I couldn't write about love without writing about hate - specifically, how the experience of hatred embeds itself in the body and prevents love from entering or leaving. Vivek Shraya More Quotes by Vivek Shraya More Quotes From Vivek Shraya My interest in language is steadfast, but I think each project and its accompanying intentions dictate how language must be used. Vivek Shraya intention language thinking Writing about racism requires a directness that writing a love story does not. Vivek Shraya racism doe writing I don't yet know what style will be required for my next novel, but my sense is that each book will involve a new relationship to language. Vivek Shraya style new-relationship book I tend to focus less on genre as a starting point and more on idea or intention and let the idea dictate genre. Vivek Shraya intention focus ideas I always work with text orally in the writing process, saying passages aloud to measure flow. Vivek Shraya flow process writing I do use art as a site of protest, particularly in relation to dominant narratives. Vivek Shraya narrative use art Art can sometimes be separate from the artist. Vivek Shraya artist sometimes art As much as I believe in the capacity for art to create change, and as much as being an artist is physically and emotionally challenging, there is ultimately something a bit comfortable about making art in the comfort of your own home. Vivek Shraya home believe art I am always hesitant to call myself an activist, mostly out of respect for the activists who are using their bodies and voices to protest or activists online who are constantly engaging and educating others. Vivek Shraya online voice body I especially worry about the ways Canadians can be glib about our supposed difference from the US in our "acceptance" of "diversity." Vivek Shraya diversity differences acceptance I worry about what Trump will inspire in Canada, especially given incidents that have already occurred here since the election. Vivek Shraya canada worry inspire I would love to see more dialogue around the "responsibilities" of art consumers - how can audiences better financially support artists we love, artists who are doing the work, so that artists have a more solid foundation upon which to make art? Vivek Shraya support responsibility art Making music has been connected to one of my greatest heartaches, because my own music has never quite connected with audiences. But it was this heartache that pushed me to explore other artistic avenues, like writing and filmmaking, and I ultimately feel most at home in a multidisciplinary environment. Vivek Shraya heartache home writing I have dedicated a significant portion of my time and artistry to making art that addresses various forms of oppression, including white supremacy, misogyny, and biphobia. Vivek Shraya addresses white art My art career often feels less like an art career and more like a career in educating, usually by using my body. Vivek Shraya careers body art I think white artists have a responsibility to be not only naming white supremacy, but to be using their power and privilege to support artists of color. Vivek Shraya artist responsibility thinking When I do book readings, I always incorporate music or singing. Vivek Shraya singing reading book I used singing as a safety measure. I would pay attention to what songs the popular girls liked, learn those songs from the radio or library cassettes, and then "accidentally" sing or hum these songs in class. This would impress the girls, who would then defend me from the boys. Vivek Shraya girl song boys Music is my first love, where my artistic journey began. Vivek Shraya first-love journey firsts I recently did a reading at an elementary school in Ottawa, and one of the children asked me if I was a girl. I said yes. Another child commented that I had a deep voice. I responded: "Can girls have deep voices?" There was a pause and then the group responded, "Yes!" Vivek Shraya girl reading children
