Become A Writer In Ten Days
October 24, 2009
Does this title excite you? You were always planning to choose a profession but just couldn’t figure out what, when you noticed an ad stating, “Become A Professional Writer In 10 Days, Guaranteed Income.”
Most people are naïve or should I say lazy and look for an easy way out. Common misconception that lingers in an average individual’s mindset is that if you can read, write and speak a language, then anyone can be a writer.
Trust me; I have come across many such souls in social gatherings. The moment, I introduce myself and my profession, someone will always say, “Hey, I also write. I am thinking of getting published but I don’t get the time.” Other times, a sniggering remark like “Is writing really a profession or a hobby?” can really turn a meek person like me into a raging bull.
Writing is not displaying words and sentences with punctuations. It is a skill and a refined one. You write to evoke emotions, paint an image in the readers mind, uplift his mood and transport him to the world you want him to see. A true writer is a person who hypnotizes the reader to do exactly what he wants him to do, turn on to the next page. Not everyone can do this with ease. Creativity is the main ingredient that holds the writer and reader together. Empty words and proper grammar cannot churn out the same feelings.
Writing is a feeling. An energy that is emitted through a writer’s creative words that mesmerizes those who pay attention to it. Can everyone do it?
10 Reasons Why Creative Freelance Writing Is Not For Everyone:
1) A freelance writer works alone. Many people cannot live in solitude. They miss talking, chatting up colleagues while at work.
2) A freelance writer is a self motivator. He/she knows that there is no one to help him/her but their own drive to succeed.
3) Most people are used to following instructions from superiors and seniors to begin their day.
4) Writers involved in the freelancing, work round the clock to get a gig. Work and assignments don’t fall into their laps.
5) Writing competition is fierce. It is not about two colleagues who you have to compete with to win an appraisal session. A writer is competing with the global writing community across continents.
6) A true writer never gives up-once a writer, always a writer.
7) Excellent networking and communication skills form an integral part of a writer.
8) Marketing skill is an in-born trait of a writer.
9) A real writer shies away from blowing his/her trumpet. Most writers have their bios written by friends and family. Bragging is not in their genes.
10) Determination to finish writing a novel, getting it published, marketing it and watching it succeed requires patience, perseverance and tolerance which only writer can possess. He/she will fight till the end to make sure his/her book is a success.
It truly disturbs me when people treat writing as a silly job. Writing profession requires skill, creativity, right mindset and work ethics. So are you up for the challenge?
©Nayna, 2007-2009. All Rights Reserved.
Evil Child
October 19, 2009
Does an evil child exist? Children can be naughty, mischievous, a little disobedient or sometimes violent. But seriously, can they really be termed as anomaly of the dark forces?
Many popular movies have chosen children as evil characters like the Prodigal son, Omen (The movie series depicts the life of the devil’s child who grows into adulthood spreading evil. It’s in five parts).
Exorcist also shows a young girl being possessed with evil forces. In the movie The Ring, the tragedy strikes a young girl and she comes back for revenge.
An evil mother goes door to door delivering her children in happy families. She leaves her newborn in a large family and disappears. The adorable baby is forced to be looked after by the concerned family that is already is filled with kids. This child is actually evil who slowly kills all the other children to become the only child of the family. This may sound silly but the movie – God’s Gift did have a lot of fan following in the early eighties.
Children are truly made to look ghastly in most Japanese movies with ash complexion and jet black contact lens. They hide in crevices, lofts and wardrobes creating a sinister backdrop to the movie like in Grudge I and Grudge II.
The latest movie to add to this list of evil children is Orphan. As the name suggests a child is adopted to a loving home of two children. This child then starts showing her true colors of controlling the lives of the inhabitants of the household. But this movie did turn on the tables in the end when it turned out that she wasn’t really a child but pretending to be one.
Personally, I can never believe that there can be evil boy or an evil girl. A child can never be evil unless he is trained to be one since his early age. His environment could be a negative, surrounding him with violence but he certainly cannot be born with such traits.
But the brutal truth is that many filmmakers use children as evil characters. Are they deriving their themes from real life situations? If so, where do evil children come from? Your insights and views will be valuable.
©Nayna, 2007-2009. All Rights Reserved.
Diwali Celebration
October 9, 2009
Diwali is popularly known as festival of lights because it has a way of bringing prosperity and ligting up our lives. This joyous festival’s planning starts almost two-three months in advance and as the date draws closer, so does the hype.
Most people decide to paint their houses before diwali, buy new furnishings, curtains and even furniture. They are actually tempted by the discounts given during this time. Diwali discounts are not limited to only household products but also extended to clothes, jewelry, shoes… you name it and there is always something available at a discounted price or assured free gifts.
Buying new clothes to be worn on Diwali is more of a tradition than a mere shopping spree. It is strongly believed that on this auspicious day everyone should wear something new. It is linked to properity and happiness of the individual and his household.
Some other striking features related to this festival are the Diwali lights that glimmer from every window and balcony. The Diwali diyas are specially crafted for this occasion and it is mandatory that everyone should light atleast one such diya (oil lamps made from baked clay). Diyas are available in vibrant colors and decorated with glass, kundan beads and crystals. Ideally diyas should be lit with wicks dipped in ghee or clarified butter but now for ease and convenience, diyas are filled with candle wax with wick similar to candles.
Diwali is synonymous with fire crackers. Adults lose their inhibitions and behave like children when it comes to bursting crackers. Diwali festival denotes spreading cheer and happiness and the best way to do this by lavish feasts and eating sweets. There are special sweets that are prepared only for this festive occasion. Kaju Katli, Boondi Laddoo, Sohan Halwa, Sohan Papdi, Mawa and Milk Barfi and so on. Every state of India has its own special sweet dedicated to celebrate this season.
Diwali wishes are sent out to friends, family, colleagues and neighbours with special dry fruit hampers, assorted sweet boxes, aromatic diya sets and various hampers of sweet and salted savouries. Exchanging gifts is a tradition and a good way of building relationships whether corporate or personal.
On a typical Diwali morning, most households will have the following events taking place in their homes. A decorative toran will be hung at the entrance. Some families prefer a toran of fresh marigold flowers alternating with mango leaves.
Beautiful rangoli made of vibrant rainbow colors will adorn the entranc flooring along with a lighted diya. The rangoli will also include a symbolic motif of Goddess Laxmi’s feet, denoting that she will be entering the house. The members of the family will be dressed in new clothes, working to get things ready for Laxmi Puja or Pujan. Children will be eyeing the sweets and gearing up to burst some crackers.
Friends and relatives will be pouring in with Diwali gifts and partaking in the rituals of the Puja/Pooja. Later, there will be a lavish spread of food and sweets for everyone to feast on. These celebrations carry on to the following days until Bhai Dhuj festival is over.
So this Diwali, other than doing Laxmi Pujan, eating Kaju Katli, we should all spread the festive cheer among those who are underprivileged and less fortunate. This will be the best way to celebrate an auspicious occasion.
©Nayna, 2007-2009. All Rights Reserved.
