"The idea is to write it so that people hear it
and it slides through the brain and goes
straight to the heart."
- Maya Angelou
It is difficult for me to fathom since exactly how long I have been writing to express myself. This certainly doesn't include the quintessential writing one does while in school or college. Sometimes, it seems to me as a consequence of my intrinsic behaviour which is keeping things to myself. Growing up, I was not the one growing up with a bunch of kids - neighbours, cousins of my age and my early socialization was limited to my parents and elders for as long as I can remember. Being the elder sister with a considerable age difference, my childhood was solitary. Before class 2 when my family finally moved to Jaipur, my father had postings in different districts and I faintly remember changing schools as well as homes. In fact, even within Jaipur, I have been part of four different schools. This also meant that I never got attached to one particular area, home, school or set of friends.
Looking back, it is now that I realize that my love affair for writing began nearly a decade back and I am extremely grateful to my parents for their support. I've always been a voracious reader and certain books left imprints on my impressionable mind. Two of the ones that really inspired me to embrace the pen include 'The Diary of A Young Girl' by Anne Frank and 'The Story of my Life' by Helen Keller. Since the time I've gotten to know about their lives, they inspire me and will continue to be my heroes, no wonder they say that the pen is mightier than the sword.