Writers are rarely understood and reluctantly accepted in
this society. They are either branded as too intense for their own good or they
are labeled as insane. Not that they would mind a lot about what you say about
them or what you think. With time they have learnt the art of being rejected
and still keeping a smiling face about it. It’s a part of life guys. To be
frank when people agree with us we feel the world is going the wrong way. Or,
is it us going astray on our tracks?
But, you see being a writer is not easy. Building a world on
nothing but a blank sheet might not require knowledge of rocket science but it
needs brainstorming. A lot of it. Trust me on this. You gotta be a writer to
understand the pain and pleasure of writing. Also, you gotta be a writer to
fully realize the truth of the ten points I have summed up for the post.
The first word is the toughest one
Umm…you ever stared at a blank screen for hours not knowing
what to write? No? Well…lucky you. The first sentence is the hardest one to
write. You have any idea how much time I have labored over the first sentence
of this post? Of course you can’t know. And I am not going to tell. But, I have
spent a generous amount of time to craft the first sentence. Fuck the sentence,
let’s talk about the first word. It’s the most difficult one to jot down. Once
the first word is there on paper or screen, the rest comes tumbling out. But,
the first word can kill. Ask any writer.
It is first word every day
Okay I am pretty unfortunate you know. Each day, I find
myself at the same spot doing the same thing. Yes, every day I stare at the
screen for a long time not knowing how to begin the day’s work. It is first
word every day. And it is starting at the blank screen with a blank expression
all over again each morning. When they say every day is a new day they forget
to mention how hard it is to take the first step each time.
People are characters
I guess this everyone fortunate or unfortunate enough to
know a writer, knows. My friends (the rare few) keep telling me to look away.
Whenever they say something, I find myself leaning forward and devouring each
word like a monster looking for blood. Everyone comes with potentiality to be
in a story or be the story.
Writing is the hardest craft
Each time I moan about not being able to write something,
people come forward to remind me I am a writer. Fuck yes I am. But, that does
not mean I have super natural power. Writing is tapping on the soul and coming
up with emotions buried deep and suppressed long. It is not morning pressure
guys. Don’t expect us to sit and produce a masterpiece every time we touch the
keyboard. Writing is work. And it is hard work.
Isolation is freedom
Every writer is different. Though we write about people and
the world, we need to isolate ourselves to think and create. This, people don’t
understand. And by now I have quit trying to make them realize the fact. They
will never know what we unearth sitting at a corner, staring ahead. So, why
bother?
Money is not the motivator
It is the passion that keeps a writer going. Appearing before
the screen every day, knowing no one will read what you are producing, living a
dual life and getting rejected require more than love for money. It requires unyielding
determination to keep going. Or, maybe it requires unheard of stupidity to
stick to it. Either way money comes secondary on priority list. What drives us
is the sense of doing something unique.
Middle of the novel hurts the most
Hmm…if the first word is the hardest one, the middle is absolutely
monstrous. By the time we reach the middle of a novel, the glow of getting a
fabulous idea dies down. And by this time most us get ready to haul our asses,
if we could. But, it’s not that easy, you see. Until we see The End written on
the paper, we cannot move on to another project. Like now, I am ready to write
another post but till the time I reach The End of this one, I cannot quit. We
are cursed that way. We cannot quit. Or, maybe we are blessed.
Talking about writing is driving force
You ever dated a writer? Nope? Okay next time you do, be
ready to listen about writing all evening long. Not everyone is same, but, most
of us are. We love to talk about writing. We love to share stories of our
success and failure. It is boring sometimes. I agree. If you are a non writer,
you will look for an exit before long. But, it is our driving force. We bask in
the glory of the craft. We energize ourselves while talking about writing.
Coffee works like wonder
I drink more than twelve cups a day. I need continuous supply
of coffee each time I sit to write. My brain or my heart craves for the aroma
of rich, freshly brewed beverage and my tongue demands it. Yes, I am addicted
to coffee. It is me or writing I don’t know. I believe most of the writers will
agree about needing coffee. It is better than needing alcohol or drugs you see.
Insanity is bliss
Uh…insanity. Hmm. People lovingly or grudgingly call us
crazy. I have been called crazy both ways. But, I don’t mind. Insanity is
needed to keep doing what we do, regardless of the result. The result, my
friends, is either rejection or mockery, whichever comes first. Do we stop?
Fuck no. We don’t. Or, rather, we can’t. Imagination is insanity. I guess every
artist is a little or lot crazy. It keeps us going.
So, that’s it for the day. Ten painstakingly gathered facts.
Next hopefully I can be back with another post worth spending time on. Leave a
comment if you feel like.
No comments:
Post a Comment