Saturday, January 27, 2007

The Magic Of Writing

Two weeks and I haven't updated my blog. It's not that I am busy...its just that I don't have anything to write about. And here comes a fudging term to my rescue...Writer’s block…Do you think this phenomenon actually exists or is it just an excuse? Why is that sometimes I stare hard at my computer and still fail to type even a single sentence? But then there are times when words flow out of control and it becomes tricky to stick to the subject. I came across a beautiful excerpt from ‘The Zahir’ by Paulo Coelho that elucidates this unrestrained process…

“Writing is one of the most solitary actions in the world. I sit down in front of the computer, gaze out on the unknown sea of my soul, and see a few islands- ideas that have developed and which are ripe to be exposed. Then I climb into my boat called ‘The Word’ and set out for the nearest island. On the way, I meet strong currents, winds and storms, but keep rowing exhausted knowing that I drifted away from my chosen course and the island I was trying to reach is no longer my horizon

Brilliant analogy, isn’t it?
I firmly believe that writing is the finest mode of expression. As the ideas, imaginations, beliefs, principles, suggestions and solutions flow through the soul, the words spring to life and transform themselves into a fantastic piece. The creative satisfaction is unparalleled…That’s the magic of literature.

17 comments:

Lucky said...

i've been quite a fan of paulo coelho..but still looking forward to read "the zahir.."
i'll make that fast now..
this is a wonderful excerpt..
must say..very true..beyond comparison...
good u kept it here for everybody to read...
lemme knw wen u finish the book and if it's good..

Anonymous said...

nice really nice
nd i could really rem reading the book nd feeling how i felt while reading that then
nice book but req a lot of mind stability somhow u need loads of time to urself when reading paulo
he takes u on a journey within
truly said by him yaar in his book
and how its the same 4 all na

arunabh said...

hey this is the second post in quick succession tht have dwelled upon 'blogger's block'. and this one made for an amazin read as well. and well.. dint like one bit though..
paulo cuelho. But tht has got more to do with the fact tht, for reasons inexplicable, i detest cuelho. You write really well .. i must clarify tht :)
chk out this post ..another one tht deals with 'blogger's block'
http://inluvwithlaughter.blogspot.com/2006/12/saying-bye-bye-to-bloggers-block.html

SaiK said...

another feather for the hat ... this one truely expresses the dilemmas of writing for that matter anything creative one tends to start.....

The Unpaid Analyst said...

writer's block or as arunabh said it bloggers block is something i suffer perennially from...when dont have anything good to write abt some exciting event in ur life..if ur life is as un eventful as mine..then screw it..write abt any crap that springs to mind ;)

Unknown said...

@Lucky: I am almost done..and it was wonderful..some parts are oosum!

@Kiran: True..Non-fictions does test our patience..but then its worth it..:)

@Arunabh: Thanx...I wld luv to have those potential debates;)

@Sai: Thanxxx..the "starting problem" is universal..isn't it!

@Nikhil: Haha...I'll make sure i follow that ;)

exclusively_me said...

yes ....writing is something..thats cathartic(for me at least) .... its magical...

Arjun J said...

I believe you when you talk about the bloggers block. Since starting to blog 15 months ago, I've had serious inspiration issues multiple times. Borrowing from the analogy you quoted, sometimes I dont see the islands yet at other times I dont have a boat.

Yashika Totlani Khanna said...

A concise but fabulous posting! Yes, coelho for once, makes a lot of sense. And yes again, the thing called 'writer's block' does exist. The same happened to me sometime back when my blog entered a state of coma and i forced a post ('creativity marred') out of myself with GREAT effort. Didnt know what the phenomena was called back then... but now i get to hear abt it everywhere on blogosphere! Anyway, nice post. And as always... you've managed to capture the essence of yet another 'simple pleasure' into words beautifully.

And... simply adore the way your blog keeps 'changing colors' with each new post! Keeps things alive...!

Unknown said...

@exclusively_me: TRue...Nothing appeals me like writing and reading ! Keep visiting:)

@aj: Yea..Flood or Drought...such phases are inevitable..isn't it!

@Yashika: Thnxx:) I keep switching in nd outta coma intermittently;)

And regarding the blog template, I am indeterminate..so till I decide..I'll keep changing:)

Unknown said...

@aart hilal: Thanks a ton!!:)

Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan said...

brilliant isnt the word.. thats just so true an analogy, isnt it ?

on a totally different note, though he has much better work I know, my personal fav by PC was "Veronica decides to die".. call me weird

Tejas said...

Hmmm....true...pure satisfaction. Writing for me is a channel to vent my oddities, eccentricities etc straight from the heart!

harshad said...

hey!
Well i was goin thru the same, but in the end figured out it was just laziness on my part. But thts just me . :D
Anyway, heres my new blog : http://thehandi.blogspot.com

Ar Ar Ar Arrrrr said...

I was kinda suffering from writers block too :O

so was on leave.....but then on weekend I had like lotsa salad....right from breakfast to snaks with coffee and salad...then in dinner again salad....ma block just disappeared...dont ask me how...there is no scientific reason for this ;)

Shamanth Huddar said...

i personally dont feel "writer's block" is an "excuse".but even if it were...it's worth it...cuz the author shud take periodic breaks from writing...else he may get stuck in one think-zone or smthng like tht..
taking breaks wud surely help him consider the diffrnt options or ways in which he cud proceed with his writings..

Anonymous said...

Interesting to know.