ajority of the writers/poets the world over live a lonely, secluded life - far from the madding crowds of the teeming humanity, and the hustle and bustle of the daily life. Here, I am not talking about the regular journalists and other such writers from the world of media for whom living, interacting and working with fellow human beings is a must given the typical nature of their jobs that demand close interactions with others almost on a regular basis. But writers and poets - mostly those who write novels and book of poems - by and large, live and prefer a peaceful and somewhat cut off surroundings as such environments give them the much needed mental peace and writing inspirations to come out with engrossing and creatively stimulating stuffs. One could take the example of any big Indian author/poet - from V S Naipaul (Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul) to Ruskin Bond, from Khuswant Singh to Vikram Seth - all these world famous Indian writers are known to prefer a somewhat lonely existence.
Maybe the most famous of the lot (in his own right), Ruskin Bond, lives in the hills of the Himalayas - Mussoorie to be precise - and his daily interactions with the outside world remain confined to a few 'can't avoid it' moments. The author of hugely popular books such as 'Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra', and 'The Room on the Roof', Ruskin Bond - an avowed nature over - draws immense inspiration from nature and secluded environs about him to write highly interesting children's literature that has no parallel at least in this part of the world. Perhaps, solitary long walks in the hill sides do the wonder for this Indian writer with English blood. Same holds true of other mentioned writers as well.
V S Naipul, Khuswant Singh and Vikram Seth, like Ruskin Bond, are known to have few things to do with the outside world. While V S Naipul - the winner of a Noble Prize in literature in 2001, and the writer of internationaly acclaimed literally books such as 'A House for Mr. Biswas', 'India: a Million Mutinies Now' and 'Beyond Belief' - publicly hates social gatherings and parties, and entrusts his wife to take care of all such 'distractions of life' on his behalf; Khuswant Singh - one of the most widely read columnists and writer - prefers the company of his pen, books and writing materials, and perhaps, a bottle or two of fine wine to the other distractions of the daily life. It is said that the eighty-plus Sardar writes furiously from early in the mornings to late in the evenings in quite, peaceful surroundings of the study room of his house. A large credit for his creativity at this age must be given to his somewhat cut off life from others. The other mentioned writer, i.e., Vikram Seth - arguably the highest paid Indian writer (The Golden Gate, A Suitable Boy, An Equal Music, etc.) - is known to come out of his 'literary shell' only on some rare occasions when situation demands it, for instance, to promote and/or release his new book in the market.
Many renowned writers from other parts of the world, too, are known to prefer a somewhat lonely existence. It is too well known that famous writers of the bygone era such as the three Bronte sisters -- Charlotte Bronte, Emily Bronte, Anne Bronte -- lived a somewhat lonely existence to come out with masterpieces like: 'Jane Eyre', and 'Wuthering Heights', etc. The three Bronte sisters, after the untimely death of their mother, lived too a lonely existence, worked as governesses, and often wandered alone at the moor near their house at odd hours. For weeks, and at times, even months at stretch they did not see the outside world. Although their seclusion was a forced one, it cannot be denied that this forced seclusion from others must have greatly stimulated their creative faculties, and given them impetus and inspirations to tread the hitherto paths in the world of literature to produce mesmerizing classics, that eventually enriched of the world of literature greatly.
Of the three Bronte sisters, special mention needs to be made of Emily Bronte, the author of 'Wuthering Heights', which till date remains one of the best, and possibly the most fiercely romantic classic of all times. The pain, violent longings (bordering on insanity) for one's beloved and continued cravings for the many unfulfilled desires of life - portrayed by the young author so brilliantly through Heathcliff - the main character of the book in question - still evokes extreme reactions from most of the serious lovers of literature. One wonders if Emily Bronte could have successfully managed to create such a timeless, outstanding classic if she had lived a normal life in the midst of other fellow human beings.
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A freelance journalist and writer, who writes extensively for various papers and websites. Has also authored two books
