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Turning the pages with Artika Aurora Bakshi
My writing style varies based on what I am working on, but my own voice, and what I am passionate about, reflects through all my work, whether it is fiction, or the features that
I write on, primarily, culture and heritage.
Originally from neighbouring India, Artika Aurora Bakshi has chosen Sri Lanka as her home. Equipped with an MBA in International Banking and Finance, Artika is a versatile writer, contributing editor, and book reviewer. Renowned for her warm presence in Sri Lanka’s literary scene, Artika is frequently sought after as a respected moderator for various literary events. Among her notable works are “My Little Sikh Handbook,” “My Little Sikh Handbook 2: Ardas,” “My Little Sikh Handbook Travel Journal: Visiting Amritsar,” “My Little Sikh Handbook: The Mighty Sikh Empire,” “Hold On To Me,” and “Soul.” Additionally, she serves as the Associate Editor of SLIM Sri Lanka Marketer.
Q: What inspired you to become a writer?I have always been an avid reader, and I used to love writing down special quotes from the books that I used to read, along with all my thoughts and ideas. This was all personal, and no one had access to my diaries. My background being financial, never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined becoming a writer. And then sometime in 2011, I still remember the year clearly, I started sharing my views on culture, books, and heritage, online. That was the start. As far as fictional writing is concerned, my first short story, All She Had Left, was published online in 2017 on Story Mirror, and my first children’s book, My Little Sikh Handbook, was published in 2018.
I knew there were stories inside
that I needed to share with the world, and that’s been my endeavour ever since.
Q: Can you tell us about your journey to becoming a published author?
Writing is the first step, and to some extent, an easier one. Submitting your manuscript, and then waiting for a publisher to pick your work, and commit to publishing it, is more challenging, because you have to be prepared for all possibilities. I was lucky that Anuj Bahri, of Bahrisons Booksellers, and the Red Ink Literary Agency, saw how passionate I was about my manuscript and took it on. The series has been well-received world over. A collection of short stories, Hold On To Me, was also published by Story Mirror.
Q: Describe your novel in one sentence as if you were telling a friend.
My latest publication, the Soul Nightingale Personal Journal, which includes my quotes and other journaling prompts, is all about finding your own truth, and getting into a conversation with your own soul.
Q: How would you describe your writing style or voice?
My writing style varies based on what I am working on, but my own voice, and what I am passionate about, reflects through all my work, whether it is fiction, or the features that I write on, primarily, culture and heritage.
Q: Where do you draw inspiration for your stories or characters? The children’s books were inspired by the way my husband and I introduced our children to Sikhism, Travel, History, and Culture. The books encourage parent-child interaction over story-based activities. The fiction I write is inspired by stories of all the women I encounter, as well as my own experiences. The process of writing is beautiful. Everything else blurs, and I find myself completely absorbed in how my characters think.
Q: What are you currently reading?
I am on a double date with Shyam Selvadurai’s Mansions of the Moon, and Lisa See’s Lady Tan’s Circle of Women.
Q: Who is your favourite author and why do you admire them?
There are so many, but Elif Shafak’s work comes to my mind first, especially The Island of Missing Trees. I like Elif’s characterisation, and the clarity with which she conveys her views, both in books, and when she speaks about the various issues that plague our world.
Q: What fictional character resembles you the most?
Elizabeth Bennet. I always stood up for what I believed in, and never liked being stereotypically boxed.
Q: Name a book you have recently enjoyed reading?
I enjoyed Moni Mohsin’s The Impeccable Integrity of Ruby R.
Q: Tell us about a book you enjoyed reading as a child and the effect it had on you?
As a child, I loved the classics, and the books by Jules Verne, especially Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, made me want to go exploring. There is so much to discover, all one needs to do is silence the mind and observe.
Q: What is your take on self publishing?
While my children’s books have been published by two different publishing houses, I self-published the Soul Nightingale Personal Journal. There is a lot of fabulous work out there, and if for any reason, the traditional route doesn’t work, self-publishing is a great option. After all, it’s about sharing your work with the world.
Q: Can you share any insights or teasers about your upcoming projects or works in progress?
I am currently working on an anthology of short stories with another author in India, and my fifth children’s book should be out soon too. The short stories are inspired by stories from Punjab, the land of five rivers.
Pic Curtesy : AAB
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