Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. Musings from someone who sees stories everywhere.

Saturday, November 03, 2007

meme! I've been tagged



I just got tagged! Life is an eternal learning process and I've learnt a new word. Meme; propaging a series of related blog posts by asking blogger friends to write on a common topic. Writer friend
Ruth dropped by with words of encouragement. Then Bob Sanchez tagged me.

So here's the challenge. They've asked me what are my writing strengths and weakensses. For strengths, the first thing that comes to mind is encouraging friends, fellow writers who have been through it all and understand just what you are facing. Writing is a lonely profession, if its a profession at all. It's exhilarating to find like-minded people, even if one has to troll the Internet and seek them out from far-flung corners.
Especially when one is into creative writing, it takes a long time to find openings and acceptance. That's when writer friends pitch in, offering suggestions on how to tweak that story or poem into near-perfection, locating literary journals, and dealing with rejections. And oh yes, writer friends prod you into getting back to writing when inertia seems overwhelming. That happens to me often, and it's my biggest weakness.

My other strengths? I'm good with descriptions, bringing scenes, colours to life.

Hmm,then come the many weakness. I'm a slow writer, taking much time over a story and its numerous drafts.

another major weakness is that I don't 'look' like a writer. I'm not exactly sure how a writer is supposed to look or behave. But I know several who can command a fan following on the strength of much less actual writing compared with many others. It probably helps to give the impression of being 'august' or 'imposing', whatever that may mean to people who matter.

I don't want to dwell on more weakness because there are so many. Now I have to pass on the baton and hope someone will continue the chain of posts.
Absolute Vanilla (and Atyllah),
Deepa,
Suzan, and
Zafar,
are you ready?

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Well, I've already done the strengths part of a meme similar to this but not the weaknesses. Having concentrated so hard on finding my strengths, I know can't remember my weaknesses! But I'll have a go anyway. ;-)

Ruth L.~ said...

Weaknesses were'nt part of the deal Moni, but your "waeknesses" can be easily overcome. That's because they aren't weaknesses at all. As for looking "august," I get a kick out of looking at the dust jacket photos some authors use. Phony!

Suzan Abrams, email: suzanabrams@live.co.uk said...

Hello Moni,
How wonderful to read this meme. It sounds engaging and I feel I know you as a writer, so much better now.
I'll definitely do this for you sometime in the week.
with love

Unknown said...

Pretty good Moni. I wish you had written more about your writing process, your publications and how you deal with publishing successes and failures.

Anonymous said...

Moni,

I'm late as always :)

Just wrote a piece on the Writer's Strike in Hollywood on my blog.

Being a writer myself it might seem harsh but I thought you might find it interesting.

Strenghts and weakness - well, my stength can also be considered my weakness as I tend to provocate and end up getting flamed :)

monideepa sahu said...

Deepa, I think you emerge stronger and purer from each ordeal by flaming :-)