A ‘ write’ therapy
A few authors speak to us about their journey into the written word and share tips and tricks on getting past the initial roadblocks
In a refreshing trend of sorts, scores of enterprising women are taking to writing books, finding healing in these times of relentless upheavals through writing. What’s more, they are making quite a splash with their words.
The first of such, Ambica Uppal, who has two poetry books Malhaar and Petit a Petit to her credit, tells us, “I think it’s really a blessing to have been born in an era where I can share my art with the world for free and without any major hindrances. All I need is a smartphone and a Wi- Fi connection.”
Ambica, who believes that the key to cracking the code in the digital era is by making sure your work resonates with your readers. “The thing with poetry is that people draw strength and comfort from it, so most people seeking it quite enjoy it.”
Ambica’s journey into verses began when a few friends started nudging her to post her works on Instagram. “And when I began, my followership on the platform grew, and the followers there started asking me to write a book. So I did as it felt like a very natural next step,” shares Ambica, who also reveals that the support she gets for her works diminishes any unpleasant comments that come her way.
TRUST THE PROCESS
For, Bidisha Ghosal, the author of a best- selling novel, The Rape Trial, the impetus to write gave rise to an innate desire to speak up against rape culture.
“I once got into a heated argument with a family member over sexism and misogyny, and I was on my eighth draft of that book,” Bidisha tells us, adding that at that time, there was a spate of blatant rape attempts in her city. “One of these people arguing was unashamedly reducing the fear and horror of it all to ‘ boys will be boys’, which made me furious. Then, the person taunted me, saying that arguing with him was of no use. ‘ Write about it if you felt so strongly about it,’ he said. And he was right, but even so, my story was going nowhere.”
Shortly after this argument, Bidisha says she gave up on the story. “But a few blank days later, the first half of The Rape Trial popped into my head,” she says. “In theory, the two incidents — my realising that the novel I was trying to write was not working out and the sexist argument — had nothing to do with each other. But each played off the other to bring about a calm, which soon grew into the inevitable storm that crafted my first novel.”
LET THE STORY DRIVE YOU
Dr Urmi Thakker, MD ( Pathologist), author of Tales of Unstoppable Women, which traces the journey of successful women across a broad professional spectrum, points to another hindrance in the path of creation: trolls and critics. Stating that trolls and critics aren’t uncommon, Dr Urmi adds that the trick to get by despite those hindrances is to find a powerful storyline that pushes you to persist. “I have faced several sarcastic comments,” says the pathologist. “As I belong to the medical field, many friends ridiculed the idea, saying I was wasting time toying with an outlandish project. But I let those negative comments be by convincing myself that everyone has their own points of view. Initially, it wasn’t easy writing a book, but the stories had the power to make me persist.”
SEEK INSPIRATION WITHIN
For those struggling with continuing a story they have started off with, Bidisha offers a useful perspective. “The story should have a hold on you, and you must feel the aching desire to put it down in writing. That compulsion will see you through the many downsides of the process,” asserts Bidisha. “However, if there is no such drive coming from within, you do have the option of hammering out a book for the sake of hammering it out — no judgement here — or you could drop the thought of writing a novel.” Sharing similar thoughts, author Ruchika Yadav who penned the book And Thus She Changed, adds that finding beauty in the imperfections of life has helped a great deal.
“Each of us has a remarkable and inspiring story to share, so if you think that you have one and you want to share then please pick up your pen and paper and start writing one,” she states simply and with an added smile. “Inspiration often sprouts from within. I also believe that a book is first born in your heart, and then everything else falls in place.”
FOR THE LOVE OF WRITING
While naysayers must serve as a challenge to conquer, Charu
Vashishtha, author of the book The Lady in the Mirror, asserts that one must write because the journey is therapeutic in itself. “I believe writing is cathartic. It cleanses your soul. And the patience you show with paper is often very rewarding,” says Charu, adding that she would encourage every woman to write their thoughts and pour their hearts out on paper.
Charu also believes that women are blessed with inherent compassion, which, according to her, reflects in their writings. “However, it is not necessary to write structured pieces — write whatever you feel like,” she says. “The burden of writing structured pieces sometimes makes us reluctant to write while also sometimes killing the joy of writing. So write whenever you feel like it, and whatever you feel like writing. Later, when you have time, you may look at your notes and try and make something out of it,” she concludes.
— Ambica Uppal, author of the poetry books Malhaar and Petit à Petit
Each of us has a remarkable and inspiring story to share, so if you think that you have one and you want to share then please start writing one. Inspiration often sprouts from within. I also believe that a book is first born in your heart, and then everything else falls in place — Charu Vashishtha, author of the book The Lady in the Mirror