City Lit catches up with Kashmini Shah, one of the winners of this year's Malorie Blackman Scholarship for 'Unheard Voices'. We find out more about her writing experiences, winning the scholarship and her ambitions.
Q: Can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your writing background?
A: I’m a 22-year-old recent university graduate in Politics, International Relations, and English Literature. Since University, I’ve been staying true to my passion for books, interning at a book PR firm, and soon to be interning at a literary agency.
As a lover of stories, I have always dreamed of publishing my own writing one day - something the box of countless unfinished novel ideas in my wardrobe can attest to; some written in fancy notebooks, but most on scraps of loose paper, messily stapled together. It wasn’t until this year that I built up the courage to share my writing, publishing my first piece of flash fiction, a lyrical and ghostly piece about remembrance and magic, in a Lit Mag.
Q: What role does writing play in your life, and why is it important to you?
A: Writing is a form of release - it’s a way to put words to emotions and find clarity in your thoughts. Life with a perpetually anxious brain means that there are a lot of those thoughts and emotions running around in your head, and writing is almost like a balm, shaking loose the innermost worries, letting them bleed out on the page.
To me, writing is also a way to both entertain, and share important stories. I particularly enjoy reading and writing work which uses fantastical and mystical settings to explore those harder themes, such as identity, loss, acceptance…
Q: Who are your favourite writers and what stories have inspired you?
A: Two of my favourite authors are Madeline Miller and Chloe Gong. Circe by Madeline Miller showed me how beautiful prose can remould myths to create entirely new and compelling stories of tragedy and heartbreak, breathing life to the forgotten women of old. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong was inspirational in the way it reworked a well-known story, pushing Romeo and Juliet into a different political and historical setting. Writing like this reveals the timeless nature of certain themes (tragedy, love, loss…) whilst also exposing audiences to something new, whether that be related to history, culture, or gender, amongst others.
Q: What made you decide to study at City Lit?
A: Writing is something I have always done in my free time and held in my mind as a life-long goal. Studying techniques and learning from experts is a way I can concretely put this plan into action, moving it from fantasy to reality.
I’ve always been drawn to study, which is varied, and full of opportunities, which is exactly what City Lit seems to provide. I’m excited to study courses which align with my interests instead of following one set curriculum across the board.
"I want to thank the City Lit team and Malorie for this opportunity. I can’t wait to begin."
Q: What made you decide to apply for the Malorie Blackman scholarship?
A: I entered the “Unheard Voices” scholarship because its message spoke to me - we need to be reading and writing works which reflect the inner lives of all, including those often untold tales - whether that be the stories of women of colour, or of those with mental health conditions.
Of course, the name “Malorie Blackman” was another reason I entered, and I’m incredibly grateful to have been selected by such an inspirational writer and figure in the book industry. Creating these spaces is one of the best things an established author can do, and I’m thrilled to have this opportunity.
Q: What do you hope to achieve through the scholarship scheme?
A: As my first foray into structured studies in creative writing, I hope to hone my skills and progress generally as a writer. I also hope to work more on two ongoing projects I began earlier this year, developing the techniques to finish a novel / collection of short stories.
Discover City Lit Creative Writing Scholarship programme
The awards seek to support and encourage the creative and professional development of ‘unheard voices' at City Lit.
Learn more: Malorie Blackman Scholarships
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