MY JOURNEY AS A WRITER...

I still very well remember it was 11th November, 2009, when I wrote my first story. And the topic was, “A Struggling Writer”. I started with it, knowing that it is a very tough story to weave. And I failed in my first attempt. I could write only one and half a page!  But people appreciated that short-incomplete write up so much that I was bound to take up the laptop again and try some other story. My next attempt was, “The Watchman Of An Old-Age Home” and I was thrilled to see the kind of response I got for my first ever story! Those words of appreciation became words of motivation and from there on began my journey… MY JOURNEY AS A WRITER…

                            With time, not only did my number of articles increased but people liking my writings also began to sum up. I then decided to start writing my own blog. And with every new comment on my blog-articles, my confidence rose. Few of my articles turned out so good that people became my fan! I later got an offer to write for an e-magazine called "21 FOOLS" (http://www.21fools.com/), as a guest writer, that in itself was quite a big achievement! Then came a point when couple of my articles got published in a local newspaper and thereon the number of my admirers multiplied all the more. Getting a fan following at an age of 16, for me is a big thing!

                            My writings have taught me a lot, they have given me a lot. When I look back I see a great transition from Manali-a reader to Manali-a writer..! I just thought of jotting down what all happened till now in this journey of around 8 months!

• As said, I have gone through a transition in this period, transition in my personality. Having done alot of serious writings, my level of maturity has increased. I have grown from that bad-badi, phaltu-giri karne wali, thodi-si crack, little manu to a responsible and matured girl. People who know me from childhood can vouch for this, since after reading my articles they were the ones who said- “Manu, tu badi ho gayi re…!”

• Earlier low in confidence, but now my self-confidence and self-belief has increased. Now, even if someone says that I can’t do something, I won’t be easily de-motivated. I mean if a girl who was average in her English till school time, if, gets so much admiration, definitely her confidence would increase. The best thing is to be your own self-motivator.

• I have learnt a very important thing- TAKE PRIDE IN THINGS YOU SHOULD! Being modest is good, but not always and not everywhere. Though, ofcourse we should take pride making sure that we draw a line and not cross it!

• I also realized the hard-work every artist puts up. Earlier I hardly cared about the dialogue-writers, make-up artists, camera-man involved in a film, now I atleast make it a point to read their names. Earlier I would just read the news-article, now I do care and scan for the journalist. Infact, sometimes I even drop them a mail, because now I know how necessary it is for a writer to get words of admiration from the readers. Earlier, never did I read the acknowledgements and dedication section of a novel, now I care to because, now I know the importance of the contribution of every little element! Basically, now I have learnt to appreciate all those worthy people behind the scenes.

• Writing has given me a chance to lighten my heart and mind everytime it got heavy with emotions and thoughts. It has now become a means of relaxing myself! Now writing isn’t just my passion, hobby but its more of a relief-agent!
Infact many times it has so happened that when I pen down my experience and the things I learnt from it, it not only helps people but also me to come out of a trauma.

• Above all, the happiness and pride which all my loved ones felt for me has given me immense satisfaction. After couple of my newspaper articles, everywhere I find people congratulating me and appreciating my writing. I feel on cloud nine!
 Mails, messages, phone-calls, scraps on orkut, comments on facebook all make me so damn delighted! I have got a new name altogether- “writer madam”. From my peers to teachers to family persons to my various admirers all seem to have forgotten my name. “Writer madam” is my new identity! And no need to mention, when recognized by this name, my head is high with pride! (Maan mein laddu phutte rehte hai…)
If bored, I start practicing the way I would give away my autographs. At times I start imagining how I‘ll give my interviews. Sometimes while travelling in a completely packed bus, amid the crowd I see myself to be the shining star. As if its dark everywhere and tick the spot light is on me! (Hehehe, I know I am being filmy, but kya karu yeh kambaqht dil itna khush hai ki aisi behkhi behkhi baatein maan mein aati rehti hai). Yesss, writing has improved my imagination a lot! :D

                              All in all, writing has changed my life completely. I had never been so happy and never felt so honoured! I know writing blogs, articles isn’t a big thing, but the level to which I, as a person, rose is something big! The level of appreciation I have got from my readers is something big. Initially, writing articles just for my blog and then converting them to newspaper articles, is something big. The jump from the common herd to the elite group (I would like to believe so :)) is something big… I just have got a pinch of fame and name in these few months and I am so joyous, I wonder if ever, I succeed in being a better and well-known writer, how would my heart hold on the contentment and happiness!

                             Just one suggestion to my juniors, try out your best to search for something which gives you contentment in your formative years itself. It would help alot in the long run! You never know a small hobby of yours might turn out to be your profession someday. Big things start from small steps! :)

                             My journey as a writer has just begun. So the best way I end this, is by saying…
                                                                 (TO BE CONTINUED)… … …