I am in the business of solving problems. Each day, there is a new problem.

• I want to build a website that is young, attractive, and happening. It should engage with the local people and build a sense of community, sort of create a buzz.
• I have to make this very important presentation. I need to convince the audience to give up their homes for 9 months so that I can redevelop their property. They are simply unwilling!
• We may be into mathematical modeling and algorithms, but we don’t want our website to appear complex. We want a right mix of professionalism and humor. It has to talk to young professionals and engage them in a dialog such that they try out our service.
• I want to make the walls of my pub interesting and funny. Sober and not-so-sober should be able to stare at the wall, (read), and giggle. 
• My website should be simple, poetic, and engaging. I want my work to be available to everyone through my website. They should be able to see my work and buy it, if they want to. 
• Our brand story should be warm, like freshly baked bread. It should tell the client that we are serious about our breads. You have 150 words. 
  

As I said, I am in the business of solving problems. I solve problems with words. It is interesting to note that no matter who the client is, what their business is, who their audience is – as long as I understand their problem, I can provide a solution. A solution with writing, a solution with words.

It would seem to me that the same thought holds good for any kind of writing. Know what your business is, know whom you are writing for, and seek to address the problem at hand. With as few words as possible. Happy problem solving!

Most of us imagine famous writers to be a mysterious, talented species, sitting at their desks somewhere, furiously penning their works, or hammering away at their keyboards, surfacing once in a while to eat, drink and socialise. When we read the books they have written, we never imagine that will actually respond and talk to mere mortals such as ourselves. So, imagine my surprise when I recently wrote to none other than Amitav Ghosh, and got a wonderful, humble reply in a few hours!

A short background story is in order. Somewhere in 2011 I took a chance and shot off an email to William Dalrymple. I had read most of his books, and thoroughly enjoyed them. He is able to narrate history in a most interesting, story-like manner, bringing people and events to life. 'The Last Mughal', a riveting account of the fall of Delhi and the rise of British power in the capital, prompted me to write to him. Lo and behold, he responded at once! We had a brief dialogue over a few emails about his work. It made my day, or rather, my week.

Encouraged by that success, I wrote a short mail to Amitav Ghosh after finishing 'River of Smoke'. The second book of the trilogy, it tells the tale of a Parsi merchant, among other characters. The authenticity and detail of Ghosh's works are breathtaking. He is a story-teller like no other, and I emailed him because I just had to tell him that. It was thrilling and strangely humbling to see a prompt reply.

Today the world worships movie stars and cricketers. But writers such as these take us on the most amazing journeys to other eras and places. They introduce us to characters using mere words. But these characters can become more vivid than the living and breathing people around us. And the best part is, they are honest, down-to-earth and friendly enough to write back. That makes them truly great.

The one person left on my wishlist is Rohinton Mistry. I have never found his email address in the virtual world. And the dream of meeting him in the real world, still remains dreamy.