A Chat With Grace Wickremasinghe 

Grace Wickremasinghe is a name that is quite prominent in the performing arts arena today. Having released ‘Perception’ her first book on poetry, she is getting ready to release her second book. In a casual interview with Life Online, Grace shared her experience as a writer and a poet with us. 

Give us a little introduction about yourself. 

I am 20 years old and I’m currently reading for a Law degree. I was shortlisted for the Gratiaen Prize and the Black Water Festival in Ireland. I am a poet and the author of Perception and I have performed in many open mics including the slam poetry festival Kartoos in New Delhi. I am also a food critique and currently I have been placed third in the world for Public Speaking according to World's University Debating Championship held in Greece 2016. 

What is it like to be a writer in today's society? 

I would say it is very challenging. I'm not saying writers of previous generations had it easy, but I feel like talent alone won't help writers get published. For instance, I find it almost impossible to find publishers willing to publish poetry as it a very niche market. In terms of dealing with fans, some misunderstand my work and have a grudge against it or me. I try to explain if they ask me, but after all poetry and literature is subjective you can't force feed analytical skills. 

What do you like in being a poet? 

I love everything about it. People, and I mean complete strangers, open up to me on a daily basis, telling me their stories, confiding in me, thanking me for writing certain poets. It's a very emotional and passionate process of self expression. Needless to say that poetry has indeed become a coping mechanism for us. 

A brief about 'Perception'? 

Perception was my first collection, published in 2014. I had a poem I wrote when I was 13 as well. Overall, the poems focus on lost love and road to recovery, and a few on social issues such as abuse and rape other tragedies and it's almost sold out! My upcoming book 'Closure' which was shortlisted for the Gratiaen Prize in 2015 and it has focused more on rebuilding one's self, body confidence, discussion on gender equality, domestic abuse, anxiety etc. 

What was the response like after your first workshop? 

Feedback was pretty great. I have requests to do more, perhaps in future I could arrange to have them out of Colombo as well. Even for this workshop, I had participants from Kandy and Negombo. I feel truly blessed and genuinely excited that I have met so many people who share my passion for poetry and words. We can learn a great deal from one another. 

How would you want to improve it further? 

Like I said earlier, I want to expand further as a writer through my workshops and also, I will be trying out script writing and content writing. Perhaps write a novel in a few years as well and broaden my genre. 

What plans do you have ahead in poetry and writing? 

I plan to learn more about poetry and writing and improve myself. Currently I am a student at the University of Kelaniya and I am pursuing a TESL degree. My English lecturers are very supportive and I hope to learn from them and other writers and poets. I also have plans on performing overseas as well over the next year. 

Message for upcoming writers? 

Don't give up. Keep writing. Some days your writing will be a disappointment and other days not so much. Write for yourself, for your passion and for those who relate to you. People will not always share your views but write anyway. Be open to constructive criticism and ignore the hate. 

Also, don't try to impress people through big words and complicated phrases. Use simple, honest, raw words that express from the bottom of your soul. I'm willing to mentor/teach/help out anyone who's struggling through my workshops. 

By Kamanthi Wickramasinghe