Can I Be A Writer? A 7-Point Primer

When you have been writing for a while senior-citizen status begins to creep on you. How? Other writers start approaching you for occupational therapy: how does such crap get published when my book’s waaay better? how do I edit and not cut out the best parts? I am writing but am I meant to be a writer? When does this writing start to pay?

I peeped into my writerly vanity bag, frayed but wildly coloured still, and dug this out - take what you can and toss out what you can’t. What’s the point of being a writer if you can’t stick your tongue out and exhale noisily: the computer will stay and your pet has seen worse, right?!

What is a Writer to do? A 7-point Primer

First, know: nothing is owed to you.

Two, the world, of publishing and beyond, is not against you - it is indifferent. As the saying goes, the sun rises daily and puts on a magnificent show, yet most people in the audience go on sleeping.

Write because of the satisfaction of the written word - if you seek glory and riches, either write really badly or manage other people's money.

Every day, dig deep within for what is truest to you and holds meaning to you. Then sit your bum down and work, daily. Excellence, as Aristotle said, is not an act but a habit.

What do you really want to be? A fab Facebooker, a trendy Tweeter, or a great Writer? Get your priorities in line.  

Can I really be a writer? Is there some simple test that'll provide the answer? Here you go: do you love your own company? can you deal with CRAP (criticism, rejection, assholes, pressure) and write merrily? after a full day of writing if you have only one line to show, will you not shoot yourself but go back to the blessed desk the following day and again? 3 Yesses and you’re in.

Close your eyes. Do you see yourself writing at 80? Why, then, you've found the purpose of life, for which which other folks trek to the Himalayas, or seek early retirement. If not, then, Veni, Vidi, Fugi!

The Art of Writing: Jo Dar Gaya So Mar Gaya

“You can always write because you can always take your pen and write subject verb object and write really simple sentences and actually they’ll get you where you need to go. 

The whole business of writing creates a lot of tension. And I find the backdrop of the ocean  wonderfully calming. There’s something out there, much bigger than you, than your book and it drops it all into a very welcome perspective.” 

- Hilary Mantel

Take baby steps, be kind to your writing self, and when overwhelmed, look at nature to regain balance. Or, like me, you might turn to Ghalib, that surefire purveyor of perspective: 

Raat din gardish mein hain saat aasmaan,

ho rahega kuchh na kuchh ghabraayain kya?

Through night and day the seven heavens are in revolution,

one thing or the other will occur - why get agitated therefore?

To be a Good Writer, Cut Yourself Some Slack!