Writing Right?!!
What should I write?
Is that the question plaguing you? Let me tell you upfront, it’s the wrong question. If you are asking yourself what you should write, then sorry to say, the Columbus Bug is yet to bite you, technically![image error]
Despair not! Even for the wrong questions, we can find right answers:-)
As in my previous post in the series, I will focus on fiction. It’s the only area where I can comment with some credibility. Non-fiction is a zone I am yet to add to my repertoire.
What is fiction?
I looked up the term online. Guess what I found:
According to the Goggle’s online dictionary, Fiction means “literature in the form of prose, especially novels, that describes imaginary events and people.”, or, “something that is invented or untrue.”
Cambridge Dictionary says, “the type of book or story that is written about imaginary characters and events and not based on real people and facts:”
Wikipedia states, “Fiction is the classification for any story or setting that is derived from imagination—in other words, not based strictly on history or fact.”[image error]
I prefer Wikipedia’s explanation. If we were to go with the other two how would we explain most of the world’s thriller novels which revolve around actual incidents like the world war? The Wiki people have paid greater attention to their wordings and they even go on include films, televisions shows, video games role-play games etc into fiction.
In addition to all this, fiction is an ocean. We can categorize it based on;
Genre (romance, thriller, mystery, historic, classic, etc)
Target audience (children, young adults, women, adults, LGBT etc)
Formats (short stories, novellas, novels, epics etc)
You get the drift. If you want to know more about each type, the details are only a short online search away. I daresay the effort will be worth your while sometime down the line.
Why is “What should I write?” the wrong question:
I have two reasons for discrediting the question.
The words “What should I write?” bare your indecision. Unpreparedness, I would say. Please don’t think I am being harsh. For a first time writer, unpreparedness is not the worst thing. I would even say, it’s good. It means you know that you don’t know. That way better than believing you know everything, because truly you don’t. (Prodigies who do know their minds are possible exceptions. If you are one such prodigy, I am not speaking about you)
The other reason is “why” you are asking that question. It short, you have made up your mind to become an author and you are now looking for possible options. Perhaps the more lucrative one, or the easiest one, or the quickest one . . . , I cannot be sure. There can be many reasons behind the question, “what should you write about”.
Reason Two Before One:
If you are confused because you don’t know what is the best option for you, I can only say this:
[image error]
So take the shot and let the outcome manifest. An ancient Indian text, the Bhagvat Gita, which has worldly advice on almost every human dilemma, says, that as humans we have the right to work but we don’t have the right to the fruits of work. Famously known as “Karma” and widely misunderstood as the universe’s reaction to our actions, the text’s lesson is worth remembering. Karma is essentially the consequence of both intent and action, and not merely action. So ditch the doubt and begin work with the best of intentions. Rest will follow.
Quit worrying about the financial consequences, possible future challenges, managing time to take on the task, etc. Remember Karma. Excellent work with the right intentions!
Reason One:
[image error]
What indeed!
Inspiration, like lightning, can strike anywhere Joanne first conceived the idea of her seven book series while on a train from Manchester to London. It took her many years after that to transform her ideas into stories and pen her first novel. The rest, as you know is history. Joanne or J K Rowling was the overnight sensation who slogged many years to become one.
So, pen your ideas. They may amount to nothing, or they may be more, much more.
What then is the correct question?
The right question you should be asking yourself is, “What have I written today?”
Yes, you have to begin now, and take stock of your progress everyday. Accountability is important. Some days you will be able to write more and on other days, you may dislike what you have written. Take stock every day. Stay aware of your journey. Don’t worry that you set out to write a mystery but your story is becoming a romance. So what? Kepp at it.
The motivation to bear in mind is that the Story is king! A well-written good story will be able to find acceptance in the long term. Whereas, a shoddy story of a popular genre will fizzle out sooner rather than later. Focus on the story. Keep it interesting. That’s all you need to focus on to begin with.
Hope you enjoyed reading this piece. Please do post your comments / queries below. Join me in this journey of learning to become better writers.
Do follow the blog to receive an intimation of latest updates.
In the next edition of this segment, we will jump right into the writing process. We’ll begin with Characterization.
