Posted on by Sonia Dogra

#IWSG- January 2020 [My Writing Journey]

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Welcome to the first monthly post of the IWSG for the year 2020 and a very Happy New Year!

The awesome co-hosts for the January 8 posting of the IWSG are

T.Powell Coltrin  [ http://journalingwoman.blogspot.com/ ]

Victoria Marie Lees  [http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/ ]

Stephen Tremp   [  http://authorstephentremp.blogspot.com/  ]

Renee Scattergood   [ https://reneescattergood.com/%E2%80%9Dtarget=  ]

J.H. Moncrieff   [  https://www.jhmoncrieff.com/  ]

Many thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for this wonderful blog hop for writers!

Here is the link to the website. Be sure to visit!

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html?fbclid=IwAR0y5esWFRUwG0m71-HfK5c3kDwHuAreJ4OKxqv27IbnPAMDgtCPJrNVaQU

And now for my thoughts this month. I would like to chronicle, in short, my writing journey by opting for this month’s question.

The question for Jan 8 is:

What started you on your writing journey? Was it a particular book, movie, story, or series? Was it a teacher/coach/spouse/friend/parent? Did you just “know” suddenly you wanted to write?

When we set out on a journey, it no longer means just a day or a single moment or a lone pillar of strength. Yes, there are defining situations and people that stand out but for me there have been so many propelling instances. Just that I took a while to recognize them.

I was in class eight, when out of the blue I sent a piece of prose for a magazine for teenagers called “Target”. The piece was rejected but came back with the most encouraging letter by the editor Amena Jayal, who said that she saw great promise in that young teenager of the ‘90s. With academics taking over the reins of my student life, writing was confined majorly to fancy diaries or note pads.

The ‘once upon a time’ poems were pulled out of their reverie during days of literati in college and later in the University. It was a tempest of sorts, a whirlwind of writings. I do not remember another time in my four decades on earth when I wrote more. During this phase I was constantly cheered by family, teachers and friends alike. However, that writing should be my be-all-end-all didn’t really occur to me.

As they say, the lull after the storm happened much too soon. That is when life happened! A complete decade and a little more with no writing at all. I was managing well and yet was always looking for more. There was a part of life that was missing but I didn’t really know what.

It was a chance employment with a children’s newspaper four years ago that set the trajectory once again! I found myself completely amused by my work and evolving continually. I was either enjoying what I was doing or doing what I enjoyed best!

However, we all know that writing isn’t altogether a bed of roses. I faced several rejections in four years, often wondering if I had made the right choice. The biggest dejection came after my story ‘A Hundred Quills’ was not only rejected but was also ripped apart by a portal two years ago. I was unsure and, in a fix, once again. This time my better half took it upon himself to push me further to make writing my ikigai. I wasn’t giving up too soon. Incidentally, it also paved the way for my blog, which is called ‘A Hundred Quills’- a kind of an ode to the story!

And thus, ensued a different plan of action. Learn and unlearn and learn again. To say that I have done enough would be an exaggeration. For there is never enough in writing. To say that I am inching closer to my goal of being a writer, would probably sum up my present state.

There’s a place I am looking forward to be in, a place that will help me to understand myself better and make me feel complete. And that, maybe, is what I hope to achieve by writing.

At times I wonder if I am being read or whether I am good enough, but I don’t mind a bit of self-doubt. It keeps me grounded. Sometimes there are people who identify with my writing. I write for them, I write for myself. Because… we all have thoughts. But those who can express them in words, are certainly blessed.

Thank you for your patient reading! Do share your thoughts in the comments section so that we can connect better. Until next time…

 

 

 

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31 Replies to “#IWSG- January 2020 [My Writing Journey]”

  2. It’s always such a pleasure to hear about a writer getting back to writing later on in life. Congratulations for doing so and for calling your blog A Hundred Quills after that story. Congratulations also on your WEP win. Your story was heartrending.

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  4. I enjoyed reading about your writing journey, Sonia. Thank you for sharing it with us. As you continue on your journey, “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face.”

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  9. Happy New Year!
    I like the sentence, I don’t mind a little bit of self-doubt. I think if we are all honest with ourselves, we all have a bit of self-doubt. I don’t mind it either. That self-doubt is that bit of uncertainty that keeps the creativity in me growing and expanding, moving me to even taller mountain peaks.
    Congratulations on your win in the WEP.
    All the best and have a great 2020.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

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  11. Writing is like martial arts. One never perfects their technique, only continues to improve with practice. It really is a lifelong learning process.

    Happy New Year! Wishing you all the best in 2020.

    Liked by 1 person

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