Hello Readers
I’m happy to be writing on the first Wednesday of the month which is the official IWSG Day. It is a wonderful supportive group for writers, and I love to answer the question about the writing craft every month. It gives me a perspective about how I am placed in this journey. If you wish to join, sign here.
A big shoutout to Alex J. Cavanaugh, for starting this group.
The awesome co-hosts for the August 3 posting of the IWSG are Tara Tyler, Lisa Buie Collard, Loni Townsend, and Lee Lowery! Do visit them and show some love.
August 3 optional question is – When you set out to write a story, do you try to be more original or do you try to give readers what they want?
Before I answer this, I’d like to talk about my writing in the month of July. I joined two writing workshops and got the first drafts of two pieces of flash fiction done; submitted one short story; ready with another piece of flash fiction and looking for an appropriate place for it. Last that I wrote poetry was in April and in May sent out five of those poems to a couple of places. I received one rejection for the same in July and am awaiting response from the others.
And now for this month’s question. When the IWSG mail for this month appeared in my inbox, it was along with the rejection mail for the poems. No, I didn’t spend much time lamenting over them, but they were immediately dispatched to other places. However, this whole process has a little role to play in my answer of this month’s question.
The lit mag that I received a rejection from carries awesome work from mostly Indian poets and is also a paying platform. I love the poetry of those who appear on its pages, and I’ve often tried to copy them. In more appropriate terms, been inspired to write like them. I’ve tried and not quite made it. But, in the process I have learnt that if I try too hard to write like others or what they want, I lose my own voice, my own stories and my distinct style of writing which is, so to say, raw. It’s taken me some time to stop trying to imitate the writers I place on a pedestal (ha!); it has also taken some time to shed off the insecurity that if I don’t do it like them it won’t be good enough. And, all I can say is it feels liberating for my writing. Maybe that is why I’ll take a while to find the right fit for my writing. At the same time, it’s probably the reason I am finding it possible to take my WIP forward. Also the reason I know how to move on after a rejection, and say no to some of the suggestions that came my way after an editorial critique of my short story during a workshop. My takeaway – conviction in your writing is as important as learning how to better your craft.
I took a picture of a potted plant in my small terrace garden that is sprouting back to life after the oppressive Delhi summer. I feel like this about my writing at the moment.
So, in simple words (I know I complicated it this time), the answer to this month’s question is that I try to be original with my story/poetry (something I have acquired after much effort and pain).
What do you have to say? Agree, disagree? I would love to hear. Maybe I will discover a new aspect to this. Please share your thoughts in the comments section. Thank you for your patient reading. Happy writing!
Discover more from A Hundred Quills
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
A Hundred Quills 
Dear Sonia,
You writing is authentic and so very relatable.
I just shared this on D’s blog – Damyanti’s:
When I write on my blog I have noticed I mostly write for myself and sometimes if it’s an issue that needs to be spoken about, I write for myself and my readers.
I guess we all start off by writing for ourselves and then there comes a time when factoring the reader is as pertinent as factoring oneself. 🙂
Loved your sprouting greens. I love how the monsoons have been so kind to us here in NCR, and that our greens at home are flourishing like no other.
Happy week ahead!
LikeLike
You’ve hit on an important truth. There is no soul in the work when it’s an imitation of someone else’s work. Admire them, study them, absorb the lessons. Then write from your own heart.
LikeLike
Every one of us starts by copying others we admire. It takes time to find your own voice, and more time to find the fit among the publishers. You’re definitely on the right track.
LikeLike
You have to be you and the best writer you can be. Let your unique voice shine.
LikeLike
Sounds like you’re settling into your voice and style! Good luck with those poems!
LikeLike
I love that you immediately sent out the poems again. It’s the only way to see anything published, but I know how challenging that can be. I loved your plant/writing metaphor. It was perfect.
LikeLike
Hi,
You’re learning and you know what, we all go down that path of copying others and then we realize that copying someone else diminishes our own voice until it disappears. But this is one of those stepping stones in life that we have to learn and the only way to learn it is to go through it. I am happy that you are now writing with your own voice. The more you write, the more you submit, the more you refine your own voice.
Keep up the good work. Writing is a lifelong journey.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
LikeLike
So true Sonia! Finding our own voices while writing is so important! I’ve personally felt very emotional and inspired when I’ve read your poems. So, thank you and can’t wait to read more of that beautiful writing 😀 ❤
LikeLike
Good for you for finding strength in your OWN voice. That’s the first BIG step – owning it. Then comes developing it and loving it. You’re well on your way!!
LikeLike
Well said! It’s so important to share your unique voice in writing. I love how you said you quickly submitted the poems elsewhere after the initial rejection; in the past, I tended to give up on a piece of writing if it wasn’t immediately accepted somewhere. This year, I’ve grown more patient and accepting of the fact that it usually takes a few rejections for writing to find its home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In my experience, publishing short fiction and poetry in literary magazines is a numbers game. I just got an acceptance for a story I wrote in the 1990s that was rejected ever since. As Sonia says, conviction in our own writing is very important!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, that’s awesome how much you’re submitting. I hope you do find the right place for your writing. Your voice is important, and I’m glad you’re not stifling it.
LikeLike
It sounds like you had a really productive month in July. And it sounds like you’re working through how to write for specific markets while keeping your own voice and telling your unique story through your fiction and poetry.
LikeLike