An Interview with Raji Seth

Summary

In this reflective monologue, the speaker discusses their journey as a writer, emphasizing the power of personal experience over external influence. They recount how their early story, an experimental piece exploring multiple perspectives through a mother’s diary, resonated deeply with readers for its emotional honesty. The speaker believes that a good reader often becomes a good writer, with sensitivity and introspection as key elements. Rejecting external literary influences, they emphasize writing as a means of self-expression. The speaker also reflects on their life shaped by hardship and the solace found in writing, underlining authenticity in their craft.

Takeaways

• 😀 The author experimented with writing a story from a different consciousness perspective, placing the boy's consciousness in the story to see the world through the eyes of his mother and father.
• 😀 The story revolves around a boy discovering his deceased mother's diary, which had rich, unexplored insights into her life. This revelation brings complex emotions and perspectives into the narrative.
• 😀 The author wanted to avoid portraying the father negatively in the story, even though the mother had passed, and the father was still alive.
• 😀 The emotional impact of the story was profound, resonating with readers and leaving a lasting impression, particularly for its honesty and intensity.
• 😀 The author believes that a good reader often harbors a good writer within themselves, as reading extensively fosters a deep sensibility that later influences writing.
• 😀 The author started writing relatively late in life, with their first story published at the age of 40, despite having a rich reading history before that.
• 😀 The author’s life was shaped by the trauma of partition, fleeing from Pakistan, and facing the challenges of resettling in a new country, which deeply influenced their writing.
• 😀 The author believes that writing should come from an authentic and personal experience, without being overly influenced by external literary trends or the works of others.
• 😀 Despite success in writing stories, poetry, translations, and essays, the most painful aspect for the author is the inability to write at times.
• 😀 The author has a strong desire to avoid any external influence in their writing, aiming to stay true to their own voice and experiences, resisting any idea of imitating others.

Q & A

What was the initial purpose of writing the story mentioned in the script?

The story was written as an experiment, aiming to explore the concept of placing one's consciousness into another character, specifically a boy, to see how different perspectives on family dynamics and personal emotions would unfold.

How did the discovery of the mother's diary impact the story?

The mother's diary, which was only revealed after her death, provided rich, unspoken insights into her life, adding depth to the narrative. The boy, through his perspective, could understand not only his mother but also his father's reactions to these revelations.

What role does the father play in the story?

The father plays a significant role in the story, as his reaction to the mother's diary and the emotions it evokes is explored. His presence contrasts with the mother's absence, creating a complex dynamic in the narrative.

What was the emotional impact of the story on the readers?

The emotional intensity and honesty of the story resonated deeply with readers. Its ability to capture complex emotional landscapes and relationships was appreciated, making it one of the author's most beloved works.

How does the author view the connection between reading and writing?

The author believes that a good reader often harbors the potential to become a good writer. Extensive reading helps develop sensitivity and sensibility, which naturally influences one’s writing style and understanding of the world.

What was the author's writing journey like?

The author started writing later in life, with their first story published at the age of 40. Their journey was shaped by personal experiences, including the challenges of the partition and settling in a new country.

What does the author think about foreign influences in their writing?

The author consciously avoids foreign influences in their work, believing that writing should stem from personal experiences and self-discovery. They value staying true to their own voice rather than imitating others' ideologies or styles.

What types of works has the author created?

The author has written stories, novels, poetry translations (specifically German poetry), and essays. They enjoy exploring different literary forms and expressing their thoughts through writing.

What is the author's biggest challenge in their writing process?

The author’s biggest challenge is the inability to write at times, which brings about emotional pain. Despite finding writing to be a source of joy and comfort, not being able to write can be deeply frustrating.

How does the author perceive the role of personal experiences in writing?

Personal experiences are central to the author’s writing. They believe that writing is a means of self-discovery, where one reflects on their life and experiences to create authentic, emotionally rich narratives.