In Conversation With Reeja Cibin, Author Of Essence Of My Heart
Spotwrite Publications – Empowering Authors
20-06-2025
Q :- Can you tell us a little about yourself and your journey as a writer?
English was my favorite subject in school. As a child, I always liked to play with words. I found joy in rhyming and verses. I still remember vividly in my 4th grade I had written a 4 liner about “The White Sheep” and I did receive applause from my teacher for the same. I did make an attempt to write for my school sovereign when I was In my high school. Once I reached college, this skill of writing poems was very well used by my friends - in fact I used to write poems on their behalf for their love interests. Knowingly or unknowingly I started writing about everything that caught sight of me. I started receiving compliments from my friends and colleagues once they started noticing this. But never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that a poet was budding in me. Being said that I never made an attempt to document these poems of mine safely.. It was only during the Covid time, I thought to pour down my verses in a diary
Q :- What inspired you to start writing?
My life had many ups and downs. But I always kept a positive approach to life and I never regretted the choices I made or complained about things I did not get in my life. I am an extrovert but I do have my own space. There are times when I seek the comfort of my friends and people and there are times when I feel introspective. It is during these times I take the solace of my writings. These lines never lied, these lines never shied.
Q :- How did you come up with the title of your book?
The poems in this book are not specific to a particular genre. It speaks about everything my heart went through; it speaks about encounters, plans, friendship, love, celebrations, loss, nature, resolutions, anything and everything my heart wished to write. It was as if my heart was framing lines for them. Hence this title.
Q :- What message or feeling do you hope readers take away from your book?
As a first time writer, I offer this not as a perfection but as truth in its most human form. These poems don't promise healing but hold a space for it. If anything in these poems, make the readers seen, then I am at a win.
Q:- Do any characters or events in your book have personal significance?
You will find a piece of me in these poems; Raw, untouched but relatable.
Experience with life and people has paved the way for some of the characters and write ups in this book.
Q :- Among all themes and topics, why did you choose this one in particular?
All my poems were just a gut instinct. As the mood sinked in, my pen started writing and there was no looking back.
Q :- What does being a published author mean to you, beyond seeing your words in print?
It gives me a sense of achievement. It gives me the zeal to write more. It gives me an answer to my long awaited prayer. It adds another feather to my cap.
Q :- How do you expect your readers to use this book optimally?
Each poem in this book is written in such a way that it's easy to understand. You will find a piece of yourself while going through these lines. Read it as it is. It's gonna make you think, pause, relate and smile. It's for all your moods.
Q :- Do you have a favorite quote or message from the book you’d like to share?
“Luck favors the brave
For that, success you need to crave”
Q :- Any advice for aspiring authors looking to publish their first book?
It’s never too late to chase your dreams. Just trust your instinct and move on. Work in the dark and let the world see your light. There is no better feeling than to see your dreams taking flight.