We recently released the brilliant Starlight: A Poetry Collection by Reba Rabaji. Earlier this year, we thought it would be a good idea to chat to Reba now she’s a published author, and get a little insight into the world of writing!
What genre is your book? And what drew you to that genre?
My book's genre is: Poetry, True Stories and Teenage. Apart from writing about my life, I also enjoy writing in the first-narrative. Putting myself into a predicament!
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
I want to break stereotypes! Firstly, one of the reasons I decided to write was to break “poetic clichés”. It then turned into wanting to break stereotypes in general.
Were you good at English when you were at school?
Yes, I was good at English when I was at school!
Do you ever have to do a lot of research before writing?
No. There are times when I'd like to hear someone else's opinion, but I usually write out of my own intuition.
What made you sit down and put pen to paper?
Well, the first time I wrote, it was for a class. But then, it turned into a hobby and a source of relief that I eventually wanted to share.
Do you have a writing schedule?
No, I don't have a writing schedule. I'd say I write in the moment, whenever that moment is.
How did you decide on poetry?
It seemed like the most compact, but fun way of saying what I wanted to say. You know, sweet and short or simple but effective?
Where do you find the most inspiration in your day-to-day life?
From anything that made me feel a certain way. Whether it was a song or a bad day, as long as the feeling was bold enough to make me pick up the pen.
What is your favourite positive saying?
There are several positive sayings that I adore, but the winner has to be “The early bird catches the worm”.
What is your favourite book and why?
I have a few favourites. Currently, my favourite book has to be Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. The whole feel of the book was captivating and it was just so real to me. The story-line has a lot of depth and meaning.
If you could review Olympia publishers in a few words, what would they be?
Olympia Publishers are on-point and determined. And last but not least, they have this very welcoming and chilled-out aura about them. It's just really nice!
