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Sunday, November 27, 2011

History in the Making

Something's in the works that I am really excited about. I'm helping to set up a small workshop group for writers in Karachi - sort of like an offline version of Desi Writers Lounge, only intentionally much smaller and more focused in terms of developing content. A friend who's a published writer threw the idea my way a couple of months ago, we recruited three other writers and today we had the first ice-breaker to help the group gel before getting started. There are two other prospective writers whom we've asked to join the fold. Our plan is to cap the number of members at seven so that things stay personal and workshopping is more intense.

It's not a new idea but there's something about this group of people that's got me really optimistic. I'm the only one who represents the management side of the literary circus, being editor of a magazine. Two of the other members are acclaimed writers, which I expect is going to increase the standard of discourse substantially. Another member, a good friend, has just finished her novel and is expecting to be published in the coming year (let's hope the Mayans got that date wrong). There is one other member who I hadn't met before today but had read in an anthology of stories by women writers from Pakistan. The energy at this first meet was excellent and while we were sorting out details of where to meet, how often to meet and how not to tread on each others' toes (artist log hain, bhai, kuch bhi ho sakta hai) there was an overwhelming sense of potential. I kept thinking, "Something good can happen here."

If we're able to inspire each other and discipline ourselves enough to keep writing, this'll be something worth remembering later. I had a three-second flight of fancy while sitting at the table during the meeting, in fact. I could see myself twenty years in the future, when I would finally have achieved the jaw-dropping feat of publishing a line or two. A pimply, intense-looking reporter with round glasses would be interviewing me and would ask, "So what's this secret writers' society I've heard rumours of from your slimmer... sorry, younger... I mean, early days as a writer?" And I would smile enigmatically and say something profoundly writery (I haven't figured out what just yet; we got into an accident on the way back so the evening sort of went into a state of epic decline after that, thus rudely truncating my love affair with myself).

I really want to finish this post with a song and for some reason, this one keeps coming to mind. The actual story behind this scene from Shehzad Khalil's unforgettable drama 'Ehsas' is a terribly sad one, but just for today, I will reimagine it. The pretty mother (played by Shehwar Rahim) is me, of course, after a happy evening full of possibilities. The two precious boys are mine, those are my in-laws at the back, Khaled Anum is himself but he's still a close relative (proven by the fact that he and I alone are able to sing on pitch in the entire group). And that's Azfar with the video camera... gazing at me with rapt admiration, even looking up to thank God for giving him such a cool wife. Enjoy.




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12 comments:

  1. Baqi sab tou theek hai, but that is my man behind the video camera. *Husband stealer, hmph*!

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  2. Oh and I just read the revised Blogroll. Dont Jaloos beta, bus koshish me maggan rehna. (Kabhi apni zaat par gharoor nahi kiya)

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  3. OMG. You have a secret society but even better since it's a secret writing society.

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  4. Lol @ Aneela!

    M, I know isn't it COOL?

    Why has no one asked me about the accident?? *looks annoyed*

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  5. I wanted to but did not, as for from your writing it seems "Dettol Wali Koi Chot Nahi Thi"

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  6. And this mysterious Ms.M , yeh hamari Pindi se bitya hai?

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  7. Hahahaha Aneeeeeeela, is your funny bone genetic? How do you come up with such fantastic cultural references all the time? I'll leave it to M herself to answer that question! You may stand at ease while listening to the answer.

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  8. hey! where did my comment go? shaz

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  9. Never saw any comment from you, babes.

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  10. ZOMG that's like the Thingamajig project in real life!

    So awesome! I'm jealous!

    Aneela has wittily borrowed on Mehnat kar Hasad na kar but what to do if no amount of mehnat can make me be a part of what you're up to, Afia. :( So wish I could see this take place or even be a part of it!

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  11. My Diyar MahwashB: Pathetic attempt to hog the brownie
    Dialogue tou sunna hoga

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  12. Wish me luck, Mahwash! Itna bol baal ke pata chalay ke poor plan flop ho gaya.

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