Hello Dear Readers,
I made considerable progress on the second draft of my novel, and I am happy with it, if not entirely satisfied. Is there a difference?
Yes, there is. I am happy with how the draft looks in the first round of editing. It required much less work than I expected. In short, it seems good for a second draft. However, I am not satisfied, meaning it needs many more rounds of editing.
This is my reality now as a writer: the act of writing, rewriting, improving my sentences, finding the right words, and conveying my thoughts. My life outside of writing is also as real as it can be. My family, health, income, expenses, day-to-day errands, interests, and friends all come together in this tapestry of life. Without them, it would be difficult for me to say that I am living.
However, what I choose to define as my reality is my writing. The act of writing and whatever I do to bring it to fruition forms the bubble in which I swim the tide of life.
Since I began writing, I have tried to slow down, observe, notice things around me, reflect upon my thoughts, read more mindfully, and learn from the greats and everyone around. I have also built healthier habits for a strong body to enable an active mind. I do some of these things consistently because that’s how I define my life.
Sometimes, I am so focused on my version of reality that I do not take things that fall outside of this seriously. For instance, what do I think about the people trying to solve this world’s myriad problems? I appreciate them, but I do not care beyond the applause.
A few years ago, I wouldn’t have taken writing and the world of writers seriously because my reality then was centred around my consulting career ambitions. Nothing outside of that self-created bubble affected me much.
Now, I am in a different bubble. Our version of reality can change over the years, so it may turn out to be an illusion.
Still, at any given moment, we are trying to define our reality and rearrange our priorities to align with it. In a way, we create these bubbles to insulate ourselves from all that could affect us. We separate ourselves from the pain and misery of this world with our self-importance. My goals are important to me. They are as real as the breath I take but might not make any sense to someone else.
In other words, we are living in our own version of the world. A more straight-talking person might say that all of us are delusional.
We all inhabit the same world, yet each of us has a unique map to navigate it. We have our own way of finding happiness and kicking out what hurts.
One person’s happiness could be another’s nightmare. One person’s serious ambition could be another’s hobby.
It’s all smooth as long as we understand each other’s uniqueness and respect it. The friction occurs when we take our reality too seriously and demean other’s versions as mere fantasies.
Have you ever thought about it? What is your version of reality? What makes you rearrange everything to achieve that singular goal in life?
Take it Easy, Folks
I suppose this week’s newsletter was somewhat heavy. Do not fret. I have a simple short story to appreciate the books in our lives. I hope you enjoy this one.
Keep reading and stay happy.
Sudeepa