“The easy road is always crowded. The path less travelled is where you’ll find your true self.”
Bard
In all my life plans, a career was not even listed. Life’s only purpose was to study and get married. Yes, it does sound archaic, but that’s the way it was. For anything to come to its logical conclusion, your beliefs and life’s path have to be aligned. Mine weren’t.
Reading and Writing Improve Brain Growth
I loved reading, perhaps long before I knew the word literature, I was reading it. Most people I met, didn’t consider me intelligent. To be honest, I also didn’t consider myself intelligent or anything related to the brain, because I lived in the moment.
I discovered my brain after my journalism career started in February 1999 with a magazine called Life Positive, all about body, mind and spirit. My only tryst with alternative and spiritual therapies was yoga and a few visits to the temple. I was an atheist and clueless about the invisible energy field that surrounds us.
Journalistic writing is very different from creative writing. It is factual, based on real life and useful information passed in simple language. Novels are a different ballgame—they make writing an art. I had only written essays in school and got good marks for that. So, that sums up my writing skills.
Tools, Skills Needed to be a Journalist
I also needed interviewing skills; the only people I would talk to were close friends and family, and we didn’t ask questions or listen. We lacked attention, curiosity and spontaneity.
I did not know recording and transcribing. All these are basics for a reporter, but you see my life’s plans weren’t about becoming a correspondent in a New Age magazine, or thinking, or writing in a methodical manner to spread awareness about the world, or even admiring the beautiful worLd through photographs and videos. I was a person who lived in a cocoon and was now being forced out into the big, bad world with its many colours and characters.
The stories in any magazine or newspaper are written in a certain method. It wasn’t the era of the internet; the digital world was just a baby in the womb. So, if you know this method, then you have nailed it, else you learn it the hard way. You can learn it if you are on the desk or in a magazine, where teams are smaller and you multitask. So, you report, get the photographer to shoot what you want, then come back to office and write, edit it, help in design, production and proofread as well. These stories were long, like 3,000-5,000 words. When the printed copy reaches your desk and you see the mistakes, then you get flagged as well.
The era of long-form disappeared for a while. However, Google does favour quality long-form posts for better rankings.
A magazine has a mix of sections, topics and you cover everything. In a newspaper, where the world is constantly falling apart, everyone does one thing with a focus. If you are on the road, you just send your side of the story and quote; the desk editor deciphers the story, the copy editor looks at it, then a proofreader gets on it. Then the page editor sees the final proof of that page, the resident editor scrutinises it, and finally the production guy sends it to the press. Errors are catastrophic!
Retrospect and Introspect
Why am I telling you this long story and not sharing the assignment that sparked my creativity? Well, for one, it’s 10-months long. Second, in retrospect everything becomes crystal clear. Then we introspect, we see our ignorance. And when we see the present environment and the product, it’s Dulcius Ex Asperis or ‘Sweeter After Difficulties’. That’s Latin translated into English.
So, life didn’t look easy from February 1999 onwards. Looking back, I think my employment survived because I was paid a pittance and young journos were not interested in anything related to spirituality. They all wanted to be in mainstream media. Of course, 25 years down the line, spiritual is mainstream too, thanks to the digital life we have now. Meditation, yoga, Ayurvedic food, herbology, self-help books, Nature and wellness retreats, enjoy a celeb status. Namaste is the way the world greets and Surya Namaskar is the way the world flexes the body.
Coming back to my office, I wrote everything that probably gave my seniors a headache and was rewritten. I was cajoled, counselled and the flaws pointed out umpteen times. My body, mind and spirit, couldn’t align to the needs of the product, the project or the hour. However, it was ‘life positive’ and work kept moving, day after day.
Until one day, my photographer colleague and saviour, was asked to submit a photo feature and I was to write about it. I sat till late evening to finish the 100-odd words that would change the way my editors looked at me. His photographs became the catalyst to unleash my creative skills.
This post is an ode to that ‘one assignment’ which continues to inspire me to hone my skills.
A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever
(LIFE POSITIVE, DECEMBER 1999)
Hurried steps reach for the temple. A blast of wind. All hell breaks loose. Gods pour their scorn from the skies. The plastic bag breaks. Fragments of goddesses lie strewn on the road.
Yet, the eye roves and the feet surge ahead, coming to a standstill beside a pond, rippling under the morning sun. Reeds look down at their shadows and chuckle as ever-expanding circles break their other selves. A group of ducks files past in regal pettiness.
Another search. Another day. Eyes swivel around and the feet turn. A shimmering shrine in white, the Taj Mahal. Ode to an immortal love. Loneliness creeps inside. A mournful Shah Jahan waiting for his beloved Mumtaz Mahal to walk out of the marble splendour. Four pearly minarets hold fort for the lady, embalmed in the abyss of earth. A poignant pining that travels through centuries. Nearby, a stark tree waits for bountiful spring.
Footsteps reverberate on the white marble. Glassy eyes seek the sacred shrine. Divided, yet one. Caught in a stream of sunlight, a monument to love imprinted in memory. Clicked in a flash, captured forever.
Meanwhile, dancers prepare for the festival of joy. Swaying in erotic mysticism, lost in rhythm. Ecstatic, their souls cling together. Another waits in the wings, resting ghungroo-clad feet on the soil, purifying the earth with rangoli.
From the skies, Mother Nature lovingly brushes her gaze. Storm clouds herald rain, while a woman plays conjurer with her dog. Bleak companions. Night creeps in. The day is over. Tired eyes seek the solace of the dark.
Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder…. or is it in the click of a shutter?
Of course, a lot has happened in life since 1999 and I will share all those learnings in another post.
Tips to write a good Photo Feature/Photo Journey
A photo is visual inspiration; it speaks a thousand words. Photographs are commonplace now, memories frozen in time. But some clicks make photographs artistic, transforming the mundane into a symphony.
1. Choose a theme. It could be anything, say for instance the colour yellow.
2. Now, sort out the pictures you want to show in the colour. Make sure you have a variety of yellows.
3. If you are weaving them as one unit, then you need to make sure your writing moves seamlessly between the pictures.
4. Take care that you string your words in a creative manner. You could be abstract or you could be technical. I am mostly creative and abstract at the same time, more like a viewer involved in the scenes that keep changing.
5. Give a good introduction that sums up the entire message.
6. The conclusion should also sum up your experience but it shouldn’t repeat the introduction and the main body.
7. Remember that the emphasis is on pictures, so keep the write-up short and catchy.
8. I normally change the headline many times, as so many ideas float through while I am writing the main body. It almost always encompasses the theme word.
Pro tip: I normally spend some time with the pictures, absorb their depth and quality and then weave a story around those thoughts. It does need a lot of fine tuning. There is never a hurry to frame the copy.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
Queen of Treasures 
A great read. Thanks for sharing your life lessons.
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I am glad it made sense .. retrospect views give us so much clarity on milestones.
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Always
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I remember being a journalist in my college years was a new fad. It allows one to express my creativity and share stories with a wide audience. Plus, the feedback from readers is always so rewarding! But with it comes a huge responsibility which people have yet to understand.
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Your blogposts have inspired me and I would love to read your next blog on the yellow color and how u weave it into a story. I will think about it for sure. All the best.
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Thank you for sharing your professional journey! The insights on crafting a photo-feature are truly enlightening and inspiring. 📸🌟📝
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Loved reading this post that provided glimpses into your professional journey. It is indeed inspiring. I really liked your thoughts on how to write a photo-feature, very enlightening. Sandy N Vyjay
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Great sharing! Your life story inspired me in some weird way. I also loved your way of sharing your wisdom and knowledge. I’d surely use those I’ve learned in my own writing. Love this!
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It’s true how writing for a photo can be difficult your pointers will definitely help me
I always get stuck while describing a photo
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This is why they say one single step is enough to create a huge difference. You are a person with utmost perseverance and positivity. This vibe emanates in your post as well. It makes me count my blessings.
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Truly a thing of beauty is a joy forever but did not know that so much precision and inspiration goes into the making of a beautiful picture.
You sure grabbed my attention with that headline and it was rewarding to read it all. That sure was a tough time for someone beginning their journalistic career with so much information to glean, put together, and such long articles to write in a short span.
I am glad that you not only calmed my curiosity by sharing that one article that ignited the fire in your belly and gave insight into your strengths but also very helpful shared pro tips on how to write a good photo feature.
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Great post on how things worked out for you and your work inspiration. It was a definitely rewarding to read you story which give me some clarity on what I am aiming towards as well. We all need some start and you have given some great tips on how to work towards achieving it.
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Reading your blog post brought back memories of a time when life’s path seemed so predefined. It reminded me of the pivotal moments that shaped my own career. It’s amazing how our beliefs and plans can evolve over time, leading us on unexpected journeys. Your transition from an ‘in-the-moment’ mindset to a career in journalism is inspiring. Your journey reminds us that growth often lies beyond our comfort zones.
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Yes Felicia. We have to leave ourselves open and then life starts flowing.
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The piece that changed your life is lovely Ambica. Glad I got to witness this side of your writing too and glad that this piece was the turning point of your writing career. Apart from that the post was quite informative too. Thank your for sharing such helpful content.
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It was nice reading your side of the story. It definitely is an inspiration to lots struggling out there.
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I am not sure whether I told you earlier or not that I am the daughter of a passionate Photographer and writer… my father. Thankfully both these qualities unknowingly came within me and all thanks to his creative gene. I wished to be like him in every aspect other than his anger and my kiddish desire in childhood days was to go to office like him and not to school like my mom. I achieved that and was doing pretty well. All of a sudden I was asked to write something for a inter branch competition of my employer, a bank. Just out of fun I participated and OMG … I was the winner. For me it was that assignment which gave me the needed kick to understand that I inherited this quality also from my father. After that I decided to dive into the creative world. I too love photography but far away from the level of excellence my father showcased in his time. By the way I want to thank you for the prompt you shared in the post about framing the content surrounding the photography in yellow. Something is brewing up in my mind …. lets see how I execute. Much love for you.
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I look forward to your post on yellow and also, if you do have your winning piece, do share on your blog and share the link, would love to see it.
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Its interesting how for a long time we go about our work, until one day every thing changes. Loved to read about that one project that had a huge impact on your work.
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Wow! What a read! It’s fascinating to learn how a simple assignment could ignite such a transformative creative journey. The transition from a world of facts and reporting to one of artistic expression is truly inspiring. The way you describe the power of a photograph to tell a story is captivating. Looking forward to more posts and insights from your journey.
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Your journey of self-discovery through journalism and creativity is truly inspiring. The way you’ve described your transformation from a novice to an adept writer and your deep connection with photography is engaging. Your photo feature tips add depth to your experience. Keep sharing your creative insights and experiences!
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What a beautiful piece of writing, Ambica. I must say. I myself sometimes wonder if I am a good writer or not. I may express my travel stories via blog, but whenever I try to write for any magazine, an obstacle appears. May be fear of rejection or your own validation check. I don’t know if I personally approve of all those checklists, but at the end, I am trying again. I’m trying to write on different projects and different themes.
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All the best
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Wow, that’s truly an insightful and useful post for our bloggers and writers group. The heading, picture, introduction and conclusion do work well for any piece of writing to be regarded perfect.
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We all have that trigger in our life when everything changes. I enjoyed reading about your journey as a journalist. And the piece of writing. It is beautifully written.
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Glad you appreciated it.
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I worked as a freelance journalist and I do agree with these points that you have mentioned. Before working I was into blogging and I randomly wrote on the blog. We were given assessments to create a feature story too
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That’s good to know. I hope you enjoy your work.
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My Father-in-law is an ex-journalist and he shares similar anedotes about his journey and I find there are only handful of jobs that teaches both life lessons and spark creativity
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Yes, journalism does teach you all about life.
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Some instances act as a catalyst that changes the course of our career. But I also feel we need to grab the opportunity instead of letting our fears hold us back. Enjoyed reading the piece you wrote.
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thank you for the appreciation.
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Much of what you shared deeply resonated with me, Ambica. I embarked on my career journey at the age of 40, much like yourself. I’ve been an avid reader ever since I first learned the alphabet. Back in 2004, I began my journey as a freelance columnist for The Hindu Metroplus, a role they never officially offered me due to my age, but my articles found their way into print and garnered appreciation. However, a significant setback occurred when a Virago editor undermined my work, accusing me of plagiarism and disrupting my progress. It was evident that she was uncomfortable with the positive feedback my articles were receiving. This ordeal nearly marked the conclusion of my career as a columnist. I genuinely value the insights and emotions you’ve shared.
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Oops. That was a sad turn of events, but I have noticed this envy a lot in the workplace even when you are outside. It’s good.you have a good.blog.now
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I resonated so much with you. Thank you for this article
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