In the picturesque lawns of a beachside hotel in the heart of Visakhapatnam, a transformation in the city’s literary scene is taking shape. Aspiring writers and poets step into the spotlight onstage, their expressions met with enthusiastic applause from a packed audience. Elsewhere, in a cozy café in Rushikonda, three newly-published authors delve into their creative journeys, imparting wisdom on how to breathe life into books. Aspiring writers, eager to learn, take meticulous notes. In a serene park within the city, a group of individuals pour their thoughts into notebooks during silent writing sessions. These are followed by sessions where they share their creations with one another, embodying true literary camaraderie.
Welcome to Vizag Writers, a flourishing community of writers, poets, and storytellers that is changing the landscape of creative expression in Visakhapatnam. Founded by Neha Giduturi, who is dedicatedly working in the social development sector, Vizag Writers was established in February this year. The community has already grown to encompass over 100 aspiring writers, with 30 active participants, transforming the city’s literary environment.
“Writers need to be heard; I emphasize a lot on listening. It is very underrated; we are never taught how to listen,” says Neha Giduturi, the visionary behind Vizag Writers. Neha strongly believes that a writer’s most significant support is acknowledgment and constructive feedback. “If a writer feels acknowledged for his work and constructive feedback is given, I think that is the biggest support any writer can get,” she adds.
Neha’s love affair with literature began at the tender age of ten, as she delved into the works of Ruskin Bond, Sudha Murthy, and J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Her literary appetite expanded, encompassing a variety of genres. “It was during college that I tried my hand at penning down my thoughts and started interacting with fellow writers from diverse backgrounds,” Neha recalls. She credits the community for providing her with various perspectives and inspiration, which have significantly influenced her free verse and spoken word poetry.
Vizag Writers was born out of Neha’s desire to create a safe haven for writers to be heard. Over the last six months, it has expanded into a vibrant community, bringing together a diverse array of voices, each contributing unique stories, poems, and musings. Whether you are an experienced writer or someone enchanted by the art of storytelling, Vizag Writers welcomes all literary enthusiasts with open arms.
The community organizes thoughtfully curated events designed to nurture creativity and foster growth. “We carefully curate a sequence of events where we offer a space to grow together,” Neha explains. These events include open mic sessions that create an inclusive space for newcomers to the writing world, silent writing sessions where writers can focus without battling creative blocks alone, peer-learning workshops that facilitate mutual learning, and Rachana, a unique writers’ show aimed at encouraging fellow artists.
.
One of the community’s most endearing qualities is the sense of solidarity it fosters. Writing, often perceived as a solitary pursuit, becomes a shared journey within Vizag Writers. Members provide support through periods of writer’s block, celebrate each other’s successes, and offer constructive criticism to help one another improve.
For newcomers, the community offers a nurturing and inclusive environment where they can hone their skills and find their narrative voice. Established writers benefit from the opportunity to mentor others and further develop their own craft.
Rashmi Bhavani, a 20-year-old writer, exemplifies the impact Vizag Writers has on its members. She joined the community’s first event last March without any expectations but soon discovered a wealth of creativity and the drive to pursue her passion. “The sessions gave me confidence and exposure. At every session, we discuss each other’s works, understand the intent behind them, and receive constructive criticism to improve our content,” recalls Rashmi, who has been writing poems and short stories since high school. The feedback she received at Vizag Writers helped her refine her work. “For instance, at one of the sessions, I was advised to shorten the length of my piece. This really helped me as a writer.”
Vizag Writers boasts a diverse member base, including individuals of various ages and professions. In a previous meet-up, a class VIII student stood among the youngest participants, confidently reading her short story to the group.
For screenwriter and filmmaker Ravi Teja, the community’s importance cannot be overstated. “Consistency in writing is crucial for a full-time writer, but you can’t simply write every day without motivation,” says Ravi. “Vizag Writers meet-ups have become that motivation for many writers like me. They provide a platform to write consistently, collaborate, and most importantly, share our work with fellow writers.”
The community meets twice a month to share their writings, providing participants with valuable feedback and encouragement. The future of Vizag Writers looks promising as the group plans to expand its reach across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Upcoming projects include organizing storytelling and poetry shows in different cities and collaborating with literature departments in colleges to foster a vibrant writer’s community.
“We look forward to collaborating with the literature departments of colleges in Andhra Pradesh and engaging with them to foster a vibrant writers’ community. Our aim is to write and learn, share and grow together,” sums up Neha.
The next event of Vizag Writers is scheduled to be held at the Wabi Sabi Art Café on July 28, from 5 PM to 7 PM, inviting all enthusiasts to join and become part of this enriching literary journey.
