Who is a writer or an author?

The history of reading dates back to the invention of writing during the 4th millennium BC ( Source: Wikipedia ). Since then both have evolved in terms of style, substance and accessibility. These twin, essential elements of literary landscape have metamorphosed into interesting strands of varying genres, sub-genres and reading platforms, and till this day continue to educate, inspire, encourage, entertain and force us to introspect once in a while.

Above all, reading and thereby books make best friends.

However, a reader has this stereotype image of a writer; typically an individual, who sits in a plush chair with a coffee cup resting peacefully on the table, gadgets and stationery strewn across, as the master word weaver creates stunning tapestry of a fictional world. The fact is this sort of representation is misleading. To begin with, not all writers are bestowed with such liberties and luxuries as most of them have regular jobs, and face the same financial, social and medical traumas like ordinary folks. Admitted, writers are better off today, but the fact remains that struggle has always been their secret lover, especially those from the bygone era.

So what was so special about writers from the past?

Well, these writers wrote in suffocating rooms where temperatures soared and dipped to atrocious levels, in parks, amidst lovers, joyful cries and if they were lucky … on a secluded bench, libraries and even taxi in case that writer happened to be a travelling salesman or a saleswoman. In spite of adverse conditions, dismaying habitats, broken relationships and uncertain economic conditions these writers penned down memorable fictional and non-fictional scripts. While reading room of several museums have seen the likes of George Eliot and G.B Shaw, others have scribbled their highly acclaimed works in a busy café or a cemetery.

Hemingway once said, “There is nothing to writing. You just sit at a typewriter and bleed.”

Writers back then did bleed; sometimes at home and sometimes in a prison cell. Henry David Thoreau ( Although he spent just a day ) and Oscar Wilde ( Spent almost two years ) are just a couple of examples.

Irrespective of the environment, character or mental state a writer always strives to offer an interesting read, sometimes with a purpose and at times to convey his/her thoughts. And that is what matters! So, go out and indulge in one of your favourite author’s book. You will realise the amount of sweat, sacrifice and creativity that went into it only after reading the same.