Tell us about your childhood. Where you grew up and how was life there ? What were your hobbies, your aspirations and guidance?

ANJUM: Well i grew up in UAE. Did my schooling in a very laid back life. The people here are very kind and extremely hospitable. If not studying you'd fine me with my paints and color pencils, my papers and writing materials. I loved filling pages and pages of my journals and drawing books. Well honestly i had no as such a guidance or mentor. I was just a little girl with dreams in my head and a very hyperactive imagination.


You suited up as a Poet, Writer rather early, with your poetry and writing. What inspired you to take this up? And what was your aim?

ANJUM: As i mentioned earlier, pen and paper were my toys growing up, so i never actually consciously chose to become a poet or a writer, to be honest, i never thought i'd put a poem out there to read let alone an entire book. But then as life happened i witnessed the loss of loved ones which got me oozing pages and pages of feelings and at times a post on Instagram. The more people connected to my words, the more i realized i wasn't alone. That we all share pain just the definition is different. And before i knew it it became an aim to connect such lost souls, hence giving my Instagram handle the previous name (findinglostsouls)


What impact has your poetry had on the community?

ANJUM: I kept receiving overwhelming response from my readers (i am no leader so i don't call them my followers, i am a writer and they are my readers) in comments, as direct messages, emails and i could see how many of them felt the same but my words helped them express it better. They started asking me for more and more and i once started to write to heal myself, now i was penning down words to heal them.


When and why did you pick up the quill? How much time did you devote to it, and did you keep your job alongside? How did you juggle both?

ANJUM: So many don't know this about me but i am forensic scientist as per my day job. It requires me constantly to be alert and working, But whatever time i have in the rest of the day i just unwind and keep my sanity intact with my writings. Again i don't know when i precisely picked the quill, but i surely did even before i was born (I'd like to think so).

I don't get much time for writing and to be honest i never sit and pen down. If i do that I'd write absolutely nothing. Writing comes very naturally, at least to me. So when i am least thinking about it words flow and i grab the pen and paper. One thing you'll always find in my bag.


Who is Your favorite Poet/ inspiration and why?

ANJUM: My favorite poets are Charles Bukowski, F.Scott Gerald, Ahmed Faraz, Warsan Shire and My Mom Sabila. Well i don't have to tell you why the first three legends are in the favorite list, but Warsan's words are unique, raw, untouched and they just touch the parts of your soul that had never been touched before. And well my mom.. what can i say, her poetry touches hearts, like a gentle touch.


Mention the success you have experienced.

ANJUM: I wont call it success, i never see poetry or my words in that context. I am not trying to achieve anything with them. If even one person feels like my words helped them survive another day or heal then that's an achievement for me. That's how i measure my success, connecting with souls, not by putting out a bestseller or getting into the social media number rat race..


Do you have any particular audience in mind when you write, an ideal reader?

ANJUM: Not really. I have nothing in mind when i write. All i have are feelings in my heart and string of words on my mind, that i assemble into poetry.


What are the greatest lessons you have learned from your journey?

ANJUM: Poetry taught me that all emotions are the same, people view them and express them differently. That feelings just don't go away. That words are so powerful, they can bring long lost memories to your doorsteps and would knock until you don't let them in. The biggest lesson i have learnt is everyone is going through something, and everyone has something to say , everyone wants to be heard.. all you have to do is just pay attention and listen. So in my case i go first, and then my readers feel comfortable enough to pour out themselves to me. Its nice to see so many of them appreciating and connecting to my words. I love reading their reviews on my book and their emails, comments and thoughts on my instagram.


What are your future plans?

ANJUM: Well, for now, i am working on my next book. Its my second born. I will forever be in love with my first born, Souled Out (revised edition) but this one that i am going to put out there has my raw heart attached to it. I hope it receives equal love from all my readers.


Your message for fellow Poets.

ANJUM: I get asked a lot to give advice or tips to new poets, or beginners or even fellow poets, but honestly, I can only say that write what comes to your mind and heart. Never try to copy, be original. No matter whats selling, whats trending just stick to what your soul feels and pour out only that. Poetry is pure and divine, lets just keep it that way.


Anything you want to share about Kavishala.

ANJUM: It’s a great platform to bring all the talent under one roof. I wish luck to kavishala and special thanks for making me a part of the family.


Godbless!


Kavishala Team: THANK YOU ANJUM!