Generally I start my Guest posts by talking a little about the guest author or just start off by writing something that would suit the mood, but here I dont think anything is required. Her write has such a beautiful flow that you just cant stop reading... so without boring you anymore... read....
I’m one of the aunts Sriharsha keeps
speaking of in his blog (although you won’t know which one because there are
five of us – at least, not unless he specifies it). Well, to put it more
specifically, it’s the aunt whose kid’s article in “The Hindu” Harsha put up
last week on the blog.
When Harsha asked if I would write
something for his blog, I did not exactly jump at the offer because he caught
me in a sort-of burnout from all the writing (non-stop almost) done over the
past two years. But, agree I did, out of a sense of kinship – I could identify
with the need to take a break from writing, and besides, how could I say no to
my own nephew when I wrote for people I didn’t even know!!
Just for background – I’m presently a
full-time Asst. Professor at a private college in Bangalore, and a freelance
writer for online and print media.
How
Writing Changed Me
I read this statement once that the more
things change, the more they remain the same. It sounded strange and flawed at
first glance and it set me thinking of things to refute this logic. I didn’t
have to look too far because my own experience proved how a single step can be
the gateway to a sea of change. A simple email I sent on a whim to a content
writing firm in July 2010 turned out to be my induction into an entire new
world – one filled with sitting non-stop at a newly-acquired laptop, learning
to navigate through keyword specifications, subtitle and bulleted list
requirements, avoiding run-on sentences, steering clear of plagiarism, ensuring
what I write doesn’t put people to sleep etc etc etc.
My
perspective widened
As I began researching and writing,
every single topic I worked on helped to contribute to my knowledge. Being an
avid reader, I enjoyed the process of finding information on topics that I
would never otherwise have a reason to read about. Whether it was about
starting a flower basket business, managing diabetes and hypertension, or
dealing with a differently-abled child, choosing the right television antenna
or retirement home, or becoming a basketball coach or taking up TOEFL and SAT,
every article I wrote gave me information that helped me obtain an entirely new
perspective.
I
manage time better
In the beginning stages, it often took
me around two hours to complete a 500-word article with more time being spent
on researching than on the actual writing. Gradually, I learnt to manage time
better by focusing first on information needed for the article. Simultaneously,
I also maintained a list of the websites that had interesting information and
visited those at leisure for my personal reading. Besides, it came to my notice
that completing the assignment became simple if I began with the easy part and
then went on to tackle the part that appeared difficult. As I grew adept at
using this system, the time required for the 500-word, good quality article
came down to about one hour and currently hovers to between 35 to 45 minutes.
Empathy
increased
With time, I noticed that all my
articles which garnered praise were the ones that had a basic simplicity to
them – they were the ones that spoke directly and honestly to the reader. This
taught me how important it is for a writer to be able to identify with the
needs of the audience. Ever since, I make it a point to read my own writing
from the viewpoint of the intended reader, making corrections every time I find
that fancy words detract from the meaning of what I’m trying to convey. I’ve
found that this has also helped me in the classroom – I’m now more sensitive to
the requirements of my students and tailor my teaching to ensure they receive
relevant information in an engaging format.
Taking
criticism is now easier
There is one thing that is more
unpleasant than writing on a difficult topic – rewriting it. Not only do you have
to start from a new angle, you are also burdened with the emotional baggage
that is often a result of a hurt ego. Writing has taught me to face criticism
with equanimity. As I continue writing, I have developed the ability to face up
honestly to my mistakes. More importantly, it has taught me to take the
occasional unduly harsh comment in my stride without letting it bruise my
self-confidence.
However, as I continue mulling it over,
perhaps the person who made that statement (a quick search on Google shows it’s
part of a song by Bon Jovi) is not entirely wrong. After all, I was writing
something unique at every point of time – whether it was the answers that my
classmates copied in their homework books, the meticulous notes in college that
friends swore by or the articles I now write.
Besides, there is one thing that has still remained the same – the joy
and thrill that I experience every time I sit down to write.~Anu
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