From People Watching to Story Writing
- By Manasvi Kshirasagar
SY BSc. Economics (2023-27)
I always thought my love for writing came from reading books. But this love seemed much more genuine and amplified when I talked with people. People who are always ready with a witty comeback, who take their time brewing a story, who get a glint in their eye after acquiring some invigorating intel (gossip) and have to run over to tell me. From watching these people, I learned what it means to create stories.
Pic – My Jhansi Ki Rani cosplay; this is before I realised a pen is mightier than a sword.
As a child, I was always talkative. I vividly remember the teacher asking me to switch seats around ten times because no matter who I sat besides, I would talk, and even worse, I would make the other person talk too. My fascination with people—how they speak, how they move, how they react—has always been the source of my writing. I love people-watching, observing the nuances of conversations, body language, and the stories they carry with them. Writing became a natural extension of this curiosity, a way for me to capture the little things I noticed and treasure them forever in my writing.
I see my writing style as an amalgamation of the expressions and phrases I’ve picked up from the people and characters I’ve encountered and loved, mixed with a touch of my own voice.
I had known about the 8:10 before joining the institute, and as I stalked the website, reading articles written by the seniors, I had already imagined myself joining the club. Writing for the 8:10, collaborating with my editors, and sharing my experiences and thoughts will always hold a special place in my heart. Over time, I’ve come to view writing and the 8:10 synonymously. It’s a space that challenges me to think deeper, to experiment with new styles, and to embrace the unexpected. It does not matter that the 8:10 might have more writers than readers. To write is to experience and explore the details that usually go unnoticed, and I will always chase these. Whether it’s a witty comeback I loved, some invigorating intel or any silly story waiting to be written, I will always be grateful for the ability and privilege to write.