Where Stories Find Their Light: In Conversation with Palak Chauhan

 

Palak Chauhan is a writer, editor, and creative entrepreneur, and the founder of Thought Lantern, a literary platform nurturing emerging voices. With a Master’s in Mass Communication and Journalism, she explores storytelling across fiction, poetry, mythology, media, and social commentary. Through her empathetic writing and editorial vision, she strives to make literature meaningful, inclusive, and accessible.

An Interview with Palak Chauhan

1. Tell us a little about the vision behind Thought Lantern. What inspired you to create it, and what do you hope it will offer to writers and readers?

Ans 1 - Thought Lantern  was created with only one vision in my mind to discuss on spiritual topics and festivals it is a space where any age group can come and join the conversation related to spirituality, indian festivals and more than that it is a platform which celebrates the spirit of writing it does not compare why or why not it is an open call for everyone to join we also organize different competitions which keep the writers motivated and when it comes to readers it can offer different perspective on Indian festivals from writers all over India. This magazine will act as a guide to read about Indian writers' perspectives and children can be educated through Thought Lantern editions. 

2. If you had to describe your relationship with words, what would you say—are words your comfort zone, your weapon, or your way of understanding life?

Ans 2 - I can say that yes the relationship which I have with words is also about comfort zone when I have to make myself understand something, they are my weapon when I have to put up a point or fight for some cause, and voice opinions, and yes words play an important role when understanding life because life simply put into words sounds meaningful. 

3. Was there a particular book, story, or writer that made you realise you wanted to be part of the literary world?

Ans 3 - Growing up I was always fascinated by the fact that there are so many wonderful writers out there but one book which hit me hard was when I read Anne Frank’s diary I could also resonate with some parts of her life and how she must have felt during the holocaust but yes literature and stories have always been a magnet for my life and it changes now the way I look at life plus the literary world is like an escape plan for me to create a world of my own and to live in it with my favorite characters.  

4. When you read an unpublished writer’s work, what is the first thing that makes you feel, “This voice deserves to be heard”?

Ans 4 - I am never biased with the fact that whether a writer is published or unpublished because everyone has a story, a voice, an opinion so I feel that yes it should go in front of the audience who would understand the hidden meaning behind the book or author’s voice. 

5. Your work brings emerging writers into the spotlight. Has there been a writer or story that you discovered that stayed with you long after you finished reading it?

Ans 5 - There are incredible authors in my circle and all of them write so well that their stories have become an integral part of my life each and every book comes with a different message and these are unique and pleasing to read each story comes with its’ different twists and turns which makes it even more interesting to carry forward. 

6. Mythology continues to inspire contemporary writers. What do you think makes ancient stories so relevant to today’s readers?

Ans 6 - I mean we should never forget our roots and ancient stories act like a gem for our generation and the coming ones too these stories showcase how vast and value oriented our culture was that era might have gone but it will always have deep impact on our lives there is so much to learn from these stories and they teach us numerous values of friendship, sacrifice, and family unity stories from Ramayan, Mahabharat and other scriptures simply acts as a mirror for the society they act like a mirror and we should keep them alive. 

7. As a writer, editor and young entrepreneur, how do you balance creative freedom with the practical and commercial realities of building a literary platform?

Ans 7 - I never mix up these two because the world is full of creative writers and when it combines with practical and commercial realities it takes a different turn because people who are writers, authors, or opinion writers they are always looking for a platform which supports them and offers them with something unique even though I don’t mix up these two they instantly go hand in hand and for a platform to grow it is important to work smart in that way to keep these things going and they can fuel the platforms. 

8. What role does solitude play in your creative process? Do your best ideas emerge when you sit down to write, or when you are simply living and observing life?

Ans 8 - Solitude plays an important and major role in my life and yes, my best ideas emerge when I generally sit down with myself. I can connect with myself from within and understand the thoughts which are flowing inside my body. Are they attracting me towards a different route or are they giving me a message? Observation is another step which makes everything easier and it allows you to learn about life from a different perspective rather than sticking to your own assumptions. 

9. If Thought Lantern could grow into something beyond a literary platform, what would you want its lasting impact or legacy to be?

Ans 9 - I always manifest it to be a legacy which would motivate me and the writers, authors, younger generations, it would be a huge circle where people are not afraid to step up and voice their hidden message they are comfortable sharing their work with the world listening to their fellow writers and learning from them more and more about human emotions and what could possibly change inside them when they work together or come together. 

10. As a young entrepreneur, what is your message to today’s youth who have dreams but may be afraid to take the first step?

Ans 10 - My biggest message would be that first learn to trust yourself, don't act in hasty situation, complete your education just to pursue your dreams, don't leave the road in between make that bridge complete because education and dreams to come together and no one can take the power of your ideas from you. It doesn’t matter what your age is, just keep the fire of dreams alive in your belly, keep supporting yourself and your dreams. Don't be afraid to take the next step, keep moving ahead because when you start young then you understand what it is that will make you worth it and will make you achieve that dream.