About Suman Jana:
Writer Suman Jana, working as a teacher in an english medium school under the government of Odisha. Besides teaching, he is excelling well in the field of writing with contemporary concepts. He has already worked with almost ten joint anthologies along with other renowned writers across India. His choices of themes in the poems have already brought him deserved appreciation from literary critics. His debut book ‘Rays of Reminiscence’ is a collection of 55 poems of Love, lust and livelihood, published by Rubric Publishing, Noida, India. Poet Suman Jana has recently participated in ‘Tata Steel Bhubaneswar lit-meet 20’, ‘Mystic Kalinga 20’ and ‘GIEWEC-20’. Though he has participated in many joint anthologies, open mics, journals etc.
LiFT: Tell us about your book, the journey of writing it and its content.
Suman Jana: ‘Rays of Reminiscence’ is an anthology with 55 poems of Love, lust and livelihood. It has an amalgamation of modern yet traditional style of poems. Few of the poems are highly appreciated by the professors and experts of English Literature around the nation. It has so many burning social issues along with deep psychological and personal concepts. In this solo anthology where the poet has delicately projected the different shades of human emotions.
The journey of writing the book was quite enjoyable and equally challenging for me. While working at Army Public School, I managed to note down my thoughts inspite of busy schedule and health problems. But, I’m happy that eventually I managed everything and gave it a form of a book.
This book will be available on all the leading e-commerce sites like Amazon.in, Amazon.com etc. along with the popular bookstores of the country.
LiFT: Why you chose this title?
Suman Jana: When so many random bitter-sweet memories stuck on your head, you need to choose them properly and restore them forever. Not only you want to cherish them for yourself but also you want to share those with others. So, the reminiscences will spark as the rays of hope for every common citizen out there. Every person would be able to relate them with the concepts of the book. That is the reason I named the book like that.
LiFT: When did you realize that you want to be a writer/poet and what’s your inspiration behind it?
Suman Jana: I started writing at the age of only ten. But, was never sure that I’ll become a writer. When I went to EFLU, Hyderabad, I met so many scholars and professors there. They all appreciated my writings a lot. My friends used to enjoy them and used to keep those as their wallpapers. Many of them became my fans for my writings. Then I decided, this is something which comes very naturally to me. I should not let this skill to be faded. At least I could provide a minimum source of reading relish to all the booklovers.
LiFT: Where do you see yourself ten years down the line in the world of literature?
Suman Jana: I want any of the recognized awards beside my name. Pulitzer, Booker, Sahitya Akademi anything. Even if not within ten years, but at least before I die. People remember you when you are rewarded. I want my stories would be projected on big screens later. But, even if I don’t get that, at least some useful appreciation will be good enough.
LiFT: How much do you think marketing or quality of a book is necessary to promote a particular book and increase its readers?
Suman Jana: Very necessary. People are very choosy nowadays. You or your publisher has to give your best to convince them that they are not wasting time or money behind a scrap. Social media, websites, newspapers everything plays a vital role for a book and an author. A writer too never be shy to request his near and dear ones to grab a copy.
LiFT: What is the message you want to spread among folks with your writings?
Suman Jana: My writings are a perfect mixture of imagination and reality. My pen scribbles the stories of common human beings. Their pains, problems, happiness, harmonies etc. Sometimes my writings are transcendental. A reader needs to focus it fully to understand the gist. A casual approach might not give you the real aroma of the dish.
LiFT: What do you do apart from writing?
Suman Jana: I’m a teacher in a govt. English medium school in Odisha. My hometown is Kolkata. Apart from teaching, I love to do counselling. I’ve completed my masters in psychology too. I’m also busy with my research work. I’m working on the indigenous systems of agriculture, food, diet and medical systems.
LiFT: What are the activities you resort to when you face a writer’s block?
Suman Jana: I dance, sing, cook, roam and what’s not. At times I’m a very mad person, other times I’m very focused. I manage my mood swings very well and in a productive way. But, talking to my close friends over phone, is what provides solace to my soul. These activities help me to remove the block.
LiFT: What if your story will be adopted as a movie? Whom would you want to work as a director or actors in it?
Suman Jana: I would like to cast Aamir Khan as the hero and Raju Hirani as the director. They are the best makers duo at present time. But, Rajamouli and Prabhash will also be a good option. Above all, the perspective of narration matters the most. And I highly want my stories to be adapted on the big screen. Thank you for this question.
LiFT: Are you working on your next book? If yes, please tell us something about it.
Suman Jana: Yes, My manuscript for the next book is almost ready. It is a folk literature. The banes and boons of village lives have been portrayed here. A small village ‘Bonpura’ from the state, West Bengal, India, has been in the centre of discussion there. Stereotypes, superstitions, love, humanity everything has been projected with care.
LiFT: What are your suggestions to the budding writers/poets so that they could improve their writing skills?
Suman Jana: Write, write and write. Never stop writing. Whether people read your work or not, keep on writing. Life is full of surprises, you never know when will your bud turn into a flower with fragrance. Let the criticism come on the way. Your critics are your real well-wishers.
Click here to order Suman Jana’s Book – Rays of Reminiscence
