This is a question that I never thought before as I am a new writer finding my footing in the world. To be honest , many friends of mine haven’t read my books or my works. I as an individual in the past prioritized my exams more than promoting my books via social media platform. Being an introvert , further added fuel to the fire for I hate being on social media way too much. I love to be behind the public eyes as a result, the number of accounts reaching the people on my Instagram page dropped from 547 to 200 something.
I am amazed by the above question. I never thought about it before until I discussed it with one of my friends about a recent project that I am currently working on. All she asked, “What do I write? In what genre? What is expected out of my writing?”
I got published in anthologies way before I knew how to write short stories, personal essays and most importantly know my own genre. Initially, I wrote poems which I hid from the rest of the world because they were way too personal to be let out to the world. If you read the introduction of my book, Some Unbothered Truths, you will know about me well but for the sake of my small consistent readers on my website , I am going to start from the scratch.
In 2018, I wrote my poem ‘My Dreams’ when I was dealing with a turbulent situation in my house. Amidst the shouting, I heard a voice inside my head which said, “I remember myself as a child / who dreamt a beautiful dream in her sleep.” Afterwards, when I took my pen, the words flew effortlessly on paper. I wrote some poems later only when I had impulses otherwise, I kept it protected from the world. Only a handful people knew that I write. 0n 31st August, 2021, I saw an advertisement on Instagram to submit a poetry for a book. On 4th September, 2021 , I was selected to be a part of the anthology. During those times, I didn’t know the meaning of anthology, compiler, co-author and stuff. Elated by the news, I scrolled Instagram further for such opportunities to send my poems for various anthologies. I got selected for most of the books and I wrote Some Unbothered Truths.
In 2022, I decided to participate in anthologies where stories were accepted. The first short story that was published could have been better but as I started to write for more anthologies, I started to feel a bit confident. Out of which, my most favorite are Wide Awake Volume 2 and Kolkata Diaries Volume 3 (it led me to win the best contributor award though I failed to understand its ending). In major part of my writing short stories, I try to write the things they are, be it my prejudices, be it the people I observed on the road or the strangers with whom I laugh and listen their life stories. Some of my stories were also based on what I observed from people around me but they were not the same as I heard because a write’s work is always influenced by the creativity that accompanies along the way.
I laugh as I write these upcoming words, to be honest, I never knew how to write a poem as well since I wrote only under the influence of my impulses. One of my readers after reading my debut book brought my attention to the fact that I write narrative poems. It was said by the readers before I became an author since some of them confused my poetry with stories. I am still finding my writing style , the genre but I am always grateful for the ways the universe provides me with the correct information. I love having my own website and writing my own stories for it. I love the readers who enjoy reading my works as their feedback always provide me an opportunity to improve.
I still don’t know whether I am a fiction writer or a non-fiction writer or a poet because I am learning about various types of writing via google and online courses. I am still reading books to find the structure for my upcoming books. I am exploring my way along the journey but sometimes, I do lack the confidence to do what I should have done a long time ago. However, one thing I can advise to all the upcoming writers to keep on trying instead of waiting for the right time and opportunity as they don’t knock at our doorstep until we do so. Practice is what enables one with the right tools even if that means you are going wrong sometimes or you feel like nothing is resulting out of your efforts.
All I can conclude is I want to brainwash people with the beauty of life. I want to show the things the way they are instead of fantasizing an imaginary world for the readers. For example, I want people to accept the things the way they are instead of trying to change themselves by being positive in times where fear , sadness, anger or isolation is the natural response.
In photo 1, you can see the number of books where I got published.
In photo 2, you see the e-poster of one of the anthologies where I participated as a co-author.
In photo 3, you see the most favorite anthology of mine. I love the story I wrote there as well as the book cover which is one of mine favorites.
In photo 4, you can see me sitting on my study table with Duggu,the pug on my lap while I was trying to work on my current project.
This post was insightful and quite inspirational for me because I feel lost too. Not confident, hesitant, hence I could relate. But I have started writing more than before but there's a long way to go. Keep writing and keep sharing your stories. Thank you.