Interview Q&A II with Suman Pokhrel
We offer another exclusive Q&A Interview with Suman Pokhrel, a writer whose multiple literary works have been featured on our Spillwords pages as well as being Author of the Month of May 2025, and previously of June 2023.
- You have participated in our ‘Spotlight on Writers’ series, and now officially have been voted as Author of the Month for the second time. Is there anything else about Suman, the man, that you would like to add from our last interview?
I’m truly honored to be recognized once again—thank you so much. I had the pleasure of sharing my thoughts through the ‘Spotlight on Writers’ and the ‘Interview Q&A’ in April and June 2023. While much of what I shared then still holds true, there have been a few new developments since. Every recognition brings with it a renewed sense of responsibility and inspiration to continue creating with sincerity and purpose, which I deeply believe in.
- Could you describe the mundane details of writing: How many hours a day do you devote to writing? Do you write a draft on paper or at a keyboard (typewriter or computer)?
On an average day, I spend between four and fifteen hours on writing-related activities, including composing, reading, editing, translating, and reflecting. I began writing with pen and paper and later used a typewriter to transcribe my work. By the mid-1990s, I transitioned to computers but continued writing poetry by hand until the late 2000s. Nowadays, I alternate between writing on paper and on a computer, depending on my mood and the nature of the work. However, I’ve never been comfortable writing poetry on a mobile phone.
- What has had an influence on you or your writing since the last time we connected?
During this period, I was honored to share my thoughts and writing process with readers in Moscow last December. Russian Gulliver, a publisher based there, kindly proposed translating and publishing a collection of my poems in Russian. I also had the privilege of receiving Asia’s Inspiring Poet Award in December 2023. These meaningful milestones, along with the opportunity to engage with readers and fellow writers, have profoundly influenced my creative journey.
- If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?
I would have loved to be the author of The Mahabharata—it captures every possible facet of human experience within a society and honors each character without abandonment. I also deeply admire Muna Madan by Laxmi Prasad Devkota for its lyrical simplicity and the lasting impact it has had on the Nepali-speaking community. The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran—its spiritual depth, clarity, and lyrical beauty resonate deeply with me. It transcends boundaries of time and culture, speaking directly to the soul.
Other cherished works include Ebstryakt Chintan Pyaz by Shankar Lamichhane, Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman, and One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez—each admired for their linguistic and imaginative depth.
- What, according to you, is the hardest thing about writing?
There are several challenges. At times, it’s difficult to find the exact word or phrase that truly captures what you mean. At certain moments, the hardest part is simply beginning—staring at a blank page can feel like scaling a mountain. Even with ideas in hand, shaping them into clear, compelling words demands patience, focus, and resolve. And sometimes, finding the right closing line or final stanza can be the most elusive task of all.
- What would you say is the easiest aspect of writing?
When writing isn’t tied to obligation, it flows from an inner need. I don’t sit down to write unless something stirs from within. I never try to write a poem without its command, when a poem comes and asks to be written, I simply obey. In those moments, as I immerse myself, the words often come more easily. That state of flow, when it happens, is the most rewarding part.
- Over the years, what would you say has improved significantly in your writing?
It’s hard to pinpoint, however, I believe I now discard fewer drafts and better express my true intent, having developed patience to wait for the right moment rather than forcing words prematurely.
- Any advice you would like to give to your younger self?
Be patient with your growth. Don’t rush to define your voice. Your voice will find you—give it time, give it life. Read widely, live deeply, and embrace vulnerability. Trust the process—it’s okay to falter. That’s often where the truth lies. Once you publish, allow readers to interpret your work through their own intellect and conscience. Don’t over-explain or advocate what you meant; let your words speak for themselves, and allow readers to find their own meaning in them.
- Any advice you would like to give to aspiring writers?
Don’t wait for the perfect line, just write. Let your thoughts spill onto the page in their raw form, then revise and refine. The editing process is your opportunity to catch human errors, rethink your choices, and decide what to keep, revise, or let go. Make sure your writing clearly communicates your intent. Be mindful of consistency and of the meaning every word brings to your lines. When receiving feedback or suggestions, don’t defend but reflect. You are the ultimate authority on your work, so take the time to thoughtfully consider input before accepting or rejecting it, and refine your piece accordingly. Know your strengths—but more importantly, know your limitations and where improvement is needed. Awareness of your limits is just as vital as recognizing your strengths.
Never lie or exaggerate to gain attention. Be honest. Cultivate your craft and strive for authenticity. Aspire to create something lasting. Don’t waste your energy chasing fleeting fame; focus instead on becoming a steady and meaningful voice. Everyone is complete in themselves—no one is more or less than who they truly are. In the end, people will come to see the real you, so don’t pretend to be more than you are. Be authentic. That’s what matters most—because that’s who you truly are.
- Out of your literary works we’ve published, which is your favourite? And why?
Among the works published on Spillwords, I hold Song of Soul and Pranay Yog especially close to my heart—each expresses a different pole of human experience: the fractured self longing for wholeness, and the complete self merging in sacred union.
Where Song of Soul seeks to be alone with the poet, Pranay Yog seeks to disappear into the beloved—to become one with the divine through love’s fire. One searches for truth through solitude and fragmentation; the other, through intimacy and soulful unity. If Song of Soul is a journey toward reclaiming the self, Pranay Yog is the surrender of the self to a higher love.
- Is there anything you are currently working on that may intrigue the interest of your readers?
I’m completing a new collection of poetry in Nepali. Simultaneously, a Russian translation of my poems is being prepared for publication in Moscow by Russian Gulliver, and I’m collaborating closely with the translators. Additionally, I am compiling an English collection and currently seeking a publisher.
- Anything you would like to communicate with the Spillwords Press Community?
My heartfelt gratitude to everyone at Spillwords and its community of readers and writers. It is through platforms like this that voices from diverse corners of the world find common ground. I’m honored to be part of this literary family and look forward to continuing this shared journey of words, discovery, and connection.
- Interview Q&A II With Suman Pokhrel - June 19, 2025
- Pranay Yog - May 18, 2025
- Ode to the Unseen Saviors - January 11, 2025
