Books and Me: Zen in the art of writing

Book Title: Zen in the art of writing

Author: Ray Bradbury

Here are some of the reasons on why I bought this book

The word Zen in the title
It’s about the art of writing
The tag line read ‘Releasing the creative genius within you’
It’s a book about celebration, inspiration and passion for writing

The first time I picked the book to read, I put it back even before finishing a few pages. Just like everybody else I had built my expectation. The style of writing was far from what I normally read and what I normally write.  Because of these reasons and many such others, the book sat on my table for a few weeks.  On one of those days when I decided to read a book in full, I picked this once again. I think the lure was its size but this time I was totally engaged.

A person who writes short stories, fiction etc in all likeliness will enjoy and relate to the book, while also taking away tips and tricks. Being a writer in the space of strategy and entrepreneurship, I did not really find many tips and tricks to take away. But as a writer, thinker and as an aspiring artist I took away one solid learning – Inspiration! And for that alone this book becomes invaluable.

The book is a clarion call to be an artist.  What seems on the face of it as ramblings, has inside it a soul stirring effect as you keep delving deep and moving towards the end of the book. While there are beautiful anecdotes, quotes and stories what I think is the deepest and subtlest lesson is this aspect of “Work – Relaxation – Don’t Think – Further-Relaxation…” . This aspect of getting lost in work or practicing “Wise Passiveness” creates what the author calls as a new definition for work: “Love”

I am terribly inspired by the call of the author to listen to that inner voice and to live that artist life.  Thank you Ray Bradbury for doing this!