Stuck on creative writing
 I
met my journalist friend after a long time.
"The weirdest thing ever happened to me." My friend said, placing an
order for two teas.
"Now what on earth is that? Did you write it?"
"I couldn't get myself to do that." He slowly kindled interest in me
to hear the story.
"All right, let's have it then." And the next moment I was eagerly
listening to my friend narrate the monologue.
* * *
My assignment was to cover the famous novelist. I call him Mr
Novelist. Our conversation set off without the traditional exchanging of
pleasantries.
"Are you still into writing, Mr Novelist?"
"Yeah I am."
"So what keeps you busy these days?"
"You will know when it comes in print."
"I'm not entitled to a clue, at least?"
"I don't get you."
"I mean... How do I say that! I wonder if it's an autobiography."
Novelist threw me a somewhat hard stare, and then posed a question.
"Have you read my books?"
"Of course yes."
"What are the books you have read?"
Then I gave out a list of books I've read over time. I'm sure that
made him happy; his smile hinted that, I guess. I always instruct cub
journos to read books and newspapers as much as possible.
"What is a biography?" This man keeps on questioning me. Frivolous!
"A written account where a writer narrates his experiences. It can be
his own experiences, or his experiences mingled with others." He smiled
once again - I could not understand it this time.
"So what do you think my works are? Don't you think they are what you
said - writer's own experiences and the ones mingled with others?"
"Yes Novelist, but..."
"But do you think I need to write an autobiography separately? Ok now
that we've come to the point, let me give you a clue."
He paused for me to respond, which I didn't.
"It's going to be another biography."
I sensed a whiff of humiliation, though I tried level best not to
betray my grimness. After all he is someone so good at getting to the
bottom of another's emotions. I changed the tack.
"What's your idea about this time's State Literary Award - I mean the
best novel?"
"Who won that?"
"Sumithra Rahubadda. I thought you knew that. Literary supplements
went to the town on that, in fact."
"Ah really, I didn't know that. Must congratulate her. By the way, I
don't read newspapers."
"So what's your opinion sir?"
"About what?"
"About the award. They were coming down hard on the novel. My editor
wants an interview with you focusing on the novel in particular."
"How can I give an opinion without reading it?"
"You haven't read it? After all it was the choice of all literary
festivals, right?"
"Are there other literary festivals too?"
"Come on Mr Novelist, you should be aware of the award festivals as a
veteran." The novelist stayed silent. Following a lapse of a few
seconds, he sounded as if he is going to give in.
"Thing is I haven't got time."
That's what most seniors say: 'we don't have enough time to read
others'.
"But as a writer you should read what others write!"
"Now who told you that?"
"That's what literary critics say. To write a novel, you should read
others."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Yes, you can."
"If I read what others write, who looks after my house for me? Who
looks after my farm? Who does my evening stroll? Who looks after my
doggies? Who washes my clothes? Above everything else, who is going to
think for me in leisure? All these feed me into writing, and who is
going to write them, if I while away my precious minutes on reading?"
One by one these words came like a confession. I tried to heft them.
"I understand."
"I'm glad at least you understand this. If I just read other books,
there is nothing for me to write. Or my writings won't be genuine."
"But... What will happen if everybody thinks the way you think?"
"Nothing. Because you know everybody doesn't like to write."
"So books didn't shape your writing?"
"Did I say that? No, books did. But I'm not too much into reading -
that's about it. That spoils my originality, I mean if there is any. I
like my originality more than anything else."
"You mean to say those guidebooks on creative writing are useless?"
The novelist smiled.
"Oh misguided man! How can you teach creative writing? We are all
born with creativity in different ways. Obviously some are into creative
writing. Anyone can write hundreds of thousands of articles or books on
creative writing, but that doesn't make a creative writer. Only
inspiration and practice make you a creative writer, not reading those
'how to write a novel' or 'how to write creatively' stuff. Got it?"
Interestingly I noticed my tea still untouched with flies buzzing
around, while my friend's drained empty.
"You should have written it mate." I said in a murmur.
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