Poetry Interview Series: Poetry Arcane
In today’s interview we would like to introduce you to the talented Instagram Poet Arcane. Arcane won one of the AWB weekly Poetry contests with the lovely Poem “ Your grace melting my heart”. The depth of words combined with the simple beauty of an illustration made this piece a winner. We were lucky to talk to Poetry Arcane and find out more about what inspires this talented poet. See the full interview below.
Where do you live and how does it influence your writing?
Well, I am here from India. And I think the place I live in has very little influence on my writing. As because mostly my writings get influenced by my thoughts throughout the day and from reading pieces of great writers and from internet authors. So I think that books and the internet have got a bigger influence on my writing than my place of origin.
When did you first become passionate about poetry and what attracted you to it?
I am not really sure about when I got so passionate about poetry, It's like I always loved it but I didn't know it, kind of I always loved reading poems and maybe my experience of life from these past few years might have helped me become a guy who writes along with reading.
What inspires you to write?
Everything, from Shakespeare's poems to modern ones to a little butterfly flying from this flower to that, like I am always unknown about from where shall my next idea drops in.
Do you publish your Poetry on other channels but Instagram?
No, I am currently sharing my writing on Instagram only and I have thought about sharing on others platforms too but kind of haven't started yet.
Who is your favorite Instapoet and why?
In that case I have not one but many names, but can't surely say who is my favourite, like when I read from them I find unique thoughts and ideas from each one. And those writers, I really don't think can be compared. It's more like they are unique in a unique way and just don't wanna compare them to see who is my favourite, I just want to savour their writings, that's all.
Can you tell us a little about your writing process? How do you come up with poems and how do you edit them?
Well, the way I write is quite simple. Just have a diary that I keep in my niche and everytime an idea pops up, I just grab it write it raw and if I feel it needs editing, I just add or subtract few words to make it look better or sound better.
Do you support yourself through writing financially, or do you have a day job and what is it?
I actually write as a hobby rather than using it to earn money and I am yet a student pursuing bachelor degree in engineering.
How many hours a day do you spend writing and what helps you to get into the writing mood?
It's not certain, the time I spend on writing. It varies. Someday it's very little as five minutes or practically no time and sometimes I like spend the whole night staying awake and continuously writing down my thoughts on a piece of paper. And about my writing mood, sometimes watching a movie, hearing a piece of music or after reading a poem or sometimes its like siting and enjoying the rain, everything puts something in my head.
And what’s the best moment you’ve had with your poetry so far?
I am not quite certain about the best moment with poetry. Everytime reading or writing poetry gives me some amount of joy.
How do you respond to writer’s block or not knowing what to write?
When I don't get an idea, I start reading,either I read my favourite ones or just surf the internet for masterpieces, and if I still don't come up with anything I just close my writing stuffs, start watching a movie, listen to music or start reading a physics book or just do nothing and go straight to my bed and take a nap. It pretty much depends on my mood.
What are you working on next?
Current I am not working on anything major, just writing what I come up with, maybe eventually I shall get something interesting to work my heart and soul on.
Where would you like to see yourself in three years time.
I don't know where I would like to be in next three years, it's more like wherever life takes me, but certainly I would very much like to work to the extent I can and would very much like to enjoy my every journey big or small, that life takes me on.
What is your strategy you to grow your audience?
Currently, I am just sharing my stuffs without any particular strategy, but it's not like I haven't thought of any, but I haven't really implemented any of them yet.
What advice would you give young poets just starting out?
I feel like, I am one of those young writers who needs advice and I have not much experience to be able to give advice to others yet. Just one cliche saying to say, 'hard work is the key to success'.
Do you think poetry has a greater purpose?
It's a dilemmatic, it's more on our perspective, the way we see poetry. For some it may be a way to make a better society for humans and for some it is just a mere piece of thought with words and sentences. But I personally, feel that the word 'poetry' refers to an art that is infinite and we can't really measure the purpose of something that is not finite. As often said, 'beauty is in the beholder's eyes'.
Thank you Arcane for this interview. Please follow Arcane on Instagram to see more of her wonderful poetry. @poetryarcane