Skip to main content

Life is like a meatloaf....

You know what often happens to me when I sit down to write....I think to myself, "It's been written before...so many brilliant writers have done it before me...why should I start writing on this story that's driving me crazy unless I let it out on paper?"

And then there is a delightful quote by Elizabeth Berg, who says, "As for the notion that everything has been said, maybe it has, but life is like a meatloaf, there are so many different ways to present it. What's unique about you is what makes your writing interesting and what makes it shine." 

Hmmm, I like that quote. 






Your turn: What do you think makes your writing shine?  Or can you share writers whose writing makes you go 'Hmmm, I've got to read this again!"
Labels:

Comments

KParthasarathi said…
Most of the things are not original.
Someone had said it earlier, may be differently.Still ideas are the same.
But the originality lies in the unique and beautiful way it is expressed.This is something akin to a meal prepared with same menu but a few invest their magical touch.
I read daily posts of many bloggers who write excellently,humorously and intelligently making me sigh at my own inadequacy.
February 19, 2015 at 8:30 AM
Shilpa Garg said…
I liked that quote a lot! Agree with Mr KP's comment above. It's like we all have the same ingredients to cook a dish but everybody's taste, presentation, style of cooking is different! Some may make it bland and some absolutely mouth-watering! So go on and share your meatloaf! :)
February 21, 2015 at 1:51 AM
Shreya at Jumbodium said…
Yes the facts that u have mentioned are true but already been told to u that who so ever has written that particular thing that s not what u gonna do so u carry n with ur own...
February 24, 2015 at 4:18 PM
Vishnu said…
Hi Swapna, yes, it's all been said before but I think the way we say it makes a difference. Our perspective, our lives and our words make our writing stand out. For example, the concepts of presence and present moment living has been in nearly every religious and spiritual traditions for ages. But then comes a book like Power of Now and succintly breaks down ancient wisdom to practical everyday understanding and steps.

I read the writing of others who helps inspire my own writing. The better read we are, the better we write!
March 5, 2015 at 7:20 AM
Post a Comment

Most LOVED Posts

The Ugly Truth about Caste in Kerala

Many years ago, when I wrote this post on Kerala's caste system, I had not considered that people would start sending in abusive comments about one caste over the other. It baffles me that this is how Indians, all of us, continue to judge each other on account of caste differences.  [ READ: Guru Kripa: Powerful Lessons at the Lotus Feet ] My question is - why do you ABUSE any caste or community? I suggest that you read about the lives of great Masters and their stories - none of them judged anyone on the basis of caste.  You can read the life stories of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagawadpada, Tulsidas, Jnaneshwar, Namadev, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Shirdi Sai Baba, and many more Gurus in Sanathana Dharma. NONE of them endorse these caste hierarchies in Bhakti Marga. Assuming that Guru Sampradaya does not appeal to your sensibilities, do read this  new book 'Ants among Elephants' written by Sujatha Gidla, who writes about herself as being bor...
181 comments
Read more

Saree Woes 2

Our earlier discussion on Saree Woes really perked up my spirits. A big thanks to all of you for pepping me up. Okay, here's the good news. There was an unexpected late night party that I had to attend in Gurgaon. To be honest, I haven't had the time or energy to attend any such parties after Adi was born. I was sure I wouldn't have the confidence to make conversation with the glitterati, let alone feel confident to carry off wearing a saree. This is one of those parties where you have to be dressed very formally. Well, at the end of a working woman's day, you hardly feel ready to attend one of these parties looking like a moron, right? So, with very little preparation and very few hours left, I called on all the gods in Heaven to help me look a little younger and prettier since I don't have the magic to look young all on my own. Although I was tempted to wear one of my awesome Kancheevaram treasures, I knew it would be very difficult to drape it without any h...
33 comments
Read more

Best time to light diya

Want to know when is the best time to light diya or deepam at home? In most Hindu homes, 'deepam' or 'diya' is lit at least twice - once in the morning and then in the evening. For both times, brass is considered to be auspicious for lighting deepam or lamp at home. Clay diyas are also considered auspicious for lighting at home. When lighting diyas on Fridays, it is better to use ghee than oil, if possible. [ Connect with Svara on Facebook ] [Read: Vidyarambham - The Labyrinth Within] When Should I Start Lighting Diyas? The symbolic shift begins from darkess to light. Therefore, in the evenings, light diya before sunset to usher in divine blessings into your home. At what time should we light diya today? Every morning at sunrise and every evening before or at sunset. An ideal time would be to light the diya at least half an hour before sunset. Can we light diya after 12 PM? In Hindu homes, the diya is lit early morning at around sunrise and towards evening sunset. Can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

5 Things That Make me Cry

 1. Memories (some hurt, some soothe and some teach in a way it can never be replicated) 2. Demise of a specially loved one. [Read: Old Souls, Going Back Home] 3. Being away from my parents. 4. A truly bliss filled moment. 5. Listening to my favorite songs by my dearest Dasettan. (Dr. K.J Yeshudas). [READ: Remembering Ammumma and Watch Padmarajan's Films ] I've shared mine. Tell me yours .
20 comments
Read more

Thank You for the Kreativ Award

Lord, thank you for your love and grace in every moment of my life and for finding me worthy of this award.  A big thanks to Nivedita for this Award. I don't know if I deserve it but you make me feel that I do. You, the reader, helped me improve through every post. Your feedback and suggestions motivated me to write in the only manner that I know: from the heart. Thank you all for the love and patience. A big thanks to all my Twitter friends who have placed their trust in me and humbled me with their overwhelming support, friendship and acts of kindness. As the rules for accepting this blog award make it necessary for me to share 7 facts about myself, here we go: 1. Kochi is my favorite city. It's in my soul 24X7. 2. I dislike certain traits in people such as dishonesty/corruption, boasting, constantly finding fault or being judgmental about others to camouflage their own faults, leading purposeless but extravagant lifestyles and taking advantage of friendships for wrong...
21 comments
Read more