The power of the written word

I’m not sure if you see a pattern here, but I certainly do. For the third time in the recent past, I feel compelled to write my Ed’s Letter on what an author featured in the magazine has to say. May be it is all to do with my love for the written word, the magic it creates, the imagination it stimulates and the passion for articulation it evokes. But more importantly, I feel, fiction, rather fiction writers, also widen our perspective, offering us a glimpse of a world with immeasurable possibilities. They entice us into their fantastical cocoon, beautifully created by their language and take us on an enthralling journey, one word at a time.

And the fact that these so-called journeys offer deep insights, succinct wisdoms and simple home-truths about people, outlooks and culture in general, make these authors that window which offers us the view of another world otherwise unknown to us.

Lisa O’Donnell is one such author.

While reading her interview on what stayed with me was that in spite of being a critically acclaimed writer, Lisa prefers to observe and listen first and then speak or write her mind. To me, this is not just a great skill, as it allows you to learn from experiences and opinions of others, but is a testimony to the person’s attitude – meaning they are courteous and respectful.

And in case of a fiction writer, I feel when they are listening to what you have to say, they are discreetly foraging for inspiration as well – the seed that germinates in the fertile soil of their imagination and grows into a bestseller. In the process, they morph a few truths and tweak some lies, all the time hoping to sound as authentic and convincing as possible.

As Lisa points out in her interview, when memory mates with imagination, stories are born.

Enough of eulogising, I’m sounding almost envious now!

I feel, fiction, rather fiction writers, widen our perspective, offering us a glimpse of a world with immeasurable possibilities