Blog (2023)

         He stood there, gazing, just watching the train pass by him again and again, like it was a dream, waving goodbye each time. He put in his effort, and he wasn't the least bit timid; he wasn't giving up. That depiction flawlessly captures his essence. He held onto the conviction that his spirit bore wings, enabling him to soar among the highest stars—the sleepy heavens above.

         In the realm of artistic creation and even in the broader scope of existence, the dichotomy of good versus bad holds no weight. The value of one's creations or accomplishments cannot be measured in such simplistic terms. This holds true whether one is discussing the art of writing or the complexities of life itself. Rules are a necessary component of maintaining order and ensuring that our actions are in line with societal expectations. Adhering to these norms is crucial, as it allows us to stay grounded in certainty and ensures that our behaviour is deemed acceptable by the broader public. It's imperative to always bring your best to whatever you deem worthy of your efforts—I mean nothing short of your absolute best.

         For any aspiring writer looking to make the leap to professional authorship, it is imperative to always strive for excellence in one's craft. Dedication to honing one's writing skills is key to success in the competitive world of publishing. The matter of whether or not something is deemed "acceptable" by industry standards is inconsequential to the discourse at hand. The content producer's primary idea for the piece holds paramount importance, with the subsequent evolution of the concept following closely behind. To join the ranks of the uninspired masses, colloquially known as commoners, one need only adhere to their established norms. If you think you've got what it takes to outshine the rest and make a name for yourself, then just be you.

         Whatever you're peddling will be customised to suit the buyer's needs, whether it's a minor tweak or a major overhaul. It's those who are ponying up the money that hold the cards and ultimately call the shots—a universal principle that cuts across all manner of enterprises. Just because you may have a certain level of notoriety, it doesn't necessarily grant you the authority to dictate the course of your life. Only when you achieve independence can you truly be the master of your own destiny. Yet not every individual reigns supreme in their chosen industry, where their livelihoods depend on their expertise. In other words, their ability to "bring home the bacon" may be compromised.

         Do what's right for you and your craft. And be okay with it if others have to promote or peddle your work in a way that tweaks or overhauls what you've made. It's strictly business, nothing personal. The notion that being a public figure grants you complete control is a fallacy, as far as I can discern. Sorry, but you ain't going to pull that off until you hit the big leagues of godhood, "independence," in either your personal or professional realm.

         The various phases of the writing process necessitate distinct approaches based on the writer's unique needs and the surrounding circumstances. The notion of a journey, rather than a predetermined destiny, resonates deeply with me as a writer. From ideation to presentation, the process can encompass a spectrum of tasks, including brainstorming, drafting, editing, and ultimately delivering the final product. Each and every stage holds immense value in my eyes, and I eagerly anticipate their arrival with each passing day.

         In the ideation phase, one may simply engage in mental reverie or hastily jot down notes on any available surface, be it a humble serviette or a trusty mobile device for voice recording. In my heyday, I was a post-it note aficionado, relishing the opportunity to scrawl my thoughts on those little squares of paper. I gathered them into receptacles for further processing.

         Next, I'd proceed to jot down those fragments of concepts. My drafting process is more akin to a sacred ritual. The drafting stage was a moment of transcendence for me, a preparation for the cross-over to another plane. In my writing arsenal, I have a notebook that's fully equipped with all the essentials and then some: pens, page markers, calendars, and a plethora of other delightful trinkets. But the gem, the most crucial tool in my kit, is undoubtedly my collection of fountain pens—writing instruments that effortlessly translate my thoughts onto paper without any hindrance. For me, it's all about the fountain pens—any kind of fancy will do. The notebook configuration brims with accoutrements that mirror my muse. Not everyone craves such extravagance.

         And so, I find myself at the editing stage, seated before my ever-loyal computer and utilising my favourite software for writing sans distraction. Achieving a state of distraction-free focus is an absolute necessity for transferring one's thoughts seamlessly from the pages of a notebook to the digital realm of a computer. There'll always be some tweaks, but I'll do my darnedest to stay true to the source material without any funny business. The meticulously crafted texts would undergo a thorough editing process to meet my specific needs before being published on the designated platform. In some cases, further refinement may be necessary, particularly in the realm of contemporary technology, media, and blogging. Archiving and mapping my completed work would be the ultimate step.

         The journey of my writing, as previously mentioned in this piece, is a fluid one. If the arduous task of writing doesn't require my immediate attention, I engage in other creative pursuits, such as constructing intricate characters or crafting elaborate fictional universes. However, presently, such endeavours are of lesser priority.

         It took me a considerable amount of time to uncover and refine this particular approach to align with my personal preferences and inclinations. Certain individuals may prefer expeditious and forceful methods, while others may favour a more gradual and relaxed approach. All you've got to do is uncover your own.

         My routine is steeped in ritual, and I relish it, particularly during the exploratory phase—a truly transcendent experience. The initial stride marks the commencement of an infinite journey; we might as well relish each stride en route to an interminable existence of solitary writing.

         I need not put pen to paper to make my voice heard. A "voice" is the very essence of my being, and from a tender age, I've been blessed with a "rebellious" one. I can still vividly remember my father's words, "You ought to have pursued a career in law!" He was always one to express his opinions with fervour. I remain a rebel in all my pursuits, even to this day.

         I beg to differ on the notion that "voice" dominates supreme as the paramount element of a "story" or any written work, but in the case of composing a blog post intended for public consumption, I concur. In order to make a living as a writer, one must possess the ability to adapt to the unique "voices" of others when composing works such as memoirs or biographies. As the adage goes, "Each individual possesses a narrative to recount about their own life." Should you fail to discover your true self, expressing your thoughts and opinions to others may prove to be a daunting task.

         There appears to be no definitive guidance on the development and preservation of a narrator's or character's voice, as each writer has their own unique approach. The concept of "narration" is essentially a matter of "point of view", taking on the guise of "first-person", "second-person," or "third-person" in order to convey the voice of your "character" in either a work of fiction or non-fiction. It is important to distinguish this from the "writer's" voice. In this composition, the author employs a first-person narrative to convey his personal knowledge and opinions, a second-person perspective to address the reader, and a third-person point of view for general information. One has the ability to fabricate any vocal persona for any fictional individual. Not every writer would infuse their authentic "voice" into their "fiction," but there exist a few who do so, owing to their unwavering "convictions" and the principles they "embrace" in their existence. If one lacks a clear sense of personal values and beliefs, then indeed, there may be little substance to articulate or advocate for. The phrase that springs to mind evokes the famous quote from the film Sucker Punch: "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything."

         Pornography is a realm of fantasy, where the characters' voices are crafted to suit the writer's whims and fancies. Not every performer in the adult entertainment industry conforms to the roles they portray on screen. Such a presumption would be tantamount to perpetuating stereotypes. In reality, these individuals may very well be just as unremarkable as the average person, going about their daily business like the rest of us.

         The use of the term "voice" in lieu of "active" or "passive" strikes me as a suboptimal selection of nomenclature, as I perceive it to be a writing technique. In my writing, I tend to favour the term "style" over "voice" when referring to the active or passive style that characterises my written expression.

         Opting for an engaging presentation or prioritising the representation over the object are both stylistic decisions that a writer may make. For numerous individuals, the "active" style is their preferred option, yet I do not deem it to be the case for myself. Each plays a distinct role in conveying the author's intended meaning to the reader. The active style is predominantly favoured in the realm of advertising and marketing copywriting, as it imparts a sense of immediacy and demands a response. As previously noted under the classification of "style," there exist a plethora of other "styles" that can captivate the reader's attention, including but not limited to demonstrating rather than stating, employing evocative language, and even fashioning striking visualisations.

         The conventional preaching within the writing community regarding the necessity of utilising "active" over "passive" is, in my humble opinion, an imprecise prescription for proper stylistic usage in writing. To be frank, I am among those writers who opt for a passive style to achieve a reflective writing voice whenever feasible. It tends to be less conformist for readers when written voice exudes a pensive and introspective quality, delving into the notion of voice from various perspectives and linking it to individual convictions and encounters. The style can be characterised as relaxed and colloquial.

         The responsibility falls upon the writer to articulate their unique voice, selecting from a range of narrative techniques and stylistic approaches that best align with their intended presentation.