My darling, words.

This is my textbook from when I was in school. After I completed my schooling, I cleared out my book shelf to make room for the college books. I preserved this book among few others because I felt this book needed revisitation. I recognized my interest in the English language when I was in 7th std. But I wasn't too keen up until class 9. My favorite subjects were history, geography, commerce, biology, tamil and english. In hindsight, I think my preference in subjects involved detailed writing than solving like maths, chemistry or accounts.

Anyway English II was in the lead for faves. It was a subject of stories, compositions and grammar. Nobody gave that subject any props because it was all too easy and effortless. I, on the other hand was super stoked about it. Since it was not considered a professional subject like science, maths or computers (it was not), I think I was disquieted to come out with my love affair with English because it was a secondary subject and I didn't want to be running in the sidelines. When I learned there was a subject called 'Advanced English' in the 4th group, I was torn. Sadly, I didn't know about following your heart or passion at that time, so I chose a different group.

But the heart wants what it wants, and I couldn't shake it off even when the years rolled by. I worked in corporate communication for a long time after I graduated. It was business writing, press release, blogging, media relations and social media. I was in a happy place, then somehow between jobs I derailed to marketing as corporate communication was a part of the marketing function in many organisations. Within a year in  marketing role, I knew I had to pull the reins. I wanted to retract to my first love but it was mayhem. It was a battle of staying in a job that pays the bills against doing what I was cut out for. The insurmountable dissatisfaction of not loving what I do and the inextinguishable desire to do what I love, fueled me to take the leap. 

I have started afresh and am excited for what's ahead, because my heart is in the right place and I know if I work hard, my dreams will come to fruition. There is something enchanting and seductive about literature, poetry and even simple childrens books. I don't think any other thing moves my soul like a compelling narration. Two weeks ago I visited the books marinating in the book shelves behind doors for years. When I spotted #TheCountOfMonteCristo I was thrilled and glee. I knew the time had come to pick her up after a decade. It felt like a reunion of sorts. I am concurrently listening to the audio book #TheOdyssey by #Homer and I am in literature heaven. Couldn't get any better.

You are what you work to be..

It has been six months since I published anything here. I have in fact written more than a dozen pieces but couldn't bring myself to publishing it. I kept procrastinating for lack of motivation and satisfaction in the quality of my work. I used to sit down and write every time I had a startling idea or a revelation, but in a couple of lines, I would feel the fire put out. I tried to rekindle it by thinking hard and long to the point of remorse but to no avail. I would roughly put some words together to save face before myself and fend it with few artificially enthused phrases. 

However one thing I did correctly was, I continued to write. I didn't want to stop even though I knew I wouldn't complete it, but isn't trying and failing better than giving up and sulking? 

I sat here writing this post.

This isn't something I can give up. I love writing. I love the feeling of having my thoughts translate into something relatable, enjoyable and powerful to my reader. I yearn the feeling of knowing I encouraged, upheld, caused one to smile through my words. It means a lot to me.  After about a barren time without publishing, here I am in a place of identifying my emotions without ambiguity. All the words I put down come from my heart and mind. I do not sew my words to sound artsy or sly as my intention is to be heard and not to be sold out. The heart is a sanctuary of truth and you don't have to sell the truth. Truth will make itself known. That has been my philosophy, with life and in writing - genuineness. 

Every passionate person is talented and their determination to follow it through makes them an artist. 

Obstacles and challenges are inevitable in the path to great things. A little bit of patience, a whole lot of practice and a great deal of determination is the recipe to realising your dream. It will involve long nights, wavering thoughts, faltering spirit, physical and mental agony but believe in yourself and never fail to work for it. If you have it, you will want it. If you want it, you will pursue it. 

Writing is my therapy.

You know how you have some horrible days when everything goes haywire and you feel you're breathing havoc? Yeah? What does a nominal person do to calm himself down? Take a walk, get in the shower may be, play with a pet, bawl in agony?

Well, I write.

I write not just to make myself feel better but because it helps me anatomize the situation. When I sit to write, thoughts don't flow, it pours. It pours like a mad man screaming from the middle of a street. Some other times I have a brain freeze. I cannot comprehend my own thoughts. I need to pause my wrecking mind in order to think; and because I look forward to penning it down, I think harder. I play my life in slow-mo, never skipping a scene as memory serves.

I continue thinking about what I should have done. I think of the possibilities, I think of my trail of thoughts in that situation. Basically, my need to write is not just an ardent desire but my catalyst for self-examination. Without a doubt every time I have completed writing a piece, I have felt liberated and redeemed. My best friends are my words. I knit them with the song in my heart and tune them to the thoughts in my mind.

Writing is meat to my muscle, cure to my sorrow and joy to my heart.

Just pick a topic and write.

Hello there. Hi. So yes, I was reading last night about how to improve my writing skills and this was one tip - Just pick a topic and write. It said I shouldn't be wasting time thinking what I want to write about. I just had to practice writing everyday in order to become a great writer. It also said I need to get creative and have my content mostly in active voice and prepare multiple drafts, because when we take a break and get back to our work, we are likely to get a new perspective on things and the quality of our work improves as well.

Two other cool tips were to have all my writing at one place. I guess for now it will be this blog for me where all my rambling will be documented. The other thing was on writing about the same situation from a different angle. I was hesitant about this because I didn't think it will help. But that is the thing, I am sometimes opinionated so much that I lose in the place of learning. So am going to try this out too.

Just when I thought I was almost done, I realized that I missed two other tips. Grammar can drive you crazy, but the good news is we can take assistance from online resources like grammarly.com. Next thing is to use evocative words. Yes this is my personal favourite and my all time excitement-giver :P and apparently the reason why this article isn't that great even to me is because I've not used even one strgng word. But hey, I did 'Just pick a topic and write'. Cheers!

For the love of words.

Laboring for money and gratification rarely intersect. Most people run in parallels, while few have a good taste of both and try to fit in until they give up completely and choose what works for them monetarily.

                                      

I've been working in the Marketing Communication industry for almost 5 years straight after my MBA. Got married to a Marine, so had to quit my regular day job to acclimatize and get ready to swim into the tide of family bonding and take over the role of a bahu ;) Anyway, the point is, I love words, I always have. I generally set my Username to Logophile. I love calling myself that. I haven't known anything more fulfilling, comforting, empowering or strengthening than the words I write. I do not know if the feeling is mutual for everyone who writes for pleasure or work, but this is why I write. I find rest to my aching head when I spill the menace into a paper.

I wonder if everyone who have known their passion in life can relate to that as to how I look at words, mmm. I guess they will be able to, certainly. How else does having a strong love or passion for something justifiable if it does not distract you into giving it precedence above the rest of the important things in life. I remember my mom telling me how her younger brother (my uncle/maama) used to wash and clean his Royal Enfield first thing in the morning even before completing his morning chores. That speaks of the love for his bike. I am convinced love of that kind is imperative to persuade and succeed in life in their field of love. 

Personally recently, I have attained a new low in life. I literally drag myself out of my room every two to three hours once just to be in the vicinity and proximity of my in-laws. I am sick of watching Castle, How I Met Your Mother, Crazy Ones, Two Broke Girls, Boston Legal and Two and a Half Men and of course their re-telecasts during the day. Sigh! I've become painfully deplorable in watching YouTube videos with skip-able ads while I still watch them without skipping the ads. But in all this craziness and despicableness, the sweet fragrance and beaming light of words allures me in a twinkle of enchanted rhapsody.

That is my Saviour and redeemer keeping me sane and lucid.