What will you do when you are asked to do something that you have never dreamt of even in your wildest dreams? Hide your face, jump with surprise and elation or start sulking? Well, for me it was more reminiscent with the third expression. Oh yes I admit that I am being mean, but that’s the truth – believe it or not! All this time, you were busy in churning out sensible articles (actually horny ones were left for me and also the scholarly ones) and then suddenly, one day you are asked to write a book! I did not open my mouth wide, but I just asked one question – “You want me to write a book?”
Though it was quite surprising that my senior colleague ended up choosing me for the work, but it was a welcome move for me. I have been reading books all my life, but I never thought of writing one of those. Now I know how difficult is the task of jotting down a reader friendly content in a book. Since my childhood days, i was always fascinated by films and the way they were analyzed by a group of intellectual people. Somehow it was irritating to me then, but now I enjoy dissecting each and every film that I see. So, now you are wondering about why am I talking about films and film critics suddenly…? I just wanted to clarify about the fact that I am a film buff, so I would definitely enjoy writing anything and everything about films. However, being a content writer and a human being, it is imperative that I should keep my choices and creative juices flexible enough to fit in to all kinds of content. I am sure you all will agree to this after being annoyed in the first of this write-up!
Now, I was given the mammoth task of writing a book on Balochistan. For people who do not know much about the name, Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan and sadly the most terrorized region in Pakistan. I need to write one hundred pages for the book. I would definitely like to mention here about the supportive role that my senior colleagues are playing in this mammoth task of mine. Writing a book is definitely way different from writing articles. A book has a specified structure. There are chapters, sub-sections, preface and many other features. My job was made easier with the brief that the client had prepared and sent to us. They were absolutely clear about what they want from the writer and what are the areas that I need to concentrate upon. Now, I have a bad habit of starting the work as soon as I get the brief. However, here I had to take a long breath and decide upon what are the crucial points that I need to incorporate in the book.
The first few chapters of the book were not much difficult to concentrate upon. Problems started cropping up as soon as I reached the ‘SOCIETY’ section of the book. The problem with Balochistan was endless. There were very few positives in the region. However, I had to dig them out as I was asked to do so. The reason – organizations like World Bank, IMF, etc., social agencies like UN, social and political leaders, large corporate & MNCs, potential investors, Research Bodies and organizations, NGOs & Civil societies – these were the group of people who would most probably be banking on the book for their information about Balochistan. I dare write anything negative. However, stating facts was not been barred by the client. Till now, I have tried my best to keep up with the requirements. Rest is all in the hands of my senior colleagues and the client. Sometimes I feel like I was never out of my studies – the feeling is at times awkward, but most of the times it is of elation. I have to admit that it is helping a lot to add to my knowledge bank. So, next time you get to read something about Balochistan in the net, remember me!! J Wish me luck for the rest of the book…