What to Write?

I started writing a year ago. Haven’t written anything in the past 15–20 days. Maybe it feels like I’m done now, because a book got published and I’m still basking in that happiness.

Then I thought, no, I should write whatever I’m feeling.

How does the act of writing begin? How did it start for me?
Do you need to be very thoughtful to write, or do you need to read a lot? To express your own experiences in the style of the authors you’ve read, and to create your unique style.

If you look at it, we’ve had many famous writers and poets who had no kind of experience, nor any literary background, and yet what they wrote has been acknowledged by the entire world. Some were such that they couldn’t even read or write.

Since childhood, we’ve been listening to folk songs, lullabies, ballads, and many other things. Sometimes I feel that these ideas were written first, or did someone just think of them, and then they became common, and someone eventually put them into words so they wouldn’t disappear?

I know I’m digressing here, but what can I do? I have to write something, and I don’t know what to write.

I don’t know why I wrote this here, but I’ve decided that I have to write something today.

“Since nothing comes to mind, I should write something” Could that itself be a topic?

There’s no consistency, just want to let loose, like it’s said in that song,

“Just as fragrance travels with the wind,

no maps, no guesses.”

That’s nice, which means there are no limitations.

Writing should have a structure, a beginning, middle, and end. Writing should be gripping, attractive, pleasing, etc.

But what I’m writing today is free verse. But will anyone like my free verse? And why should they?

A question is arising in my mind, “So you’re doing all this so that someone likes it?” My heart says no, but the brain — the brain is very practical. It questioned, if not for others’ liking, then for what? Whatever we write, the real joy is when someone reads it and likes it. Then why always “hide the pot while going to fetch buttermilk”?

I want to say, this time the brain is right.

Throughout the day, many ideas come, while falling asleep, while shaving, while eating, while talking and laughing with someone, while walking on the road, when I’m angry at someone, after a fight, sometimes ideas come with every breath.

Feels like, if I sit down to write now, a good piece will come out. For some reason, that’s not possible, and when I do get time, that enthusiasm is gone.

Sometimes I plan to continue with that idea, but when I sit down to write, it feels exactly like when all the questions in an exam are difficult.

These great writers and poets, how do they get their ideas? Is it that their experience of life itself is so rich that they don’t need to think too much? Just give them some time and a pen and paper, and they’re ready to pour out their thoughts.

In school, there was a chapter called “Black Hair.” I don’t remember much, but despite being old, the author’s hair was black. More than his writing, he was questioned about his hair. The author gives some answers, and then someone starts asking, “When do you find time to write and think?” At the end of the chapter, he says, while shaving.

Anyway, let it go, should I stop here? Is this the perfect end to this free verse?

Or am I tired of rambling now? I’m starting to realise I don’t have the strength to keep writing continuously, or to write something meaningful.

Should I accept defeat, or keep scribbling and move ahead?

I’ll stop here now, can’t go on.

And yes, this kind of piece will be the first and last, because how many times will someone enjoy reading free verse?

The brain is right, after all.