When I sit down to write about a certain idea, sometimes nothing comes up in my mind. No ‘light bulb’ moment for me yet. When I want to write something say for Project ‘Me to Be’ I look for ideas and inspiration. But sometimes, it wouldn’t strike a chord with me. I keep discarding the ideas. I wonder how do people come with such simple yet brilliant ideas. How do they get inspired and it becomes so easy for people to say ‘rest is history’. While the thought was frustrating me, I happen to read an article in one of my favourite magazines. The title read,‘The big idea: best selling authors reveal the secrets of their bestselling books’. It covered authors such as JK Rowling, Khaled Hosseini, Stephenie Meyer, Audrey Niffenegger, JRR Tolkien, George Orwell and many more. JRR Tolkein was marking exam papers and one page of a particular paper was left blank. There was nothing to read and mark. So Tolkien scribbled on it as, “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” How easy?!! George Orwell was inspired to write one of the illustrious works of 20th century literature after watching a little boy whip a horse. “It struck me that if only such animals became aware of their strengths we should have no power over them, and that men exploit animals in much the same way as the rich exploit the [workers].” Sheer brilliance!
Why am I quoting these authors? How is it linked to my readers or me? Please carry on reading to find that connection. I wanted to write something interesting as a prelude for project ‘Me to Be’. I don’t have much patience in terms of doing a creative piece of work. I want to see the results quick. So writing a novel or carving an elaborate painting of a monument with lots of detailing is not my cup of tea. Something simple and easily comprehendible is my comfortable place. With that thought in my mind, I have set out with the project ‘Me to Be’. I am thankful to the people who have responded to my project and wrote to me with their ‘big idea’ and their epic steps. I think that’s the connection. The moment of inspiration for the ‘big idea’!
Sometimes we plan so much that we are tired when it comes to its execution. I want to break that barrier and inspire others that one little step and you are there. As I mentioned before that while you are in your maternity leave, you love the period seeing your baby grow up and when you feel ready to go and work, you find that it’s a whole new world. It’s particularly true when you take a long break. So through this space, I want to give hope to the people who are looking for that push to turn their scribbling notes into a book or their meaningless, random movement of their hand into a painting. Please keep watching for this space – project ‘Me to Be’ for Ikuko Ogawa aka Iku.
Much Love
Suranjita
Inspiring stuff. Kudos! Keep going
Thank you Achu!