If I stopped being a writer

Once, at a Litfest, my friend and I were attending a session and the speaker asked the audience, ‘How many of you are writers?’ My friend had just signed a contract for her very first book and her hand shot up almost on its own.

I however, found myself hesitating. ‘Am I writer?’ A journalist, yes. An editor, yes. But a writer?

I was blogging of course and had had a few short stories published too. Was that enough, I wondered.

It was that friend who pulled my hand up that day but the doubts remained. Until I saw this quote.

If you write, you’re a writer.

Simple as that!

The point is, it has taken me a long time to accept myself as a writer. So I would never want to give that up, for whatever its worth.

That said, if… if I ever did, I’d replace it with reading. Lots of reading. Easy enough.

However, that would never suffice. When I read a good book, a beautiful line, a delicate turn of phrase I have an urgent need to share. I want everyone to read that book and gush or rant with me, which was one reason I started a separate book blog.

If I stopped writing, I would need long conversations, along with reading. I’d probably turn into that crazy old lady who starts every chat with, ‘So there is this book I’m reading…’.

Or the lady who, when casually asked, ‘How are you? replies with an ‘I’m fine’. And then finds it absolutely natural to segue into a, ‘not in the way Eleanor Oliphant was Completely Fine, you know, I really am fine,’ ending with an uncertain half laugh waiting for that smile of recognition, upon the appearance of which she knows she has found a kindred spirit. And while on kindered spirits, Anne and the Cuthberts would have to make an appearance and the conversation would flare or flag then on.

You get the idea.

Oh and I’d probably drive my friends insane by telling them long winded tales about home and family and the strange and not so strange shenanigans of my twins, which otherwise would have found their way into my blog.

Also, I might replace writing with focussing all my surplus thoughts and energies on the children. I’d turn into a helicopter mom (No, I’m not one already. I consciously hold myself back from becoming one and writing gives me perspective). With nothing to occupy me, I’d probably fixate on my teens and horrify/embarrass them beyond their wits till they never want to see me again.

Yeah! So in the interest of friends and family and random strangers, I don’t think I could replace writing with anything at all.

*******

This post is inspired by the one I saw on Shilpa’s blog. Do give her a read.
This question was thought up by The Insecure Writer’s Group. I’m terribly late to the party but I hope its okay to put down my thoughts.

Do join in

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is where every struggling and insecure writer finds solace. It was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh and everyone is welcome to join in.

Every month, IWSG asks a question that writers can answer on their blogs to inspire other writers or share their personal stories or challenges they face on their writing journey.

This month’s question is:
If you ever did stop writing, what would you replace it with?

20 Replies to “If I stopped being a writer”

  1. I’m glad that you are a writer, Tulika. You have such a unique take on things and a great way with words. Really enjoyed reading about your ‘book chats’ ! 😉

  2. Haha, you must keep writing. It’s a good post and inspiring me to pen my thoughts on how I’ve been not writing. Indeed it’s not fruitful to not write.
    I’ll read Shilpa ‘s post as well.

  3. Hahaha book conversations are the best. I miss it so much. Why do we hesitate so much to call ourselves writer? I still do. I have never once called myself a writer. Blogger yes but writer… it is so hard. Like I am doing injustice to the word. Is it imposter syndrome, I dont know?
    I think we need a separate category for us where we write freely and also embarass siblings and kids.

  4. Yours is the most interesting take on the blog prompt. I can very well understand the fixation of all energies on the kids in the absence of writing. I would love to join you in conversations about my favourite literary heroines – Eleanor Oliphant and Anne. Actually, I would love to join you in all sorts of conversations because somewhere we are connected and thus our sensibilities match to a certain extent. How much I wish if both of us were living in the same city for the sake of many cups of chai and the ensuing charcha.
    I no longer consider myself as a writer but I am inspired to write down my take on the prompt. I know, I know you have said – If you write, you are a writer. By this logic I can be a cooker because the work I do most everyday and many times a day is to cook.

    1. Well you can be a cooker and a cleaner along with being a writer. I’ve seen your fiction pieces (Millie and Flippie) and you’re very much a writer.

  5. That irresistible need to write down the thoughts turn a person into writer regardless of the number of books authored, number of followers of the blog, and the number of views on a post. Right? A few of my cousins write mundane things on FB status so poetically that I and everyone who reads those consider them as writers, although they don’t think so themselves.
    You are a fabulous writer and it would be a shame if you ever stopped writing, Tulika. I hope that never happens. I loved this post published in the interest of the public and the concluding note. 🙂 ❤️

    1. Yes, it’s okay to write, no matter where you do so. That said, I have to add that you’re one of the most consistent writers I’ve come across. The very act of making time to sit and write regularly is inspiring.

  6. Lovely post. Yes, if you enjoy writing, you are a writer. As simple as that. 🙂 And your writing style is so engaging.

    Now, it’s difficult to replace writing, and reading comes naturally, no matter what we do. However, if I have to, I’ll paint, I mean paint more dedicatedly.

    1. I’ve seen your work Tarang and I have no doubt you’d paint if you weren’t writing. Also, your translations are top notch.

  7. Storytelling is an art… and I’m not talking about professional works of fiction… I’m talking about the day-to-day stories in the mundane around us, the personal anecdotes. That’s a rare art, and, from what I’m seeing in my second innings in the blogosphere, an “endangered” art.

    You need to have the eye to even notice all the stories that pass by you throughout a regular day, the subtle nuances that are just waiting to be seen, so you can then share them with others…

    You know what… if I complete this thought here, my comment will become too long. I might as well write an entire post.

  8. Ah! Loved reading you after a long time, Tulika! Loved that your post nudged me to do some soul-searching inadvertently and push me to think, why I still haven’t written anything on the blog so far!
    You know what, I came across Shilpa’ post for the ISWG some weeks back and was mulling over it…asking myself the very same question…I even had a fleeting thought about writing a post on the same…ha ha…and now, weeks have gone by, and I’ve not written a word on the blog! Reading your post was a reminder to come back to asking the same question to myself all over again…and I think I am absolutely certain that I have NOTHING else to go back to, that could replace the joy of writing. Nothing at all…else I’d have done them by now and been a happy bunny! But, I’m moping about my inability to snatch some precious minutes to write a post—any post, for that matter and I realise I have no alternative that can ever come close to what writing does for me.

    1. Then I hope you never stop writing Esha. Also, kudos for getting back to it despite the turbulence that life is constantly offering.

  9. Tulika! I love reading your posts and wish I could write like you or Esha. I doubt I’ll ever reach your standard.
    Anyway, I can imagine you talking about books with anyone you meet. In fact, I think you might start a vlog, to talk about books if not write. Hey, that does sound like a good alternative, right? 🙂
    Thank you for the mention. <3

    1. Aa Shilpa, you’re good for my self-esteem specially since you yourself have been experimenting so bravely with the written word and with so much success.
      A vlog needs too much hard work – mostly the looking presentable bit would pose a problem.

  10. I hear you! Writing ( and reading) to me is like breathing. I can’t ever imagine not writing, and if that ever happens I’ll replace it with something crazy or maybe something creative — like gazing at the stars or maybe baking scrumptious cakes, or else looking after abandoned dogs. How’s that?

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