Interview with Tenshi: On Healing, Self-Discovery, and Becoming Her Own Superhero
In The Journey of a Superhero, emerging writer Tenshi reflects on the powerful connection between her inner child and the woman she’s becoming. Though the book is still in its final stages of editing, it already promises a raw and honest exploration of self-love, healing, and reclaiming one’s dreams. In this conversation, Tenshi opens up about the inspiration behind her debut collection, the emotional rollercoaster of writing it, and the importance of being your own hero.
What inspired you to write The Journey of a Superhero?
The Journey of a Superhero was inspired by my younger self.
Can you share a bit about your younger self and how she influenced this project?
She was a brave, bright girl with big dreams. She was different from the other kids but never tried to fit into a mold. She trusted herself and worked hard to pursue her dreams — those dreams brought me to where I am now. But over time, I was gradually absorbed by everything that wasn’t hers. Eventually, I felt ashamed to look back and realize I had become everything but her. It all started when I was journaling about it, and I decided to write for her — to save her dreams by becoming her “Superhero,” as she has always been mine.
How has your personal story shaped the themes or characters in your book?
Before starting my journey, I needed to liberate myself — to break the chains I had so carefully tied around my heart, thinking I was protecting myself. But I had imprisoned her instead. So I chose to feel everything fully, to experience different human emotions, and to see other people’s stories through my own eyes.
What were some of the initial challenges you faced while working on your book?
Self-doubt and the fear of judgment were my biggest challenges. I often wondered what a stranger might say about my work.
How do you deal with the fear of judgment when it comes to sharing your writing?
I remind myself of the community I’m writing for — the girls who relate, the girls I’d like to call sisters. I write for those who will learn from my journey and for the ones who would celebrate my inner child.
Can you talk about any specific struggles you encountered during the writing process?
My main struggle was inconsistency. Eventually, I realized writing doesn’t always have to be consistent. It should come when it feels right — when your soul overflows with emotions that pour into words.
How has working on this book impacted your mental health?
Writing this book was the most liberating thing I’ve ever done. It was therapeutic and soul-healing, but also an emotional rollercoaster — from joy to sadness, anger and rage to calm and serenity, from recklessness to wisdom, and from bleeding to healing. It was hard, but I willingly embraced the essence of human nature with open arms.
What strategies have you found helpful in overcoming self-doubt?
Sharing some of my work online and receiving positive feedback helped me silence the restraining voices in my head.
Can you describe a moment when you felt particularly proud of your work?
I felt proud the moment I wrote the first poem for this collection. It was completely unplanned. I was overwhelmed, played “Somewhere Only We Know,” and started journaling. My pen moved on its own, following the beats of my heart, turning feelings into a poem.
How do you stay motivated during challenging times in your creative process?
I simply remind myself of why I started.
What advice would you give to other women pursuing their own creative projects?
Don’t sit there waiting for a superhero to come save you — be your own hero. Enjoy the process. Don’t push yourself too hard. Be gentle with yourself. If you’re not kind to yourself, who will be?
How do you balance your creative work with other aspects of life?
To be completely honest with you, I don’t know the answer to that. My life isn’t balanced. I’m a college student who’s just trying to figure it all out.
Are there any practices or routines that help you maintain your mental well-being?
Journaling has always been my go-to. And there’s no “right way” to journal — just your way. It’s supposed to help you know yourself and free your mind. Try different approaches depending on what you feel and how you want to grow.
How do you handle criticism or feedback on your work?
I’m only human — and no human is perfect.
What do you hope readers take away from The Journey of a Superhero?
I hope they see parts of themselves in my words, figure out how they really feel, and liberate their minds. I hope they journal, be wise and happy — and never hide their dreams in a box in the attic.
Follow Tenshi’s journey on social media:
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