‘With every new word and idea, I weave the story on the go’

Ruhin Kaushal, class 7 student at Apeejay School, Saket is a poet much beyond her years. It is beyond belief, how such a young child can possess an innate ability to rhyme, especially in verses that stretch upto many pages.  Her innovative storytelling approach to poetry simply sets her apart from other poets. In an Apeejay Promising Poet interview series, Ruhin gives an insight on writing poems as she tries to find inspiration from the spontaneity of the creative experience. Edited excerpts:

At what age did you write your first poem?

I started creative writing at the age of eight. Actually, my mother is a writer and I am really inspired by her. However, I started writing poetry when I was eleven years old. I was in class 6 when I wrote my first poem. My first poem was titled ‘Two years’. The poem deals with the experience of children attending the online classes during the lockdown. 

Who is your favourite poet and which is your favourite poem?

I don’t have a particular favourite poem yet. I am still searching for the best poem. My mother Dr. Rashmi Kaushal is my favourite poet. She is my inspiration.

Ruhin we loved your poem ‘Cinderella’. The way you maintained the rhyme throughout such a long poem deserves praise and so does your innovation in the story plot.  What inspired you to think of a new ending?

I just thought a little and then some ideas gradually came to my mind. I had the idea to change a story into a poem with a different ending. I needed a theme so I chose the Cinderella story for my poem. I started to write in a flow all that came to my mind. It was obvious that Cinderella will marry the prince and so, I wanted to give a little twist to the tale before the expected ending. Also, as I was writing the poem and trying to rhyme the words, I would stumble across many new words and their meaning gave me new ideas. So, I kept weaving the story on the go with every new word and idea. It was a very spontaneous and creative process. I enjoyed it a lot.  

Please tell us about the process behind writing a poem?

It takes me around fifteen minutes to select a topic for my poem. It then takes me about an hour or two to write the poem. I usually write about popular stories and things I see around myself like nature and the situation of people in the modern world. 

How does your school Apeejay Saket help you to write such beautiful poems?

The school teachers play the main role. They are the people who give us education and help us develop a way to think. All my teachers are very nice. I want to thank all of them. 

Do you prefer rhyme or free verse?

I love rhyme and find them really nice. I used to write limericks before so I always liked rhyme. It gives a lot of rhythm to the poem.

What advice would you like to give to a budding poet at your school?

I would say, they should express their feelings honestly and clearly. They should freely express what they feel writing about, every thought that pops in their head.