tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post3542244696442192055..comments2023-09-29T04:39:37.512-07:00Comments on manojalpa....(mind talk): O Chetan!...Letter of despair, outrage...and envy!Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-77014134558322004602012-08-01T00:13:46.151-07:002012-08-01T00:13:46.151-07:00@shepherd of thoughts: Thank you for visiting and ...@shepherd of thoughts: Thank you for visiting and posting your positive comments...praise is like 'manna' to every writer..:)<br /><br />Yes, responding to readers' comments was tricky as I tried to understand their POV, and 'respond' rather than 'react'....after a couple of them, I actually started enjoying reading the comments and writing my responses almost as much as I did writing the article..:)<br /><br />Thank you for calling me a 'kick-ass writer'...no one has ever called me that before, and its an honour!!....agree with you about people getting personally offended unnecessarily , as many of them wouldn't have gone through it entirely.<br /><br />I guess its also to do with a majority of CB's critics being very rude and nasty to him for his writing skills. Readers automatically thought I too would have been nasty towards him....In fact I feel I got off lightly as their comments were controlled because of CB's twitter status that said he 'kinda liked it' (yet he too couldn't decide how to label me and ended up calling me a critic! Obviously satire is not a popular form of humour anymore!!)<br /><br />At the end of the day, I feel communication is not just about what messages one sends out, but what of those are recd and understood, so if a majority do not understand this brand of humour, then I guess its either time for change (me) or time to educate (the readers)!!....Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-46605561856325454772012-07-28T12:28:34.404-07:002012-07-28T12:28:34.404-07:00wow!! mesmerizing....read them all...I had my laug...wow!! mesmerizing....read them all...I had my laughter fits :D *chuckle* in between the comments and the clever, patient, well explained replies :):).... Whether you write a book or not, you are a total kick-ass writer for me :)...loved every bit of humor you infused in your writing!!...If people don't take your article personally (I wonder why should they!!....perhaps only if they do not understand it; *sigh! The dilemma of writers* ), they'll surely have a good time reading it.... My question to the personally-offended: Isn't it important to be a good reader before being a good writer?? If not, I rest my caseShepherd of Thoughtshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02101411861666694333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-33554986081460330322012-05-14T08:42:37.331-07:002012-05-14T08:42:37.331-07:00@AnkitGupta: Thanks Ankit, for the compliment abou...@AnkitGupta: Thanks Ankit, for the compliment about the post, and also for taking the trouble of going through the comments...:)<br /><br />I'm glad you liked my response to Abraham....I thought he meant well, and shared his opinion in a nice observant kind of way, to be taken as feedback rather than as criticism..:)<br /><br />"Not many people will understand the core of your letter..."<br /><br />Yes, I agree Ankit, many people will miss the subtle humour and pretend envy..:), but its all right. There are still many, like you, who will get what I'm talking about..:) <br /><br />I think that writers like us can help in exposing people to different styles of writing that they are unaware of, gently, minus the snooty attitude. <br /><br />English no longer belongs to the British (and hasn't for quite some time now). Of course, they are getting their revenge by declaring 'Chicken Tikka Masala' as their national dish!!<br /><br />Jokes apart, India is land of simple stories told with drama, colour and loads of emotions, e.g. Panchtantras, Jataka Tales,Mahabharat and Ramayan. So maybe CB has got it right after all, and we as writers need to simplify, instead of lamenting the lack of 'Higher Order English Thought'!! (that's not what you have said here, but the thought just occurred to me, so I thought I'dd add it..:))<br /><br />Its really nice of you to encourage me to write on 'critical social issues', as I have an opinion on almost everything I see or read or hear! I promise that I will write something soon...:) <br /><br />I'm anything but famous (but thanks anyway for calling me that, as for a moment, it felt nice...:)), as it was CB's tweet that brought me the visits, but a writer always hopes that someone would read him/her (otherwise our good old secret diary suffices!), and if you say that people will read me, I'm motivated and I believe you....thanks once again and cheers!Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-35903060125432074052012-05-14T01:11:02.344-07:002012-05-14T01:11:02.344-07:00Smita,
It is a very good article that you wrote.....Smita,<br /><br />It is a very good article that you wrote.....and loved your reply to Mr Abraham. Not many people will understand the core of your letter....<br />Post some effective articles on critical social issues...etc coz now your are famous.....and people will read you...<br /><br />Rgds.Ankit Guptahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11262773155296999320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-82201015448955232322012-05-11T08:13:12.430-07:002012-05-11T08:13:12.430-07:00@jigar: Thanks jigar, for visiting and reading the...@jigar: Thanks jigar, for visiting and reading the post completely(once again a big thanks to CB)!<br /><br />Sorry about the late reply, as, for some reason, your post was sitting as spam...technology, I tell you!!<br /><br />Like I replied to Nikhil in the previous comment, he may just be single-handedly responsible for raising the English-novel reading habits of Indians!<br /><br />If I were to indulge in my two-bit arm chair psychoanalysis, he would be a simple uncomplicated, fun loving guy, competitive without being underhand....wonder how far I'm true!Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-71692021965202692392012-05-11T07:29:12.232-07:002012-05-11T07:29:12.232-07:00@varun twivedi: Thanks varun for visiting (another...@varun twivedi: Thanks varun for visiting (another thanks to CB!)and taking the time to read both the post as well as the comments & replies.<br />I'm glad you found them commendable, and thanks for wishing me luck..:)<br /><br />I too agree with peerless and darpan. Thanks to CB, we now have more first time English-novel readers in our country than ever before.<br /><br />There seems to be a strong emotional connect between readers and CB which goes beyond the simple stories that he writes...they feel a sense of achievement after having read even one book of his. <br /><br />No one feels like copying Salman Rushdie or Arundhati Roy...being like them seems unattainable, whereas CB, to his readers, is one of them, who has been through the same experiences as them...they could be one of the characters of his books.....CB indulges his readers rather than indulging himself...:)Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-2602786478668333542012-05-10T09:11:56.247-07:002012-05-10T09:11:56.247-07:00Same as others, directed here from CB's tweet....Same as others, directed here from CB's tweet... Even i am an avid reader...I like Dan Brown,Sidney Sheldon .. but CB as well... He achieved that No other indian writer ever achieved before.. He made 'India' read... literally... His work is appreciable....<br /> I completely agree with @thepeerless and @darpan.. very well said...<br /><br />and read all comments and your reply to each one of them is commendable.... Good Luck.. :)varun trivedihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12326516135869492079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-48622998408880964492012-05-08T11:33:10.749-07:002012-05-08T11:33:10.749-07:00@Darpan: Ha ha, thanks Darpan..:) very well put, a...@Darpan: Ha ha, thanks Darpan..:) very well put, and I am smiling..:)<br /><br />Totally agree with you, in the battle between being talented and being loved, I think its the latter that always wins....<br /><br />....and I do hope that my book, whenever its out, serves some purpose other than simply satisfying my urge to write..!Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-71064096795478316522012-05-08T11:32:43.123-07:002012-05-08T11:32:43.123-07:00@ebyabrahamovic: thanks..:)!Now I simply must writ...@ebyabrahamovic: thanks..:)!Now I simply must write that book...)Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-8145087684991983312012-05-08T11:32:07.810-07:002012-05-08T11:32:07.810-07:00@talking to self: thanks, I'm glad you liked i...@talking to self: thanks, I'm glad you liked it...:)Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-52768495439914881432012-05-08T11:31:37.031-07:002012-05-08T11:31:37.031-07:00Thanks ebyabrahamovic, I'm glad you liked what...Thanks ebyabrahamovic, I'm glad you liked what I wrote..:)<br />Well, I'm not a writer who's ever been published, but I love to write...maybe someday I will become one!Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-27477614508350179942012-05-08T11:30:54.238-07:002012-05-08T11:30:54.238-07:00@abraham: Thanks for your observation, abraham, an...@abraham: Thanks for your observation, abraham, and for that part of the comment where you say "You are much better than this...."<br /><br />I can sense from your comment that you mean the advice sincerely, so that I do not waste my time only observing but pen down something of my own. I'm trying to, and my writing for my blog is my warm up exercise.....:)<br /><br />"...one person's attempt to achive something puts another person at task to criticise him at any instance. Critics should not do for the heck of it."<br />If you notice, I have not criticised CB at all (in fact it is mentioned right on top that I have actually criticised the 'elitist' writer, in a humorous way...but I don't blame you for not understanding it, as my style of writing is different).<br /><br />"...the valuable time u wasted.."<br /><br />In fact, it has been just the opposite! I've had a great time, first composing the article, and then interacting with so many readers like you, and getting to know how you all think! <br /><br />"...rather than clinging on tail of some one else." <br /><br />I don't see it that way at all. I cannot force myself to write for things just because they will become popular. <br /><br />However, once I had written the piece on CB, I felt a desire to share it with him, and he liked it enough(which he mentioned in his tweet, and even thanked me!), to share it with everyone else. End of story. <br /><br />"CB did something, u nothing." <br />While I agree that CB has achieved a lot of fame and money, its only for me to decide whether I have done 'something' or "nothing" (my definition of 'something' and yours may differ).<br /><br />Acc to me, everyone on this earth has done (achieved) something, our parents, grandparents, farmers, labourers, people on the street...:) We all are doing something, making a difference to someone, somewhere.... <br /><br />Life is much more than simply quantifying "achievements", and comparing one person with another...<br /><br />I wanted to write for pleasure, and I did...although I'll take your advice and write something of my own soon.... :)Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-80328796274323540182012-05-08T11:29:44.658-07:002012-05-08T11:29:44.658-07:00@AbhiLaSH RuHeLa: thanks for stopping by...@AbhiLaSH RuHeLa: thanks for stopping by...Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-67722365591735805262012-05-08T11:29:08.465-07:002012-05-08T11:29:08.465-07:00yeah, absolutely right shubham, UNLEARN is the key...yeah, absolutely right shubham, UNLEARN is the key word!! I'm trying, should get it, I think..:)...and thanks for the motivation..:)Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-26837377068875511522012-05-08T11:28:24.376-07:002012-05-08T11:28:24.376-07:00First of all, thanks peerless, for stopping by (an...First of all, thanks peerless, for stopping by (and another thanks to CB for tweeting the link) and for the excellent analysis of the CB phenomena.<br /><br />"....because he has somewhat revolutionized our reading habits. and why only reading habits, he has inspired a plethora of writers who have now just one thing in their minds, as you mentioned in your blog, if he can do it then why can't I.." <br />Completely agree with this part.<br /><br />However, it is the second part (about me) that you may not have got right. I am not a CB hater. <br /><br />Far from it, I am actually a CB admirer. More than his writings, for the very facts that you have stated above.That he has changed the habits of millions. <br /><br />You are right, the aim of communication is to be understood. The 'so-called intellectual brigade" as you have called them (I'm not one of them, my friend!), is not being intelligent and recognising the changed scenario.<br /><br />My post was written in a satirical, humorous, mock (pretend) style, where I was actually mocking not CB, but the teachers of my time (God bless their souls) and pretending to be envious of CB...:)...<br /><br />Teachers of those days taught us what was relevant for those times, when English was read by a few, and people tried to copy western writings and thought.. .They had not foreseen the rise of the language on such a large scale.<br /><br />Then came the online revolution, with English gaining centre stage as the language most commonly used. (Today, even Hindi newspapers and TV channels use English words regularly)<br /><br />This enabled children all over the country, regardless of whether they had been to a public/convent school, to get familiar with the language.<br /><br />And what could they read for light entertainment in their newly learned language? Hardly anything.<br /><br />Then along came CB, with situations and characters from the lives of these youngsters, and written in a simple easy to understand form. Result? Sensation!<br /><br />As for the rest, the so called 'wordy' writers are still trying to impress each other with their skills, and continuing to be envious of CB's readerbase..:)<br /><br />Through my post, I also wanted to tell those teachers (God bless their souls again..!)that it's OK if I didn't like Charles Dickens, or Keats or any of the boring and depressing writers and poets of the time..:)<br /><br />I would love to read your comments and opinions for any of my future writings (if I do!)and far from trolling you(!), I would like to learn the new words and lingo that youngsters are using these days...)cheerio, have a good day!Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-70222363360072159472012-05-08T11:26:57.811-07:002012-05-08T11:26:57.811-07:00@another wannab: thanks for noticing..:) its anoth...@another wannab: thanks for noticing..:) its another form of writing for me, and I am enjoying the exercise as I love discussions of this sort!Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-56995981215128073312012-05-08T11:26:03.988-07:002012-05-08T11:26:03.988-07:00@shubham_martin:"... i've seen many peopl...@shubham_martin:"... i've seen many people who have read his books and hence started loving reading english literature and in doing so have developed their vocab and reading skills (and r still doing)..."<br /><br />shubham, I completely agree with you. Writing and reading in English were considered elitist(upper class) activities even until the eighties. CB brought the language to the masses, and in a simple manner that they could relate to and enjoy. <br /><br />While other writers in English were looking at gaining appreciation from the Western English speaking countries, he did not look for approval at all, just trusted his instincts, and went ahead...:)<br /><br />In fact, the critics are not his audience at all, so why they attack him is a mystery to me. <br /><br />Instead, they should be attacking all those writers of porn and other questionable stuff, which is actually harmful for readers!Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-5219604932231862102012-05-08T09:38:20.007-07:002012-05-08T09:38:20.007-07:00@Naveen: "People read his books because his f...@Naveen: "People read his books because his fictions are mostly related to their fantacies."<br />Naveen, most of us look for entertainment that takes us away from our sometimes harsh realities. TV and movies also provide escapist fare. Sometimes writers like to depict things as they ideally should be rather than as they are...its their choice entirely...:)<br />"To be honest i thought of writing some books, getting inspired by CB..."<br />Naveen, it seems like a very good idea, give it a try, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain...all the best...:)<br />went through your blog http://collegefests.blogspot.in/, it seems like a good place for college students to get useful infoSmitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-24771567945239337402012-05-08T09:37:29.654-07:002012-05-08T09:37:29.654-07:00@CA Vimal: First of all, thanks for your honest op...@CA Vimal: First of all, thanks for your honest opinion, and there has been no Mea Culpa..:)!!<br />You think my post is<br />a "Publicity Stunt" and my "much awaited desire to show" my "VOCAB skills"....:)<br />To answer your first Q: All those of us who write, comment, speak have a desire to be heard, and I'm no different.<br />I'll be honest...I did feel the desire for CB to take note since he was the subject of my piece, but I had no way of knowing that he would, he could have ignored it too...and certainly CB has helped bring in tremendous traffic on my blog<br />...however, I don't fit in the category of people who'll do anything to be heard....you won't find me in the numerous chat rooms and blogs so that people recognise me, and visit my blog...in fact I am notorious for not being a regular blogger, as I will only write when I feel a strong urge, have the time to write and respond (my last post was in 2010)...what ever I have written is what I believe in, which will never change, whether its my style( you'll notice the same way of writing in my other posts as well)or my beliefs.<br />To answer your second Q: I am actually admitting through my piece that knowing lots of words (vocab) is not necessary to be able to write...one has to connect with one's readers, and put them above the critics....if it has not come out clearly to all, that shows how much more I have to unlearn, IF I want to write for the majority, that is...:)Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-6554003554312588642012-05-08T09:36:52.102-07:002012-05-08T09:36:52.102-07:00@megh: "Smita...do you seriously want to writ...@megh: "Smita...do you seriously want to write like CB?" <br />No, megh, I do not, as my style reflects my thinking, and I will be neither here nor there if I abandon it for any one else's style. <br />You have accurately analysed and shared the main points which govern CB's style and his positioning to ensure mass selling.<br />You know, all writers (incl me) dream of being read widely, whether they admit it or not....and more than outselling him, it is the fact that his fans feel so passionately for him that has intrigued me....maybe even he doesn't realise how empowered he's made them feel...but thanks for your advice...I doubt if I will write a typical bollywood potboiler, but I do dream of writing a funny story......:)Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-48947904619456649932012-05-08T09:36:15.283-07:002012-05-08T09:36:15.283-07:00@sriharsha: "..is writing a liable entity to ...@sriharsha: "..is writing a liable entity to only highly qualified and to the ones who r peculiarly strong at their vocab grounds?"<br />The answer to your question is "No! It is not". If one is able to, like you said, express one's views 'sensibly' and 'lucidly', the job is done <br />If something can be said simply, there is no reason to use complicate words for it. In fact, that is what I have made fun of in my post in a sarcastic way..:)<br />Ultimately, if a writer makes you 'feel' good, go ahead and read him/her..:)Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-47393615535411895982012-05-08T09:35:31.645-07:002012-05-08T09:35:31.645-07:00@Aseem: "But the problem is today's conte...@Aseem: "But the problem is today's contemporary Indian writers are generating crap in the name of getting inspired from him. It's all becoming a game of who can sell the most!"<br />I can understand your sense of despair at anybody and everybody rushing to copy CB's commercial success, and sacrificing things you mentioned, like concepts and narratives. That is generally the fate of every good idea, which gets copied cos the majority of the population is not that creative. <br />But if you look above this fact, the reader is the real beneficiary. Sooner rather than later, he/she will develop the skills to reject and accept, and this process will get accelerated only if there is a flood of writing....give the process time (it may take a generation or two), this is only the first step...:)<br />Lastly, it is a matter of personal choice whether one writes for pleasure, money , or both!Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-44760221409832077442012-05-08T09:34:45.989-07:002012-05-08T09:34:45.989-07:00@urbanchai: Thanks urbanchai, you are warmly welco...@urbanchai: Thanks urbanchai, you are warmly welcomed..browsed through your post, and loved your take on motherhood (btw, congrats on the new--now several months old--addition to the family..:))!Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-43936780065701372342012-05-08T09:34:11.040-07:002012-05-08T09:34:11.040-07:00Thanks PP, I agree, he could very well market hims...Thanks PP, I agree, he could very well market himself as a "travel' writer now, considering one can actually finish his book on a short travel!...although if you look at the numbers reading him, he's anything but niche...he's picked out an audience(which numbers millions) that was until now completely neglected, and made them feel empowered and enabled, one who's never been exposed to Wren and Martin, and that doesn't judge his writing! He's looked over the critics' heads and gone direct!!Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714108138689018187.post-70266096326427374892012-05-08T09:32:07.413-07:002012-05-08T09:32:07.413-07:00@Prira Sreeram: Thanks for stopping by Priya, am g...@Prira Sreeram: Thanks for stopping by Priya, am glad you liked it, and am totally in sync with your comment, "it is to his credit that even a grocer's son who so far has never looked beyond the labels has begun reading"...these are first generation readers, and they will tell their kids about the legend CB!!That is mass appeal that cannot be ignored!<br />...loved the pun 'best-seller'!! Ultimately, I feel, it all boils down to what a reader wants from the book he/she reads. Most of them want a good time pass, which CB provides...Both PG Wodehouse and CB's works can be enjoyed separately without the need of comparing them...:)Smitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17795004338624699935noreply@blogger.com