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| Dr. Priya Dolma Tamang |
Author Interview
Dr. Priya Dolma Tamang
Author of Ivory Gleam
One of the most popular InstaPoets from India
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Hey Readers' Fam, we are back with another Author Interview. This time we will be having a conversation with one of the most popular InstaPoets from India and author of her magnificent piece of poetry 'Ivory Gleam', most welcome Dr. Priya Dolma Tamang.
If you don't know about 'Ivory Gleam' book, then check out my review of Ivory Gleam here.
About the author:
Priya Dolma Tamang was born in Sikkim, India, to Nepali parents. She is a medical graduate. Her first book, "Ivory Gleam," is a compilation of poetry and prose. It captures the essence of learning, longing, and loving, through self-reflective insights. With Buddhism as a way of life, her work reflects a hint of practical spirituality and healing with the help of words.
Follow her on Instagram: @poetryandprosebyk
Check out her Goodreads Page: Priya Dolma Tamang
Like her Facebook Page: @poetryandprosebyk
Follow her on Twitter: @kulvadana
Order your copy of Ivory Gleam here: https://amzn.to/2L4H6af
Dr.Priya will discuss poetry and purpose behind writing. She will also tell us about her writing environment, about Ivory Gleam journey and will share some life saving tips for budding writers. And will unveil secret about her next project.
So, before you dive into this interview, grab some coffee/tea and enjoy!!
Dr.Priya will discuss poetry and purpose behind writing. She will also tell us about her writing environment, about Ivory Gleam journey and will share some life saving tips for budding writers. And will unveil secret about her next project.
So, before you dive into this interview, grab some coffee/tea and enjoy!!
Q: How do you define
poetry? And what does it mean to you?
A: Poetry is art. Art is beauty. Beauty is subjective. Subjects are chosen. Choices are imbibed. Thus, poetry is what I have chosen as a medium of my artistic expression. It is how I picture life. There is beauty in everything. Every little creation is a gift. A joy. And art is how we define this beauty. There is Nature's art in serenity of the hills, and human art in advancement of the metropolitans. We can heal others with written words of kindness and the dexterity of a doctor's scalpel alike. Cooking is an art. So is music. All of us are artists celebrating our choices. Likewise, poetry has been mine.
A: Many people write for the masses. A few write for classes. Some of us write for ourselves. I began my journey into a world of metaphors to decode the emotional growth that I was subjected to. And to find a relaxing way out of it.
Q: Who is that author, you admire and why?
A: I wish I had a template answer to this. I get asked many times about favourites. Truth be told, I have none. Yes, I do appreciate the work of a few of them. Yet whenever I read a book, a poem or a story, whoever is behind that product, and invested in it with his heart, mind and soul, becomes my favourite for that while. It is not hard to discern genuine effort. A good author is one who is wholehearted in his approach and portrayal.
Q: What inspired you to write Ivory Gleam involving that hint of practical spirituality?
A: Spirituality is mere acknowledgement of the fact that we are much more than these bodies we carry. The day we start recognizing ourselves as energies, and not attach our identity to material matters of the physical plane, we become spiritual. Ivory Gleam is a proponent of the soul theory. It talks of soul lessons, soul longing and soul love. I have dealt with common issues through complex poetry as stepping stones to spiritual evolution. This book is testimony to my own baby steps into spirituality. I had hoped it would help others or at the least offer them a fresh perspective when dealing with their emotions. Life becomes easier minus the ego. Ego is a human flaw that souls do not entertain.
Q: What is that ideal environment for you to write?
A: Noise reduction ear muffs, ear plugs or the deep night's quietude.
Q: How has your homeland influenced your writing?
A: Sikkim epitomizes pristine peace. The air smells of compassion and warmth. Our state is enveloped in a blessed cocoon of holiness and heights. At an altitude that clouds dance, and to be living amidst such sweetness, my homeland has provided clarity to my thoughts and pride in my roots. These aspects play an instrumental role in shaping my overall personality, and eventually in my writing.
Q: Apart from writing, what else do you enjoy doing?
A: I am a loner and enjoy my typical loner activities. These include cooking, watching movies, doodling, painting. On sober days, I meditate. I am also fond of learning about different cultures. I like making people happy.
Q: Any message you want to convey to readers of ‘Ivory Gleam’?
A: When you read my book, or any book for that matter, please do so with an intention not to criticize and fault-find, but to accept and appreciate points of view, manners of expression, and dispositions that differ from your own. There is no fun in regularity. Books should be experimental, unique and a source of knowledge. If my work adds to your vocabulary, then why not? There are many simple, straightforward and obvious books out there. I never signed up to be one of them. If it makes you think, re-think, and re-read a different meaning each time, then I'd consider this exercise of comprehension well-done.
Q: A simple yet life saving tip for budding authors?
A: I understand that authors are suggested to pay heed to constructive criticism. Reviews and opinions have gained a foothold in making or marring the confidence of new writers. If XYZ loves your use of rich vocabulary, but ABC finds it incomprehensible, does it make sense to please ABC by catering to their need of trite language and depriving XYZ of something that they actually enjoyed? Maybe person 1 loved a certain character in your story, but person 2 detested it. Will you remove that character from your book or twist the persona to suit person 2's needs? What about person 1's liking for the same character? This is the problem with projection. When we keep moulding our creation to fit different boxes, the ultimate loss will be of our original voice. If your work is purely commercial, it is practical to take a consensus. But when your work is an intimate expression close to your heart, please avoid anyone who thinks you should change. You are the best judge of your work.
Q: What will be your next book about?
A: My next book will be a collection of better framed poetry and prose. The working title is "My Sonder Sky".
Awesome!! Thank you so much for this wonderful interview, Dr. Priya. You have been very kind and honest throughout the session. We all wish you the best for your next book.
Hello readers, I hope it provided you with new perspective to look at poetry and enhanced your vision towards art. And authors, I hope it helped you too. Let me know in comments down below.
A: Poetry is art. Art is beauty. Beauty is subjective. Subjects are chosen. Choices are imbibed. Thus, poetry is what I have chosen as a medium of my artistic expression. It is how I picture life. There is beauty in everything. Every little creation is a gift. A joy. And art is how we define this beauty. There is Nature's art in serenity of the hills, and human art in advancement of the metropolitans. We can heal others with written words of kindness and the dexterity of a doctor's scalpel alike. Cooking is an art. So is music. All of us are artists celebrating our choices. Likewise, poetry has been mine.
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| Poetry from Ivory Gleam |
Q: What was your purpose behind writing, when you
first started?
A: Many people write for the masses. A few write for classes. Some of us write for ourselves. I began my journey into a world of metaphors to decode the emotional growth that I was subjected to. And to find a relaxing way out of it.
Writing has been extremely personal, an
instrument of venting and a tool of self-assessment. I do not expect people to
clearly understand what I write, unless they empathize. At times, there are
layers of hidden angst and animosity. This is my pain and my happy. I talk to
myself through my poetry. But as I shared my work online to a very positive
reception, I got encouraged to get officially published. Hence the book for
people to read full of pieces written for myself.
Q: Who is that author, you admire and why?
A: I wish I had a template answer to this. I get asked many times about favourites. Truth be told, I have none. Yes, I do appreciate the work of a few of them. Yet whenever I read a book, a poem or a story, whoever is behind that product, and invested in it with his heart, mind and soul, becomes my favourite for that while. It is not hard to discern genuine effort. A good author is one who is wholehearted in his approach and portrayal.
Q: What inspired you to write Ivory Gleam involving that hint of practical spirituality?
A: Spirituality is mere acknowledgement of the fact that we are much more than these bodies we carry. The day we start recognizing ourselves as energies, and not attach our identity to material matters of the physical plane, we become spiritual. Ivory Gleam is a proponent of the soul theory. It talks of soul lessons, soul longing and soul love. I have dealt with common issues through complex poetry as stepping stones to spiritual evolution. This book is testimony to my own baby steps into spirituality. I had hoped it would help others or at the least offer them a fresh perspective when dealing with their emotions. Life becomes easier minus the ego. Ego is a human flaw that souls do not entertain.
 |
| Ivory Gleam |
Q: What is that ideal environment for you to write?
A: Noise reduction ear muffs, ear plugs or the deep night's quietude.
I need pin drop silence to be fully
functional as a creature of my mind. Distractions, as sounds or otherwise,
generally tend to disrupt my train of thoughts.
Q: How has your homeland influenced your writing?
A: Sikkim epitomizes pristine peace. The air smells of compassion and warmth. Our state is enveloped in a blessed cocoon of holiness and heights. At an altitude that clouds dance, and to be living amidst such sweetness, my homeland has provided clarity to my thoughts and pride in my roots. These aspects play an instrumental role in shaping my overall personality, and eventually in my writing.
 |
| Gangtok, Sikkim |
Q: Apart from writing, what else do you enjoy doing?
A: I am a loner and enjoy my typical loner activities. These include cooking, watching movies, doodling, painting. On sober days, I meditate. I am also fond of learning about different cultures. I like making people happy.
Q: Any message you want to convey to readers of ‘Ivory Gleam’?
A: When you read my book, or any book for that matter, please do so with an intention not to criticize and fault-find, but to accept and appreciate points of view, manners of expression, and dispositions that differ from your own. There is no fun in regularity. Books should be experimental, unique and a source of knowledge. If my work adds to your vocabulary, then why not? There are many simple, straightforward and obvious books out there. I never signed up to be one of them. If it makes you think, re-think, and re-read a different meaning each time, then I'd consider this exercise of comprehension well-done.
Q: A simple yet life saving tip for budding authors?
A: I understand that authors are suggested to pay heed to constructive criticism. Reviews and opinions have gained a foothold in making or marring the confidence of new writers. If XYZ loves your use of rich vocabulary, but ABC finds it incomprehensible, does it make sense to please ABC by catering to their need of trite language and depriving XYZ of something that they actually enjoyed? Maybe person 1 loved a certain character in your story, but person 2 detested it. Will you remove that character from your book or twist the persona to suit person 2's needs? What about person 1's liking for the same character? This is the problem with projection. When we keep moulding our creation to fit different boxes, the ultimate loss will be of our original voice. If your work is purely commercial, it is practical to take a consensus. But when your work is an intimate expression close to your heart, please avoid anyone who thinks you should change. You are the best judge of your work.
Q: What will be your next book about?
A: My next book will be a collection of better framed poetry and prose. The working title is "My Sonder Sky".
Awesome!! Thank you so much for this wonderful interview, Dr. Priya. You have been very kind and honest throughout the session. We all wish you the best for your next book.
Hello readers, I hope it provided you with new perspective to look at poetry and enhanced your vision towards art. And authors, I hope it helped you too. Let me know in comments down below.
Show some love!!
Goodreads Page: Priya Dolma Tamang
Facebook Page: @poetryandprosebyk
Twitter: @kulvadana
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Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace. ☮
