Woman. Warrior. Writer. 6-2022
Kavita A. Jindal Vol. 3. No. 9 June 1, 2022
Woman. Warrior. Writer. 6-2022
Kavita A. Jindal Vol. 3. No. 9 June 1, 2022
Aloha,
Meet Woman Warrior Writer Kavita A. Jindal!
Kavita A. Jindal is an award-winning poet, novelist and essayist. Her work appears in anthologies and literary journals worldwide and has been broadcast on BBC Radio 4, Zee TV and European radio stations. Selected poems have been translated into Arabic, German, Punjabi, Spanish, Romanian and Ukrainian. Her novel Manual For A Decent Life won the Brighthorse Prize and the Eastern Eye Award for Literature. She has published two poetry collections to critical acclaim: Patina and Raincheck Renewed.
You can read more about her books or contact Kavita on her website: www.kavitajindal.com
How did you come to author your life?
I feel like I have been a warrior and a writer all my life, and the former definitely derives from being female and unconventional. My writing is based on observations I’ve made in my life across work spaces, cultures and countries. I’ve woven these observations and research into my stories and poems, at times drawing from my own experiences. I can honestly say that if I had a game plan it usually got stymied, but along the way I must’ve imbibed two simple mottos: ‘keep on keeping on’ and ‘stay true to yourself’. This has worked for me.
Jindal’s novel is on the syllabus for my Summer 2022 Intersectionality: Manuscript Workshop. Manual for a Decent Life was published in the UK, reminding me that our reading diet is primarily determined by our citizenship. It behooves us (me!) to read beyond the nation-state border. I enjoyed this book—a page turner.
How the Book “Women Who Run With The Wolves” Continues to Inspire Me Three Decades Later
The Hawai’i Review of Books interviews Shonda Buchanan: Black Indian Truth Become a Truth Talker
I have taught Shonda Buchanan’s work for many years and was fortunate to be able to interview her for THROB about powerful memoir Black Indian. A fantastic book and one for the syllabus, teachers!
Writer Updates!
Congratulations to Iris Kim who received a 2022 PEN Emerging Voices Fellowship! Iris took classes with me including Women’s Creative Writing Workshop, Asian/Asian American Women’s Creative Writing Workshop and Intersectionality: Manuscript Workshop!
Shout out to Shaheen Sheik who will be at VONA this summer! Shaheen joined me for Women’s Creative Writing Workshop and Intersectionality: Manuscript Workshop!
I am really happy for both of these women and encourage you to follow their work!
BREAK: Write Your Divorce Workshop (4 weeks) Wednesdays from 10AM-12PM (HST) September 7-28 ($200)
Write your Divorce Story! Check out a general outline of Divorce Story Structure! Email me at writer@drstephaniehan.com for questions. Payment plans/scholarships available.
Check back for fall 2022 schedule updates for Women’s Creative Writing Workshop (Thursdays) and Intersectionality: Manuscript Workshop (Tuesdays). Asian/Asian American Women’s Creative Writing Workshop is slated for Spring 2023.
10% discounts for HI residents and previous students; 5% discount if you pay by US bank check.
Nonwhite and Woman: 131 Micro Essays on Being in the World
Pre-order Nonwhite and Woman an anthology co-edited by Woman Warrior Writer Darien Hsu Gee and Carla Crujido. It’s out September 2022! A fantastic read and teaching resource!
Health and 12 Stitches
This is the Frankenstein image of my foot several weeks ago after my surf accident, and the less scary, but still grim reality a day ago. I posted the details on my socials (FB) about it.
Now that I’m on the mend, I have some insights:
1. A hard quit break from routine provides insight about what matters in life.
2. The Kid came through, which means that yes, he will survive this life.
3. Flesh wounds are painful. Always petition for painkillers.
4. If I’m stuck in bed with an elevated foot, I read more.
Please forward this newsletter. If you would like to suggest a Woman. Warrior. Writer. and/or a book—reach out!
Cheers,
Stephanie