Write On! interviews poet Aneela Rajput

Aneela has always tried to figure out what her creative space is throughout her life. Having had many areas of interest – from being a teen who loved school and most of the subjects in it – to starting a very unknown journey as a mother and, at the same time, someone who was curious about life. She became grounded by finding faith and finally being inspired to provide a solution to a disrupted, challenging and difficult but important part of life: relationships. The other side of Aneela settled down to support adult learners at college and teach 11+ students.

She’s a writer of poetry, inspired by life’s experiences. Many changes in her life led to her published book, A Pause To Paper. 

WO: How would you describe your writing to someone new to it?

AR: I wanted my poems to be healing for myself first and foremost. Over the last 20 years, since I began to explore the use of poetry as a creative outlet, it’s changed my life immensely, giving me a deeper understanding of who I was and am. It’s strengthened my connection within myself, with humanity and nature, while giving me zeal and enthusiasm for life and building growing confidence and enjoyment. This has helped and led me to see almost everything with an ability to express positively.

During this exploration and development of my own poetic skills, I’ve felt more and more a need to share the joys of poetry as a creative outlet that empowers and helps reconnect people with their inner voice. This builds confidence and a sense of freedom. This is why I wish to share these experiences, hoping to help build the natural ability of creativity while connecting with another’s heart. My poetry is about faith and feelings. It’s about the everyday things I’ve come across, or felt I wanted to write about. It’s rhyming and I feel that’s also another way to connect to oneself: the rhythmic way. Being able to use language creatively diminishes barriers. Therefore, my aim is to inspire, connect and empower.

WO: Can you tell us a bit about your latest project?

AR: I have recently published a book on Amazon: A Pause To Paper.

As I was writing and finalising my poetry book, I was inspired to design a game called Roll-Out. Through my own journey of being a parent and other areas of relationships, I felt it was a very uninformed part of life we’re all trying to learn about and travel through. Something that has always been very close to my heart.

As all parents or carers can testify, parenthood does not come with an instruction manual and can be a daunting experience! I used many theories and courses, as well as my experiences as a parent in my game.

I wanted to put all that I’d learned and understood into a simple format that could be easily applied and be accessible to others, to help re-build relationships and bonding experiences without the mediocrity of parents having to do courses or read books. Instead, I call it ‘a gentle helping hand’; one that’s also fun and enjoyable for all those involved.

Roll-Out helps rebuild that much-needed bond or connection between parent/adult/carer and child through play in a non-encroaching way. Creativity is an area that is innate. This has been well observed and can be seen via children playing as they enjoy drawing, painting, writing stories, being imaginative and role playing.

The design of Roll-Out‘s foundation is based on strategy, bonding and competitiveness, with lots of interaction, play, laughter and fun at its core.

WO: What inspired you to write in the first place, and what inspires you now?

AR: I feel the depth of the changes occurring in my life became like an overflowing glass and needed to be streamlined more positively. Communication is what it was about. But mostly to myself. It was 20 years of poetry. I think that was the time I needed for myself; to grow and to find a direction.

WO: The current issue of Write On! explores the theme of ‘Contradictions’. With that in mind, do you ever actively look for or specifically avoid contradictions in your writing? Is there a part of your writing process that contradicts itself, yet somehow works for you?

AR: I’ve used my movement of life, which helps with my inspiration for poetry, as I’ve tried to write about areas I don’t do, such as writing about alcohol, or touched areas I haven’t really understood deeply, like love. I’ve even tried to explain poetically the understanding of a leaf. So I was always trying to find ways to push myself through writing, even the game I’ve produced is a way to help to reconnect.

WO: What one piece of advice would you give an aspiring writer?

AR: I feel everyone has an inner voice or an inner talent/idea we sometimes refuse to allow to come forth, or even feel it has any great importance. The one poem I wrote  22 years ago built the bulldozer to the barrier to my creativity and to the inspiration I had about putting what I learned about life, psychology and parenting into a board game to help others. Belief in oneself and pursuing it, regardless of the outcome, is important and to continue with one’s passion is the drive we all need. We just need to try!

WO: Can you tell us anything about future projects?

AR: I have ideas for future games for young people, as well as team-building and couples-bonding games. In terms of writing, I have many ideas for future books.

WO: Lastly, if you could choose one fictional animal/creature to be a pet or companion, who would it be and why?

AR: Hmmmm. That could be a wonderful idea for the type of object I’m thinking about for my youth or team-building game!

You can find out more about Aneela Rajput: Treetopgames.co.uk and connect on Facebook: facebook.com/relatablethemes or on LinkedIn: as Aneela Rajput. A Pause To Paper is available to buy from Amazon: amazon.co.uk/pause-paper-Aneela-Rajput-ebook/dp/B08XMCBQJX

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Issue 15 of  Write On! magazine is available now. You can find it here. 

Each edition of our Write On! Audio podcast features an exclusive interview. Find us on all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Google Podcasts and Spotify. Type Pen to Print into your browser and look for our logo or find us on Anchor FM.

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