Of writing and the first writer's block

As soon as I put pen to paper, I was struck by a writer's block - what would I write on? I was terrible at politics, business and not so up-to-date with daily news. So what could I possibly write on? How do I begin? How do I end it? Who will read it?

CJ: Geeta R

Wed, Sep 30, 2009 15:59:41 IST

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YEARS PASSED by. I was growing old. But was I growing any wiser? In my everyday life, as I sleep, wake up, eat, work, run, watch tv etc. but, somewhere I forgot to dream.

As a child, we all have lofty dreams of becoming a film actor, a celebrity, getting rich and famous, becoming a renowned writer etc. Could I still achieve them? Can I still dare to dream?

As I grew up, many of these dreams were discarded. For instance: The ones regarding becoming a film actor, a celebrity or even just plain getting rich, were either to vague or lives I wasn't cut out to live.

Still, I was set on writing a book and becoming a writer. Even now, at 38 it seems like a definitely attainable goal. After all what did age have to do with thoughts and the written word, I thought. I was qualified enough with a few odd poems published in the midweek montage section of a leading newspaper years ago, opinions in the readers’ pages of magazines, an odd article in a renowned female oriented magazine.

So, I set upon my goal of writing a goal. However, as soon as I put pen to paper, I was struck by the biggest writer's block - what would I write on? I was terrible at politics, business and not so up-to-date with daily news. So what could I possibly write on? How do I begin? How do I end it? Who will publish it? Who will read it?

The thought of challenges that lie ahead scared me. I browsed on the net on how to write a book and 14 crore links opened up in front of me. I nervously ran my browser on them and opened one, which turned out to be ‘How not to write a novel’. I quickly closed it.

Next I found some quick fix links that proclaimed – “How to write a book in 60 days” or even “How to write a novel in 100 days” I did some quick mathematics. Should I go in for the 60 days promise or do I have the additional 40 days with me? The next link opened up a video by Dale Beaumont, an author who spoke on the same subject, but failed to retain it.

I was dejected. If deciding on a link to take tips to write a book was so difficult, how was I going to ultimately write one? I prayed fervently, “God let there be thunder and lightening and an idea flashes in me. Let me fall asleep and a hot-selling idea flow into my dreams.”

Maybe I was experiencing a writer’s block, I thought. But a link proclaimed that there was no such thing as a writer’s block. Writing was as easy as eating, sleeping and other daily activities, it further said. Easier said than done, I blurted out. At night, I decided to at least jot down my travails at attempts to write a book.

I hope you appreciate that after all I am not that bad at writing. Now about that book…

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Posted comments (6)

	Congratulations on your maiden effort. Keep writing as this might give you the most wanted ventilation. Am sure that this will find favour with like minded guys.
	\| 01 October 2009 Reply to Comment \| New Comment \| Report Abuse

	You are a wonderful visualiser and that is I think a important ingreident to write. Would love to read more of your thoughts and wait for your bookHarish
	\| 01 October 2009 Reply to Comment \| New Comment \| Report Abuse

	Excellent flow... GOD BLESS YOU and YOUR BELOVED FAMILY.... Pray that your family members support in all your endeavours and be by your side always. Someone above has quoted the movie " A WEDNESDAY'... I watched that movie almost 30 times.... As I was in Mumbai, it sounded so meaningful... But when I saw the Tamil version it did not arouse me... Maybe such panic and worries are GOD WILLING not there in Chennai... THANKING GOD for all that. Each and every dialogue is in my mind... I mean it... Well coming back to your writings... It's a good start and wish you go further similar to the speed of a Bullet Train...
	\| 30 September 2009 Reply to Comment \| New Comment \| Report Abuse