Writing on Womanhood, Desire & Identity | The Literature Lounge

In this episode of The Literature Lounge, Rochelle Potkar — poet, fiction writer and author of The D’Costa Family — reflects on the creative journey that led her from a corporate career into the world of storytelling.

She speaks about the moment she realised that writing was the only thing that truly brought her joy — a discovery that pushed her to leave the safety of a steady corporate life and pursue literature full-time.

Rochelle also shares her philosophy of writing: that writers don’t really think in genres. Instead, ideas and themes drive stories, and the form — whether poetry, short stories, novels, or screenplays — simply becomes the vessel through which those ideas find expression.

At the heart of the conversation is a deeper exploration of identity, creativity, and observation. Rochelle discusses how themes like female sexuality, the male gaze, ageing, and societal expectations often shape her writing, as well as how art itself becomes a journey of self-discovery.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Leaving corporate life to pursue writing

• Why writers often follow themes rather than genres

• The relationship between poetry, fiction, and screenwriting

• Exploring womanhood, sexuality, and the male gaze in literature

• The idea of creativity as self-discovery

• How observation of society shapes storytelling

• Why editing is an essential part of the writing process

• The politics and insecurities that can exist in artistic spaces

• Finding humour and perspective in the journey of being a writer

The conversation also explores the different creative demands of poetry, fiction, and screenwriting, and how each form can shape a writer’s approach to storytelling.

If you're interested in writing journeys, creative process, women in literature, storytelling across genres, and honest conversations about the life of a writer, this episode offers insight, reflection, and inspiration.

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