Rakhi Jayashankar's Blog, page 93
December 28, 2015
My debut novel- Waves in the Sky
So this is it.Finally waves in the sky is all set to uproot the hearts of the readers. This is the supposed book cover. Share your views.And yes, the back blurb. Here we go.You can choose from the two or give your suggestion
Blurb1
They played together, studied together, stayed together, under the shades of their mother banyan, till they fell apart. They swayed with the Waves in the sky that welcomed them. Time maneuvered their lives through unforeseen circumstances. They are the Canaries- Charu, Ananya, Neha, Avantika,Raihana, and Yami- naughty, twins, singing,studious and deadly Canaries..This is their story- Story of their love, hatred, friendship and enmity. This is also the story of their mother banyan- Ms. Malini. A contemporary fiction, which revolves around a murder mystery.
Blurb2
Time maneuvered their lives through unforeseen circumstances. The canaries- Charu, Ananya, Neha, Avantika,Raihana and Yami- are the heart and soul of Naivedya, run by Ms.Malini. Little did they know that they would be centrifuged by the waves in their blue sky. Hanging on to their mother banyan, they held their wings together and fought the storm.
A mind boggling tale of Six headstrong girls, thirty years of their life, their mother banyan-Ms.Malini and a mystery. A thrilling mysterious contemporary fiction.
December 26, 2015
Question
Book Name : The QuestionAuthor : R. Breuer StearnsPublisher : CreatespaceNumber of Pages: 270
Publishing Year : 2015
Edition : KindleRating : 4.5
Blurb
THE QUESTION invites readers to consider this premise: If you could have the answer to one question, and only one question, what would you ask . . . and who would try to stop you from asking it? To what extremes would they go? THE QUESTION is a thriller that explores a new way of thinking, a method powerful enough to answer very complex questions . . . perhaps powerful enough to solve the universe's most fundamental mysteries . . . perhaps powerful enough to resolve religions' most beguiling unknowns. THE QUESTION is an adventure story . . . fiction that you may wish, may believe, may know, is true. The narrative occurs in the present, with scenes in California, Washington, D.C., Paris, Shanghai, New York, and Afghanistan. The story is aimed at high-school and older readers and contains some graphic violence and occasional sexual allusions. The plot is action-oriented with an element of scientific fantasy, similar to Jack Finney's "Time and Again." The prose is crisply written, professionally edited, and organized into movie-scene chapters. THE QUESTION is ideal reading for anyone who is curious . . . for those who gaze into the cosmos at night and wonder . . . for those who look into the mirror and imagine . . . for those whose hearts beat faster when confronting the unknown . . . for readers who enjoy a fast paced, contemporary thriller that inspires them to think.
My ReviewThe Question is a thriller. Protagonist Nate is trying to solve a Unity Theory. Through experiments, he learns that solutions to problems could be reached easier and with most accuracy if asked to a group- without letting them talk to each other. Nate tries to see if a million people would be able to solve the abstract question "Is there a God?" or " Does God exist?"
What difficulties would Nate face while trying to solve the maze?Will he succeed? Is there more questions that he try to solve? How will his personal life change ? Grab a copy to know more.
The book is a club of thriller, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary fiction. We can see glimpses of different realms of life. The story-line swivels to unforeseen directions which astonishes the reader. This is one of the most unique stories that I have reviewed lately. The message of the book is the ultimate spiritual reality conveyed in the background of an exhilarating experiment. Another quality of the book that impressed me is that author did not use erotic scenes to make the depth of the relation between Nate and his girl friend to the readers. If you are looking for a book with substance, you should definitely read this. On the other hand, if you are looking for an easy read, I would not recommend the book.There are a lot of characters in the book. Each one is given due importance, in accordance with their role in the story.
HighlightsThe plot of the book is promisingThe writing style of the book is crisp.Characters are crafted well.The pace of the story is maintained well.There are a lot of twists and turns which forces the readers to hang on to the book.DrawbacksThe beginning of most chapters are vague. There is a suspense in the beginning of almost every chapter, which was unwantedThere were a few typos.The blurb is ambiguous.
Reviewed for the iRead Book Tours
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
One LinerOne of the most creative books released lately.
Avail the book from AMAZON & Barnes & Noble
About the authorR. Breuer Stearns is an investor and author.
Mr. Stearns graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover (1970), Harvard University (AB, 1974), University of Chicago (MBA, 1977), and DePaul University College of Law (JD, 1979). He rapidly ascended on Wall Street in the 1980’s, serving as Managing Director, Mergers & Acquisitions at Lehman Brothers and Head of Investment Banking (North America) at UBS Securities. While living in New York, he founded “Terrific Teachers, Inc.,” a foundation dedicated to identifying and rewarding the best of the best of the city’s public high school teachers.
Shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Mr. Stearns launched a private investment bank in the former Soviet Union. He spent the early 1990’s seeking to marry emerging science, primarily emanating from Russia’s Defense sector, with Western capital. During this period, Mr. Stearns made a small fortune, albeit from a larger one. The venture provided a remarkable lesson in hubris, a tremendous reservoir of internal strength, and first-hand source material for Mr. Stearns’ first book, Winning Smart After Losing Big (Encounter Books, Beijing University Press).
Subsequently, Mr. Stearns served as Chief Financial Officer of The Dial Corporation, Chief Financial Officer of Columbia/HCA Corporation, Chief Financial Officer of PacifiCare, Inc., President and Chief Operating Officer of Vascular Genetics, Inc., and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Quepasa Corporation (QPSA:Amex).
Mr. Stearns is a Founder of VestaPoint Capital LLC, a family of investment funds focused on real estate development. He lives in Arizona with his wife, two dogs, two cats, and a horse. He travels extensively and is intensely curious.
December 25, 2015
“Enjoy the process” is key concept. Says R.Breuer Stearns the author of The Question
Hello Everyone
Today I have a Christmas gift for all of your. My twin posts, review of The Question and interview with R.Breuer Stearns
This is the time we could get to know the author of The question, R. Breuer Stearns. Since I interviewed him before I completed the book, there is no specific analysis. Hope to catch up with him in detail during the release of the next book.
I welcome R.Breuer Stearns to my virtual tete a tete
Hi Breuer,
Welcome to my blog
When did you decide to become a writer?
I started writing stories as a teen-ager. I really never decided to become a writer. I just enjoy (most of the time) the process of writing. Writing is a bit of a compulsion. I write when I feel or think that I have something worth sharing. I type on my computer . . . or write on scraps of paper, occasionally napkins. Sometimes a concept or snippet bubbles up so quickly that I hurry to write it down before I forget it. Other times, I will think and think about an idea or concept and fail to find the right words or the right flow. Writing is sometimes very easy and sometimes excruciatingly difficult.
So, what have you written?
THE QUESTION is my first novel. I tried to create a thought-provoking thriller, inviting readers’ emotional and cerebral participation.
Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?
THE QUESTION contains several “main” characters. Nate and Charlotte are important because they are surrogates for my readers. They “live” the story on behalf of the readers . . . share readers’ emotions and ask readers’ questions. Jake is also important for reasons that become apparent as the book’s plot proceeds. I like all of my characters . . . but for very different reasons. I try to make my characters believable and textured, yet unformed and imperfect enough so that readers can impute traits and motives. When I finished THE QUESTION, I actually missed my characters and the universe that I have created for them. I suppose that many authors use the same characters in additional books because the authors and their readers have developed familiarity and emotional bonds with the characters. Part of me wants to continue the lives of my characters in a subsequent story . . . and part of me believes that the characters in THE QUESTION have served their singular purpose. Perhaps I will allow my readers to help me decide.
What part of your writing time do you devote to marketing your book?
I spend much more time writing than marketing. Marketing is very important, of course, to generate sales. I have delegated the marketing of THE QUESTION to a professional firm with demonstrated experience and expertise. I am hopeful that my writing earns the critical approval of readers . . . and, if so, my marketing firm should be able to stimulate additional sales.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Write. And, recognize that writing and being a commercially successful author are two different things. Writing is a creative process, time consuming, a low-odds business with no guarantee of applause from anyone other than yourself. So, if you aspiration is to become rich and famous, writing is probably not your easiest or fastest route. Authors . . . similar to painters, composers, and actors . . . create because they genuinely enjoy the process of creating. “Enjoy the process” is key concept.
Where do you see publishing going in the future?
Publishing, similar to all media, will continue to become an increasingly fractioned industry. Digital distribution makes it relatively easy and relatively cheap for a writer (and videographer and blogger . . . ) to create, market, and disseminate works. Publishing is already quite “democratic” . . . available to practically everyone. Writers, today, face almost no barriers to “printing” and distributing their work. The real problem is differentiating their work and reaching a large enough audience to make writing economically worthwhile. Some authors write entirely for their own satisfaction. To me, audience approval is important . . . the ultimate proof of my talent as an author is whether or not readers “get” what I am trying to convey.
How can readers discover more about you and your books?
My website address
www.rbreuerstearns.com
Thank you for sparing your time for the interview
Today I have a Christmas gift for all of your. My twin posts, review of The Question and interview with R.Breuer Stearns
This is the time we could get to know the author of The question, R. Breuer Stearns. Since I interviewed him before I completed the book, there is no specific analysis. Hope to catch up with him in detail during the release of the next book.
I welcome R.Breuer Stearns to my virtual tete a tete
Hi Breuer,
Welcome to my blog
When did you decide to become a writer?
I started writing stories as a teen-ager. I really never decided to become a writer. I just enjoy (most of the time) the process of writing. Writing is a bit of a compulsion. I write when I feel or think that I have something worth sharing. I type on my computer . . . or write on scraps of paper, occasionally napkins. Sometimes a concept or snippet bubbles up so quickly that I hurry to write it down before I forget it. Other times, I will think and think about an idea or concept and fail to find the right words or the right flow. Writing is sometimes very easy and sometimes excruciatingly difficult.
So, what have you written?
THE QUESTION is my first novel. I tried to create a thought-provoking thriller, inviting readers’ emotional and cerebral participation.
Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?
THE QUESTION contains several “main” characters. Nate and Charlotte are important because they are surrogates for my readers. They “live” the story on behalf of the readers . . . share readers’ emotions and ask readers’ questions. Jake is also important for reasons that become apparent as the book’s plot proceeds. I like all of my characters . . . but for very different reasons. I try to make my characters believable and textured, yet unformed and imperfect enough so that readers can impute traits and motives. When I finished THE QUESTION, I actually missed my characters and the universe that I have created for them. I suppose that many authors use the same characters in additional books because the authors and their readers have developed familiarity and emotional bonds with the characters. Part of me wants to continue the lives of my characters in a subsequent story . . . and part of me believes that the characters in THE QUESTION have served their singular purpose. Perhaps I will allow my readers to help me decide.
What part of your writing time do you devote to marketing your book?
I spend much more time writing than marketing. Marketing is very important, of course, to generate sales. I have delegated the marketing of THE QUESTION to a professional firm with demonstrated experience and expertise. I am hopeful that my writing earns the critical approval of readers . . . and, if so, my marketing firm should be able to stimulate additional sales.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Write. And, recognize that writing and being a commercially successful author are two different things. Writing is a creative process, time consuming, a low-odds business with no guarantee of applause from anyone other than yourself. So, if you aspiration is to become rich and famous, writing is probably not your easiest or fastest route. Authors . . . similar to painters, composers, and actors . . . create because they genuinely enjoy the process of creating. “Enjoy the process” is key concept.
Where do you see publishing going in the future?
Publishing, similar to all media, will continue to become an increasingly fractioned industry. Digital distribution makes it relatively easy and relatively cheap for a writer (and videographer and blogger . . . ) to create, market, and disseminate works. Publishing is already quite “democratic” . . . available to practically everyone. Writers, today, face almost no barriers to “printing” and distributing their work. The real problem is differentiating their work and reaching a large enough audience to make writing economically worthwhile. Some authors write entirely for their own satisfaction. To me, audience approval is important . . . the ultimate proof of my talent as an author is whether or not readers “get” what I am trying to convey.
How can readers discover more about you and your books?
My website address
www.rbreuerstearns.com
Thank you for sparing your time for the interview
December 23, 2015
Interview with Deepika Muthusamy, author of Touch of Mist
Hi All,
It’s been some time since we had a interview. But needless to say, I have an extremely talented writer with me today.
Let’s welcome Deepika Muthusamy, Blogger, Trekker, and author of Touch of Mist
Hi Deepika,
Welcome to my virtual tete-a-tete.
Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
Oh my god. Thank you so much for such a wonderful introduction. This is my interview after 2 years and I am sure it’s going to be something out of the ordinary.Well, I am a software techie by professional but over the decades, I tried various hobbies like trekking, sports, dance, yoga, writing, gardening, photography and Short film making. I love to explore new things and spend my weekend with my lovable friends.
About your blog?
It’s a place where I can pour all my emotions, thoughts, my untold crush stories (chuckles). I started blogging with zero knowledge on blogosphere and zero experience in writing. I don’t write for the sake of keeping my blog active. I write only when I feel like writing and only when I get inspiration. My blog is more of my personal stuff, but one could easily relate too. It contains cute short stories, inspiring articles and travelling guide.
When did you recognize the writer in you?
Right from my school days, I had a habit of tracking my day in a journal. When my friends hand over the slam book during the final days of schools, I scribble, scribble and scribble a lot in the slam book. My friends appreciated and admired my answers. I think my hidden journey for writing began in those 2 incidents, but I never realized. Sometimes, you need someone who could highlight the hidden talent within you. With the continuous positive comments from my friends, I started believing that I can write something that makes someone to enjoy. I have a bad (or good!?) habit of picking up lot of vocations and hobbies and call off immediately when it doesn’t give me joy. But when it comes to writing, I always felt a sense of satisfaction.
Tell the readers about Touch of Mist?
It was started with just an inspiring article on “Life is to Live”. Loads of positive comments poured in and it pushed me to write a short story based on it. As you said in your Author's note, after writing the first two chapters someone held your hands and made you to write more and more. My friends made me to write more and more chapters. That’s how a small article blossomed into a novel. It’s a story about 2 young professional whose relationship starts well but turns sours as they move forward. It has a message that a relationship is full of challenges and a success of any relationship depends on overcoming it. A story one could easily relate to their life.
How did you relate every fights between Reena and Gautam?
(Exclaims) I never came across my romantic soul mate like Gautham whom I can fight and relate with ( Jokes apart. On serious note, when I look back at those fights now, I feel the fights Reena and Gautham are extremely childish and unrealistic. Then by evening, I stumble across my friends who fight with their boyfriend for absolutely silly reasons. Few readers even said, they could easily relate it to their girlfriend.
You had once mentioned about the problems you face as an author. Did they really ask you if you have attempted suicide?
None asked in specific to suicide. But it takes lots of effort to make them understand that Gautham and Reena are only imaginary characters. They feel those chapters of love are the chapters of my life.
You have been actively participating in blogging competitions. Tell us about your awards.
First victory is always encouraging and remembered for ever. My first work was unfortunately recognized for vlog. It was a cash award of fifty thousand rupees for the "My Role Model Video Contest" organized by Gillette in association with BlogAdda. I am damn crazy about my dad and it was a video planned and shot in a day. I strongly feel it’s the true love for my dad, made me to win the contest. I don’t write targeting the winning prize. But I have no words to explain how encouraging to see my name on the winning list of a contest. To name a few I have won the BlueStone #SoundOfLove contest, Aerial’s is laundry only a woman’s Job Contest, Parachute’s Stress FreeMom Contest, Close up’s Cupid game contest. The story written for Bluestone contest is close to my heart and it feels excited to see the post close to my heart has won an award.
The conversation between Adam and Eve reminded me of the Hum Tum movie. Were you inspired?
Thank you. My first inspiration was from the book “Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus” by John Gray. Second, my crazy friends who act absolutely crack and tease me for my oddities.
I personally feel and have mentioned in my review that you did not utilize your full potential. What do you feel two years after publishing your book?
We human beings never get settled or satisfied. Of course, that’s a wonderful thing. I feel the flash back portion could have been much better and should have concentrated more on editing.
Why didn’t your readers get to see another book?
When its first time we are allowed to do mistakes and learn. None sets an expectation on the debut author. But for the second novel, the expectation will definitely increase. We have a responsibility of fulfilling the readers who took the second novel inspired by the previous novel. As far as it remains as responsibility it’s appreciable. But when it turns to a fear factor, it spoils the creativity. Sometimes, I feel writing is not my cup of coffee. But whoever I met after a year, their first question is “Tell me about your second novel” It’s a good thing to realize that people are expecting a second novel from me. But, I feel I need to gain lot of experience in writing before I start my second novel. Yes, soon you will see a second novel.
When did the gravity of suicidal tendency disturb your mind?
I lost my cousin brother to suicide when I was young. He was the only male child to my close families and his lose was unbearable. His mother even after several years could not recover from that incident. My friends who are damn bold, wealthy, beautiful say they want to kill themselves when they face small problems in life like job loss, love failure. Anger and grief are the main thing that motivated to write an article about life.
How was your publishing experience? Like several authors, did the bitterness of rejection come to you?
I sent my manuscript to one of the popular traditional publisher and luckily it was accepted and the contract was signed. The publisher expected few changes in the story flow and wanted my script to be more commercial. When my answer was no, the contract become void and null. I did not give up hope and started searching publishers. I sent my manuscript to a minimum of 10 publishers, only to receive rejection mail from them. Then Dr. Karunesh Kumar Agrawal was impressed by the book trailer and he decided to publish my manuscript.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Writers invest a lot of time in scripting, editing and scrutinizing the right publishers. By the time, the book reaches the final stage of printing; they almost get exhausted and fail to do enough marketing. Also, we are not confident enough to promote our own child. When we promote our own book through social media, we chunk ourselves quoting it’s a shameless self-promotion. We restrict ourselves from following up for a book reviews. So only advice would be Invest double the amount of your time and effort in marketing your child.
A major negative I felt was the lack of proofreading. Would you like to say something about it?
I agree to it. I failed to find the right proof reader. There are lot of organization and people out there, whom call themselves as proof readers even when they are not aware to correct the spelling and grammar. On the other hand, professional proofreaders are extremely expensive. Choosing the right proof reader is as important as choosing the right publisher. One of the takeaway from my publishing journey, is to spend little extra time to find a right proof reader.
Where do you see publishing going in the future?
Be it a publishing or any other field, there are hell lot of opportunities in the world than ever before. Lot of people who have good stories gets a chance to publish their script or convert their script to a short film. But it’s sad and discouraging to see that, most of their talented works do not get recognized.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Blog: http://deepikamuthusamy.blogspot.in/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vazhgaa.valamudan
Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Deepika-Muthusamy/e/B00EIEYERO/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0Book Links:
Shelfari - http://www.shelfari.com/books/36792894/Touch-of-Mist
InfiBeam http://www.infibeam.com/Books/touch-mist-deepika-muthusamy/9788182534407.html?utm_term=touch+of+mist_1_1
Jacket Flap - http://www.jacketflap.com/bookdetail.asp?bookid=8182534402
Amazon - http://www.amazon.in/Touch-Mist-Deepika-Muthusamy-ebook/dp/B00EI6D626/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450871461&sr=8-1&keywords=touch+of+mist
Flipkart - http://www.flipkart.com/touch-mist-english/p/itmdph85cvqfxuyb
YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWVLSyJeq6p8BrVIusnmmiA
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18742394-touch-of-mist
It’s been some time since we had a interview. But needless to say, I have an extremely talented writer with me today.
Let’s welcome Deepika Muthusamy, Blogger, Trekker, and author of Touch of Mist
Hi Deepika,Welcome to my virtual tete-a-tete.
Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
Oh my god. Thank you so much for such a wonderful introduction. This is my interview after 2 years and I am sure it’s going to be something out of the ordinary.Well, I am a software techie by professional but over the decades, I tried various hobbies like trekking, sports, dance, yoga, writing, gardening, photography and Short film making. I love to explore new things and spend my weekend with my lovable friends.
About your blog?
It’s a place where I can pour all my emotions, thoughts, my untold crush stories (chuckles). I started blogging with zero knowledge on blogosphere and zero experience in writing. I don’t write for the sake of keeping my blog active. I write only when I feel like writing and only when I get inspiration. My blog is more of my personal stuff, but one could easily relate too. It contains cute short stories, inspiring articles and travelling guide.
When did you recognize the writer in you?
Right from my school days, I had a habit of tracking my day in a journal. When my friends hand over the slam book during the final days of schools, I scribble, scribble and scribble a lot in the slam book. My friends appreciated and admired my answers. I think my hidden journey for writing began in those 2 incidents, but I never realized. Sometimes, you need someone who could highlight the hidden talent within you. With the continuous positive comments from my friends, I started believing that I can write something that makes someone to enjoy. I have a bad (or good!?) habit of picking up lot of vocations and hobbies and call off immediately when it doesn’t give me joy. But when it comes to writing, I always felt a sense of satisfaction.
Tell the readers about Touch of Mist?
It was started with just an inspiring article on “Life is to Live”. Loads of positive comments poured in and it pushed me to write a short story based on it. As you said in your Author's note, after writing the first two chapters someone held your hands and made you to write more and more. My friends made me to write more and more chapters. That’s how a small article blossomed into a novel. It’s a story about 2 young professional whose relationship starts well but turns sours as they move forward. It has a message that a relationship is full of challenges and a success of any relationship depends on overcoming it. A story one could easily relate to their life.
How did you relate every fights between Reena and Gautam?
(Exclaims) I never came across my romantic soul mate like Gautham whom I can fight and relate with ( Jokes apart. On serious note, when I look back at those fights now, I feel the fights Reena and Gautham are extremely childish and unrealistic. Then by evening, I stumble across my friends who fight with their boyfriend for absolutely silly reasons. Few readers even said, they could easily relate it to their girlfriend.
You had once mentioned about the problems you face as an author. Did they really ask you if you have attempted suicide?
None asked in specific to suicide. But it takes lots of effort to make them understand that Gautham and Reena are only imaginary characters. They feel those chapters of love are the chapters of my life.
You have been actively participating in blogging competitions. Tell us about your awards.
First victory is always encouraging and remembered for ever. My first work was unfortunately recognized for vlog. It was a cash award of fifty thousand rupees for the "My Role Model Video Contest" organized by Gillette in association with BlogAdda. I am damn crazy about my dad and it was a video planned and shot in a day. I strongly feel it’s the true love for my dad, made me to win the contest. I don’t write targeting the winning prize. But I have no words to explain how encouraging to see my name on the winning list of a contest. To name a few I have won the BlueStone #SoundOfLove contest, Aerial’s is laundry only a woman’s Job Contest, Parachute’s Stress FreeMom Contest, Close up’s Cupid game contest. The story written for Bluestone contest is close to my heart and it feels excited to see the post close to my heart has won an award.
The conversation between Adam and Eve reminded me of the Hum Tum movie. Were you inspired?
Thank you. My first inspiration was from the book “Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus” by John Gray. Second, my crazy friends who act absolutely crack and tease me for my oddities.
I personally feel and have mentioned in my review that you did not utilize your full potential. What do you feel two years after publishing your book?
We human beings never get settled or satisfied. Of course, that’s a wonderful thing. I feel the flash back portion could have been much better and should have concentrated more on editing.
Why didn’t your readers get to see another book?
When its first time we are allowed to do mistakes and learn. None sets an expectation on the debut author. But for the second novel, the expectation will definitely increase. We have a responsibility of fulfilling the readers who took the second novel inspired by the previous novel. As far as it remains as responsibility it’s appreciable. But when it turns to a fear factor, it spoils the creativity. Sometimes, I feel writing is not my cup of coffee. But whoever I met after a year, their first question is “Tell me about your second novel” It’s a good thing to realize that people are expecting a second novel from me. But, I feel I need to gain lot of experience in writing before I start my second novel. Yes, soon you will see a second novel.
When did the gravity of suicidal tendency disturb your mind?
I lost my cousin brother to suicide when I was young. He was the only male child to my close families and his lose was unbearable. His mother even after several years could not recover from that incident. My friends who are damn bold, wealthy, beautiful say they want to kill themselves when they face small problems in life like job loss, love failure. Anger and grief are the main thing that motivated to write an article about life.
How was your publishing experience? Like several authors, did the bitterness of rejection come to you?
I sent my manuscript to one of the popular traditional publisher and luckily it was accepted and the contract was signed. The publisher expected few changes in the story flow and wanted my script to be more commercial. When my answer was no, the contract become void and null. I did not give up hope and started searching publishers. I sent my manuscript to a minimum of 10 publishers, only to receive rejection mail from them. Then Dr. Karunesh Kumar Agrawal was impressed by the book trailer and he decided to publish my manuscript.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Writers invest a lot of time in scripting, editing and scrutinizing the right publishers. By the time, the book reaches the final stage of printing; they almost get exhausted and fail to do enough marketing. Also, we are not confident enough to promote our own child. When we promote our own book through social media, we chunk ourselves quoting it’s a shameless self-promotion. We restrict ourselves from following up for a book reviews. So only advice would be Invest double the amount of your time and effort in marketing your child.
A major negative I felt was the lack of proofreading. Would you like to say something about it?
I agree to it. I failed to find the right proof reader. There are lot of organization and people out there, whom call themselves as proof readers even when they are not aware to correct the spelling and grammar. On the other hand, professional proofreaders are extremely expensive. Choosing the right proof reader is as important as choosing the right publisher. One of the takeaway from my publishing journey, is to spend little extra time to find a right proof reader.
Where do you see publishing going in the future?
Be it a publishing or any other field, there are hell lot of opportunities in the world than ever before. Lot of people who have good stories gets a chance to publish their script or convert their script to a short film. But it’s sad and discouraging to see that, most of their talented works do not get recognized.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Blog: http://deepikamuthusamy.blogspot.in/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vazhgaa.valamudan
Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Deepika-Muthusamy/e/B00EIEYERO/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0Book Links:
Shelfari - http://www.shelfari.com/books/36792894/Touch-of-Mist
InfiBeam http://www.infibeam.com/Books/touch-mist-deepika-muthusamy/9788182534407.html?utm_term=touch+of+mist_1_1
Jacket Flap - http://www.jacketflap.com/bookdetail.asp?bookid=8182534402
Amazon - http://www.amazon.in/Touch-Mist-Deepika-Muthusamy-ebook/dp/B00EI6D626/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450871461&sr=8-1&keywords=touch+of+mist
Flipkart - http://www.flipkart.com/touch-mist-english/p/itmdph85cvqfxuyb
YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWVLSyJeq6p8BrVIusnmmiA
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18742394-touch-of-mist
December 22, 2015
Review of Corridors of my mind by Angel.M.B.Chadwick
Book Name : Corridors of my mindAuthor : Angel.M.B.Chadwick
Publisher : CreatespaceNumber of Pages : 241
Publishing Year : 2015
Edition : Paperback.Rating : 3.5
BlurbA nonfiction work; a memoir about certain aspects of the author's life, family and community written by the author in the form of literary poetry.
My ReviewCorridors of my mind is a collection of 132 poems. The poems are predominantly about love, loss, hatred, pain, dejection etc. Poetess clearly laments domestic violence and treachery in relations. The deep felt emotions are conveyed well with the readers. We will feel a deep pain in our heart while we put down our book. It is highly unfortunate that a girl of this level of talent had to suffer so much in her life. Some of the poems lingers to the reader even hours after completing the book. There are a few poems with a lighter mood like Into the pink veil and Dear Sweet tooth. She has also written two songs. They are well written written and grabs the beat. Overall the books are well written with highly emotional tone.A poem being subjective is understandable but when almost 75% of the book becomes subjective, it becomes monotonous. I got a scanned copy of the book. Hence it was difficult to assess the other details.
The poems that stole my heart
1. Kiss me tomorrow when I'm dead
2. Devout
3. Nature
4. When the Kingdom fell
5. Martyr
6. The Quest
7. Letter to the unknown soldier
8. Angel's Proverb
"If you live on regrets, you will be living a parasitic life" A quote from Angel's proverb
One LinerAn emotional override.
Avail the book from AMAZON
About the author
I am an indie author who writes all genres and inventor.
I am currently separated and have a eight year old son who is autistic/nonverbal and making steady and exceptional progress daily.
I will write his biography one day in the near future. And yes, I will be self-publishing it.
My novel "Weeping Well" will be on Amazon and online participating stores such as B&N, Booksamillion etc. in Spring 2016.
It's a YA/literary fiction/coming of age/set in 1980-2008/family/mystery/suspense/psychological/horror/thriller/dark gothic romance/ erotic/ sports/ travel (Mississippi, UK, Chicago, Japan) multicultural, multiracial/multilingual and so much more.
My next novel is a sci-fi/fantasy/with several genres mixed in called "Mazzie Carson" and will be released and the sequel December 2016.
In between that time next year I will be doing Ghostwriting and Editing Services for Upcoming/Indie Authors (see Goodreads blog) questions on rates and times will be explained and posted at that time next year when I have a clear schedule from writing my own books.
*I will be doing Ghostwriting and Editing Services quarterly only, since I have my eight year old son to raise on my own, a household to run, and still publish and write my own books.
I have been writing for 25 years since I was 13 years old.
I have self-published my first of many books called "Corridors of My Mind," a nonfiction memoir about my life written in the form of poetry.
I have been published before in poetry anthologies a number of times before when I was very young through poetry contests.
When I was fifteen years old, I was once offered a publishing contract by Harlequin, although they didn't know how young I was at the time and I stupidly decided not to sign, I regret it still to this day and think I have bad author karma because of it. My mother said I should sign but, I didn't listen (Mom's usually know best, I should've listened) I wasn't as confident about my writing back then.
But, I always wanted to be an indie author. I wrote for my college newspaper and yearbook when I was nineteen majoring in English and Journalism.
I love mixing genres and subgenres, subplots and plots. I mix it up until its a quagmire/ paradox of infinite plots twists and turns, etc.
I am literally incapable of writing any other way. Besides, I get bored easily and crave and use the glory of unpredictability in my writing. My writing is very unique and I go beyond the edge of literature.
I love literature and my favorite authors are Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Tennessee Williams, Bret Harte, William Shakespeare and yes I can understand every word spoken in Shakespeare's works, one of my favorites of his is "Macbeth." Mark Twain and William Faulkner, Alice Walker, Sylvia Plath, to name a few more etc. I don't read anything that I don't understand thoroughly.
Maybe that's why I feel so at home with literature I understand it, the words, the syntax, irony, metaphors, etc. I have an obsession with it and that's probably why I write it.
facebook.com/angel.chadwick.10
Here are direct links to my book on Amazon, Kindle and my Amazon Author's Page:
amazon.com/author/angelchadwick
http://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B00NL...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NLOM0HI
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...
http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00NL...
http://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B00NL...
http://www.amazon.es/gp/product/B00NL...
http://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B00NL...
http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B0...
https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B00NL (less)
Reviewed for the author Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
December 21, 2015
The review of Broken and Damaged love by T.L.Clark
Book Name : Broken and damaged loveAuthor : T.L.Clark
Publisher : Self PublishedNumber of Pages : 1207
Publishing Year : 2015
Edition : KindleRating : 3.5
Blurb
My name is Tina and this is my story.
In the fullness of time I have gone from victim to survivor of child abuse, but it was hard work getting there. I am fortunate; I found good friends who helped me on my journey.Read how my life was turned from one of horror to one of happiness.
Author’s note: This is a stand-alone work of fiction. It is a survivor story followed by a romance. It is different from my other books.
Without the darkness there is no light. So we go through the horrendous start to get to the happy ending. Tina eventually finds some lovely friends who have their own stories to tell.
I have written this to offer hope to survivors of child abuse, and to help inform the general public of the signs to watch out for. There is so much help out there; you can overcome your bad experiences.
Because it is for a good cause, this book will permanently be sold for 99c/99p (or equivalent in other currencies). *My proceeds from the first month of Broken & Damaged Love’s sales will be donated to HAVOCA*
***Please note that due to the theme of child abuse and sexually explicit scenes, this book is recommended for readers of 18+***
I have named the chapters, so if you’re sensitive to certain bits/have triggers you should at least have a warning and the option to avoid the parts you really can’t face yet.
My Review
Broken and damaged love is the story of Tina who was a victim of Child abuse. I would rather call her survivor. The story begins with how Tina's parents fell in love and tied the knot. Later when her father exploited her naivety, she becomes carried away, thinking that she is having a game with her dad. Realization engulfs her when she is fifteen and she turns in her father. The story develops as to how she copes up with circumstances thenceforth-Teasing, molestation, judgmental attitudes.The first two chapters gives us a brief account of Tina's parents life. This part seems rushed but since it is just an introduction, the reason why authoress rushed is understandable. Authoress has made sure to give a disclaimer (*If you have triggers or are in any way squeamish about abuse then please skip this chapter. Bad stuff is about to happen.*)in chapter 3 where in it is shown how her father made her do what he wanted. Nevertheless I feel that one should read this chapter to get the feel of the book. Later when Tina tries to put everything into place, events are linked one after the other seamlessly. Will she survive? Will she find true love? Will she meet her father?
Highlights
Portrayal of Tina, Frank, Jake and Peter is done with finesse. The friendship between Tina and Frank is rendered in such a way that the innocence, depth, affection and passion reaches the readers. I loved the authoress for the links provided in the end, about the organizations working for the survivors of sexual abuse, adult victims of child abuse, and even the firms that help homosexuals to deal with the reality. Now that's called responsibility.
DrawbacksSome of the love making scenes especially between Frank and Jake was unnecessarily erotic. It is not quite necessary to dwell into such details unnecessarily wherein the same between Tina and her boyfriend is required, which authoress succeeded in pulling off with a controlled narration. The informal narration killed the seriousness of the topic dealt. Had it been a funny and light story, this style could have been a perfect entertainer. Nevertheless the seriousness of the topic handled and the responsibility with which authoress handles the same, neutralizes the negatives.
One LinerA mirror to a shocking reality.
Avail the book from AMAZON
About the author
I'm a self-published author (on Amazon only at the moment). I'm 30something and was born and raised in the UK. I have a lovely and supportive husband and an irritating but much spoiled & loved cat.
I have a mundane 9-5 job, but fit my writing in around that and practising holistic therapies.
Each of my books is completely separate from the other, so you don't have to read them in any particular order. I've tried to look at love from different angles.
Youngs Love - was the first book I wrote. It features Samantha striving for independence. As she breaks away from her controlling marriage she explores the world of dating with varying results. There's a trip to Tuscany and lots of slushy bits as well as some raunchy scenes. Look out for the extra strong mints!
Trues Love - follows feisty Amanda who loves her free & single world filled with nights of passion with different men. She goes to Ibiza with a girly friend and runs into a blonde Adonis of a bodyguard. Is this true love or a holiday romance? It's certainly not short on action.
Dark Love - I wrote this by popular demand. It's the BDSM one! Male Submissive Jonathan is guided by Mistress Eisengrau through a world of dungeons and a journey of self exploration.
I hope you enjoy reading my books. If you do, please please leave a review. I truly appreciate every single review.
Reviewed for the author
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
"I started writing after the Nirbhaya incident in December 2012. " in conversation with Debajani Mohanty
The Historical Fiction lover I am, I would be more than happy to
have a talk with a woman, an Indian who excelled in the genre. We
have Debajani Mohanty, author of Curse of Damini with me.
Hi Debajani
Welcome to my virtual teté-a-teté
Tell us a little about yourself and your background?I am just an ordinary human being, with extra-ordinary willpower. I am also an engineering graduate, a seasoned I.T. professional with 15 years of career, have widely travelled across the world, happily married with two kids.
Tell us about The Curse of Damini.
Since childhood I have been an avid admirer of classics. I had once watched “Saheb Biwi Gulam” where the Chhoti Bahu implores the Gulam to bring her Mohini Sindoor believing it will keep her unfaithful husband home. In spite of all her attempts to appease her husband she is abducted, murdered by her brother-in-law and buried somewhere in the Zamidar mansion, her skeleton to be discovered by people few decades later. I watched Devdas where the protagonist had no heroic quality and end up being a lovelorn, self-destructive character. For years together I kept on wondering what if these stories had different endings. What if Chhoti Bahu had to live that life for years and years together? What if Devdas being a weak character, had married Paro but still ended up in a courtesan’s arms? And what if they had a savior?From the hundreds and thousands real incidents as well as folklores that I heard in my childhood, I beaded my plot. History and status of women play a central role in the novel “The Curse of Damini”. To be honest with you, it’s not a story rather a bunch of real-world eventualities that our women have lived up with since ages. In those 200 pages I have tried to summarize the lives of women claustrophobically restricted by social, economic and psychological conditions. In this one story I have covered many evils of mankind; hunger, forced prostitution, child marriage, Satee, widowhood, adultery, blind rituals and rape.
Do you believe in ghost?
I believe in some super-natural power that’s beyond explanation. Call me an optimist fool, but I believe in Karma-Chakra and poetic justice. Sometimes the good or bad deeds done by a human being is neither rewarded nor punished on an immediate basis, but that does not mean it’s forgotten. You may refer to the following line in the novel where I have quoted my beliefs“You reap what you sow, zamindar. You didn’t let us live a life, and I curse you. I curse you, so would be your life.”
Why did you project the book as a horror story?
I wished this novel to attract readers from all genres. Had I projected it as a historical fiction, it would have lured a particular group; however thrillers usually have a wider audience.
How much research did you do?
Ahh! A lot. I had to read more than fifty well-known novels that discuss that era, the beliefs as we as the lifestyle of people. I collected some long forgotten stories from my diary that I had heard as a little girl. I had to discuss for hours with my grandmother and I surfed the internet as a fanatic to collect required materials, old letters, and newspaper articles blah blah. In fact I took almost two years on and off to write and rewrite the story which involved many rounds of reviews by my well-wishers.
So, what have you written?Honestly this is my very first attempt. Long before publishing “The Curse of Damini” as a novel, I started writing this as a fiction on www.india-forum.com. The narrative was in a very nascent form at that time. Many readers in that forum advised me to publish it as a novel, which I did. Usually people hesitate publishing their maiden works due to the apprehension of acceptance. I didn’t have that as most of the ladies in the forum were well-educated and from all over the world. Many of them sent their feedback how to improve certain characters to make them appear more realistic.
Which writers inspire you?I like writers who do a lot of research and come up with innovative story-lines. There was Nobel- laureate German author Hermann Hesse who lived in British-Raj India for many years before writing Sidhartha, a masterpiece. There is Amish Tripathy who conceptualized his Shiv series after a lot of fore-thought and research. Such dedication and unique thoughts make a writer immortal, not the language.
What made you decide to sit down and actually start something?I started writing after the Nirbhaya incident in December 2012. In those days I wrote an article on India forum inviting people to send their comments how to minimize crimes against women. I summarized them and sent to Prime Minister’s PMO site some 3 years back. “Souchalay” was one of the programs that I had suggested. After that I started writing the actual novel. Those suggestions can be still be seen in the 33rd chapter of the novel.
If this book is part of a series, tell us a little about it?While writing the novel, I had considered bringing a series out of it. But then I thought against this idea. “The Curse of Damini” is a multi-character novel spanning many years of Indian history, it can’t have a sequel.
What’s your views on social media for marketing?I have just started and it’s too early to comment on this.
Which social network worked best for you?Due to shortage of time, I have tried only facebook so far and it rocks. I think everyone whosoever is educated on earth and has access to net, also has a facebook profile and it’s a one-stop solution for all our promotion.I have also tried goodreads and in limited time got good response there.
Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book/s?
Yes, I do have two videos, here are the links.With voiceover -
Without voiceover -
What advice would you give to your younger self?For the younger writers my advice would be to concentrate on writing than on marketing or any other distraction. It’s upsetting that the world sometimes recognizes accomplished people posthumously. Premchand died in immense poverty, the World War II snatched us of Anne Frank, yet they will keep on living till eternity through their masterpieces. We need great works and people with the ideas, craft and dedication to entertain, challenge and inspire us. I wish good luck to all.
Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?I wish to meet few 3 great people of all times; Budha, Jesus, Martin Luther King. I wish to know how they could influence such a wider mass and transformed hearts of many. Among the living, of course it would be our esteemed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?I think it’s definitely “Anna Karenina”. I remember I read the novel followed by watching the many different versions of this epic Russian tragedy in Hollywood movies, especially the final scene when Anna commits suicide by throwing herself before the train. I lost my appetite and gradually got into depression. That is the time when I wrote the chapter of Papia. But today with a stable mind I say, I would have opted for a positive ending for Anna. I may rarely write such a character where my female protagonist is weak, somehow I can’t; Papia is an exception though.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?Try to come up with something new, something unique. More than the language it’s the theme of the story that matters. I usually inspire people to write on subjects that fascinate them. It could be anything.
Where do you see publishing going in the future?I come from an I.T. background and in comparison wish to see more professionally streamlined publishing industry. Especially in India if we wish publishing to come up as an industry, we must have good professionalism in place, which I see is still lacking. People work without contractual agreements, do not stick to the delivery timeline and sometimes do not give honest feedback. Though I have found some extraordinary people here, yet I am telling you what the general behavior is.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?Some people have sent me the feedback that the suspense is not properly explained or the story loses momentum on 33rd chapter. Yet I feel that chapter is the essence of the novel. I request them to read the novel with ample time and feel the characters and their longing, for they are so real. The suspense is not overtly explained, but if you read it properly you can feel it yourself. Rakhi, I am really pleased with the review of an accomplished blogger as well as writer like you. Initially when I was asked which genre my story will fall into, I was puzzled. It could be a romance, a thriller; it could also be just a fiction with a touch of suspense and horror. But after reading your review, I realized more than anything else it’s a historical fiction. Thanks for your feedback again.
Thanks a lot Debajani. If you have been following my blog, you can see that my favorite genre is historical fiction and I was happy to read the same from an Indian author.So, How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debajani.rastogiWebsite: http://www.debajanimohanty.com/Twitter: @debimr75Lnkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debajanimohantypmpGoodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14191468.Debajani_Mohanty
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.
have a talk with a woman, an Indian who excelled in the genre. We
have Debajani Mohanty, author of Curse of Damini with me.
Hi Debajani
Welcome to my virtual teté-a-teté
Tell us a little about yourself and your background?I am just an ordinary human being, with extra-ordinary willpower. I am also an engineering graduate, a seasoned I.T. professional with 15 years of career, have widely travelled across the world, happily married with two kids.
Tell us about The Curse of Damini.
Since childhood I have been an avid admirer of classics. I had once watched “Saheb Biwi Gulam” where the Chhoti Bahu implores the Gulam to bring her Mohini Sindoor believing it will keep her unfaithful husband home. In spite of all her attempts to appease her husband she is abducted, murdered by her brother-in-law and buried somewhere in the Zamidar mansion, her skeleton to be discovered by people few decades later. I watched Devdas where the protagonist had no heroic quality and end up being a lovelorn, self-destructive character. For years together I kept on wondering what if these stories had different endings. What if Chhoti Bahu had to live that life for years and years together? What if Devdas being a weak character, had married Paro but still ended up in a courtesan’s arms? And what if they had a savior?From the hundreds and thousands real incidents as well as folklores that I heard in my childhood, I beaded my plot. History and status of women play a central role in the novel “The Curse of Damini”. To be honest with you, it’s not a story rather a bunch of real-world eventualities that our women have lived up with since ages. In those 200 pages I have tried to summarize the lives of women claustrophobically restricted by social, economic and psychological conditions. In this one story I have covered many evils of mankind; hunger, forced prostitution, child marriage, Satee, widowhood, adultery, blind rituals and rape.
Do you believe in ghost?
I believe in some super-natural power that’s beyond explanation. Call me an optimist fool, but I believe in Karma-Chakra and poetic justice. Sometimes the good or bad deeds done by a human being is neither rewarded nor punished on an immediate basis, but that does not mean it’s forgotten. You may refer to the following line in the novel where I have quoted my beliefs“You reap what you sow, zamindar. You didn’t let us live a life, and I curse you. I curse you, so would be your life.”
Why did you project the book as a horror story?
I wished this novel to attract readers from all genres. Had I projected it as a historical fiction, it would have lured a particular group; however thrillers usually have a wider audience.
How much research did you do?
Ahh! A lot. I had to read more than fifty well-known novels that discuss that era, the beliefs as we as the lifestyle of people. I collected some long forgotten stories from my diary that I had heard as a little girl. I had to discuss for hours with my grandmother and I surfed the internet as a fanatic to collect required materials, old letters, and newspaper articles blah blah. In fact I took almost two years on and off to write and rewrite the story which involved many rounds of reviews by my well-wishers.
So, what have you written?Honestly this is my very first attempt. Long before publishing “The Curse of Damini” as a novel, I started writing this as a fiction on www.india-forum.com. The narrative was in a very nascent form at that time. Many readers in that forum advised me to publish it as a novel, which I did. Usually people hesitate publishing their maiden works due to the apprehension of acceptance. I didn’t have that as most of the ladies in the forum were well-educated and from all over the world. Many of them sent their feedback how to improve certain characters to make them appear more realistic.
Which writers inspire you?I like writers who do a lot of research and come up with innovative story-lines. There was Nobel- laureate German author Hermann Hesse who lived in British-Raj India for many years before writing Sidhartha, a masterpiece. There is Amish Tripathy who conceptualized his Shiv series after a lot of fore-thought and research. Such dedication and unique thoughts make a writer immortal, not the language.
What made you decide to sit down and actually start something?I started writing after the Nirbhaya incident in December 2012. In those days I wrote an article on India forum inviting people to send their comments how to minimize crimes against women. I summarized them and sent to Prime Minister’s PMO site some 3 years back. “Souchalay” was one of the programs that I had suggested. After that I started writing the actual novel. Those suggestions can be still be seen in the 33rd chapter of the novel.
If this book is part of a series, tell us a little about it?While writing the novel, I had considered bringing a series out of it. But then I thought against this idea. “The Curse of Damini” is a multi-character novel spanning many years of Indian history, it can’t have a sequel.
What’s your views on social media for marketing?I have just started and it’s too early to comment on this.
Which social network worked best for you?Due to shortage of time, I have tried only facebook so far and it rocks. I think everyone whosoever is educated on earth and has access to net, also has a facebook profile and it’s a one-stop solution for all our promotion.I have also tried goodreads and in limited time got good response there.
Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book/s?
Yes, I do have two videos, here are the links.With voiceover -
Without voiceover -
What advice would you give to your younger self?For the younger writers my advice would be to concentrate on writing than on marketing or any other distraction. It’s upsetting that the world sometimes recognizes accomplished people posthumously. Premchand died in immense poverty, the World War II snatched us of Anne Frank, yet they will keep on living till eternity through their masterpieces. We need great works and people with the ideas, craft and dedication to entertain, challenge and inspire us. I wish good luck to all.
Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?I wish to meet few 3 great people of all times; Budha, Jesus, Martin Luther King. I wish to know how they could influence such a wider mass and transformed hearts of many. Among the living, of course it would be our esteemed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?I think it’s definitely “Anna Karenina”. I remember I read the novel followed by watching the many different versions of this epic Russian tragedy in Hollywood movies, especially the final scene when Anna commits suicide by throwing herself before the train. I lost my appetite and gradually got into depression. That is the time when I wrote the chapter of Papia. But today with a stable mind I say, I would have opted for a positive ending for Anna. I may rarely write such a character where my female protagonist is weak, somehow I can’t; Papia is an exception though.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?Try to come up with something new, something unique. More than the language it’s the theme of the story that matters. I usually inspire people to write on subjects that fascinate them. It could be anything.
Where do you see publishing going in the future?I come from an I.T. background and in comparison wish to see more professionally streamlined publishing industry. Especially in India if we wish publishing to come up as an industry, we must have good professionalism in place, which I see is still lacking. People work without contractual agreements, do not stick to the delivery timeline and sometimes do not give honest feedback. Though I have found some extraordinary people here, yet I am telling you what the general behavior is.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?Some people have sent me the feedback that the suspense is not properly explained or the story loses momentum on 33rd chapter. Yet I feel that chapter is the essence of the novel. I request them to read the novel with ample time and feel the characters and their longing, for they are so real. The suspense is not overtly explained, but if you read it properly you can feel it yourself. Rakhi, I am really pleased with the review of an accomplished blogger as well as writer like you. Initially when I was asked which genre my story will fall into, I was puzzled. It could be a romance, a thriller; it could also be just a fiction with a touch of suspense and horror. But after reading your review, I realized more than anything else it’s a historical fiction. Thanks for your feedback again.
Thanks a lot Debajani. If you have been following my blog, you can see that my favorite genre is historical fiction and I was happy to read the same from an Indian author.So, How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debajani.rastogiWebsite: http://www.debajanimohanty.com/Twitter: @debimr75Lnkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debajanimohantypmpGoodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14191468.Debajani_Mohanty
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.
December 18, 2015
Review of Garnier Pure Active face wash(Guest post by my dear friend Anjali Sengar)
Hello Readers!!!
This is my first post as a guest blogger (You can also visit my blog www.zigzacmania.com ) on my sweet friend’s blog. In this post I am going to review a face wash by one of the leading beauty brand across the world. Yes! I am talking about Garnier Pure Active Real Neem Face Wash.
Product claims: A soap free, gentle face wash with real Neem extract and Tea Tree oil, this face wash by Garnier is great for everyday use. Neem has anti-bacterial properties and helps fight germs that cause pimples and acnes. It deeply cleanses and purifies the skin. Tea Tree oil too fights acnes and has many benefits for the skin. Pure Active face wash combines the best of both and gives you clean, pimple free and refreshing skin that will glow.
It has a nice fragrance and a runny consistency and feels very light on the face.
Ingredients: Water, coco-betane, peg-8, sodium laureth sulfate, peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate, sodium chloride, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, tea tree leaf oil, zinc gluconate, sodium glycolate, melia azadirachta leaf extract, tetrasodium edta, menthol, sodium benzoate, salicylic acid, cl 19140. Cl 42090, linalool, benzyl salicylate, fragrance (b48601/0).
Price: 15 gm @ 20 Rs
Shelf life: 36 months or 3 years
Packaging: The product comes in a pretty white color tube with same colored cap. That cap is screw type that fits firm. This face wash is available in various variants. I prefer 15 gm tube which can be easily carried in your bag or clutch. Overall packaging is sturdy & travel friendly.
Texture/ Consistency: The gel is greenish is color & has a gel like consistency. But is bit runny in nature, so be careful while taking it out. It lathers very well so only small amount is sufficient for entire face. It is gentle in nature & doesn’t sting on skin or pimples.
Fragrance: It has a very refreshing citrusy smell which is not at all overpowering or irritating. But people with extreme sensitive nose may raise their brow. He he he. However the smell stays for few minutes than fades away.
Action: I usually squeeze just a tiny bit of quantity, gently massage on damp face using your fingertips in a circular motion. On application this face wash cleans all the impurities & also clears up all the clogged pores. It fights against the harm done to your skin by pollution, bacteria and excess oil. With gradual regular use, it also brightens up the skin.
After application your skin will feel dry so definitely you have to moisturize your skin. Due to it’s drying effect I am avoiding it these days (Winter). But will again use it in summers.
Overall Rating: 4/5
This is my first post as a guest blogger (You can also visit my blog www.zigzacmania.com ) on my sweet friend’s blog. In this post I am going to review a face wash by one of the leading beauty brand across the world. Yes! I am talking about Garnier Pure Active Real Neem Face Wash.
Product claims: A soap free, gentle face wash with real Neem extract and Tea Tree oil, this face wash by Garnier is great for everyday use. Neem has anti-bacterial properties and helps fight germs that cause pimples and acnes. It deeply cleanses and purifies the skin. Tea Tree oil too fights acnes and has many benefits for the skin. Pure Active face wash combines the best of both and gives you clean, pimple free and refreshing skin that will glow.
It has a nice fragrance and a runny consistency and feels very light on the face.
Ingredients: Water, coco-betane, peg-8, sodium laureth sulfate, peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate, sodium chloride, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, tea tree leaf oil, zinc gluconate, sodium glycolate, melia azadirachta leaf extract, tetrasodium edta, menthol, sodium benzoate, salicylic acid, cl 19140. Cl 42090, linalool, benzyl salicylate, fragrance (b48601/0).
Price: 15 gm @ 20 Rs
Shelf life: 36 months or 3 years
Packaging: The product comes in a pretty white color tube with same colored cap. That cap is screw type that fits firm. This face wash is available in various variants. I prefer 15 gm tube which can be easily carried in your bag or clutch. Overall packaging is sturdy & travel friendly.
Texture/ Consistency: The gel is greenish is color & has a gel like consistency. But is bit runny in nature, so be careful while taking it out. It lathers very well so only small amount is sufficient for entire face. It is gentle in nature & doesn’t sting on skin or pimples.
Fragrance: It has a very refreshing citrusy smell which is not at all overpowering or irritating. But people with extreme sensitive nose may raise their brow. He he he. However the smell stays for few minutes than fades away.
Action: I usually squeeze just a tiny bit of quantity, gently massage on damp face using your fingertips in a circular motion. On application this face wash cleans all the impurities & also clears up all the clogged pores. It fights against the harm done to your skin by pollution, bacteria and excess oil. With gradual regular use, it also brightens up the skin.
After application your skin will feel dry so definitely you have to moisturize your skin. Due to it’s drying effect I am avoiding it these days (Winter). But will again use it in summers.
Overall Rating: 4/5
December 17, 2015
Stark realities of lives during Christmas- Review of Hark- A Christmas collection
Book Name : Hark---A Cristmas CollectionAuthor : Justin BogNumber of Pages : 134
Publishing Year : 2014
Edition : KindlePublisher : Booktrope Rating : 3.5
Blurb
A beautifully written collection of short stories from critically acclaimed Pacific Northwest writer Justin Bog, Hark explores the range of emotions surrounding the holidays. From melancholy to madness, loss and despair to hope and forgiveness, these six tales shimmer with feelings, some we’d rather stuff away, that Christmas can evoke.
Within Hark—A Christmas Collection, a retired police officer faces another Christmas Eve while bitter recollections haunt his every turn, a lonely woman plans to seduce Santa Claus one Christmas Eve, a widow grows anxious as she searches for a present she misplaced and intended to send to her ungrateful sister, a woman can’t keep the images of her past—these ghosts —from haunting the life she chooses to live, a young gentleman and his partner join a Christmas party in Sun Valley, Idaho and are taught a lesson most un-holidaylike, and, finally, a couple portrays Mr. & Mrs. Claus in their small island town holiday festivities and face a grim diagnosis together. Set in colorful locations around the United States, from Anacortes, Washington, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Sun Valley, Idaho, each tale focuses on people who struggle to make good choices, learn lessons, and maybe even find peace during the holiday season.
A bonus story, Poseidon Eyes, from the upcoming Sandcastle and Other Stories—The Complete Edition, is included.
My ReviewWhile I read the title, I was all set to have a fun, light read. So I started the book lazily. I was expecting a stout bubbly Santa with funny fairy tales. But once the stories unveiled, I realized that the book is not a Santa but a six fingered monster. Instead of tender tales I saw stark realities. Like the fingers in our hand each story varies in style, length, depth and purpose.Real lives of people in trouble, pain, happiness, anger, all the same. Since it is a short story collection, I am not going into the step by step analysis citing plots, characters, highlights and drawbacks. I am of the opinion that while reviewing short stories and poems, we should not give a detailed review of every stories/poems.
The first story Hark touches the strings of heart which would drip blood. The second story Seducing Santa makes us smile, frown, wince, pout and laugh. The third finger Bracelet is an intricately weaved the story. Fourth one Everyone wants me to, brought me to tears. Snow globe, the fifth story is an easy read. Sixth and the last story, excites us with an unexpected twist, which reminded me of the proverb keep the best to the last. Author has made use of his experiences in the right channel. Writing style is good. The shift of third person narrative and first person narrative in Everyone Wants me to is a fresh treatment of literature. The stories surely lingers to our mind even days after reading.
Some stories are stretched unnecessarily,which drops the pace of the story and reading. The cover image did not reflect the stories.
One LinerA six fingered monster capable of alluring and haunting the readers.
Avail the book from AMAZON, BARNES AND NOBLE & FLIPKART
About the author
Sandcastle and Other Stories: The Complete Edition was just published by Booktrope. In its old version, it was a Finalist for the Ohioana Book Awards 2014! It was also named Best Suspense Anthology of 2013 by Suspense Magazine.
Justin Bog is a member of the ITW: International Thriller Writers
Justin Bog lives in the Pacific Northwest on Fidalgo Island. He is an author of dark, psychological tales and an Editor for Gravity, one of Booktrope's publishing imprints. Justin Bog was Pop Culture Correspondent and Editor for In Classic Style, an eMagazine. Bog loves to cook and play the part of treat master to two long coat German shepherds, Zippy and Kipling, and two barn cats, Ajax The Gray and Eartha Kitt'n.
Look for Speak the Word, an ebook bundle of the two new dark tales from Sandcastle and Other Stories: The Complete Edition.
Thank you for giving short stories a chance.
Reviewed for Sage's Blog Tour
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy from the Author in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Review of The third day-Dwapara yuga by Harshita Vallem
Book Name : The third day-Dwapara YugaAuthor : Harshita Vallem
Publisher : Frog booksNumber of Pages : 250
Publishing Year : 2015
Edition : PaperbackRating : 3.0
Blurb
A day in Brahma’s life has 14 Manvantaras + 15 Sandhyas, which is equal to 4.32 billion years. Each Manvantara has 71 Divya-Yugas, which is equal to 306.72 million years. Again each Divya-Yuga is divided into four Yugas, Satya, Treta, Dwapara, and Kali. Brahma created eleven Prajapathis and seven Saptarishis, who are called the Manas Putras to serve in creating the Universe. However, he made an irrevocable mistake on the first day of his life that cost him his honour, as one of the supreme Lords of the Trimurti, and led to the fight between evil and good and the loss of billions of lives. The very existence of humankind was questioned. In the Dwapara Yuga – Brahma fought to regain his honour – and Elsker, the Universe – to save his love Sarayu, the earth. In the first millionth year, of the Dwapara Yuga – the Tala Pata Grandas – the prestigious holy scripts, written on holy leaves – were opened, unveiling the unpleasant things to come. A terrifying war broke out between the cannibals and humankind. However, the unison of Elsker and Sarayu ended the war abruptly, during the first millionth year. Nevertheless, the evil had not yet ceased and Elsker left to build his army to combat the evil that was unleashed! The second millionth year began. To unearth the ‘City of Lost Souls’ and fight evil – the Universal Mind and Elsker began their quest for Nirbhaya and the Manas Putras. The Manas Putras were re-incarnated in the third yuga of the third day of Lord Brahma’s life. Elsker was not alone in this quest, the King of Narmada’;s soul; Daksha guided Elsker. Expect the unexpected…
My Review
I started off the book with an intention to read a mythological fiction. The blurb too gives the feel of a mythological fiction but when I entered the world of imaginations set by authoress, I realized that it is a YA Fantasy of which I am not much of an expert to review. I admit my mistake of not investigating much about the genre of the book. The names Elsker, Sarayu, Nirbhaya, Parama, Daksha etc were picked up randomly. The mythological connection seems to occur when the names of Prajapthis and Saptharshis are revealed.
Highlights
The writing style is simple and suits a YA fantasy. Parama's character is crafted very well. The imagery of the book is good. Authoress has prepared a mouthwatering feast for the fantasy lovers. For a debutante, she had done a good job. The cogent cover adds to the appeal of the book.
Drawbacks
The love between Sarayu and Elsker was not conveyed well. Authoress has shown excellence in designing the blurb and acknowledgement, but failed to pull off the same in the book. In spite of being exceptionally good in terms of literary value,the blurb is misleadingOne LinerA YA fantasy with a mythological twist.Avail the book from AMAZON & FLIPKARTAbout the author
In one line I would say - A gutsy personality who doesn’t think about the existence of negative consequences when a seed of thought gets implanted within me
Reviewed for the publisher Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
