Recently the Content Writing team at CMM attended a two day workshop which was organized by Kala Ghoda Assocaition, held at the beautifully structured ‘Elphinston College’ premises. It was a treat for all those with deep passion and keen interest in the wonderful world of writing. Individuals from various walks of life attended the event for some technical understanding in working of the actual process of getting published.
‘Writing to be published’ was the venue for some coffee table like conversation and brilliant discussion. Hosted and conducted by Mrs. Anita Roy, a prominent personality related with the published and media fraternity, put forth some of the key points regarding the art of writing and the technicalities of getting that published. All the seriousness of issue was handled with a marvelous grace, making the things interesting for everyone yet retaining the importance of each and every note she presented. This didn’t render the whole workshop a mere passive affair! It was made sure that each one would be somehow involved in the flow of ‘discussing conversation’.
“Writing is a passion first, profession later.” was taken with a surreptitious smile by each and everybody. The common ground that had bought this event together, ‘writing’ was more than a hobby for most among those that were present there. Some of them, ok! Most all of them were in some ways related to the fields that involved monetizing their passion. (i.e for writing)
Every person with some interest in writing does dream of getting published. He/she wants the world to know about their stuff. ‘What they write, how they think ..etc ..etc! Amazingly, few know about the actual hassles that are involved, when it comes to getting the work published. The workshop was meant for raising such questions and clearing any doubts each one had.
The workshop was divided into a pattern of two days, with each day set for discussing pre-defined set of views about writing. The other half was meant specifically for “as said” technicalities of publishing world.
A writer no matter how good (or bad) cannot insure his written abilities, unless he has a set of “what we call” audience. An inspiration in the form of comments and critics alike go in the making of some amazing written works. “Whatever you write …make it available to others.’ This will not only help in knowing the weakness of the writer but also will help in more that one way to be aware of the style, that is more apt for particular individuals. Everyone thinks in a slightly different way than the next person, so it is vital to know about the strong links that goes into our writing.
“Having said that” formal education serves good in sharpening the skills to certain extent. This degree of literary skills does impart a rather specific discipline which is otherwise found lacking in an “hobbyist by nature” skillful writer. When it comes to any form of writing, be it story telling with use of few words, poems with random rhyming or fictional/ non-fictional stuff that is “…more than a precipitate” creatively written gets a proper foundation, by obtaining a formal degree. “It also gets you a proper job!” someone said jokingly.
The so called ‘break’ proved quite a short one, cuss nobody wanted to wander away. But ‘when hunger strikes, very few stay!’ (..I did not say that!) Time allowed for some chatting which (not surprisingly) didn’t drifted far away for the topic at hand. ‘Writing, books, personal backgrounds …more books. The one they term, “some sensible conversations after such-ah long time.’
Coffee and munching wafers gave way to notepad and pens. The presentation with the slide show was a neat affair, especially for those who liked summing up the points while jotting them down on their pads. I think the lecture was more subtle than the robotic presentation! Cuss everyone was starkly gazing out the window, then.
Topic about writing was pre-dominatingly focused on fictional genre, making the key stress on facts like, characters and plots, how to go about then developing the idea in a prudent form; ‘Taking reference from many literary books, and written (and published) materials. “All in all you will need to read a lot”
The second part was held on a Sunday, being a lazy Sunday ‘most of them did show up a whole 15 or so minute late. As a continuation from the previous topics, a short summary followed the 4 hours long discussion. Publicizing got a special head start.
“The agent…!” formed the next important factor after finishing the write up work. It becomes a necessity to find a reputed agent for marking an upward progress towards a proper publishing. The thing is, as there are many of them rushing their ‘needs-to-be-published’ work(s) at most of these publishing houses. Very few “actually less than 0.1%” get read. Others just get trashed with the increasing pile near the binster. So as to make sure, the work is safe (wherever it is sent) in the hands of the publisher, a good agent proves of utmost help.
Finding one is not hard these days as publishing houses themselves hire ‘agents’ for facilitating a conservative flow to the whole communication; ‘With and between the writer. “This sounds easy, isn’t it?”
Well it is if the writer knows what he wants and is absolutely clear with his work. Any amount of doubts can stall an otherwise brilliant work. Clearing those are necessary. Mrs Anita Roy and the few others took care to blemish all of such, if there were left any.
The workshop proved more inspiring at the same time ‘ponder some’ for every curious mind present there. “A curious mind needs to be feed otherwise it warns into turning itself a carnivore”
All thanks and humble wishes towards every respected individual and the association, for initiating an event that creatively imparted a mesmerizing experience.