Shankari Chandran

Writing from My Heart

Introduction

Writing from my heart. Shankari Chandran explores writing "from the heart," blending personal stories, cultural roots, and the search for truth. Discover how emotions drive connection and healing.

Abstract

This essay looks at what it really means for author Shankari Chandran to write "from the heart," blending personal stories, cultural roots, and the search for truth. Shankari shares memories, like watching her father dissect a goat, to explore how emotions such as love, anger, and grief drive her writing. It challenges the usual ideas about the heart, seeing it as a place of both struggle and connection. More than just emotional, writing becomes a way to share truths, seek justice, and help others heal; an act of creating connection with others and with self. The essay is adapted from a keynote written for the 2024 Whitsundays Writers Festival. The author would like to thank the festival organisers, Karen Jacobsen and Dr Julia Evans for their support.

Review

The essay "Writing from My Heart" by Shankari Chandran promises a deeply introspective and culturally rich exploration of the authorial process. Far from a superficial account, the abstract outlines an ambitious endeavor to redefine what it truly means to write "from the heart," positioning it as a complex interplay of personal history, cultural heritage, and an unwavering pursuit of truth. Its origin as a keynote for the Whitsundays Writers Festival suggests a piece designed to be both engaging and thought-provoking, offering insights into the creative wellsprings of a distinguished writer. A significant strength highlighted is the essay's methodology, which roots abstract concepts in vivid personal experiences. The mention of specific memories, such as watching her father dissect a goat, suggests a visceral and unvarnished approach to illustrating how profound emotions—be they love, anger, or grief—serve as catalysts for her literary output. Crucially, the abstract indicates that Chandran transcends conventional notions of the "heart" as merely a fount of sentiment, instead presenting it as a site of both internal struggle and profound connection. This reframing elevates writing from a purely expressive act to a powerful vehicle for sharing truths, advocating for justice, and facilitating communal and individual healing. This essay appears poised to offer invaluable insights to fellow writers, literary scholars, and anyone interested in the deeper motivations behind storytelling. By intertwining personal narrative with a broader philosophical inquiry into the nature of truth and connection, Chandran's work likely provides a compelling argument for the essential role of authenticity and empathy in literature. The piece's commitment to exploring the full spectrum of the human experience, from personal pain to the desire for societal betterment, positions it as a significant contribution to understanding the ethical and emotional dimensions of the writing craft. The acknowledgment of festival organizers further contextualizes its origin as a piece delivered to an audience engaged with the craft of writing.

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