Dear Penpal
The last month of the year always makes me sentimental. Does that happen to you too? End of 2020, I
announced that a dark period of creative slump I was feeling all of 2018-2019 was over. I had struggled with writing through this period, without realising it. Many a times I almost left fiction all together. Even though I did a lot of other things (like
run a startup in Switzerland, travel the world, attend
WorldCon, get nominated for a
French award), they failed to keep my spirits up.
Ironically, in the year of 2021, when the world struggled with the horrible aftereffects of the pandemic, I somehow have kept mostly positive. (Except for the middle of the year, during the second wave, which was just too tragic). I figured an alternative career with a nature
NGO, released
a flipbook on Indian scientists (which is doing very well!),
wrote solarpunk, and most importantly, found optimism and energy that motivated me to pick up a first draft of discarded science fiction and start rewriting it.
All through 2021, I realised the power of positive.
Though the second wave was exceptionally hard, it wasn’t so for me. All my prayers for the safety of my loved ones were answered. I had a surplus of creative, positive energy, which I sent out to friends and family being drained emotionally, mentally, physically and financially by the pandemic. I’m so thankful for just being alive and surrounded by people I love.
For 2022, I would like to send this positive energy towards you.
If everything around you is dark, use this energy from me. Remember, even if everyone around you says it won’t work, it will. If for some reason you think you can’t, you can. Your determination will make your vision work. Chisel. Write. Work hard. I’m always in your corner, rooting for you. Happy 2022, dear friend.
