Rudrangshu Sengupta

What was your favorite book as a child?

Growing up, my favorite book was Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I read it at a time when I was figuring out a lot about myself, and I think I connected deeply with the themes of rebellion, grief, and being misunderstood. I loved how complex and emotionally layered it was — Harry wasn’t just a hero, he was angry and messy and human. That made me feel seen in a strange, comforting way. That said, I want to make it clear that I don’t support J. K. Rowling or her views, which I find deeply disappointing. But the impact the book had on me is still real. It was one of the first stories that made me feel the power books have to hold a mirror up to you. That’s stayed with me — I still look for that sense of connection and truth in the things I read and write.

What was the original reason or motivation why you started writing creatively?

I started writing creatively because of my friend Oindriya Banerjee, who’s an author and already has a book out called We Are All Gods — everyone should check it out. I’d always done well in English class and my teachers often praised my writing, but I hadn’t really explored creative writing in a serious way. Seeing someone my age get published made it feel real and possible. It gave me that push to actually sit down and try. I shared a few early pieces, and the response surprised me — in the best way. Even Oindriya encouraged me to keep going. That early bit of validation really mattered. Since then, I’ve found myself drawn to the way writing lets me process things, explore feelings I didn’t have words for before, and tell stories I didn’t even know I was carrying.

What was the most adventurous or thrilling thing you ever did/experienced?

Honestly, I’m still waiting on my big adrenaline moment — but earlier this year, I did go to a water park for the first time, and that was unexpectedly thrilling. I’m not usually the most adventurous person, but that day felt different. I lost my glasses on one of the rides and had to navigate the entire park half-blind, which turned the whole thing into a chaotic little adventure of its own. It was funny and frustrating, and kind of freeing in a weird way. I’ve realized I really do crave that kind of rush,I just haven’t had too many chances to go out and chase it yet. But that’s definitely going to change once I get to college.

Do you listen to music while reading or writing?

Yes, I almost always listen to music while writing, especially when I’m working on poems. It helps me slip into the right emotional headspace. There’s something about the mood, the rhythm, even the textures in certain songs that opens up a door in my brain. I listen to a lot of Ariana Grande, Adele, Lana Del Rey, Bennett Coast, Omar Apollo, and Beyoncé. Lately, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter has been a huge inspiration. It's honestly a masterpiece. “American Requiem” and “16 Carriages” in particular feel like poems in themselves, and it’s hard not to write after listening to them. One of my pieces, Lacrimosa, was actually born out of listening to “Everything is Romantic” by Charli XCX and Caroline Polachek on loop. For me, music becomes part of the writing process, almost like a collaborator.