From Anonymous Writer to Literary Voice: A Conversation with Karina Pandya

Karina Pandya’s journey—from being an anonymous content writer to organising poetry events, publishing a literary journal, speaking at respected institutions, and authoring multiple books—is a testament to creative courage and persistence.

In this candid Q&A, Tarun Agarwal, author of Hope Factory and founder of Big Bad Ideas, speaks with Karina about her journey, process, and what it truly means to follow your own path.

Q1) What have been your most treasured memories of this journey?

My most treasured memories are not the milestones themselves, but the moments in between—the first time someone told me my words made them feel seen, the nervous excitement before hosting my first open mic, and watching strangers become a community through poetry.

Organising an event at the David Sassoon Library in 2017 stands out to me deeply. It wasn’t just an event—it was a reminder that spaces for expression can be created if they don’t already exist.

Q2) What do you enjoy more—organising, performing, or writing books?

That’s like choosing between different parts of myself. Writing is the most intimate—it’s where everything begins. Performing is the most alive—it brings words into a shared space. Organising is fulfilling in different ways—it allows me to create platforms for others.

If I had to choose, writing will always be my anchor, but I need all three to feel complete.

Q3) How easy is it to lead yourself? Many people want to leave unfulfilling corporate jobs but don’t know what comes next.

It’s not easy at all. Leading yourself requires clarity, discipline, and a willingness to sit with uncertainty. There were times when I didn’t have a clear roadmap either.

But I believe you don’t need the entire plan—you just need the courage to take the next honest step. Passion is often discovered through doing, not waiting.

Q4) While creating a book, how do you arrive at a distinct idea?

For me, a book idea doesn’t arrive fully formed—it lingers. It often starts as a feeling, an observation, or a question that refuses to leave me. I pay attention to what stays.

Over time, I shape it through writing fragments, journaling, and connecting themes. The distinctiveness comes from honesty—no one else has lived your exact experiences, so your voice is already unique.

Q5) Tell us about your books.

Each of my books captures a different facet of my journey:

• Touching Void… Surviving a Car Accident is deeply personal, rooted in resilience and recovery.
• New York Wakes to Culture explores the vibrancy and contrasts of a global city and the role of journalism within it.
• Inside Mumbai: Stories from the Heart of a Vibrant City reflects my connection to Mumbai and its layered identities.
• Purrfectly Ridiculous Tales brings a lighter, whimsical tone with short stories about cats.
• Postcards in Poetry is a collection of moments, emotions, and reflections captured in poetic form.

Each book represents who I was at that time.

Q6) What is your favourite book and who is your favourite author?

My favourites change with different phases of life, but I’m always drawn to authors who write with emotional honesty—those who can make the ordinary feel profound.

Q7) Which author can writers learn the most from?

I’m most inspired by writers who bring quiet depth to their work—those who focus on internal evolution rather than dramatic arcs. Their ability to capture subtle emotional shifts is something every writer can learn from.

Q8) Of the characters you’ve created, which is your favourite?

My favourite “character” is less a single person and more a recurring voice—the observer. The one who notices everything, feels deeply, questions constantly, and grows inwardly.

I gravitate toward this voice because it mirrors my own journey as a writer—observing the world, processing it, and translating it into words.

That said, I feel especially connected to Maira Kapoor from New York Wakes to Culture and Mahi Chatterjee from Inside Mumbai: Stories from the Heart of a Vibrant City.

Q9) What do you plan to write next?

I’m currently drawn towards exploring deeper intersections of personal identity, urban life, and emotional memory—possibly through a form that blends prose and poetry more fluidly.

I want my next book to feel introspective yet universally relatable—something that stays with the reader long after they’ve finished it. I’m also working on a reflective set of short stories, which I hope to release soon.