Vizag Writers Group, a community of writers, poets and storytellers, during an open mic session at a cafe in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
In the open courtyard of a beachfront hotel in central Visakhapatnam, an aspiring writer and poet showed his attention on stage, to a packed house. At a cafe in Rushikonda, three newly published authors share their journey on how to make a book come alive even as aspiring writers listen intently as they jot down notes. In a park in the city, a group of people work on notebooks in a silent writing session, followed by others to share their work with others.
This session by Vizag Writers, a community of writers, poets and storytellers, is changing the way creativity is expressed and building a vibrant landscape for writers in the city. The group was founded by Neha Giduturi, who works in the social development sector, in February of this year and currently, it has more than 100 writers who want to have 30 active writers.
“Writers need to be heard; I emphasize a lot on listening. It is very underrated, we are never taught how to listen. If a writer feels recognized for his work and constructive feedback is given, I think that is the biggest support a writer can get,” says Neha.
Neha’s journey in the world of literature started when she was 10 years old, she would devour the works of Ruskin Bond, Sudha Murthy and the Harry Potter series and eventually started exploring other genres. “During college I tried to write my thoughts and started interacting with fellow writers from different backgrounds. I owe it to the community that fed me with different perspectives and that is my inspiration,” said Neha, who writes free verse and spoken word poetry. said, focus on life, emotions and times social problems.
A safe place
It was with this idea of creating a safe space where writers could be heard that Neha created the group earlier this year. Over the past six months, it has swelled into a community where one can find a diverse tapestry of voices, each weaving unique stories, poems and musings. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or someone who loves the magic of storytelling, there’s a place for all literary enthusiasts.
From lively discussions to inspiring readings, the Vizag Writers community has strived for an environment where ideas flow freely and creativity thrives. “We carefully curate a sequence of events where we offer space to grow together,” added Neha. The sessions follow a format: an open mic session that creates an inclusive space for anyone to enter the world of writing by listening to others; silent writing sessions where the writer chooses a place to write and is not in a battle against creative block; peer-learning workshops that create an environment to learn from each other; and Rachana, a one-of-a-kind writing event in Andhra Pradesh, to encourage fellow artistes.
People listen to participants during a session by Vizag Writers, a community of writers, poets and storytellers, in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Writers Vizag is the sense of community it develops. Writing can be a solitary endeavor, but in this group, one never feels alone. Members support each other through writer’s block, celebrate each other’s successes, and provide constructive criticism when needed.
For new members, the community provides a friendly and inclusive environment where they can grow as writers and find their voice. For established writers, this is a place to mentor others and develop their craft.
When 20-year-old Rashmi Bhavani joined Vizag Writers’ first event last March, she had no idea what to expect. But his participation in subsequent group meetings opened the door to a world of creativity and opportunity that brought him close to his passion for writing. “These sessions give me confidence and exposure. In each session, we discuss each other’s work and understand the author’s intentions and their work and also ask for constructive criticism to improve our content. For example, in one of the sessions when I narrated a piece of my writing, I got feedback about speeding up my content. It really helped me become a writer,” says Rashmi. A B.Tech graduate, Rashmi has been writing poems and short stories since her high school days and sees the group as an encouragement to follow her passion.
People listen to participants during a session by Vizag Writers, a community of writers, poets and storytellers, in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Writers Vizag has a mix of members from different age groups and professions. In the previous meeting, class VIII students were among the youngest participants who read short stories.
Screenwriter and filmmaker Ravi Teja, who has been part of the core team, feels that as a full-time writer, consistency in writing is important. “But you can’t just sit and write everyday without motivation. Vizag writers meet has been a motivation for many writers like me. They provide a platform to write consistently, collaborate, and most importantly share our work with fellow writers. We meet twice a month to share our writings, leave with some claps and some lessons,” said Ravi.
As Vizag Writers continued to grow, their influence on the local literary scene became significant. The group’s future plans include organizing storytelling and poetry performances in various cities in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
“We hope to collaborate with college literature departments in Andhra Pradesh and engage with them to foster a vibrant community of writers. The goal is to write and learn, share and grow together,” Neha summarized.
The next event of Vizag Writers will be held at Wabi Sabi Art Cafe on July 28 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
