"Writer's block is a luxury that authors can not afford."
I started writing very short posts and short stories on internet based writing platforms. The enjoyment that writing brought and the encouragement on those platforms came together and I started writing more frequently. I participated in many short story contests, and after winning some of them, I began working on my book.
Q. Have you been writing for long or it suddenly surfaced recently?
While I am definitely not a reluctant writer, I am a fairly recent writer!! I started writing just around 5 years ago, in 2019. Then the pandemic induced isolation brought me closer to writing, and since then, I have written two books, with more coming soon!
Q. What does writing mean to you?
Writing, for me, is a journey inwards, an opportunity to connect with myself. At the same time, it is also a way of connecting with the world outside through my words.
Q. Did you face any challenges while writing your stories? How did you attempt to solve it?
Writing is a difficult task, and I don't think anyone sailed through the process easily. For me, the biggest challenge was finding time. For this, I developed my own writing routine by finding time in the early mornings to write. Being consistent was the key to my writing output-if you write regularly, even if it's a little, it will all add up. The other challenge was the loneliness of the writer-writing is, of course, a solitary process, but having writer friends or a community is a huge help in keeping self doubt at bay.
Q. It is said 'Finishing a manuscript is simply the beginning.' Did you face any hassles in the publishing process? How did you curb them?
It is true that publishing is an entirely different game. Most of the writers are outsiders to the world of publishing; I certainly was! The publishing industry has its own ways of working, and understanding them can be more difficult than writing a book. I tried to understand how the industry works, how the cogs turn and the wheels move. Authors need to understand that writing the book is just one step of their literary journey. We must understand the various parts of the industry-what publishers do, types of publishing, what is the role of the literary agent, how book marketing works, etc. There is a lot of information out there on the internet about all this-but we must try and see that we use reliable , verified information. Reaching out to fellow authors, writing communities and writing groups also helped me a lot.
Q. Are you a full time writer? If not, how do you juggle between work and writing?
As I mentioned earlier, consistency is the key. Even little increments of time given to writing add up. i also use weekends , especially the mornings to get most of my writing done
Q. Do you have a writing technique or a ritual which you swear by?
My main ritual is to be consistent. Another thing that works for me is to use pen and paper for outlining or plotting my manuscript. I love using coloured paper as well as coloured pens, and enjoy writing out and drawing the plots, characters and timelines!
Q. How do you fight the evils of a writer's block?
Writer's block is a luxury that authors can not afford, given how difficult it is to find time to write! Yet, there are times that all of us feel stuck and frustrated because we are not able to achieve our writing goals. I think that in such situations, taking a short break helps. I usually take a long walk or do some other gadget free activity. Even in those phases, I try to keep to my writing routine, show up at my desk, and eventually the words find their way.
BIO :
Dr. Shalini Mullick is a practicing doctor and writer. She has authored two books and contributed short stories to three anthologies. Her debut book, Stars from the Borderless Sea, explores the universal theme of love and was longlisted for the AutHer Awards (Debut category). Her latest book, The Way Home, delves into themes of self-discovery and the bonds of friendship.
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