beacon burns bright

I slowly roll grieve
touch it for a moment
and throw it as far as I can

I unroll my heart
letting you into it
beacon of it burns bright

a kindred, I found
in nothingness that was-
and firmly established it in me

"I await with impatience for it to wash me over, again and yet again"

Revision Redux

Anyone else out there in the process of revisions? If so, how’s it going?

Most of my poetry is instant, written at the spur of the moment or at a whim. That means what I post here are mostly raw and/or rough drafts. Initially when I started writing, I never used to go back improving upon on what I wrote. I just left it at that. However, now I do go back, read each line, think in other directions and work on it like as if it is new. Many a times, the piece has been completely re-written, word by word, line by line.

My short stories have taken different path from what I initially wrote. I do have a start of a novel somewhere and I intend to finish it, re-read it, edit it and re-write it. Editing is all important. Only now I have come to realise that fact. Good editing can make a book and bad editing completely mars it.

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On a completely different note, I write this here. Lately I have been writing very short verses. Mostly inspired by a few fellow bloggers who excel in it, J. Andrew Lockhart, Ken Wagner, Lorraine, Bill and Borut. Not to forget Tikkis. (Infact it was like this with him, we used to post short verses to outdo each other a long time back.) A few I post as response to their posts in the comments, which comes instantly. I have even gone back, re-written those and posted on my blog. If anyone does it on my blog, it truly does not bother me. Infact I feel good that my post inspired it. And also if anyone else also posts a creative reply as comments in others blogs, it does not distract me. I read the comments (if I do that at all) after I post mine.

How about you? Do you think instant inspiration is ok? Should I or should I not post my instant response as comments?

A Writer's Meme

Thanks Becca, for the meme.

What’s your favourite genre of writing?

In one word, I would say "poetry." But I also venture out for short prose pieces which are stream of consciousness one. I think more of Kafka whose writing is filled with symbolism too, instead of Woolf. Frankly I did not like Mrs Dalloway much. Marquez too is a master of both. The day I stop looking at the larger image, I will forfeit my creativity. Only when one looks at the bigger picture, one can attain some semblance into their writings and hence their lives.

No piece of writing is literal unless it is a newspaper report or translations of other's works. Even then one can read between the lines and interpret it in their own ways. I try to look at the less obvious ones, which are not understood by most. I find that certain journalists lack imagination when interpreting a creative work. They take it too literal or figuratve. For those, my message is: Grow out of it.

How often do you get writer’s block?

To this I would say, "whats that?" When I can't write poetry, I resort to writing book reviews which keeps the mind very open and receptive to outward sounds.

How do you fix it?

As I said before, by reading and writing book reviews. That way my tryst with writing never stops. And keeps my creative juices flowing.

Do you type or write by hand?

I used to write long hand but now I type directly into my PC. Saves time.

Do you save everything you write?

Yes and no. I save it all in the net world. Some hidden, some for all to see.

Do you ever go back to an old idea long after you abandoned it?

Yes, I have. Initially I never edited anything or tried to improve on my writings. Now I do because I have understood that editing is just as important as creating. It can make or mar one's work.

Do you have a constructive critic?

No, I don't have. I wish for it.

Did you ever write a novel?

I started a novel but never got around after 7000 odd words. Someday I will.

What genre would you love to write but haven’t?

Fantasy, magical realism, symbolic..these cover a whole range.

What’s one genre you have never written, and probably never will?

Paranormal. It puts me off. And self-help books too. I am no one to tell others how to lead their lives.

How many writing projects are you working on right now?

As I write only for myself, I would say none. Someday I mean to. I have been told that I write very well. So I ought to publish my work. I know my language skills are good but one still needs to hone up, no matter. Arrogance pulls us down.

Do you write for a living?

No.

Do you want to?

Yes I do. Who doesn't? But for that I need to be a much better writer than what I am right now. Yes, trash gets sold more easily. However, I don't really go for it.

Have you ever written something for a magazine or newspaper?

Yes, once I wrote a limerick for Valentine's day, which got published in a very well known Women's Magazine, Femina. But the lazy bum that I am, I did not send any more despite gettings mails from the editor.

Have you ever won an award for your writing?

No. NOT YET! *grin*

What are your five favourite words?

aeon: It somehow takes me to another land

semblance: I wish my life to be more orderly

lexicon: For obvious reasons!

gamut: It contains a whole range!

thoughts: Nothing can be as fertile as the mind!

Do you ever write based on your dreams?

Yes, I have. I do. Sometimes dreams contain our deepest desires and the symbolic part is very important to me. I am no analyst, neither do I wish to be one. I only wish to write about those. Thats it.

Do you favour happy endings, sad endings, or cliff-hangers?

For a voracious reader, anything works. I like loose ends too, which are open for interpretations. I write the same way.

Have you ever written based on an artwork you’ve seen?

Yes, of course. I love ecphrasis poetry. Looking at those artwork, one can entwine words with those. Interpreting any art work in poetry takes a lot of imagination and I enjoy doing it. Dali is a special one here. I have written lots of poetry based on his work.

setting about a routine

Writing comes fairly easy for me, especially poetry. Most of the times, I do it unthinkingly, some inkling of what I am going to write coming out of virtually nowhere from the recesses of my mind. It might seem strange as most know that I am a teacher, a mathematics teacher at that, who needs to discipline herself according to the demands of her subject. But when it comes to poetry, no rule is followed. Everything just goes haywire and my minds simply commands me to write. Many might relate to that. And a few might not. That's because some plan their wriing very meticulously. At times I do envy them, at others I simply do what my heart and mind tell me to. Yes, many a times, my heart takes over my writing, giving head a rest.

How do I talk about fresh start in this new year? For me each moment is new, which allows us to renew the way we wish to. Making concrete plan was never one of my virtues, not when it comes to writing. All I know that I need to write everyday, timing does not matter. I usually write from a different perspective of what others thing. I think out of the box. I can't restraint myself in any way, nor in writing or reading. Just as we need healthy food to nurture our bodies, we need diverse, varied thoughts to enrich our mind. Those act as organic food for the well being of our whole body. A healthy mind is the first step towards a healthy body, is it not?

Making resolutions about my writing goals is not really feasible for me. I don't know where it will take me. All I can truly achieve is by writing everyday, which I do. I simply pen down my random thoughts in a prose form in my journal, which might or might not turn into a verse. I am much nearer to stream of consciousness writing. In a way, I thrive in it. That kind of compels me to exercise my brain. Concrete images are very good but those which conjures up different ones, taking us to other directions is what I succeed. No one can always be a good writer. So I don't claim to be one.

Many a times, power of imagination is just round the corner, propelling me to write, to give my best. And that is not only in writing, that can for anything, everything. As I alway say to myself, winning over oneself is what I want. Not over any other human being. The ego has no place in my world. Striving to do my best is what I truly wish for, truly desire. It hardly matters if it is 2009 or any year. What matters is, each moment.

Life in general

What are the areas closest to your heart? What aspects of your life in general do you find yourself sharing in writing? Do you enjoy reading/writing personal essays? Who are some of your favorite essayists?

How do I answer this? I put a lot of myself in my poetry but I seldom reflect on what is going on with my life. Frankly, it is not to keep myself out of bounds but I think my life is too mundane to interest anyone other than myself. A lot of what goes on around me interests me. I feel strongly about many issues, say for one religion, or injustice, child abuse, women empowerment and such.

I write about those in my poetry. I also deal with any tension or my emotions by writing poetry about that, which at times tends to get dark. Without darkness, light has no meaning. I used to read personal essays. Mostly by J Krishnamuthy. It did good to my intellect but it also made snob out of me for a time being.

I discovered that intellectual stimulation can corrupt our mind, albeit in a different way. Now I only think of humanity being above everything else. That one word is my personal essay. Maybe I am not making much sense. Or maybe I am. What do you think?

warming up to you and lot more!

tenderness of your touch
tickles me to insanity
blush spreads evenly
to each of my pores
I quiver deliciously
in the aftermath.

whispering wind
spirals singularly
near my ears, saying
what I can only listen to
with the help of my skin
senstized to yours, like silk

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Do you do writing exercises or warm ups? Do you think they could be valuable? Have you found warm up exercises helpful in some other area of your life, e.g. art, music, athletics?


All of us have those moments when we can't write, for one reason or the other. We need some sort of inspiration to continue with our creativity, be it writing, music or anything else. When there is a block of any kind, writing exercises do help. Those make us think and the creative juices do start flowing. At least they do for me. What I post here on my blog is miniscule of what I really write. I do most of the prompts as this way I can interact with others writers and that is one good way of getting inspired. Reading and interacting with other writers also help in the formation of new thoughts.

I have not gone in for warm ups, except perhaps in physical exercises. I have not given it much thought before this. I suppose that too is a good way of making the mind work towards whatever goal we wish for it to achieve.

How do you feel about it? Do you need to be inspired?

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Don't forget to join in the Monday Poetry Train. Just click on the icon to reach there:

Champions of writing and bonding

Are you having a hard time staying the course toward fulfilling your writing dreams? What are you doing about it?


Despite being a teacher, that too a mathematics teacher, I am kind of disorganised. However, writing is the only thing I stick to regularly. Yes, there are days I can't write but those times are not very frequent. All of my writings is for my own pleasure. I have thought of publishing but never got around it. To speak truthfully, I am not a champion of my own writing. I don't set up a goal and write. I do it as and when I wish it. But nowadays I take short breaks during work and pen own something. It refreshes me.

Being on the net too helps me get to know many good writers and we form networks, helping each other out by the way of encouragement. Writing exercises and prompts do make the creative juices flow, which in turn help us in forming bonds of blogging brotherhood/sisterhood between people from diverse cultures and countries.

Lately I have observed a shift in my own writings. I am venturing out of my poetry to write more of of prose. I have submitted a story in a story writing competition conducted by our education department. I have put my best there. Let us see how I fare. Writing has brought about subtle changes into my life or should I say my perception? I have become more observant and I try to think out of box. I let my mind wander and take root wherever it wishes to. That helps in my creativity.

As they say, I am thriving in it! That is better than any dream! How/what about you?

speak out

Telephone cables were stolen on Sunday night. Due to which 4000+ lines were affected. I was without net access for two days. It feels good to be back.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



damage had been so unyielding
a little girl not even in her teens
mere colours painted on her lips
and so exacting a punishment-
severe beatings, deep knife gashes
on her body told another tale
set to fire by her own great uncle
she lay there for days on the ice
screaming before succumbing to death

"we the silent spectators are the corpse, not she"

Based on a true acount where a 11 year old girl was set to fire for putting on lipstick. She died a couple of days back.

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If you’ve done NaNoWriMo, what was the experience like for you? If you’ve never done it, do you think you could? Do you have a novel residing in you somewhere, waiting to get out?

Last year I signed in for NaNoWriMo very enthusiastically. I had a novel planned and started to write it it. But after 4 days and 7000+ words, I simply gave it up. I think I don't have the patience or most important the discipline to write certain numbers of words in a day. It kind of put a block on my thought process. I write every day, almost every day but when I know that I have to do it, I can't.

I got lots of novels planned in my head. And so they remain there. Wanting to come out. Some are already written in journals. Pages and pages of it. Why constrain oneself for only 30 days of writing?

I am not cut out for NaNoWriMo. Anyway, I find the name obnoxious. As many participants are from outside of US, it should renamed which has to do with internationally. One more reason, I will not sign in this year.

Don't talk about it, just do it

Ache
Difference
Suffer



Why is it that we always dwell on the darkest side? It is easy to say Humanity has lost forever. Do we ever ask ourselves, why? And have we ever done anything to find it again? How many of us stop by and talk to a child who is poor and is working for his/her upkeep? Do we ever pat him/her on his/her head. I am afraid not. Most of us would think of getting dirty than doing that. Saying that, I ache for him/her is not enough. Make a difference by educating him/her. Start at the grassroot level. Believe me, a person does not suffer from poverty as much as he/she suffers from lack of education. Yes, these are related to some extent. We can give them dignity by the way of education. Only with knowlege, poverty disintegrates. I should know. Because I teach the so called under-privileged children...girls. And I care.

Most of us do. Believe it or not. We just don't say it.

PS: I had written a poem. But this wrote itself. Why? Check it out at 3WW.

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Do you make time to write everyday? Don’t you think everybody should?

In a short answer, yes I do. Even when I am on a holiday, I make it a point to write all that I observe and also about things I feel. When I think I can't write for whatsover reason, I compel myself to do it by resorting to write book reviews. That gives me sense of purpose and direction. And my writing does not stop. However, I have had phases of vacuum, when I can't do anything, let alone write. Thankfully, it is not frequent.

I do think everyone should write, even those who think they can't. Once they see the pleasure of their words, they will continue with it. I also know that not all feel the same way we do. Each one of us is unique and is talented in one way or the other. My advice for them is to strive and excel in whatever they do. It does not have to be writing.

I take the dare

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult. ~Seneca

It is the fear of falling that prevents us from doing many a things. A child when he starts walking does not fear anything. He wobbles, falls, picks himself up and goes on. He cries only when he knows someone is observing him. When he thinks he is alone, falling does not affect him. As elders we are always conscious of what others think of us. That prevents us from venturing out into new directions. We are always concerned about others.

Sometimes I feel that way about my writings. As if it is not upto the mark. What others are going to think reading it. If I can't satisfy my readers, why should I bother to write? However, I have overcome this jaded feelings somewhat. What do I fear next? A writing slump. For me it feels like that as if the world has come to an end. It is like desert. You are looking for words and they are no where to be found. When one does get near those words, they are like a mirage. They seem to run away from me.

Lately I have been forcing myself to write. That is the only way I can get over the writing drought. I don't wish for the slump to last forever. The long night of not being able to write has to come to an end. Delicate words put on paper have to shine through. Yes, I dare to write. Even trash.

How do you feel about it? Do you dare?

evil is objectively effortless

evil is objectively effortless

with a face like yours or mine
which is so normal yet
coming from the nether
unspirits roam the world
thrashing at its core
unreasonably vindictive
destructive death is not far
non-action on our part
cuts into it, changing
everything forever
evil is objectively effortless
for a world gone mad
but do we really give a damn
as long as we individually escape

"if only we recognised the monster amongst us"

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Words are a form of action, capable of producing change
~~~~Ingrid Bengis

This has given me food for thought. It can be taken in many ways. Only with words, I come into being, my thoughts materialise out of nowhere. Many a times, writing has nothing to do with it. We might not write a single word but our heart, soul and mind paint a vivid world for us. And words help us put it in perspective. In any way we wish to. As prose. As poetry. Or just disjointed sentences, which makes sense only for us. Or maybe not. Does it make sense? What about you?

How groovy can you get?

Do you find yourself moving too fast through life? What’s your favorite way to moodle and make the mornin’ last? How does slowing down affect your creativity?

Thinking about moving too fast through life right now seems funny. My life seems to be in a standtill. It was not my intention but it slowed down all by itself. I am going through a phase when I simply don't wish to do anything. At times, I feel guilt about the fact, fully well knowing I don't have any reason to feel that way. I am unable to find anything to nourish it with and make it productive again.

Speaking of mornings, I got school from 7 a.m. Hence I can't afford to moodle. I just rush through it and once I am in school, nothing can come between me and my school work. No one can intervene it. Teaching is no cakewalk, believe me.

Slowing down affects my creativity. I can't seem to function. Faster moving thoughts help me write. Slower ones curb it. How do I say it? My mind can't meander through slowly. It shuts itself down. Like it has done for sometime now. I hate it yet I can't do a thing about it. Slowing down by my brain seems to be deliberate somehow. Maybe this is how brain copes with emotional upheavals. I know I will rejuvenate myself and come up on tops. But when?

And how do YOU cope?

Fine detailing

Are you detail oriented in your writing? What are some of the details you most notice in the world around you? What details do you focus on in your writing - place, character, emotional? What are the kinds of detailed descriptions you most like to read about?

In a simple answer, yes. I am detail oriented. In my poetry, I write it with as much detailing as I can. Words are not to used as only mere trinkets. They have go to a very higher level. For me the spiritual aspect is very important. So with mundane detailing, I also dwell within the mind.

In the world around me, I might not notice the physical aspect much, which I don't but I try to somehow understand what goes within the mind from ones behaviour. I can speculate and conjure up a whole story in a short poem. Is it not what is writing about? I can write about the very concrete, about the zest of a person and also about stream of consciousness. Both make use of different kinds of detailing. The place for me is not the geographical one but that which is beyond it.

Same goes for my reading too. I like historical novels. In that I like all the period details, the costume, the feel of the place, palaces etc et. If I am reading Stream of Consciousness, I also like to know what is going within the mind. Human behaviour is ever so interesting and I also like to know about the movements a person makes under certain circumstances. I also like descriptions of nature, in any way. Sometimes a season change can bring about a change in the thinking pattern of a person. I like to read about that.

I might as try some detailing into one of daily routines I do. One thing I truly like is to brew tea. The early morning tea. The splash of water inside the kettle stirs me. When I place it to heat up, I like to listen to the water gurgling against the sides. I like to watch the tea intermingling into water when I spoon it into the kettle. The change of colour interests me. From light to dark to black. When I add heated milk, I like the swirling effect of it when it slowly dissolves. And the clinking sound of spoon when I add sugar, is music for me. When the aroma reaches my nose, I am ready to pick up my cup and sip it slowly. Such a mundane stuff can indeed make us reach Nirvana. However, to get into that state we need to keep all our senses wide open.

depth of hell pours forth tirade of words

Is there a book you’d love to read that hasn’t been written? What do you love reading about, and how could you write about it? What fascinates you that could become the subject for your next story, essay, poem, or blog post?

As I like to read books from varied genres, I wouldn't say that the book I would love to read hasn't been published. What do I really like to read? I like to read about history. A novel with strong historical facts interests me very much. That way I get to learn about history along with constraints of that particular period. I read about human endurance where characters with much providence and forsight can go to any length. I also like travel books and stream of consciousness novels. One thing that truly fascinates me, is the internal dialogues. It keeps me hooked and makes me connect with that character as I talk in my mind all the time! Many a times, I prefer to read character driven novels. Even dark characters. Because without darkness, we can't appreciate light.

As for as saying what would interest me to write my next post? I don't know. Many a times, I meticulously compose a poem in my mind and when it is time to execute it on paper, I simply go the other way. My words all scattered, yet with a semblance of order. Sometimes I tend to get a little dark and write pertaining to that. Or I take up any issue and write about that. Last Sunday I wrote a poem on terrorism after the Delhi serial bombings. I can't predict what is going to inspire me. Sometimes depth of hell pours forth tirade of words. Sometimes joyful state dries it all up. How can I say where the wind blows? Nonetheless, as long as I write everything seems to be ok. When words refuse to come, I feel it is sort of death. I hope it makes sense.

What propels you to read or write? Are reading and writing related for you?

An aside: Don't you agree title is important? I bet this title would lead many a reader to visit my blog! Wot say? *grin*

Another aside: 3WW is very much there. Thanks Thom G, for taking it over.

Writer's state of mind

What’s your writing state of mind these days? How do you access that “mysterious faculty” where insight and imagination are nurtured? How do your instincts about your writing ability help you? What’s your experience of being in “the writing zone”?

Whatever we do in our lives, is largely dependent on how we are feeling at that particular point of time. Be it doing the daily mundane stuff or getting on with our creative self. That state of mind reflects in our spirits of doing things. Be it in writing or any thing else. When I am elated or downright down in the dumps, words simply seem to pour out. Maybe so much so that I have to stop those. I look, I observe, I imbibe and then I write. With too many thoughts. With no thoughts. It works both ways. Any experience, small or big, can make our mind go in many different ways.

For any writer, something compels us to write. It might be in any form, essays, fiction, poetry or even disjointed thoughts, all jumbled up within us. To decipher all those, the onus lies on us. I might have a concrete thought about what I am going to write but somehow imagination takes over along with insight and I end up with a completely different piece. Isn't it what is mystery of writing? Instinct has a role to play in it. I have found out that when I can't get anything across, the waves of words that gush out help me cope better. To any situation. The days I am unable to write, I feel like a bummer.

What is this writing zone? How does one define it? For me when flying words get caught in my mind and a some kind of order is established, it helps me write. For better. And for worse. Becos trash too helps me cope up. When I get it out, I know that I can improve on my writing. Like mood swings, we do have writing swings. And it is for the good. To show us that we too can fall and fail. Only to pick ourselves up. Is it not writing like a performing art? We do it for our readers, though. I take a sympathetic view of those creative artists who cannot perform at the drop of a hat. As with writers.

How do you feel about it? Can you identify with imagination playing along with insight? Does absence from writing for whatsover reason, affects you?

Taking myself to places

How does place figure in your writing? Do you feel comfortable in the place you live, or do you feel at odds with your atmosphere? Do you convey that in your writing? What stories does your location have to tell?

I believe in the old adage, home is where the heart is. Slightly improvising on it, I would say where my thoughts take me. In my writings, which consists mostly of poetry, I don't write about specific locations. Those are more generic and anyone can feel at home reading my poetry. However, if I write poetry of a personal nature I can recall the exact place. I might not write about it but I feel nostalgic about it. Mind can travel to any place it wishes to so does our writings. Places do influence our way of thinking, our attitudes and give us a sense of belonging. How well we get that across in our writings is very important. For me place and time are interconneted in some instances.

If I set aside poetry, I think in a story or a novel, place is very important. Otherwise, it can go all awry. Sometimes geography defines how a particular story should move. Many a times the cultural ethos and historical background play a part. I prefer to read books with strong historical facts. Along with genetics, we are all defined by our roots where environment also plays a fairly big part. One can say that one can't write anything if one does not consider that. For me, a imaginary place too is important, be it in the fantasy land of the mind. Doesn't fantasy land become a real a place we all visit and take a hiatus, at one point or the other, in our lifetimes? Who can blame us for that as we need to do that to keep the inner child within us alive?

My question is, do you agree or not? Why or why not?

Practising writing

Do you have a writing practice? What’s it like? How has it helped you become a better writer? If you’re thinking about starting a writing practice, how do you envision it? What would work for you?


Most writers do have some sort of order for their writing. I am no exception. I set a time for writing even on those days when I don't feel like writing. I simply close my eyes, envisage a particular issue or situation and sit down to write. It has helped me in more ways than one. It has taught me to be disciplined towards my writing goals. If I can't write poetry, I resort to writing books reviews. That helps me put words in order. Many a times, poetry has flowed from there. I also set myself small exercises to motivate myself. I take part in online prompts as they keep me abreast with fellow blogger poets/writers. This way one learns from them, striving to improve at every point. I do feel that practice time is essential for writing. I won't say I don't get desperate at times. I don't let any kind of lapse deter me from my writings. I have observed that when I have travelled emotionally, my writing takes a beating. That is the only time I find my muse blocked out. Otherwise, I write almost daily even if it a short piece. I prefer to write with a ballpoint pen into any of my numerous journals. I truly love buying those. However, loose sheets with a lead pencil too work equally well for me.

There is no hard and fast rule what works for me. It could be anything. I only need to open my mind to all kinds of possibilities.

Writing style meme

1. Do you write fiction or non-fiction? Or both?

I write almost anything. My fictional posts are based on real life situations. Although my poetry is generic, they too border on personal feelings. To put it briefly, I can write almost anything.

2. Do you keep a journal or a writing notebook?

I do have a journal where I jot down my observations. I also write poetry if something suddenly strikes my mind. However, nowadays my PC is more my journal!

3. If you write fiction, do you know your characters’ goals, motivations, and conflicts before you start writing or is that something else you discover only after you start writing? Do you find books on plotting useful or harmful?

As I write short pieces of fiction, I don't really need to develop my characters. However, sometimes what I have in my mind might turn out complete in my writing. It depends how the piece forms.

4. Are you a procrastinator or does the itch to write keep at you until you sit down and work?

Both are true for me. Sometimes, I get the itch to write down as I can't settle if I don't do so. At others, I do keep putting it off! I am trying to inculcate the habit of sitting down and write everyday, no matter what.

5. Do you write in short bursts of creative energy, or can you sit down and write for hours at a time? .

This too depends. I can write for long periods or not at all. Or maybe in short bursts. But when the feeling strikes, one has to sit down and write. Nonetheless, I have felt bored writing for longer periods. I do need breaks in between.

6. Are you a morning or afternoon writer?

I can write at anytime. I am an evening person but for the reason, I work in the day!

7. Do you write with music/the noise of children/in a cafe or other public setting, or do you need complete silence to concentrate?

It does not matter if there is noise, music or any other distractions. I can close myself in and write away to glory at any place.

8. Computer or longhand? (or typewriter?)

Long hand, and on computer.

9. Do you know the ending before you type Chapter One? Or do you let the story evolve as you write?

No, I definitely do not know the ending when I start writing. It simply goes with the flow. Many a times, it has ended in a complete different way from what I had intended.

10. Does what’s selling in the market influence how and what you write?

Not much. If I did, I would be writing porn, which sells!

11. Editing/Revision - love it or hate it?

I truly hate editing/revision. Once I write/finish anything, I want to move on to the next. I might came back later, much later to revise it!

Reflecting on writers groups

Have you ever belonged to a writer’s group? Did it work? Why (or why not?) What would be your criteria for the perfect writer’s group?

First I would like to share my thoughts about writer's groups. What do I want out of it? Foremost, I wish for it to be serious about writing and be interactive. To understand each other writings and offer constructive criticism. Feedback is essential for us to move up as writers. One writers group I had initially joined only cared for the so-called group leader. Even if he read out trash, most went ga-ga over it. I truly disliked that aspect as no one was interested in others writing. Not even the moderator. We were forced to discuss his writings only. This put me off and I stopped going after a few times.

Then I joined a poetry reading group. It was a good lesson as long as 12-15 people met and discussed their poems. However, slowly more people trickled in, resulting in utter chaos. More serious poets had to take a back seat waiting for their turn to read and sorely disappointed as no one cared to listen to them. After a while, food was the only thing that held any interest for most of those attended. I stopped visiting this group too.

As you can see, none of the two groups worked out for me. As a concept it is good. Working it out is the problem. Most non-serious writers turn it into a friendship network. That is not what I want out of a writers group. I wish to improve upon my writing. I wish for good critiquing to help me with my words. I am still searching for a good writers group.

A good group can show us our strengths and weaknesses in our writings. That is what I wish for myself. My writings should flow like a river and not impede me. For a poet or writer, getting intimate with the words gives us a high. I truly aspire for that.

What is your take on it? Would you like to join one?

Defining a writer

Do you consider yourself a writer? Do you think blogging is “real writing?” What does it take to be a “real writer”?


Those who know me think of me as a teacher. Thats what I have been doing for the past 17 years. Along with teaching, I sometimes double up as a counsellor too. I suppose that is part and parcel of the teaching profession.

As I said before, I came to writing fairly late. That does not bother me. I am loving every moment of my creativity. However, only a few in my family know that I write. Friends, no! My poetic efforts go unnoticed by them. Does that mean I am not a writer? No, I don't think it that way. I think of myself as a poet first and then anything else. Ok, I have not yet published my work. I write and post mostly online. And I do consider it real writing. Feedback/critiques from blogger friends helps me in striving for better. Blogging world has produced and still producing many good writers. It gives us instant feedback and we save on time. We don't have to run around asking for it.

Next, a writer mostly looks at things in different ways. Thats what I do. My imagination takes me into many different directions. A real writer should be able to observe and imbibe and reproduce it in an entirely different way. That is what I try to do. I might not earn millions out of my writing. But so what? I am writing. That is important for me. In a way, it has opened up a whole new avenue for me. The entire world is open for me now. After 1000+ blog posts on both my blogs, I do consider myself a real writer. I write poetry, essays, short stories, book reviews and working on a novel. Next step is to publish my work.

Time slowly passes by
unnoticed I go on
wishing millions would flock

What are your thoughts on being a "real writer"? Do you agree or disagree?