Shashi Tharoor's World of Words is a weekly column dissecting English language
It's difficult to create a sense of routine at this time, particularly when one day bleeds into the next. We are anxious and can't seem to escape our most terrifying thoughts. I would suggest you look a little closer at what scares you; observe how it arises and changes. Pick a particular moment, feeling or sensibility. Writing these down in fragments, particularly at the start, can be extremely helpful. This allows you to experiment, to begin to collect ideas. It's also less intimidating when the future feels uncertain.
You might be sick of looking at the same walls and faces day after day. Use this as an opportunity to go deeper, to turn inward. Notice what is happening to the hibiscus growing in a pot outside your door. Try withdrawing from each sense individually. Touch fabric with your eyes closed. Isolate that sensation and write down what the experience is like.
You don't have to rush out and buy new books. Look at what's already on your shelves. Re-read authors you love and admire. Memorise a few of your favourite sentences or poems. Think of this as a diet of sorts. You will fill yourself up with good sentences and eventually you'll have an internal sense of how to form them.
I really mean anywhere. We are all stuck at home, often in confined spaces. I have a child and, sometimes, I shut myself in the bathroom to scribble down an idea. The notebook you write in doesn't have to be perfect. A yellow legal pad will do. Even in the margins of a grocery list. The less precious you are about the conditions of writing, the easier it is to create those conditions.
Isolating has given us some practice with staying in. Don't give that up. Continue to say no to fun parties, dinners and late nights. Get used to giving offence. Pretend that everyone is going to infect you with some virus. This sounds ruthless, but ruthless is what you need to be if you want to have time to write. Be comfortable being an outsider. It's a great perspective to write from.
Shashi Tharoor's World of Words is a weekly column dissecting English language
Between them the two players are set to receive a stake around $150 million from the Tour's newly-formed enterprise
The four-time Grand Slam winner has enjoyed huge success with her powerful baseline game but has struggled on clay
The Tiago has been instrumental in driving Tata Motors’ consistent growth in the hatchback segment
'Women of My Billion' is set to premiere exclusively on Prime Video on May 3
Aditi and Siddharth recently shared the news of their engagement with an adorable picture
Video shows a red 4WD weaving in and out of traffic, causing a collision on the road shoulder
India captain Rohit Sharma said he is not a fan of the rule as it will hold back the development of all-rounders