Yellow Arrow Publishing is incredibly excited to officially introduce our Director of Fundraising, Nikita Rimal Sharma, to the Yellow Arrow family. Nikita currently resides in Baltimore, Maryland, and is originally from Kathmandu, Nepal. Professionally, she works at B’More Clubhouse, a mental health nonprofit that is all about working toward reintegration and finding a community for adults living with mental illness. Her sources of joy include long walks with her dog, Stone, curling up with a good book, and documenting her thoughts and emotions. She also loves spending time with close family and friends, especially her husband, Prashant.
Nikita states, “I have been so inspired by the women at Yellow Arrow. The way everyone approaches their role with so much intention, love, confidence, and passion continues to give me the fuel to better myself and also believe in myself. I am looking forward to more magical moments like this.”
She recently took some time to answer some questions for us. Show her some love in the comments or on Facebook/Instagram!
Tell us a little something about yourself:
The title poem from my chapbook, The most beautiful garden, was just nominated for the Pushcart Prize by Yellow Arrow Publishing, and I could not be more thrilled and honored.
What do you love most about Baltimore?
I love how people in Baltimore seem more real and raw. Although the media and social structure may not have been fair to the city, I feel as if the people here have so much resiliency in the way they never give up. I also love how each neighborhood has its own personality as well.
How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow and what do you do?
Like Gwen Van Velsor (Yellow Arrow Founder) wanted it to be, [my joining Yellow Arrow] was serendipitous. I was just walking in the Highlandtown neighborhood with my colleague. The door to the then Yellow Arrow House was open, and it looked very inviting. I went in, learned a little, and googled about it later. I saw that there was a poetry class coming up which was Ann Quinn’s Poetry is Life class. I thought it was exactly what I needed then, and I was right.
What are you working on currently?
I am realizing that I need to be consistent with filling my days and time with things that bring me joy and inner fulfillment for my emotional and mental health. When life gets busy, it’s easy to stay preoccupied . . . and forget and move away from practices and habits that make you feel rested and grounded. I am trying to stay more consistent with doing things such as writing, reading, and going on long walks daily so I can continue to fill my cup with positive energy.
What genre do you write and why?
I write poetry because I love how I can say so much with so few words. Poetry is also great because it gives the reader a chance to interpret the poem to their liking and circumstances.
Who is your favorite writer and why?
I must go with Mary Oliver here. I love how she takes nature as an inspiration. When I am amidst nature, I feel like I am filled with wisdom about life, so I really appreciate reading her words.
Who has inspired and/or supported you most in your writing journey?
Whenever I get the opportunity to sit still and observe nature and humans going about their lives, it inspires me to write. Inspiration usually comes in the most ordinary things. I will say that my husband has been my biggest support. He reads and compliments everything I write like it is the most magical thing in the world and encourages me to follow my heart. I love him for that.
What do you love most about writing?
It helps me to slow down, reflect and digest the beauty, harshness, hope, and struggle that life has to offer. It makes me appreciate all the little things and is also a great tool to manage my emotions.
What advice do you have for new writers?
Whether it’s on an Instagram page or submitting to a journal, don’t be afraid to write and share (even when you think it’s horrible).
What’s your vision for Yellow Arrow in 2023?
My vision is to be able to share as much as I can about Yellow Arrow with the wider Baltimore community (and beyond). I have always written but being a part of Yellow Arrow has made me into a writer. I want to work toward creating this reality for more women.
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Yellow Arrow Publishing is a nonprofit supporting women writers through publication and access to the literary arts. You can support us as we SPARK and sparkle this year: purchase one of our publications from the Yellow Arrow bookstore, join our newsletter, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter or subscribe to our YouTube channel. Donations are appreciated via PayPal (staff@yellowarrowpublishing.com), Venmo (@yellowarrowpublishing), or US mail (PO Box 65185, Baltimore, Maryland 21209). More than anything, messages of support through any one of our channels are greatly appreciated.