Writing is not for the Weak

My favourite aunt would call me Miss Ekhunni. In Bengali, that means Miss Now. She meant that I wanted everything RIGHT NOW. Whether it was a pair of shoes or a  book, I’d seldom wait. But then I became a writer. Patience became a part of my life. I had no choice. My first two books were traditionally published, so the whole process from first draft to final draft and approval and FINALLY the finished paperbacks, turned me into the Queen of Patience.

There are days when I’m ready to stop calling myself a writer, but that negative feeling wears off within 24 hours when I realise that  the world of writing and books is the only world I love. You see, writing is not for the weak. There will always be a writer whose books sell more copies than yours. There will always be people who smirk when they hear you’re a writer. And of course, you can’t write and publish a book in two days. So how do you stay sane?

1) Use social media wisely. Don’t waste precious writing and reading hours stalking other author’s pages. You could get insecure and demotivated. Compete with YOURSELF and make yourself a better writer with each book!

2) Don’t throw yourself into isolation just because you’ve read articles about writers locking themselves into their rooms for days. I used to do this. The fact is, we need to lead balanced lives with some social interaction just like other human beings. Writers fests, book launches and simple coffee and conversation can be de-stressing while providing material for your next story.

3) When you’re sharing your work with the world, be prepared to receive negative feedback. There are some mean reviewers out there. But if it’s constructive criticism, take it. I know authors with a few terrible reviews that they read, absorbed the useful points from, and then ignored. Focus on the positive feedback and the advice that can help your next story.

Hope this helps 😃