9 Years Of Persistently Hammering At My Dream, I Am Now A Published Author!
Bojra - April 2023 Is Out Now!
9 years ago, in this same month, I got gifted with the dream of becoming a writer.
I had just finished reading Agatha Christie's Curtain when I had my light bulb moment. All I wanted was to recreate and share the same feelings that Agatha Christie made me feel through her books.
I have spent these 9 years crying and struggling as a human being and as a writer.
After removing all the labels, images and expectations, I had to unlearn all that I knew to be true and figure out who I really was. I saw my family of 8 reduce to 4. My hopes and expectations for life were incinerated right before my eyes. I had to be abandoned by who I thought were my friends. I was forced to connect to myself, my spirit, and some Higher Power out there. I got reunited with my abandoned inner child. I had to see people around me break and lose hope, which made me hang on to whatever little hope I had. I tried a million different ways of getting my writing career take off, only to fail and fall. I had to let go of what I thought life as a human and as a writer was and discover what it specifically meant for me.
Hundreds of times throughout these 9 years, I had the chance to give up on my dream of becoming a writer.
I saw my classmates making money, travelling, and posting pictures with their significant other. I felt guilty for not financially contributing to my family, even though they have never asked me to. Sometimes I agreed with Cypher's decision to betray Morpheus and Neo and return to the Matrix. Life in the Matrix is easier, familiar, comfortable, predictable. There's nothing easier, familiar, comfortable, predictable about being a writer. Being a writer in this world is, truly, a pain in the you-know-where.
But do you know what felt more painful? Not being a writer.
I can't imagine my life without books - be it reading someone else's or writing my own. Books and their authors have saved my life.
Agatha Christie saved my life, giving it meaning, purpose, and mission. 9 years ago could have been my last year on Earth if it wasn't for this dream. I can't see myself doing anything else but being a writer.
So I walked alone, clutching to my dream of becoming a writer close to my heart.
And now, after 9 years of crying, losing my identity, rebuilding it from scratch, losing loved ones, sacrificing having friends or even a romantic partner, and sacrificing the safe path of society, I am publishing my first book.
Bojra - April 2023 is an ebook collection of essays I have published over the four months in the first quartet of 2023, plus a few exclusive essays and short stories.
The ebook is divided into four parts, namely -
Writing and Creative Life
Personal Essays
Dear Writer Letters
Short Stories
Here's what we have in Bojra - April 2023 (Vol 1. Issue 1.) -
In Writing and Creative Life, we have the complete Soul Writer-Social Writer series (one of my most engaged essays), writing lessons I learnt in 2022, and further diving into what it means to be a writer and to be writing.
In Personal Essays, I am recapping my 2022 - books, quotes, lessons, movies and shows. I am also sharing lessons I have learnt so far in my life - an annual birthday special I write to remind myself that I am human and ever-evolving. And some other musings that have been roaming around in my head and heart, and now in print as well.
In Dear Writer Letters, we have personal letters of motivation and inspiration for my fellow writers. This is Substack-exclusive content that I offer only as a paid newsletter. But here, you'll have complete access to it.
Writing can be a lonely job, and the lack of support can snuff out the dream of becoming a writer even before it gets a chance to breathe. With my Dear Writer Letters, I hope to provide that support. I hope to help lost, confused, frustrated writers connect with their writer soul and enjoy every writing session.
I hope to keep that writing dream alive in you.
Think of me as your writing counsellor and confidante.
In Short Stories, I am sharing two of my favourite short stories I have ever written. One has a suspenseful air, while the other is an ode to my grandfather but with a twist. They are available nowhere else, so you're in luck today.
Bojra - April 2023 is available in epub format through my Gumroad page.
I have waited 9 years for this moment. I have waited 9 years to officially call myself a writer and an author. I thought I would be zooming like a happy puppy when this moment came. But instead, I have my head bowed, and I am crying tears of relief and gratitude. This moment feels surreal.
And I have to thank you, my readers. If you hadn't supported and encouraged my work here, I wouldn't have had the courage to take this step. Thank you!🙏
You can follow this link to get yourself a copy of Bojra — April 2023.
9 years, and I am finally living my dream.
