Monday, February 25, 2019

Post # 6 - Where does writing come from?

I was lucky to meet a group of very interesting people on Saturday at the DWL (Desi Writers' Lounge) Write-in session. We had an interesting discussion on writing which quickly jumped from 'what are you working on at the moment' to 'why and how do you write'.

The responses, as expected, were varied and quite fascinating. One gentleman said that for every task, including writing, one must have a burning desire. No desire = no result. Another participant was of the view that writing either comes from euphoria or tragedy. Travel too, he felt, helps one to write better - experience the world with all your senses and then write was his mantra. Two ladies weren't in agreement over this. One of them, a poet, felt that it wasn't necessary to experience feelings, for e.g., darkness, in order to write about them. The other lady was of the opinion that the human mind has unlimited imaginative powers and it is not essential for one to travel in order to write well.

Like I said, it was a very intense discussion. Was there a conclusion? Did we reach a common ground? Yes and no. But it did get me thinking - where does writing come from? What is that place inside us or in our environment that creates stories? 

Observations, not experiences - I feel writers, more than any other artist, need to be super observant. There are so many things around us which can provide inspiration for stories or characters. A conversation with a stranger, an abandoned house, a clothes line on the terrace of a crumbling mansion, an old photograph, a fleeting glimpse of a woman in a bus with kohl rimmed eyes or a man seated next to his suitcase on a flight (I've seen this and yet not written a story around it!) - anything can trigger a story.

Write without fear - As far as my writing is concerned, I'm almost always afraid. I think this fear took hold of me in Grade 5. I wrote a story about a girl who had two pet rabbits. I named the rabbits in my story after the pet rabbits of a close friend of mine. Anyways, I killed the rabbits in the story and my friend was extremely upset with me. And in Grade 5 when the most popular boy, who also happens to be your friend, gets upset at you there are serious consequences and repercussions. Okay, nothing so dramatic but I think this fear has now occupied a permanent space inside my system. Fear of others. Fear of how the world will react to my story. Fear of not writing the right story. Just this deep rooted fear that nobody, ever, will read anything I write. The best stories come from a place where they can grow without fear.

Give your imagination a free hand - The problem is that from the time we're small and learning to draw and colour, we're told that the sky is blue and the grass is green. If, God forbid, we colour the grass purple or bright orange, we are considered odd. As we grow older, we try and put our ideas into correct boxes also. Sometimes, by doing this, we kill our stories even before starting them. Don't limit yourself. Let go of your pre-conceived notions and follow your story with all your heart. 

Consistency - At the end of the day, writing comes from putting one word after the other. No matter if the words aren't coming easily, or aren't perfect - it's important to keep writing. One day something will click and all the words will come together.

We all have stories to tell. It's just that some people out there make collecting and writing stories a priority while the rest of us keep waiting for the muse to make an appearance. The funny thing is, some of the best writers didn't wait, nor believed in the muse. 

'To excel in any of the arts, you must have patience, assiduity, industry and discipline'. 
                                                                                                                      Somerset Maugham

Snoopy doesn't believe in the muse either.

Image: Google


                                  

Friday, February 22, 2019

Post # 5 - Where I talk briefly about books vs. the internet

The internet is like quicksand - it sucks you in slowly and before you know it, you're in so deep there is little chance of rescue. I just went through a bit of crazy browsing on Instagram and in the blink of an eye, literally, I had spent 40 mins going through completely random videos. 

Books are a bit like quicksand also. But of a good kind. In fact, the best books are those which suck you into their world and before you know it you're in so deep there is no chance of rescue. And if I happen to be reading such a good book, I don't want to be rescued!

If you have to make a choice between a book and the internet, choose the book. 

[This pic was taken by hubby dear. The year is 2012, the place is Bhurban and the location is a lovely house where hubby dear was shooting for a drama. I think I mainly chose the book at this hour because there was no wifi! I'm reading 'After Leaving Mr. Mackenzie' by Jean Rhys]. 


Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Post # 4 - Hanging on, Letting go

It's so easy to say one needs change when things aren't going right. Sometimes that is a good idea, at other times it's just a way of running away from the actual problem. I'm in that kind of a situation right now as far as my blog is concerned. I'm not posting regularly and though I can easily put the blame on the twins (since they can't defend themselves at the moment!), the truth is that I'm becoming more and more afraid when it comes to writing here. Afraid of what? Well, it's an old fear of inadequacy which keeps coming and going especially when it comes to my writing. Half the time I write something and pore over every word for so long that I don't end up posting.

So instead of addressing the real issue, which is not taking out time to write, I decided that what I required was a change. I needed to start a new blog from a new platform. A simple case of running away from the problem instead of fixing it. I do feel that I've changed considerably from the person who started this blog many years back. And when I look back at the posts over the years I can see the evolution of me. If that makes sense. 

What is happening on the beanbag now? Well, I'm no longer teaching advertising and consumer behaviour which I was when I started this blog. I loved teaching and whenever I meet any old student, my heart fills with immense joy (almost always, I promise!). I'm a member of the super team at Desi Writers' Lounge which has helped me do things I never thought I'd be able to do (more on that in another post maybe) but most importantly, it brought AMAZING friends into my life. 

Most importantly, I'm now always sharing space on the beanbag with my twins. These two little angels (and mischievous, naughty, crazy, sometimes very annoying monsters) have brought about a lot of change in my life. Motherhood is still something I haven't written about in a lot of detail. Mainly because I don't want to sound preachy which I feel I will. But that doesn't mean you're not going to see a couple of parenting posts now and then here.

My life's focus is a little different this year too. I've made a Google sheet that has helped me accomplish so many of my new year goals in these two months. It's like I'm answerable to the sheet and putting ticks or crosses actually makes me feel triumphant or guilty. I know it sounds crazy but this sheet has helped me - I kid you not. Will you be hearing about it soon? Maybe. Let me get through the first three months. 

There is a lot to share and write about. Just like there was when I started this blog. So I'm not running away with my stories. I'm staying put with them, on the beanbag. With the twins. And hubby dear. And everything else in between!