Swetha is the author of two chapbooks, Cotton Candy from the Sky and Mango Pickle in Summer.  An MFA graduate from the University of San Francisco, her works appear in Had, Flash Fiction Magazine, Maudlin House, Barzakh, Oyez Review, and others (https://swethaamit.com). Her writing has received support from Tin House, the Kenyon Review Writers Workshop, Writers Grotto, and the Community of Writers. Her stories have been nominated for Pushcart and Best of the Net. She lives in the Bay Area with her husband and daughter.

1) First, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this interview with me!  When did you know that writing is what you were called to do? What is it about being a writer that you love the most? What about being a writer frustrates you the most?

When I started doing author interviews in 2012, I was always intrigued by how stories and characters were created. Since then, I have harbored dreams of writing fiction. When Destiny brought me to the Bay Area in the summer of 2017, I grabbed the opportunity to pursue my writing dreams and took up creative writing courses at Stanford Continuing Studies. During my first few workshops, I discovered how my faculty and cohort connected with the words of my page. The joy of seeing the words on the page eliciting emotions in the reader was what fueled my love for writing. This feeling is what made me find my true calling as a writer, and I later got a formal postgraduate degree in writing from the University of San Francisco.  What frustrates me about being a writer is that it could be more remunerative, and sometimes, I find it hard to explain why I love writing so much despite its lack of remuneration. Not to mention the multiple rejections and struggle to get published. But it’s a part of every writer’s journey.

2) Can you tell us a little about your book(s) and where our readers can find out more about them and you? 

My first book, A Turbulent Mind-My Journey to Ironman 70.3, is a memoir that chronicles my journey of overcoming the fear of open water and going on to doing an endurance race like the Ironman in one year, where the first leg involves swimming. My memoir also comprises other challenges I faced as an immigrant in a foreign country. It is available to order on Amazon. My second and third books are works of fiction and chapbooks. Cotton Candy from the Sky & Other Stories, published by Bottlecap Press, is a collection of flash fiction and short stories about how humans find refuge amidst nature while battling life’s adversities. It can be ordered on the Bottlecap Press website. Mango Pickle in Summer & Other Stories, published by Alien Buddha Press, is a collection of flash fiction/short stories about the impact of food on human relationships and their memories. It is available to order on Amazon. Readers can find more about me on my website. https://swethaamit.com

3) What projects are you currently working on?

I am currently working on two chapbooks and a novel. My two chapbooks are a collection of flash fiction/short stories. The first one, titled Finding Your Feet, is about how defects in the human body impact people, their relationships, and self-esteem. My second chapbook, Crow at My Window, explores how myths and superstitions about certain animals impact humans and their lives. My novel titled Manglik traces the life of an Indian immigrant woman in the Bay Area who is facing the dilemma of undergoing an ancient ritual due to a defective astrological birth chart, and failure to undergo this ritual would put her future with her fiancée in jeopardy. Besides this, I am always writing flash fiction, short stories, and author interviews.

4) What has been your most significant achievement as a writer thus far? Where do you see yourself within your career in the next five years?

Every publication has been an achievement. My significant achievement is yet to come, and I hope to gain that with my novel. The sense of accomplishment in getting my stories out there and the hope of completing and releasing my novel and the two chapbooks keeps me going. I also aspire to do book tours, connect with readers nationwide, and get nominated for an award.

5) How have you dealt with rejection within your writing career?

Initially, rejections were a painful part of my journey. It took me a while to overcome them. Then, one of my mentors, K.M. Soehnlein, shared a valuable insight, ‘Persevere, and the acceptances will come knocking on the door.’ I took his advice to heart, continued to submit my work, and never gave up. Over time, I started to see my work getting published. I’ve learned to take rejections in my stride. Even when it stings, the pain doesn’t linger for long.

6) Do you have a schedule for when you write?  Do you outline your novels?  How long does it generally take you to finish a novel?

I usually write in the mornings right after I work out. That’s when my mind is rejuvenated, and ideas are fresh. I write for about 3 -4 hours and then continue late evenings. I usually write thrice a week and spend time revising or reading the rest of the days. I typically prefer to outline my stories before writing them. My POV, plot, character, arc, and ending are usually chalked out before I dive into the words.

7) Do you believe that there is ever a point in life where it’s too late for an aspiring writer to become successful in this industry?  Do you feel a late start would hinder their chances?

Not at all. In fact, I know authors who published their first-ever book at the age of 50 and above. Age should not discourage you from starting something you’ve always wanted to do. In fact, with age, you gain maturity and experience from life, which could aid your writing process. Learning anything with the right mindset and attitude is never too late.

8) Are you an avid reader and have you always been? What’s the first book you ever read that really touched you emotionally and moved you?  Who is your favorite author? What book are you currently reading?

Books have been my constant companions since childhood. The first book I read was The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton, a fantastical read about a huge residential tree with exciting folk and a different intriguing land at the top every week. However, the book that truly made a difference in my life was Atonement by Ian McEwan, and it helped me change my entire perspective. My favorite authors include Jhumpa Lahiri, O Henry, Raymond Carver, and Khaled Hosseini. I am currently engrossed in an ARC copy of Diver by Lewis Buzbee.

9) Given the recent shake-ups in publishing, what are your thoughts about how the publishing industry is being represented today? Do you lean more towards traditional publishing or self-publishing as a preference? Does being a hybrid author interest you? 

My first book, the memoir, is a hybrid publication. However, I lean more toward traditional publishing. The book gets better and has a broader reach with conventional publishers, which is ultimately what you want. With self-publishing, the promotion falls on your shoulders, which could become challenging. Regarding the publishing industry, it’s great to see more Indigenous authors being promoted today, and as a person of color, it gives me immense hope. I’d like to stay positive and say that there are a lot of readers for authors of color who want to tell their unique stories of cultural identity, folklore, or myth.

10) I feel like writing is a remarkable tool to help people not only express themselves, but also to cope emotionally and mentally.  I know for me I write to be and feel more authentic. What unique quality is there about you, about your art, that you feel represents your authenticity?  How does writing help you to be more empowered in your purpose?

My uniqueness as a writer lies in my ability to experiment with different structures and voices. I can write from the perspective of a man, woman, or child with equal conviction, as well as from an animal or bird. There’s a rawness in the emotions I highlight in my characters and stories. I touch upon universal themes that resonate with readers across the globe. Writing is not just a means of expression for me; it’s a cathartic experience. It helps me feel lighter and better and gives me a profound sense of accomplishment when a story I’ve poured my heart into finds its way into the hearts of readers.