatively experimenting. The key was to not go overboard.
11. Do you have another plot brewing?
Yes, I do, I’m working on two concepts right now, one is a very specific thematic book for mid-2023. The Prologue of WHIRLPOOL II will give you a hint of what it’s about 😉
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.in/dp/9357760164?ref=myi_title_dp
