by Sunny Solaris
Featured in our latest interview, we have Sumo, a past contributor to RTS. Their pieces "Schadenfreude" and "Caged spark within" were published in issue iii: kindle the flame and issue vi: dreams of a caged bird respectively. You can check out our previous issues to read their work. Our interviewer Sunny sat down with Sumo to chat about their work, association with RTS, and their goals with respect to writing.
Sunny: Hi Sumo! First up, why don't we get a small introduction from you to start off with?
Sumo: So, Hi! I am Sumo! And I am an aspiring author and a poetess from India. I love to write (obviously), write lyrics for songs, play my ukulele and dance (but only when I’m alone in the house🤭). I post my poetry on Instagram quite often, and am soon going to be a published author! I love to submit to magazines as well, like I did to my favourite youth magazine of all time, Rewrite the Stars Review!
Oh wow! It feels heart-warming to know that RTS is your favourite youth magazine. So, what was the experience like, having your work published by us? How did you feel?
It was a great experience, largely because it was the first time I had ever submitted to a magazine. It's also why I was also a bit afraid of getting rejected. But the best thing about this magazine is that they respond and care for all their contributors. I submitted two poems and one of them was accepted, but the editors sent a detailed review of the other one! Funnily enough, the piece I thought was better was rejected. The editors gave feedback on how I could improve, which definitely helped me soften the rough edges of my writing. Secondly the designs [of the issues] are so alluring and catchy! Definitely the place I’d want to see my poems published🤩
The issues have been so varied and different. These kinds of themes push you to write about different things and ponder random topics that you never thought you would write poems about. For instance, the next issue is about games! Isn’t that wonderful?
We do say that no one rejects you better than we do. What was the process of writing your submission?
As I mentioned before, the themes were highly varied, and very fun and deep to think about. They always compelled me to think further than I thought I could. The third issue, for instance, was about fire. And I couldn't think of anything related to it until it hit me, that a fire burns in all of us, and if it is not reflected within the sky of our conscience, it keeps burning and turns into a forest fire. That was something that pushed me to learn more, and I found the word Schadenfreude which inspired my submission. Similarly, I submitted my pieces for many other themes, like Jabberwocky, which was my absolute favourite, but sadly, that piece wasn't accepted. Recently, I submitted to issue six, (with a literary write-up) about a little spark that ignites and keeps inspiring others. Even though it may not enlighten the whole wide world, it will still reach out to some souls; what more could a writer desire?
These themes are so well thought out; they always lead me down thought-rabbit-holes that inspire me to write about my feelings. With some editing and more thinking, we have a poem ready at our disposal!
Why did you choose to submit to Rewrite the Stars Magazine?
I am a great fan of [the founder and Editor-in-Chief], Smrithi and so I viewed the magazine’s work; I was mesmerised by its design and the feel of it. I loved it immediately and when I saw I could submit my work there, I decided to do it right away and yay! I am so glad I did!
Do you have any tips for people who want to submit to literary magazines?
That's a tough question, because I haven't had much experience. I only have submitted to RTS, and to some other (magazines), from where I’ve been rejected. But still, my advice would be to keep doing it. Even though you are still learning how to write, and the magazines might want something more mature, still, keep submitting and trying! That's what I am doing and it keeps me busy and engaged!
Of course! You should never give up, I am pretty sure I’m not the only one to appreciate such a persevering and optimistic attitude. While we are on the topic of never giving up, do tell us if you were expecting to get chosen the second time you submitted to our magazine ?
I didn't. I thought the poem was too vague, and doubted whether I articulated the message enough for the reader to understand. But I was so happy when I was selected again!
Coming to your pieces, I have a question about Schadenfreude – what was your inspiration for that piece? What made you specifically choose this word?
I was so curious about the feeling of unrequited love: they can't feel anything sour about the intended person. The feeling really lured me in and I strove to know more about it. When I start to write about something, it clears up the confusion in my head. It's like there's a curled-up woollen ball-like idea in my head and to string it out, I have to turn it into poetry. I don’t know if I am the only one who feels like that, but I wanted to write about this feeling to understand it better. I then learnt more about the psychological perspective since I am in that field. I kept this word as the core of the poem and hence, it became the title. This kind of love is not always romantic, it may even spring in different kinds of human relationships. For instance, when one longs for love and appreciation from their loved one, but it is not reciprocated. It kills them but they let it.
I saw in your introduction that you’re a songwriter.
Yes! Or at least, I’m learning to be one. I mostly write songs in Hindi (a whole album is also in preparation! I only need to find good musicians to compose them). I am learning songwriting from masterclasses and online courses. Maybe I can become a lyricist - fingers crossed!
Do you find that writing poems often helps with songwriting? It’s always been the opposite for me, so I’m curious to see how others find it.
Definitely! Lyrics are, in a way, poems that are set in rhythm and written keeping the beats and structure in mind. Maybe you are more well-versed in musical ability, than writing, which is amazing!! I have struggled with songwriting, because I tend to write in open verses. Songs need to be in a specific structure and a lot needs to be said in very little amount of words, so that's a bit difficult for me.
Yes, definitely. People do say some of the best lyricists are poets. Well, you mentioned that you will be a published author soon. Would you like to divulge about your upcoming book, maybe entice readers with some details?
I would love to! I am so bad at marketing my work, but yeah I would want to market it as much as I can so as to bring the poems to the intended niche.
Well, you have the opportunity now! You can go ahead, we are all ears!
So my book's name is 'Little, Oh Little', and it's a poetry collection about all the little things that matter in life. We see them, yet unsee them. 'The magic is in the little things' is what I believe and so I want to spread that message through the little poems I have woven, in a little effort for the spark to fly!
Sounds interesting, I am sure that everyone is looking forward to reading it as much as I am. Thank you so much for taking time to sit down and have such a delightful chat with us!
Thank you so much too! It was so much fun talking to you! I’m looking forward to more conversations like this :)
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