Language is the dress of
thought
- Samuel
Johnson
One umbrella rule that dictates effective
writing is ' to connect with the reader'. How best you could
tell your story that determines your success. Not necessarily
that everybody reaches to celebrity writer status. But to share with the
world is the dire need of everybody. Whether you identify that
'urge' or not is a different matter.
Writing is always a lonely man's battle with his
own thoughts. Technology has given this boon called 'Blog' which has
tremendously contributed in fine-tuning the thoughts/ ideas and
non-professionals have become top line content generators on the Web
today.
No doubt that this platform is the best training
ground to groom as a writer. There are instances where the bloggers turn
into celebrity writers. One such prolific blogger who shot into fame with
her #1 New York Times Bestseller 'The Happiness Project' is
American writer Gretchen Rubin, in 2009.
Writing involves insanely great patience.
Only people with high learning curve succeed in improving their
craft. There are so many great writers of Indian origin.
One such fabulous writer of my choice whose reputation would never
die down is Khushwant Singh. He is a minefield of tips for new writers.
Though, I heard about him much before, I have
not read any of his books as majority of folks dismissed
him as 'old dirty man' who talks more about sex'. It may be
partly true, but no doubt that he is a brilliant story-teller. He has an
envious collection of both fiction & non-fiction in his kitty.
In 2013, I read his marvelous book 'Khushwantnama'
The book has dedicated chapters for 'new writers'.
He says that no school or class can teach you how to become a writer.
He says that there has to be something in you, a compelling urge.
He advises that you have to be totally honest and not afraid to speak
out. He further says that you have to have the ability to work hard and
the stamina for a long haul.
He asks the aspirants to practice as much as they
can. Keeping diary, writing letters, emails - even that is a good
exercise. He says that reading will make you capable of distinguishing
between bad and good writing. He cautions of using difficult
words. One should never be pompous or pretentious, he says.
Writing is an evolving process. Only practice that improves the craft and helps for a wider reach !
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