Inertia to Inspiration

Dear Reader,

It’s been quite a while. I’ve been in a state of inertia since my book Kuhu Learns to Deal With Life was published. Does that happen to you as well? I like to allow life to take its course. Mostly. So, after the book release, I’ve enjoyed every bit of the attention—shout outs on social media, personal emails, messages, school visits, library placements, online collaborations—and am waiting patiently to return to my writing routine.

But writing life, like everything else, is essentially yin and yang. Even as I basked in the kindness of friends and strangers who read my first book, much like Kuhu, I also dealt with some not very pleasant experiences. But with time, I learnt to take everything with a pinch of salt; it’s part of the journey. My job, as a writer, is to write and I will make sure I never stop doing that. Period.

Have you ever wondered if the social standing of a piece of art determines its journey? Are artists, too, swayed by heavyweights, ostentation (of intellect) and external validation. In an ideal world, I’d say no to that. But then, in an ideal scenario, the world should also be like a well-tuned guitar. However, that’s not always the case. So, my mantra has been to walk down this path well-armoured and with no chinks in there.

Now, now, I do not wish to sound like a battered-bitter writer because I am anything but that. So, I will leave it right here.

Kolkata has been cloudy the last few days. Who would’ve guessed we’d think about sweaters here. Not me! The market is Christmasy and New Year ready and I am trying to hold on to the shreds from the year gone by.

As a writer, the unwritten rule is to reflect on the previous year of publications and talk about the new year plans, bucket lists, etc—it’s the right thing to do if you are serious about this profession. But consider me a maverick. So, I will leave the past to the publications page of this blog. Someone once said to me, we cannot spend our lives counting past laurels. Oh, to have that kind of detachment. But I appreciate the presence of such people in my life—we all need these grounding influences, like my friend Arti, who I reached out to when the book marketing was getting heavy and difficult for me. I was struggling to find a balance between what’s expected and how much I was comfortable with. Arti has authored two books and I really appreciate the grace with which she has celebrated her writing, working from one goal to the another, drifting with the wind, all with a deep love for the art. Needless to say, our talk gave me the peace I’d been seeking. To those planning to publish soon, please make sure you surround yourself with people who will soothe and celebrate you. Everything else, will fall in place.

With a week left for the new year, I’m sure we are already on the track to making plans and resolutions. Not that I don’t have a list of sorts for it… for example, I’d like to read like there’s no tomorrow. And do poetry, many poems—read, write, recite, even invest in an online course (I have two on my mind). I’d also like to believe I’m beginning to get serious about children’s literature (is it the aftereffect of writing a children’s book?).

But then, in the middle of this list, I also know I’m born for many other things. Like going out in the sun and piggybacking its warmth on a winter morning. Like paying attention to the whiff of the potted marigold in my terrace garden—for someone who’s nearly lost her sense of smell it’s a big deal. And listening up to the chatter of my nest and laughing at the silly jokes of the man I married over twenty years ago. And calling on friends, singing to myself, living the moment. In a world where everything nice and kind and right that should be the norm feels like an act of extraordinary courage, I’m born for this too (Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, thank you for this phrase). I’d also like not to get swayed by noise and talk a little less, although the latter and me are nearly oxymorons. Perhaps I can get myself to do it by telling myself I’ll use the energy I save for writing.

So, what do you think you’re born for (besides the obvious) that you’d like to do in the new year? Let me know in the comments below.

Before I sign off, thank you for not abandoning this ship and for all the love you’ve given to A Hundred Quills. I look forward to another beautiful journey with you in 2026. Until then, take care and happy celebrations!