Renji Thomas Talks About His Book “Heart, Soul and a Bottle of Rum”

About the Author:

Renji lives between logic and emotion. As a Consumer insight professional, he is trained to understand people through intent, patterns, and behaviour. Writing is where he stops trying to understand and starts letting himself feel, turning to poetry to feel what life often leaves unspoken. Renji does not write to soothe or simplify; he writes to stay honest with the parts of himself that don’t behave politely.

Exclusive interview with the author

Q: What Inspired You To Write This Book?

A: Some emotions resist explanation. They linger quietly, unnamed and heavy. This book began as an attempt to sit with those emotions rather than escape them. Writing became a way to translate silence into language — to give form to thoughts and feelings I could not express aloud.

Q: Can You Tell Us About The Book?

A: Heart, Soul, and a Bottle of Rum is a confessional poetry collection that explores inner conflict, vulnerability, and emotional survival. The poems move through pain, memory, identity, and quiet resilience. Rather than offering solutions, the book invites readers to sit with uncertainty and recognize the complexity of their own inner worlds.

Q: What Does The Title Mean?

A: The title reflects different layers of human experience. The heart represents emotion, the soul represents identity, and the bottle of rum symbolizes coping — flawed, human, and honest. Together, they reflect how people navigate pain and connection in imperfect ways.

Q: What Did You Learn When Writing The Book?

A: I learned that darkness is not always something to be defeated. Often, it is a wounded part of ourselves asking to be understood. Writing this book taught me that self-compassion begins with recognition, not denial.

Q: Do You Have Any Suggestions To Help Others To Become A Better Writer? If So, What Are They?

A: I believe writing improves when one listens closely — to oneself, to others, and to silence. Reading widely helps, but paying attention to lived experience matters just as much. Most importantly, writers should allow themselves to write imperfectly before attempting to write well.

Q: What Is The Most Difficult Part About Writing For You?

A: The most difficult part is knowing when to stop. Writing often begins easily, but deciding when a piece has said enough — without overexplaining or diluting its emotion — requires patience and discipline.

Q: What Does Success Mean To You? What Is The Definition Of Success?

A: Success, to me, is writing that resonates quietly and honestly. It is knowing that a piece has reached someone at the right moment, even if that audience is small. Longevity and sincerity matter more to me than visibility.

Q: How Important Is Research To You When Writing A Book?

A: Research is important, but it takes a different form in my writing. Rather than external sources, I rely heavily on observation, reflection, and emotional awareness. Understanding human behavior and inner experiences becomes its own kind of research.

Q: Where Do You Get Your Greatest Ideas For Writing?

A: Most of my ideas come from quiet observation — moments of introspection, conversations left unfinished, and emotions that linger longer than expected. Writing often begins when I pay attention to what is usually overlooked.

Q: What Advice Would You Give To Aspiring Authors?

A: Write honestly before writing beautifully. Allow your work to be imperfect in the beginning, and give it time to grow. Read widely, revise patiently, and trust that your voice will find its clarity through consistency.

This book is published by OrangeBooks Publication. All rights are reserved with the author & the publisher.