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On Writing

by Vidya Sury June 4, 2014 27 comments
vidya sury on writing

I dare to dream.ย  All the time. Thatโ€™s how I found my dream job โ€“ writing โ€“ something I wouldnโ€™t have imagined say, twenty years ago!

Just recently, when I wrote on the A to Z blog about โ€œWhy I Writeโ€, I said,

Writing is a wonderful outlet, liberating, opening up new perspectives and teaching tolerance. When I go back and read something I wrote years ago, I enjoy seeing how I have learned and grown, and changed. Sometimes, I am proud of what I wrote and sometimes, I feel like I could have done a better job of it.

 

One of my earliest writing exercises was diary writing. My Mom always encouraged me to keep a journal. It improved my language, my vocabulary and my confidence. It also helped me learn better at school. Above all, it kept my mind well-ventilated, stress-free and positive. It improved my memory and fed my creativity.

Vidya Sury on writing 1

โ€œDiary writing is far more than a way of exorcising oneโ€™s unhappiness. The effect is extraordinary. Distanced on paper, troubles shrink to their true size. You can regard them objectively and see how temporary they areโ€โ€ฆ.Devi, my Mother

One of the things I am proud of, about my writing, is I rarely worry about what people might think. And that is probably what keeps me going. It also encourages me to keep exploring new writing styles. My natural curiosity feeds my thirst for information and this gives me the confidence to tackle just about any topic.

Writing is not something I recently started doing. During my childhood we had red floors and my favorite pastime was filling every surface available with drawings and words, using chalk. Iโ€™d make up stories and draw comics.

And then, the joy of paper and pencil. Stacks of drawings that became better over time. Writing competitions easily won. Articles published in the school mag, college mag. Editor of the office house mag. As I grew, so did my writing. I wrote stories, limericks, poetry, non-fiction. I wrote erotica when a friend dared me to, wisely under an alias, about ten years ago. I still get fan mail for those. Go figure.

So letโ€™s get to the questions, shall we?

What am I working on/writing?

 

I blog here at Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Coffee with Mi and Your Medical Guide. I enjoy writing for the Huffington Post, PTPA and SheKnows, among others. I also contribute to the Complete Wellbeing Magazine.

Besides this, I have client work. I am planning to write regularly about parenting here, twice a month. I am working on being more regular on my health blog. I have a growing stack of books for which book reviews are due.

Youโ€™d think I wouldnโ€™t have time for more, right? Wrong. I write in my diary every day. This keeps my writing muscles flexed. I help friends out with content. I am working on the drafts of two books.

One is โ€œThe Complete Health Guide for Womenโ€ which I started in Nov 2012. The other is a sort of โ€œmemoirsโ€ with the working title, โ€œHow do you spell loveโ€ which I drafted on Nov 2013. Besides these, I have a few short ebooks in the works โ€“ these are folk tales, quick health guides, quotes and so on. I keep shifting the deadlines I set myself because life intervenes. I am cool with that.

How does my work/writing differ from others in its genre?

Good question. Would you answer it for me? Iโ€™d love to hear it in the comments.

Why do I write what I do?

Writing is more or less like breathing to me, and today, I am glad to say, it is also my bread and butter.

I love to write. I find it exciting to use words to express. These days, blogging amounts to a lot of writing and I just love the feeling of being connected to so many people through words. The feedback I receive is my reward. The wonderful writers I meet motivate me. I enjoy writing challenges.

How does my writing process work?

My mind never seems to sleep. I am never without a pen/pencil and paper within reach. Even my kitchen shelf has stationery in a see through container. I am a fan of lists and make them all the time. I think in lists. When I have a post idea, I make points in lists. The paper on my kitchen shelf is testimony. Ideas come to me at the oddest times. And I write everything down.

At school, I would constantly make notes. At work, during meetings, Iโ€™d constantly doodle. I have a photographic memory. Even when I talk to someone on the phone, I am making notes. I canโ€™t help it. Sometimes I sketch an idea. I still write in long hand. Yes, I have a thing for stationery!

These days, thanks to technology, I have a digital diary. Quicker, more convenient. Since I am logged into email most of the time, I find it easy to create drafts of what is going through my mind. I enjoy free-writing. I religiously follow Hemingwayโ€™s quote โ€œwrite drunk, edit soberโ€ I notice the little things and enjoy writing about them. I read a lot.

vidya sury on writing

Thatโ€™s it!

Got more questions for me? Feel free to grill me further on writing!

I now have the privilege of tagging three lovely ladies, inviting them to talk about why they write and their writing process by answering these questions on their blog on June 10/11. Hereโ€™s what they will do:

  • Answer the four questions on their blog next week
  • What am I working on/writing?
  • How does my work/writing differ from others in its genre?
  • Why do I write what I do?
  • How does my writing process work?
  • Tag three writers / bloggers of their choice to answer these questions on writing, on their own blog the following week.

And thus we shall carry the bloghop forward!

The bloggers friends I am tagging are:

Joy Holland of Facets of Joy

joy on writingJoy Holland is a love spinner and reflector of light. As an empathic intuitive, Joy shares practices of presence and energy movement as she guides those who choose to walk a heart-path into experiences of peace and possibility through connection and creative expression. As a mother of two teenagers she revels in family connection and applying these practices in daily life. Joyโ€™s newest class โ€œPresence to Manifesting Money with Joyโ€ begins June 11, 2014. Please connect with Joy on Twitter and Facebook

 

Michelle Wallace of Writer In Transit

michelle wallace on writingMichelle Wallace describes herself as a writer-in-the-making who has embarked on a never-ending journey; a lover of flash fiction who dreams of writing and publishing a mystery/suspense story, one day in the not-too-distant-future โ€ฆ As a multi-colored rainbow nation child of God, she embraces an optimistic-realistic life view and believes in a good and honest work ethic. Her many titles include songbird, entertainer, pianist and educator. Compassion is one of her virtues and she champions the underdog.

Michelle blogs at Writer~In~Transit and you can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Goodreads, as well as over at The Insecure Writerโ€™s Support Group, where she is part of the administrative team.

Michelle Stanley of Michelle Stanley

michelle stanley on writing

Michelle is a freelance writer and official book reviewer who works from home, creating assignments for clients as well as writing for herself. She also blogs at http://www.writer-way.blogpspot.com and writes on any topic that inspires her. Her hobbies include gardening, sewing, but cooking and baking tops the list. Michelleโ€™s favourite genre is mystery, but she enjoys a challenge and writes on almost any topic if inspired. Poetry is another one of Michelleโ€™s interests. Please connect with Michelle on Google Plus

 

Birgit of B B Creations

Birgit on writingBirgit is celebrating her 20th anniversary of her 30th birthday! (Now why didnโ€™t I think of that?!) She grew up in the country with 2 wonderful parents โ€“ a German mom who brought love, compassion, fun and discipline and also talent and a love of Christmas and a Dad who was a true blue Canadian lumberman who brought respect, loyalty and steadfastness along with a love for wildlife and the movies. Birgit always loved books, reading, art and the movies. She was taught to never fear, and believes that education is very important and learning will never end. Although she suffers from Ehlers-Danlos a condition which creates constant pain in every joint, she laughs it off and says it is a great reason why she cannot jog, do gym classes and all that other merriment that makes her want to grab the nearest wine glass. For 23 years she has been a Credit Counsellor and enjoys helping people when they feel they have little hope. She started her blog a few years ago to showcase her cards. Birgit loves creating cards to send to people. She loves travel, reading and writing on her blog and always hopes to make people feel better.

Take it away, Joy, Michelle, Michelle and Birgit!

Now, question for you on writing

What do you like about my writing?

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27 comments

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27 comments

Birgit June 4, 2014 at 12:35 am

How wonderful and thank you! You have a true merriment and positive enlightenment in your writing. I feel great after reading what you write. Now I must think of those question and choose 3 people-I hope I can figure it all out:)
Birgit recently posted…For Niece #2

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Sebastian Aiden Daniels June 4, 2014 at 12:57 am

This was a pleasant post. You definitely do a lot of writing. I didn’t realize. You have a lot of stamina. I completely agree with what your mom said. Every moment and emotion passes and seeing how we were feeling in the past makes us realize this.

I like that your writing is so personal!

Have an awesome day Vidya.
Sebastian Aiden Daniels recently posted…Mental Illness is a Chemistry Issue, Not a Character Flaw

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Tammy Soong June 4, 2014 at 1:48 am

You do it all, Vidya! And I’m just so glad you do some of it for us!!
Tammy Soong recently posted…BB 014: Grow Google+ With Secrets and Strategies from Jenny Melrose

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Michelle Stanley June 4, 2014 at 2:02 am

Your warm personality shines through this lovely post, Vidya. I like the relaxed writing style you have, as well as the reasons given for writing. Thank you so much for selecting me. I’ll try to answer the questions as best as I can, and think of persons to tag.

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Jennifer June 4, 2014 at 7:27 am

Such a lovely post! Michelle Wallace gave me a head’s up about your post and I’m very glad she did. Wonderful to meet you and find your lovely blog. I love how open you are about your writing and the fact that you write EVERYWHERE! There are papers and pens all around my house as well…and, yes, people laugh at me for writing in longhand. Let them laugh! I love it ๐Ÿ™‚

Cheers!
Jen
Jennifer recently posted…Repurposed Driven Life

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nibha June 4, 2014 at 8:09 am

That was lovely knowing you! your posts always inspire me to write more as I’m just at the onset of this journey! rightly said about the diary, it frees the mind and becomes our best friend! ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚

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Beloo Mehra June 4, 2014 at 9:11 am

Vidya, you have done it again! Inspire the heck out of me ๐Ÿ™‚ You are working on all that writing, I am so deeply impressed, girl! Hope some of your spirit, and sense of organization rubs on me…need to get myself organized. It is really wonderful to know a bit more about your process and passion for writing, for connecting through words as you put it. I really like what you say about not worrying about what people may think. This can really make us stay true to ourselves, what we want to communicate and the way we want to do it. Love that tip! Thank you ๐Ÿ™‚
Beloo Mehra recently posted…Why Should I Write

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Pheno Menon June 4, 2014 at 9:51 am

Merriment is the key to life I believe

PhenoMenon

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Vidya Sury June 4, 2014 at 9:53 am

I have that key firmly in my grip, Pheno! Thanks for coming by!
Vidya Sury recently posted…A Walk to Remember

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Marie Abanga June 4, 2014 at 10:47 am

Hi V, I am proud of having awarded you the quintet of radiance award without even knowing the superwoman you were. Cheers in all your endeavours, Marie author of My Unconventional loves
Marie Abanga recently posted…Saved by a Commitment and Determination

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Asha June 4, 2014 at 10:51 am

You sure do a lot of writing !! I need to check out your blog on the medical guide. Didn’t know about that ! Waiting for your health book to come out soon ! All the best with all the writing.
Asha recently posted…Draupadiโ€™s Question

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Sandra Pawula June 4, 2014 at 11:59 am

I like your writing because it’s so personal and so committed to positive qualities like love and compassion. I can’t believe all the works you have in progress! We have similar minds; my ideas flow easily too. I don’t like to spend so much time on the computer though so that’s the one challenge I face. Any ideas on that?
Sandra Pawula recently posted…The Miracle of Seeing Everything Like A Dream

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Rajlakshmi June 4, 2014 at 1:12 pm

woww you are working on so many projects!! kudos to you. I love writing in my diary too. Something which I learnt from my Dad. I would use different colors and pictures to documents my feelings and dreams. I loved reading this post.
Rajlakshmi recently posted…WTF Wednesdays – Corset & Forked Tongue

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Michelle Wallace June 4, 2014 at 1:17 pm

Hi Vidya, I see that 2 of the ladies I nominated/tagged, Jen Chandler and Marie Abanga, have already visited to check out your post.
Wow, you are such a busy lady Vidya, with lots of projects on the go! I always say that BUSY IS GOOD – there’s no time for boredom. The ideas are always simmering away on the backburner… so you will never run out of things to say/do! And it DOES make for an interesting and exciting existence!
Thank you for tagging me. I’m off to prepare my post!
Michelle Wallace recently posted…A Postal Predicament + Our Beautiful Child

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Vidya Sury June 5, 2014 at 10:50 pm

๐Ÿ˜€ Never a dull moment, Michelle. It is fun to be busy! I know you are, too!
So glad Jen and Marie came over. Great choice!
Looking forward to reading your post!

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Jayanta Tewari June 4, 2014 at 2:59 pm

Hi Vidya, You got me infected by the writing bug, crawling along with your infectious post. Though dabbled with writing in the past,I think I am on the right track this time around for few reasons.Feelings are identical โ€“ it liberates me, am also into lists, make notes and keep thinking about it a good chunk of my time outside my butter earning job which is unfortunately not writingโ€ฆ I have learnt to write simple going through your post todayโ€ฆ Thanks for sharing your past and present of writing. Hope future brings many more treasures through writing, which is very close to your heart ๐Ÿ™‚
Jayanta Tewari recently posted…The Arrows from the Archer

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My Inner Chick June 4, 2014 at 9:31 pm

**Diary writing is far more than a way of exorcising oneโ€™s unhappiness. The effect is extraordinary**

I love your mommy, Vidya. She is def. part of YOU, which I adore & appreciate.

I love you and your words more than 5 lions bathing and 6 chocolate sundaes. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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Jemima Pett June 4, 2014 at 11:05 pm

Lovely insights, Vidya. I said rather less in my Writing Process Tour post, but it was just as heartfelt.
Thanks for sharing yours, inspirational as always ๐Ÿ™‚
Jemima Pett recently posted…The Labyrinth Society by Angie Kelly

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Marie Abanga June 10, 2014 at 8:51 pm

Dear Vidiya, thanks for nominating Michelle who has in turn nominated me. I know you have trillion projects but right now, l sincerely want to do something once more and this is it: ”

Dear Vidiya, I know you are yet to do an acceptance speech of the previous award l nominated you for, but l couldn’t help but nominate you for yet another. Seriously, l am not giving up on you and you could read my own acceptance post to find out why :http://marieabanga.com/2014/06/10/gosh-very-inspiring-blogger-award/ ๐Ÿ™‚ ”
Marie Abanga recently posted…Gosh; Very Inspiring Blogger Award

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Vidya Sury June 10, 2014 at 9:51 pm

My darling Marie! ๐Ÿ™‚ I am laughing as I read your comment. I love you for not giving up on me! By the way, I did accept the lovely Quintet of Radiance Award – I think you missed that post: It is here: Bloom Where You Are Planted

I am deeply honored that you nominated me for another award, which I’ll acknowledge in a later post this week! Hugs!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Life Measured In Memories

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Joy June 12, 2014 at 12:22 pm

You are certainly one busy writer! And, you write on such varied topics! What sets your writing apart is your genuine joy and it feels like you are speaking directly to *me* (when I know you are speaking to each of us). It’s like everything amuses you, and the way you share it, amuses us,too. I smile each time I ‘visit’.

Thank you for tagging me – I appreciate that!

My question is: how do you move through writer’s block? (Do you experience writer’s block?)
Joy recently posted…Presence to Sharing My Writing Process

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Corinne Rodrigues June 14, 2014 at 4:58 pm

Sorry I got to this to late, Vidya. I had to pick you to pass this hop on to, because you are truly one of the most talented writers I know. Your ability to write in such a flowing style on any subject is truly a gift. Now get those books published, my dear! ๐Ÿ™‚
Much love always!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted…A Struggle Against Silence: My Writing Process Blog Hop

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Vidya Sury June 29, 2014 at 8:13 pm

Mmmuah and hugs, Corinne! Thank you!

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Monica Deshpande June 29, 2014 at 8:00 pm

Vidya, what I love most about your writing is that it always makes me feel like we are having a conversation over a nice cup of coffee. I love your style and the positive and cheery tone of your posts. Inspirational! ๐Ÿ™‚
Monica Deshpande recently posted…Strawberry Summer Pops

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Vidya Sury June 29, 2014 at 8:19 pm

Thank you, Monica! What a lovely compliment. ๐Ÿ™‚

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Geeta Nair June 30, 2014 at 4:00 pm

Waiting for your books Vidya. By the way I love your style of writing. Looks like we are just on either sides of a table having a chat.
Geeta Nair recently posted…I am still alive???

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Vikky Nix July 9, 2018 at 11:13 am

Hey, Vidya. Glad that I stumbled upon your blog.

Its always a pleasure to know that the work we do is adding value to the society. When comes to blog its a way to express ourself and to share our wisdom with a wider audience. People are looking for solutions to their day to day life. Actionable solutions that can help improve the day to day life of people.

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