Aneeta Sundararaj, the author of How to Tell a Great Story interviewed me recently for her column, “Blow Your Own Trumpet.” Here’s an excerpt from the interview:
Aneeta: How did you get into writing and in particular, freelance writing and why?
Mridu: I’d always been interested in writing, but had never really considered it as a career option. The closest I came to getting formally educated in journalism was when I applied for a degree in mass media before I went to college. As it turns out, the results of the qualifying exam for engineering came out a day before I was to give the qualifying exam for journalism. Since I had my top choice of university for Information Technology, I said, heck, why not do that?
And then I failed my first year in engineering.
I started writing while I prepared for my semester exams, and was earning a full-time living with it by the time I finished college. I guess I was always meant to end up in journalism. Just took a few detours on the way.
Read full interview here: http://www.howtotellagreatstory.com/byot/byot41.html
Wednesday, 19. July 2006
Very inspiring, Mridu. I loved your attitude; Mridu: I did actually wake up one day and decide I was done writing articles that I wouldn’t read. So I refused thousands of dollars worth of work, finished up the current assignments on my desk, and decided to figure out where I wanted to take my career. ”
You’re on the right track. Cheering you on.
Wednesday, 19. July 2006
Hi, Mridu! I completely agree with your new philosophy. Unlike you, I didn’t have hundreds of articles under my belt when I decided to give up writing commercial features that gave me little soulful pleasure or meaning. Fortunately, what I DO have is a husband willing to support me while I take the time to write something that might actually make a real difference. I admire those who can make a solid living writing feature articles and enjoy their job, but I discovered soon enough that it can be a very frustrating use of my time and talent, not much different from a regular “day job.” I look forward to when I can devote my time and energy to creating something that really speaks to me and will give my life and vocation meaning. I look forward to reading more about your writing career and the new directions you are pursuing!
By the way, you’re so right about India and Asia in general being a fantastic place to write. I spent some time in India a few years ago and was astounded by the richness of the country. You could spend your entire life there and never run out of ideas! I hope to go back very soon.
Cheers,
Marjorie