‘Poetry comes naturally to me’

Sana Abraham’s debut poetry book ‘Whispers of a Teenager’ reflects various stages of early adolescence

RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT KURIOCITY 

A student from Sharada Mandir School, Miramar, Sana Abraham began her writing journey at the age of 10 and has since penned over 30 poems. Her book, ‘Whispers of a Teenager’, includes a curated selection of 24 of these poems. The book was recently launched in Thiruvananthapuram by Member of the Lok Sabha and renowned author Shashi Tharoor.

 

Excerpts from an interview with Abraham: 

What got you interested in writing? How has your writing style changed since you began?

I’ve always loved reading, starting with Enid Blyton when I was seven. Even before that, my parents would buy me short stories and fables. So my entire childhood was surrounded by books. Naturally, in school, I grew fond of writing essays and creative pieces, and that’s how I discovered my love for writing.

My approach to writing poetry has remained the same since I began. A single thought in my head can develop into a poem at random times throughout the day. But my style has evolved. As I grow and gain more knowledge of the English language, I’m able to incorporate new themes and vocabulary into my poetry.

 

Could you tell us about the themes you delve into in this collection?

This poetry book addresses feelings such as anxiety, nostalgia, friendship, and love, which are common among teenagers. I wanted to create a book that reflects various stages of early adolescence. Also, I have a strong interest in writing about nature, so nature poems are also included.

 

How do you draw inspiration for your poems? What is your process for turning your thoughts and feelings into written word?

My inspiration comes from my life, the media I consume, the books I read, and the people around me. Usually, a line or idea pops into my head, and I use a dictionary to find the right words to express my feelings and to help with my rhyme scheme.

 

Did you face any challenges while writing and compiling this collection? How did you overcome them?

Writing this book was challenging due to the erratic nature of the process. I would sometimes complete a poem, only to find that inspiration wouldn’t come for days or even months, creating gaps between the poems. Another challenge was overcoming self-doubt. I constantly worried about how the book would be received by my audience. However, the overwhelming support from my family, teachers, and close friends, along with their encouragement at every stage, was important in completing the book and boosting my confidence.

This entire process taught me that with the Almighty’s blessings, self-belief, and hard work, anything is possible, and dreams can indeed come true. I am also grateful to Dr. Jacob Isaac for writing the foreword for my book.

 

Have any poets or authors influenced your writing? If so, how have they shaped your work in ‘Whispers of a Teenager’?

‘Evening Solace’ by Charlotte Bronte has been a major inspiration for many of my poems. I fell in love with how she conveys emotions and the themes she explores. I also admire William Wordsworth, and I’ve drawn inspiration from his work for the nature-themed poems in my collection.

 

Is there any poem in this collection that holds special significance for you?

All the poems are meaningful to me, as each represents my mindset at different stages of my early teenage years. Each poem feels like a diary entry. However, if I had to select one, it would be the poem ‘Love’. It’s the most recent one I wrote, and I’m particularly proud of it due to its vocabulary and writing style. I experimented with different elements in this poem, and I’m very pleased with how it turned out.

 

What impact do you hope your poems will have?

I hope that readers, particularly those my age, understand that feelings of anxiety, loneliness, or insecurity during these years are common. I always aim to include a hopeful twist in the final paragraph of my poems to emphasise that, no matter how difficult things may seem, they do get better.

 

What was it like meeting Shashi Tharoor at your book launch?

Meeting Shashi Tharoor was an absolute honour. I’m grateful that he took time out of his busy schedule to review my book and offer encouragement. He wished me all the best, advised me never to stop writing regardless of the circumstances, and expressed his hope for greater success with my writing.

 

What are your future aspirations as a writer?

I hope to become a bestselling author and see my books in bookstores. I would love for people to study my writing in schools and inspire other teenagers to write. Poetry comes naturally to me, so I intend to continue exploring it. However, I’ve also written short stories for other publications, and I find the process of writing a continuous narrative fascinating. Therefore, I also hope to branch out into writing full-length novels.