The joy of writing

If you ask a cross section of the student population whether they would like to be writers, only a few hands will go up. This is quite understandable because it is not easy to become a writer and remain so throughout one's life. On the other hand, writing does not pay, at least at the beginning. Writing is also not a glamorous job for a young man. Especially in a Third World country such as Sri Lanka, it is nearly impossible to lead a comfortable life as a writer.

As there is no royal road to become a writer, is it worth trying to become one? But humans do not think alike. At least a few people want to become writers whether there is money in writing or not. Then there are diehard writers who simply turn out readable articles and books on various subjects. But they still remain relatively poor when compared with publishers. In fact, a well-known book publisher once commented, “The authors still come to me either by bus or train, but as a publisher, I go about in a chauffeur-driven car.”

Those who really want to be writers do so, not paying any attention to making money out of writing. Even if they are paid a paltry sum by publishers, they keep on writing. By the way, no writer comes of age after publishing a few books. For him, coming of age is a lifetime process.

Inky path

The process of writing, like growing up, is one of accepting, testing and rejecting. A beginner who walks along the inky path is full of curiosity. He is overwhelmed by enthusiasm despite discouraging failures. On certain days, even a seasoned writer finds himself in a tricky situation where everything seems hopeless. Those who do gardening know this feeling better than others. The gardener suddenly finds his plot of land overgrown with weeds. But he does not get discouraged and begins anew.

Pamela Frankau: There must come a time when ... all your mirrors turn into windows.

Going back and starting something anew is not something new to writers. For a professional in any other field, this may sound ludicrous. However, a budding writer has to go through this experience if he really wants to make a name. A writer has to gather experience for a long time. He also has to possess very strong feelings about self-discipline.

Writers are a queer lot. Sometimes they daydream, wasting precious time. They keep on staring into empty space, leaning against a wall, watching butterflies fluttering by. But they seem to enjoy life because they know that one's mind should be empty and placid as a millpond at times. This helps them to maintain their mental equilibrium.

Drudgery

Most writers are a disciplined lot. They do their work to the top of their abilities. At times they too find that writing is a boring activity. In that respect, there is drudgery in any other work such as acting, painting or singing. Self-discipline teaches the writer to do what has to be done, even when it is dull.

Sometimes, writers know that mental discipline is like physical discipline. When you practise something regularly, it becomes easier. Anybody exercising his muscles for the first time will feel aches all over his body. However, the use of trained muscles will give way to flexibility. The mental muscles will also behave in the same way. As you keep on writing, the writer's knowledge, sensitivity and capacity will improve in leaps and bounds.

Reading good authors will help young writers to a great extent. However, other writers’ mental exercise will not improve anybody else's muscles. Today's writers have a vast treasure house of knowledge handed down to them by authors who are no more. Therefore, it is profitable to read classical authors while progressing with your writing skills.

Mirrors

English novelist Pamela Frankau said, “There must come a time when ... all your mirrors turn into windows.” What she meant was that young writers are surrounded by mirrors. As they grow up, the mirrors dissolve and windows replace them. In other words, you see your own image in the mirror. When you look through a window, you will see people engaged in a wide spectrum of activities. This is the beginning of unravelling the complexity of life.

If you are not interested in writing, never attempt to become a writer. Writers write through an inner compulsion. Beginners should never shun grammar because it is what anatomy is to a sculptor or scales to a musician. A writer without a firm base in grammar is like a ship without an anchor tossed in the mighty sea.

The joy of writing rests on a paradox. However much you try, you will never arrive as a writer because success in writing is not a destination but a journey. But the journey matters.