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.