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?
YINA: Literature is
extremely important for me because it carries knowledge embedded into stories,
poems, fiction or any other type of reading. The stories cannot be found
anywhere else, for literature is like traveling into lands unknown by just
picking up a book, an article, a poem. It spreads the opinions, and consciousness
around the world. It is like a universal way of spreading out ideas without
really imposing them on anyone. The reader can either choose to like or pursue
what he or she learned or not: it is simple. At the same time, life experiences
and literature go hand and hand because they are based on each other and
vice-versa. Writers often write based on beliefs or experience based.
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?
YINA: I grew up in New
York- the Mecca of Culture per say. Also the fact that I am bilingual has
really helped me pave the way and appreciate my heritage, language and culture;
which has in turn helped evolve in my writings. I think the fact that I grew up
constantly surrounded by other cultures and people from different races,
religion and places in this world has made me have a profound appreciation for
humanity in general, but most of individuality. Everyone is so unique, that it
would be hard for me to pick a specific Literary figure: I can name so many. I
will give you a few of the ones I have been reading lately: Isabel Allende,
Ernest Hemingway, and Anais Nin.
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?
YINA: I deeply believe
that literature bridges the human world and Mother Nature, of course.
Literature often times brings us to places and people we wouldn’t otherwise
have the chance to encounter in real life; which totally brings any type of
person, culture, and religion to the surface of a book and into the hands of
many others in the world. The places where we read stories, where the stories
take place, where the stories actually take us: all go hand-in-hand to involve
Mother Nature and bring the geographic aspect full circle inside any book,
article, or poetry.
SONGSOPTOK: What are the main events
that you think are the major issues that have influenced present day
literature?
YINA:I think that most
atrocities going on right now in the world are the main characters and main
themes for literature right now. There are so many: racism, other types of hate
crimes like Genocides, wars and Governments being thrown out by people are also
a few; Domestic Violence…… So many depressing, sad; yet meaningful causes that
us as writers feel moved to put on full display in our work.
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
YINA: The access to
information through technology has definitely increased and extended the views,
and audiences for literature world-wide. I specifically remember having to go to
the public library and having to search for books and it would take an enormous
effort and time to gather all the information. Now, in a matter of seconds and
a few clicks of a mouse, anyone has access to a plethora of information via the
World Wide Web. This has changed the way writers search for information to
write on, getting facts, and other pertaining pieces of information to get the
job done. At the same time, this also facilitates our work to be seen and read
by millions of people all over the world, something that before was not
possible as fast as it is now.
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?
YINA: I think poetry
evolves like any piece of literature. It is like the way a story takes place in
a book and how the characters change, grow, and evolve into new characters with
new ideas, therefore new outcomes. Poetry is like a material that can be used,
and re-used again and again. It can follow traditional literary rules, but also
it can become free verse and not follow rules: when the words just flow freely. This is where the tradition meets modernism
and praises freedom of inspiration, instead of being defined or labeled as one
thing or another.
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?
YINA: My home land of The
Dominican Republic has had some influence in my writings definitely. Being born
and always staying in touch with my family has inspired some pieces, as well as
some of the opinions and character traits I claim as my own. I believe all
writers are shaped and influenced by many factors: culture, place of birth or
growing up, and personal experiences. As humans, we all either grow and evolve
from our culture and experiences; or we may choose to stay stuck in those
experiences and use the pain and heartache as the basis of our inspiration.
Either way: it is a form of art however you choose to channel it in. I don’t
see becoming an international writer as an obstacle nor an incentive: I believe
it all boils down to freedom of expression. Art is an expression of feelings
and experiences: whether it is in written or oral form.
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?
YINA: I believed I
mentioned this in one of the other questions I was asked before: we all either
thrive in peace and war, and it is up to us as artists and writers to use our
experiences, either positive or negative to channel in our inspiration and
write or plain old create. Art is an expression, creation flourishes anywhere,
anytime: it flows freely. Creativity cannot be contained to a specific time,
experience or label.
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?
YINA: I believe the way
technology has given the average man access to so much information, that it can
create a conflict because of all the choices there are out there. It’s like
with small pre-school children: the more choices you give them, the more
confused they get. I believe that poetry and literature can help in everyday
life because they all carry a specific message that may help an individual at a
pivotal point in his or her life. Literature and poetry can be the resonating
message that a person’s intuition is trying to tell them and he or she is not
really listening. As writers, we give voice to the messages some readers are
not willing to pay attention to.
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?
YINA: While a feminist is
normally labeled as a person that believes in the political, economic and
social equality of the sexes: I have to say that I, in part believe that, but
in a much greater scale. I feel that we all should be equal no matter the sex,
sexual preference, race, religion, and culture. We are all made in the image of
the Divine, God, Allah, and Jehovah, whomever you choose as your deity being.
Literature plays a great part in diffusing messages like this and spreading
them around the world: creating consciousness, awareness and sensitivity.
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?
YINA:I think the future
of literature is a bright and a successful one. We have so many different
avenues to choose from and many more places to obtain information from that it
will be become like an open forum for everyone to share his or her creative
ideas with the world.
YINA
ROJAS: I am an ever
changing and adaptable being in a world that needs the message my poetry
brings. I am a Mother of three beautiful children, and I enjoy the company of
my friends and family. I am as open minded as I can be….. without my brain
falling out of my head! Thank you for allowing me the honor to participate and
contribute to the Creative World Community!
We sincerely
thank you for your time and hope we shall have your continued support.
Aparajita
Sen
(EDITOR)
Songsoptok
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