An Interview with the Author of the Book “Deep Shallows”

About the Author:

Mahika Bansal (pen-name Mahik’s), a mere 16 years Indian, is a poetess, a blogger, a student, and a dreamer. Poetry fascinates her the most than any other hobby and she loves to experiment with words. A renowned newspaper, The Times of India, has recognized her work adding a notable feather in her cap. We can also notice her presence on various sites and magazines all across. The diversity she has experienced while traveling and exploring different facets of life has inspired her initiation to poetry. She aspires to keep the pen along with her lifelong.

Exclusive interview with the author

Q: What Inspired You To Write This Book?

A: I believe that everything around me, inspires me. Life is full of inspiration and it can be found anywhere you look for it. Everything has a story, one just needs to understand the hidden words of it. I tried to find my inspiration in the simplest of things, and they turned out to have deeper meanings than I expected. I just tried to capture it in this book. I believe that anyone or anything can be turned into poetry or literature if we talk in broader terms.

Q: Can You Tell Us About The Book?

A: These pages are the poetic ticket to walk into the world of words to discover life. This book is all about finding depths in everything, even in the shallows. It includes the overlooked themes and the depth in minute things. Sometimes, we tend to miss simple clues of profound secrets of life. This book helps you to discover it all. Poetry inked inside it will be relatable to all of us at some point in our lives. I hope everyone enjoys reading it.

Q: What Does The Title Mean?

A: Deep Shallows- diving ino the depth, sailing in the shallows, unfolding the mysterious deep shallows. Instead of the infinite wordy combinations, I felt like these two words felt the most appropriate choices. There are depths in everything, we just need to search for it. Nothing is as superficial as it may seem. Our life is an ocean of experiences and answer to everything. This book was titled as deep shallows due to the idea that I wanted to cover the deepness, the superficial yet overlooked themes and discover all that I can. Deep doesn’t always mean dark, and so is the case how shallow doesn’t always represent brightness. But when combined, Deep Shallows are a whole new pallette!

Q: Do You Try More To Be Original Or To Deliver To Readers What They Want?

A: I like to stay orignal and raw. But I also love to experiment with the techniques and the weaving of words. I think every verse can find its own audience and nothing needs to be up to the mark everytime. Being a young aspirant writer, I’m open to suggestions and I’m all ears about what the readers want. I try my best not to get typed for one theme, I can mold myself according to different ideas but I can’t restrict myself from being orignal and writing my heart out. I think balance is the key.

Q: How Did Publishing Your First Book Change Your Process Of Writing?

A: Publishing a book didn’t change me as a person, or as a poet. It just enhanced me in every possible way, I believe. My process of writing is the same, but I have learned to add some more elements to it. I think we shouldn’t leave our style of writing, we should just add on whatever we can grasp. Same is with us, as individuals. During this journey, I learned new techniques. I learned how to inculcate the newly found knowledge in my writing. I understood how to view a reader’s perspective. And moreover, I opened gates to the world I never knew… publishing. I am now aware what it takes to reach out to the world, and what’s the journey after penning down your thoughts. I now look at books with a new angle. I observe the minute details but I don’t judge them in a negative way obviously. I now understand how each element is necessary in a book and how precious it is. I always loved books but now, I fell in love with them even more.

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

A: Some might find this answer to be amusing and unexpected. But for me, being satisfied with the drafts is the most difficult task in the writing process. There’s always a zeal to make it better than what it is. And one has to take care that they stay raw while perfecting each piece. But sometimes, you can not just let yourself accept the final draft. It’s always like “maybe I can get this better” or “this needs more work”. But in the end, nothing is perfect and one has to accept their draft as the final one and trust it.

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