Dear Auntie,

I hope you are having the best time of your life. I am writing to seek advice on some problems that I have been facing for many years.

I have a lot of knowledge, immaculate writing and editing proficiency, impeccable command over languages (Urdu and English), but I have no idea how to utilise my skills. I have a Master’s degree and a job that I do not like, but have no other options right now.

I feel I am a writer and want to write about a number of social issues, such as domestic violence, gender discrimination, human rights violations, growing inequality and other such issues, and also motivational things, but I have failed to do that. I become fearful whenever I begin to write. I have also tried to get in touch with online bloggers to sharpen my writing skills, but nobody responded back to me.

I want you to guide me so that I can become a useful asset to my country in spreading the knowledge that I have.

‘I want to become an accomplished writer’

Skilled and Struggling

Dear Nephew,

It is always fascinating to watch truly accomplished people talk about their achievements. You often find that they seem completely unaware of how accomplished they are or what they have achieved. The one key to their success is that they are great learners. They also realise that there is a lot that they still have to learn, because knowledge is always increasing and changing. So the first thing I would advise you to foster is the mindset that you are a perpetual student. Remember, if you want to ‘become’ a writer, know that you will forever be chasing knowledge. So, no matter how much you feel you already know, there is always probably an ocean of knowledge waiting to be discovered.

Online bloggers are probably too busy creating content to start mentoring a novice writer, so you can start reading successful writers and bloggers and learn from them. Do you have any favourite writers or bloggers that you read regularly? One of the best ways to improve your writing is to read and learn from others. In case, you don’t have any bloggers or writers you like, think about what it is that you feel is missing from online content. Is there something you want to read that you haven’t been able to find? Why don’t you do some research and write about that? There are probably plenty of online resources on YouTube or webinars that can help you start your own blog. You can search them up and learn from them and take that step. Most people who are able to achieve something are also very scared about the public’s reaction to their work. But there is only one way to overcome that fear and that is to write and put your writing out there for the public. If your work is criticised, turn it into an opportunity and learn from it.

It is interesting that you want to write motivational pieces, yet you are talking about your failure to be able to do that. To be able to motivate others through your writing, you need a very positive and motivated mindset, so you might want to work on that. One way to improve your motivation is to nurture a solution-driven mindset. There is a solution to most issues that people face in the world. Instead of throwing up your hands and sitting back believing that you cannot do anything, start thinking of solutions every time you come across an obstacle. There is a solution to your lack of motivation at your workplace also. There is no law that says that this is the last and only job you will ever have. You are highly qualified and can start searching for and applying for jobs that are better suited to your skill set.

I wish you best of luck in achieving your dreams of serving your country.

Auntie will not reply privately to any query. Please send concise queries to: auntieagni@gmail.com

Published in Dawn, EOS, March 15th, 2020