SONGSOPTOK: Do you think literature
is really essential in our life? If so why? In your opinion, what is the true
relationship between life and literature? What is your own experience? And how
does this relationship relate to the general history of mankind?
MEGAN: I truly do believe
that literature is essential in our lives. In some cases, literature is there
to teach us a lesson. Heroine’s within literature have taught me to never give
up on my dreams. I believe that women in society can look to the heroines within
their favorite novels and books of other genres to teach them never to give up on what they dream to be.
SONGSOPTOK: We would like to know
the beginning of the story, i.e. how your upbringing contributed to your own
writing. Who were your favorite literary figures during the early period of
your life? How they have paved your early routes in literature?
MEGAN: At very young age,
I was introduced to literature. I was shown that it is great to have an
imagination and not let anyone tell you otherwise. Being a poet, when I was
younger, I loved Robert Frost and Shel Silverstein. Robert Frost taught me to
draw from my surroundings. While Silverstein taught me to tell my imagination
run wild.
SONGSOPTOK: Do you think that literature also bridges the
human world with the Mother Nature? As well as with the present time of our
surroundings?
MEGAN: I believe that we
are definitely influenced by our surroundings whether it be something in nature
or something that man has created. Everything around us will shape our
literature in one way or another.
SONGSOPTOK: What are the main events
that you think are the major issues that have influenced present day
literature?
MEGAN: There are so many
events these days that have influenced our literature. Even though it is fifteen years ago, I do believe that 9/11
attacks still influence literature. I believe that terrorism in general has a
huge influence on literature.
SONGSOPTOK: Do you think in this age of information and
technology the dimensions of literature has largely been extended beyond our
preconceived ideas about literature in general? Now in this changing scenario
we would like to know from your own life experiences as a poet, writer and a
creative soul; how do you respond to this present time
MEGAN:I believe that the
dimensions of literature are ever changing. The age of information and
technology has made research much more accessible than it was in the past. It has also influenced the sale of books because of increase eBook and audiobook
sales.
SONGSOPTOK: Now if we try to
understand tradition and modernism in literature, do you think poetry can play
a pivotal role relating the two? If so, how? What are your opinions about the
role of the poet in bridging the gap, if any, between tradition and modernism?
MEGAN: I truly do not
believe that the gap between traditional
and modernist poetry can be bridge. We have reached so far from the poetry of
old that some of the poetry nowadays does not even remind me of the stuff I
grew up knowing and loving that I was taught in school. It has lost its rhyme
and rhythm.
SONGSOPTOK: Do you think that
society is the key factor in shaping you up as a writer. What about your own
country? What is the influence of your country & your culture in your
writing? Do you believe that all writers are by and large the product of their
nationality? Is it an incentive or an
obstacle for becoming a truly international writer?
MEGAN: Yes society does
have an large influence on the way that I write. It is true that a writer’s country and
culture can be a key factor in the way they write. For an international writer,
I believe that this can be an obstacle because someone of another culture
because of their influences may find it difficult to read what you have
written.
SONGSOPTOK: Do you believe creative souls flourish more
in turmoil than in peace? Why? Are you a protagonist of "art for art's
sake"? Can you please present us with your point of view?
MEGAN: I do believe that
creative souls do flourish in turmoil more than in peace. It seems to me that
conflict breeds creativity. I am not a
protagonist of “art for art’s sake.” I am more of an “ art for feeling’s sake.”
I believe in literature as a way of expressing oneself.
SONGSOPTOK: Do you think people in general actually
bother about literature in general? Do
you think this consumerist world is turning the average man away from serious
literature? And do you think poetry or literature can solve any problems in our
everyday life? Why should we adhere to it?
MEGAN: I do believe that
people in general are being turned away from serious literature. I believe one
of the problems is that there are too many copycats in the world. What I mean
by that is that there are so many authors that do not have their own distinct
point of view where if you read them you can tell just by reading them who they
are without even reading the authors name on the cover. Another problem is that
many authors these days have lost art of storytelling in favor of the mantra
sex sells.
SONGSOPTOK: Are you a feminist? Can literature play any
decisive role in feminism at all? What role can literature play to make our
lives better on a day to day basis?
MEGAN: I do consider
myself a feminist. I believe that literature most definitely plays a role in
the feminist movement. It is literature and as well as other industries that
help to influence our points of you. Feminist writings can help to assist women
in getting the equality that they so readily deserve.
SONGSOPTOK: Now if we want to look
ahead, do you think that there is an oncoming crisis for literature in general?
Will it bring new dimensions in our life ahead? Or do you think that the future
of literature is not as bright as it should be?
MEGAN: I do believe that
there will be crisis that will influence the literary world. With the United
States of America just electing a brand new president, it is truly
unpredictably as to what changes that spells out for the United States in the
upcoming four years and how they will influence the literary world and beyond.
MEGAN
GOFF: I am a poet whose
family has been a huge influence on her life and her literature. While poetry
is my main outlet for my creativity, I also love to bake and as well as play
music. I play multiple instruments as well as singing. My dream is to open my
own bake shop someday.
We sincerely
thank you for your time and hope we shall have your continued support.
Aparajita
Sen
(EDITOR)
Songsoptok
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