Ten things needed to be a writer

Saturday had a nice surprise for me. I was featured on the cover page of  Calcutta times of Times of India along with Ashwin, Ravinder and Amish.

And  the Deccan chronicle (Kerala) which came out with  a special two year anniversary issue today featured me as well.

Click to enlarge and read.

For more Media coverage click HERE.
Of course I feel super proud about all of this. Cris from Deccan chronicle who had contacted me said that my life really feels like a fairy-tale. (after reading the piece in the paper). I told her that since the newspaper article had a 250 word constraint, I really couldn't elaborate the struggle and the work that was involved in getting here. Today I was interviewed by E-fiction India as well for their April issue. They had a video interview as well as a print interview.

Most people see only the glamour and the shine. They ask what is my advice to writers. They ask what my books are about. They ask where I get my inspiration from.

What most people do not ask is what it involves.


If you plan to write a book, or be a writer, here is what the newspapers don't ask and what I have to say to you :

1. Grow a thick skin. You will face a lot of criticism, harsh comments and scathing words from people who wouldn't have written a single article in their life. :-) And of course it will hurt. Which is why the thick skin will help.

2. Be prepared to be alone. Writing is a lonely profession. You will perhaps have to give up time with friends, social outings, parties in order to finish that book. Churning out 75,000-80,000 words (which is what will constitute a full length novel) needs a lot of hours of sitting by yourself.

3. Be prepared to lose a few friends. It will happen. Trust me on this :) I speak from experience.

4. Stop waiting for inspiration, mood or 'right time'. You have to write--you damn well write!  Don't make excuses. Make time!

5.If you feel you aren't good enough compared to other writers, it is a great thing! It means there is room for growth.

6. Ignore the ones who discourage. Avoid them like the plague. If you have made up your mind to write a book, do it.

7. Rejections are going to hurt, hurt, hurt and hurt. Face them!

8. Believe in yourself and be honest in all you have to say.

9. Read a LOT.LOT. Lot. Lot. lot.

10. Write a LOT.LOT. Lot. Lot. lot.

This is all I have to say. Good night to those on this side of the planet and good morning to those on the other side.
Until the next post.
Ciao!
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