Novels, Short Stories, Poems, Articles ... The endless joy of stories.

I am feeling deeply, deeply grateful to belong to this world of words, letters, stories, magic, meaning and the opportunity to go into worlds other than the lives we have led or known.

I was always an avid reader and also a story teller from when I must have been 6 or 7 years old and caught in a world of my own imagination. The profession I chose to master was into telling the stories of others in their business journeys, helping them sell their companies, products or services.

I wrote my first poem at 20, but for a long time after that my poetry or writings remained a personal vent during some extremely dark years.

It is post 2013 that I found my voice. As a poet, author, and a teller of tales. Still finding it. But, with a lesser and lesser tremble in it.

I have now 2 books published - The first book of short stories called A THICK FAT FINGER AND OTHER STORIES, and second novel KILL ME WITH LOVE, my third novel THE HAND OF DESTINY is ready to launch post the lock down all ready to go, my fourth book AND THEN, THEY SPOKE, fifth novel WOOING Ms.CEO and sixth book THE HAND OF KOTRAVAI under various stages of writing, along with my compilation of my poetry book HEART. MIND AND SOUL which has about 200 poems, set in 3 volume.

I have 5 more book apart from these in the pipeline NETI, NETI, THE ANSWER IS NOT ZERO, THE GODS MUST BE SO BORED, THE INVISIBLE MURDER and a few more all at various stages of ideation.

I owe this creative journey especially the start to the love I received from Atta Galatta, which i consider my home as an author, poet and writer. My voice as a poet, the confidence to write on any subject and weave my response or take into a poem, at least the start entirely to Let Poetry Be. The confidence to read and share my works to Let Poetry Be, Lahe Lahe, Verse Of silence, Urban Solace, Just Books and the various venues that invited me to share my creative journey or motivate children or young adults into writing.

Looking back, i realize what a joy and also meaningful personal purpose it has been to traverse this road. To allow my mind to wander and pick up stories on terrorism, farmer suicides, quirky tales of ordinary people, murder stories, romance, a historical novel set in the Sangam period, a philosophical debate, a satire on the Gods, a tribute to the women of yore, and poems from quantum physics to love, to burning issues of the day to dirty sinks... there is no boundary to one's imagination, for words can jump over any.

I feel intensely alive this moment. Surrounded by the world of words. The magic of creating them. Grateful for being able to receive them as I attempt their capture. And, grateful, very grateful to those who have encouraged, cheered and loved me deeply to keep me on course, all the readers, friends, family and well wishers...

I have miles to go in my journey ... but looking back at these years, I feel so full, for once words fail me.

Thank you.

- Srividya Srinivasan

#WorldBookDay 23/4/2020