https://www.amazon.com/Ash-Olive-Elina-Kumra/dp/B0DPJCJ3ML/
Author Interview: Ash and Olive
by Elina Kumra
Elina, what inspired you to write Ash
and Olive?
The genesis of Ash and Olive lies in a lifelong engagement with
storytelling's profound depths. From early on, weaving words became a means to
navigate the knots of human existence. Witnessing the silent narratives of
those displaced and the unvoiced struggles etched into the fabric of everyday
life compelled me to give form to their stories. The collection emerged from a
desire to unearth the layers of identity, resilience, and the complex interplay
between belonging and alienation. It is an excavation of the human condition,
seeking to illuminate the intricate mosaic of experiences that define our
shared journey.
Can you share what the title Ash
and Olive signifies?
The title embodies a duality of desolation and renewal. Ash
represents remnants of what has been consumed—the charred fragments of loss and
the shadows cast by upheaval. It speaks to the scars etched upon riven landscapes
and souls alike. In contrast, Olive symbolizes endurance and peace, a
testament to life's tenacity even in the harshest terrains. The olive tree,
with roots delving deep into unforgiving soil, becomes a metaphor for
resilience and hope. Together, Ash and Olive encapsulates the cyclical
nature of destruction and rebirth, reflecting the continuum of endings and
beginnings that shape human experience.
Your book weaves complex characters;
could you tell us about Mama and her struggles?
Mama stands as a cornerstone within the narrative's architecture—a figure
molded by tradition's weight and the tides of change. Her struggles mirror the
silent battles waged by those straddling the chasm between heritage and a
fractured present. She grapples with preserving the essence of her identity
amid environments that threaten to erode her roots. Navigating the fissures
created by displacement, Mama embodies the quest for continuity in
discontinuity. Her journey unveils the intricate scaffolding of perseverance,
capturing the delicate balance between holding on and letting go in a world
constantly in flux.
What role do the settings play in
shaping the stories within your book?
In Ash and Olive, settings serve not as mere backdrops but as vital
elements that shape and define the narratives. The war-torn landscapes of Gaza
and Damascus, etched with the scars of history, echo with tales of loss and
resilience. These cities, steeped in heritage and upheaval, profoundly
influence the characters, framing their struggles with identity and belonging.
Contrasting this are the sprawling expanses of Los Angeles—a place teeming
with possibility yet shadowed by alienation. It embodies both the allure of new
beginnings and the disquiet of displacement. The city's vastness reflects the
characters' internal journeys, as they navigate the complexities of starting
afresh in an unfamiliar world.
Each environment acts as a silent participant in the stories, its rhythms
and textures intricately woven into the emotional fabric of the characters'
lives. The juxtaposition of familiar and foreign landscapes intensifies themes
of dislocation and the relentless search for home. Physical spaces mirror
internal states, creating layers of meaning that delve into the universal quest
for identity amid chaos.
By embedding the stories within these vivid locales, the book explores the
intricate relationship between place and self. The settings mold the contours
of the narratives, shaping not only the characters' experiences but also their
perceptions and choices. Through this interplay, Ash and Olive
illuminates the complexities of finding one's place in a world fractured by
conflict and change, revealing how environments profoundly influence the human
spirit.
Poetry is a strong element in your
writing. How does poetry influence the narrative of Ash and Olive?
Poetry forms the bedrock of Ash and Olive, shaping the narrative's
architecture and infusing it with a layered depth. It functions not as an
adornment but as the very medium through which the stories breathe and
resonate. Through poetic expression, I explore the intricate emotions and
experiences of characters navigating displacement, identity, and resilience.
The migrant journey, laden with contrasts between loss and hope, the
familiar and the unknown, naturally aligns with poetic form. Poetry captures
these dichotomies, offering a rhythm and intensity that mirror the inner
turbulence of those uprooted and seeking belonging. It allows for a portrayal
of their realities that is both intimate and expansive.
By incorporating poetry, the narrative transcends conventional storytelling
boundaries, melding the tangible with the mythical. This fusion enables the
seamless integration of magical realism, where the extraordinary becomes part
of the characters' everyday lives. Poetry blurs the lines between the real and
the surreal, reflecting the dissonance and fluidity of starting anew in
unfamiliar landscapes.
In the story Polaris, for example, poetic imagery bridges worlds. The
juxtaposition of disfigured crows and flowers emerging from discarded soda cans
creates a vivid tableau of symbolism. These images delve into themes of
transformation and adaptation, echoing the characters' internal struggles.
Poetry empowers these elements to speak beyond their immediate appearance,
resonating with deeper emotional truths.
Ultimately, poetry influences Ash and Olive by shaping its very soul.
It guides the cadence of the narrative, the development of themes, and the
emotional engagement of the reader. Through poetic language, I aim to
illuminate the complexities of the human condition, offering a conduit for
empathy and a profound connection to the silent struggles and triumphs of those
whose stories often remain untold.
The book includes themes of loss and
redemption. What message do you hope readers take away about resilience?
Resilience emerges as a luminous thread woven through the fabric of the
stories. In the face of profound loss and upheaval, the characters reveal an
innate capacity for transformation. I aspire for readers to perceive resilience
as more than mere endurance—it is an alchemical force that transmutes adversity
into strength. The narratives affirm that from the ashes of despair, renewal is
possible. They underscore the idea that healing and rebirth are woven into the
human spirit's very essence. The message is one of enduring hope, emphasizing
that even amidst ruins, the seeds of new beginnings take root.
Several characters in your book deal
with personal and societal challenges. Which character's journey was the most
challenging to write?
Leila's journey presented a profound challenge in its complexity. She
inhabits a space where personal aspirations collide with societal expectations,
navigating the intricate web of identity within confining cultural constructs.
Rendering her internal struggles required a nuanced approach to capture the
authenticity of her experiences without resorting to simplification. Leila's
story delves into the tension between self-realization and communal
obligations, a universal theme manifested in a specific cultural context.
Crafting her narrative demanded a delicate balance, ensuring that her voice
resonated with honesty and depth, reflecting the multifaceted dimensions of her
quest for autonomy.
How do you think your book connects
with today's readers, especially considering its themes of conflict and
healing?
In a world grappling with fractures and the echoes of unrest, the themes
woven into Ash and Olive hold a mirror to contemporary realities. The
stories tap into the shared human experiences of dislocation, identity, and the
longing for reconciliation. By delving into the intimate realms of the
characters' lives, the narratives bridge the gap between individual and
collective struggles. They invite readers to engage with facets of existence
that, while particular in their circumstances, resonate on a universal level.
The book fosters a dialogue on resilience and healing, encouraging reflection
on how we navigate the scars of conflict in pursuit of wholeness.
What was your writing process like for
this book?
The creation of Ash and Olive was an immersive journey into the
depths of emotion and thought. Embracing both the technical and the intuitive
aspects of literary craft, I immersed myself in developing a language that
could convey the complexities of the narratives. Experimentation with structure
and form allowed for a blending of realism and the surreal, seeking to mirror
the multifaceted nature of the characters' experiences. The process involved
meticulous attention to the interplay of imagery, symbolism, and rhythm,
striving to sculpt a work that resonates on both intellectual and visceral
levels. It was a process of continual refinement, peeling back layers to reveal
the core essence of each story.
Lastly, are there any new projects
you're working on that you can share with us?
I'm delving into a novel that extends the exploration of myth intertwined
with contemporary realities. This new work seeks to further blur the lines
between the tangible and the ethereal, delving into ancestral narratives that
inform present struggles. Additionally, I'm collaborating on an anthology that
brings together diverse voices, aiming to highlight the universal threads that
bind disparate experiences. These projects continue the thematic journey begun
in Ash and Olive, pushing the boundaries of narrative to uncover new
pathways in storytelling and to amplify the resonance of shared human truths.