Preeti Shenoy's Blog

Read Preeti Shenoy's posts on Substack now!

Hello my lovely readers,

It's been nearly 18 years since I started this blog. So now my blog is an adult :)

Some years ago, I started something called a 'Blog marathon' where I post every day for 30 days. I have done it for many years now. This year, I will not be doing it. The reasons are many.

1. I have a full time column at The New Indian Express now. My advice column "Dear Life" is published every Tuesday. If you have any questions you want to ask someone but do not know who to ask, please mail me on AskPreetiShenoy(at)gmail(dot)com. Everything you share is anonymous. Each week I pick one and answer it.

To give you an idea of what it looks like here are some of my previous columns:

As you can see, the questions are varied, and the problems are so many. So feel free to ask anything.

2. I also have a monthly column at the New Indian Express since January this yeat. This was my last column:

You can also read it online HERE.
2. The blogger interface is quite outdated. To upload these images of my columns itself, I had to change my browser.

3. I am busy with my ext book which will be out in November this year. It's published by Harper Collins,It is called 'The Homecoming' and is a sequel to 'A Place called home'.

If you haven't yet read it, please do read it.

4. I find that whenever I post here (especially) for my blog marathon, it is the same set of 3 people who leave comments on every post. While I am grateful for the comments, it is also quite discouraging to "talk to myself'.

5. Blogger gives me not much options or flexibility in terms of controlling the subscriptions to my blog in anyway. The RSS feeds deliver the posts quite late.

6. Bloggers reach is reducing a lot! Hardly anyone on blogger anymore--readers as well as writers. I wont be surprised if google suddenly decides to wind up blogger.

Because of all the above reasons (and several more!) I decided to start writing on Substack. It's a great place to read quality content. It gives me a lot more flexibility as a writer, and for readers it's very user friendly as well.

I hope to be posting regaulrly on substack now.

You can read my first piece by clicking on the link below:

https://preetishenoy.substack.com/p/theres-joy-in-waiting

Please do join me on my substack. It is called Life's Little Notes.

I will continue posting here too (after all it is my first 'home' on the Internet) but I will be posting more often in Substack.
See you there!

Love
Preeti

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Published on May 08, 2024 04:38

30 life lessons I learn from my 30 day blog marathon

Photo by Brigitte Tohm on Unsplash

Hello all!

I have mixed feelings today. I feel a bit relieved that this blog marathon is coming to an end. It was *very hard* for me to keep producing content, day after day with no remuneration whatsoever, especially when I had other paid work. The other thing being that I had to take out time from my day to be here, no matter what I had going on in my personal life. That was excruciatingly hard. I do feel happy that I achieved it,
I also feel a bit sad that it is over--somehow, in these 30 days, I feel I have made a real connection with the people who took out time to comment here regularly, on almost all posts. That did encourage me a LOT, and as much as you were looking forward to my posts, I was looking forward to reading your comments. They were a real joy and a delight for me, and frankly kept me going.

I would like to thank Sourabh who commented on ALL of my posts. I would also like to thank Tarang Sinha, who was super supportive. Do check out her blog HERE

Pavan, Priyanka, Priyajit and my blogger friends country dew and4. Bev too commented. If I have missed out any more, I'm sorry. But please know that your words meant a lot. I did reply to all comments too.

Here are 30 lessons I learnt from 30 days of my blog marathon.

1. If you love something (or soemone) you will always find the time for it (or them).

2. Some people will be there for you always, and some won't bother. That's okay. Be grateful for the ones who are there.

3. You can keep going long after you think you can't.

4. Every day is a gift, and we have to look for what was best in that day, and focus on it.

5. Connecting with others helps.

6. Forgive someone who has wronged you in the past. They are not the same people they were back then.

7.Feed your mind with interesting things. Only then can you nurture your creativity.

8. Do what you have to do.

9. Keep going even when you can't see any reward. The Universe is doing its work.

10. Believe that good things are coming.

11.If you have committed to something, force yourself to do it, even when you don't feel like it.

12. Let go.

13.Being regular is more important that being perfect.

14. Practise a skill daily, even if it is for a little time. It all adds up.

15. Discipline is old fashioned but it isthe most powerful tool you cam empower yourself with.

16. Share.

17. Keep some things to yourself! You don't have to share it all :)

18. Kindness over everything else.

19. People are different. Accept them.

20. Don't tolerate being disrespected. Walk away.

21. Not everyone will be nice to you. It shows who they are--it is not a reflection on you.

22. Choose your tribe carefully.

23. Make time to read things that interest you. Reading nurtures your soul.

24. You can smile even if you are hurting inside. A smile spreads cheer and surprisingly you will feel better.

25. Pick up the phone and make that phone-call to a person you want to be in touch with.

26. Making friends with an animal is rewarding. How amazing it is to be able to understand another species!

27. It is best to be silent and walk away when someone argues foolishly. They will never see your point of view

28. Having tea/coffee or whatever your comfort drink is, helps while working!

29. Reward yourself for a task well done.

30. A sense of accomplishment for a challenege completed is a reward in itself. Monetary rewards aren't always the best!

I hope you have been enjoying the blog marathon posts. If you like my posts, you will probably enjoy my books as well.

Do check out my latest book A Place Called Home.

That's all for now. I hope to blog every now and then.

Take care.
Love
Preeti

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Published on June 30, 2023 11:16

Top 13 Apps on my phone! (Thursday thirteen)

Photo by Bagus Hernawan on Unsplash

Its time for a Thursday Thirteen again!

Today I thought I'd share the top 13 apps on my phone. Here goes (in no particular order)

1.Fitbit : I have a Charge 5 and it's one of the best things I have invested in. I wear it all the time and I use it to track my sleep, my calories burnt, steps walked and much much more. If you are a fitness enthusiast or even someone generally trying to get fit, I recommend it.

2. Duolingo: I've been using duolingo for learning Spanish. (I have a streak of 425 days which means I have used it daily for the past 425 days!) It's a free app, and the learning is fun. It's excellent for learning basics and grammar. However, in order to be able to speak the language, you still have to immerse yourself in it, and the best way is by hiring a tutor who can converse with you in that language. But you will learn a LOT of new words and sentences using this app.

3. Instagram: I use it all the time. Follow me to see what I am upto on a daily basis. I post stories daily. Click HERE.

4. Twitter: I am very active on Twitter too. HERE is my Twitter account. Follow me on twitter too!

5. Strong: I use this to track my daily workouts. This is what the icon looks like:

Today I had a leg day. Here's what my workout was (Yes,I am so dead!)

6. Accuweather: I use it all the time to check out the weather at the variuos destinations I travel to. It's mostly accurate. (Example--it even tells things like 'rain in 21 minutes' and mostly it is right!)

7.Koo: The Indian alternative to twitter..Yes, I am on Koo too.

8. Reddit: I find it to be a useful forum

9. Linked in: HERE is my profile on linkedin.

10. Google Maps: Of course it's essential!

11. Google Pay: Can't imagine life without it. I rarely take my wallet these days.

12. Digiyatra: Super useful to check in, at Bangalore airport

13. Apple Music: Need it for everything!

Apart from the above functional apps, I have a few mind-engaging games which I play regularly. One is called Design Home where you work on actual homes and design the interiors. I love Tetris. Then I have something call Ball Sort which is a puzzle to sort out balls on the basis of their colour into small testtubes. I also have Woody which is a spin-off on tetris.

These are some of the apps I use!
What about you? What are the apps you have? Tell me in comments 👇🏽

Last post of the blog marathon tomorrow!!
See you tomorrow.
Love
Preeti

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Published on June 29, 2023 07:36

Wordless Wednesday--Books currently on my besdide

It's wordless wednesday.

These are the books which were currently on my bedside. I'm working on a sequel to 'A Place Called Home' and so I just read it again today. The rest of the books are ones I loved reading. Yet to read the one right at the bottom.

Since this post is supposed to be wordless I'll stop now :)
(But do check out these books)

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Published on June 28, 2023 08:05

Travel Tuesday --How to choose a place to visit

Hello!

We're nearing the end of the blog marathon. Only 3 more posts (apart from this one) and we're done! It's gone by so fast!

Since today is Travel Tuesday, I asked on my Instagram stories what questions you'd like me to answer related to travel. I said I'd pick the first few questions and answer them in a blog post.

here goes:

How do you decide which place you'd like to visit?

For me, I look at places I've read about in books mostly. When we decided to visit Egypt, it was because my husband and I are both huge fans of Wilbur Smith's books. Many of them are set in ancient Egypt. When we visited all those places we were filled with a sense of awe as these were places so familiar to us, because of the books!
It's a great idea to make a list of places you'd like to visit. Think about what you truly love. If you like history pick places that have historical significance. (I am a huge fan of historical places. When I visit old forts or palaces or such, it fills me with a sense of wonder to think that certain incidents happened in the very place I am standing, thousands of years ago)
If you like beach destinations, look up all the beaches. Then think about whether you don't mind the crowds (In which case there are ample destinations!) or whether you want solitude. One of the best beaches I visited was Radhanagar beach in Andaman.

Photo by Niket Malpani on Unsplash

How do you manage expenses for travel? Do you save first or do you go when you feel like?

I save first. I don't think it is wise to just blow up all the money on travel, on a whim. I also look for the best time of the year, when the tourist season has finished. Usually the weather would be great for many months but it would still not be peak season as the school holidays would have got over. Hence many families wouldn't be travelling. The tickets and hotels would tend to be a lot cheaper then.

Switzerland was one of the most expensive places I visited. I saved up and spent wisely. I got quotes from many websites. If you're planning a swiss travel this official site (a division of Swiss Air) is one of the best. I dislike group tours and group travels. So I plan everything meticulously. (It takes many weeks of research) Then I book everything before I go.

This picture was clicked in Interlaken, Switzerland.

Do you maintain your routine of writing when you travel? If yes how do you maintain that?

I keep a sketchbook when I travel. I draw on location. I LOVE sketching on location. This is how I was sitting in Zurich and sketching.

It was really cold (probably 12 degrees or maybe lesser) and I was finding it hard. But I loved it! Many people stopped to admire my sketches. A little girl and her grandma spoke to me in Swiss German. I couldn't understand a word they said and by action they appreciated my work. There were broad smiles on their faces. It was one of the really cherished memories for me.
At Mount Pilatus, there was no bench to sit. So I sat on the floor and sketched.

All around me were icy peaks of snow covered mountains. Here's what it was like.

It was an absolute joy to be present in the moment, and sketch. A photo is just taken very quickly. But when we sketch we are slowing down, and truly observing and taking in everything. Years later when I look at my sketchbook I transported there through the pages I created.

I am sharing with you a few pages from my sketchbook.

I will be travelling soon to UK, and I plan to skecth daily there too. I share my drawing on my Instagram art account.

So you can follow me there or simply click on what I've linked and check out my work.

I hope you enjoyed this post.

More tomorrow.
Love
Preeti

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Published on June 27, 2023 08:57

10 things to never ask a writer.

People are curious about writers/authors. Many don't even consider it a real job because they think writing is something that people do as a hobby in their spare time.
As someone who has written 15 books in the last 14 years, I can tell you writing is a full time job. But not everyone (I am speaking specifically about India) can make a living out of writing. (I am fortunate that my books sell a LOT and I'm able to get six figure advances and make a living out of writing full time. But this took me many years to achieve).

When people hear that I am an author, they are instantly fascinated as they've never met an author before. They ask all kinds of questions. Here are ten things you should never ask a writer.

"How much money do you make from your writing?" - This question can be intrusive and uncomfortable, as income from writing can vary greatly and may not be the sole focus of a writer's career.

"I have a great story idea. Can you write a book for me?" - Most professional writers have plenty of ideas of their own. They may not want to even listen to your idea. Getting an idea isn't the hard part. It's working on it to create a book.

"Can you send me a free copy of your book?" - Writers have bills to pay just like everyone else. Would you ever ask a Dentist for a free dental check-up? Ora movie star for a free movie ticket?

"Do you get all your ideas from real-life experiences?" - While personal experiences may influence a writer's work, it is crucial to respect their creativity and recognize that ideas can come from various sources.

"Why don't you write a story about _____?" (fill in the blank with whatever subject the person asking the question is interested in.) - Creativity and passion drive writers, and suggesting they prioritize what you value is something that they might not want to do!

"Are you published? Why not?" - Publishing is a complex process, and writers may have various reasons for not being published yet, including personal choice, ongoing submissions, or the competitiveness of the industry.

"When will your book become a bestseller?/ How many copies has your book sold " - Achieving bestseller status is unpredictable and depends on several factors beyond a writer's control, making this question unrealistic and potentially discouraging. Also writers get sales figures only twice a year. Often the writer doesnt know how many copies it has sold. The publisher takes care of it. And even the publisher will not be able to give an accurate figure till the financial book closing comes.

"Can you give me tips on how to write a book?" - Writing is a personal process. There are many classes available online. I also have a class on Skillshare where I teach Creative writing. A writer might be busy with their own work, and it may not be possible to give you all the tips. If you truly wish to learn and don't know where to begin it is best to take a class.

"Can you read my manuscript and give me feedback?" - While some writers may offer beta reading or critique services, it's essential to respect their time and understand that they may have their own writing commitments.

"Why don't you write in a different genre?" - Writers often have specific interests and preferences, and asking them to switch genres disregards their unique style and voice.

More tomorrow!
love
Preeti

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Published on June 26, 2023 11:05

Sunday Stealing-- My favourite author, family recipe and more!

Photo by Filip Eliasson on Unsplash

It's time for a Sunday Stealing again!
This is the last Sunday stealing of this blog marathon.

Here goes.

1.Would you rather ride a bike, ride a horse, or drive a car?

I have done two of the above. I’d love to bond with a horse, learn toride it.

2. Who is your favorite author?

Too many to name. Michael Morpurgo, Audrey Niffeneger, Roald Dahl and Elif Shafak immediately come to mind.

3. Would you rather vacation in Hawaii or Alaska, and why?

Alaska. I’ve been to many beach destinations and I’ve been to Maldives whichtops the list of Beach destinations. Socold white Alaska it is.

4. If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?

I’d travel to the time when my father was alive so I could meet him once more.

5. What's your favorite zoo animal?

I detest zoos. I think it is a horribly cruel concept. Animals belong in the wild.

6. What's the tallest building you've been to the top of?

A building in Abu Dhabi. I forget the name—but I was given the pent house righton top. It was fascinating and wonderful to live there. I was invited as aguest of honour representing India at the Abu Dhabi International Literaturefestival. It was truly memorable.

7. How often do you buy clothes?

Whenever I feel the need. I’m trying to be a minimalist now, so I give away alot of stuff.

8. What was the last thing you recorded on TV?

I don’t remember! This must have been back in the say when we had to record TVshows if we missed it. But now it’s always available and we can binge watch.

9. What was the last book you read?

I’m currently reading The temporary roomie by Sarah Adams. The last one I readwas ‘You made a fool of death with your beauty’ by Akwaeki Emezi

10. What's your favorite type of foreign food?

It’s hard to name one type. I like different things from different cuisines. Ilove Vietnamese, Arabic and Spanish cuisine.

11. What kitchen appliance do you use every day?

That would be the gas stove and knife, apart from the hot water kettle.

12. How old were you when you learned Santa wasn't real? How did youfind out?

Being raised in a Hindu household, I believed in Krishna, Rama and allthe Indian mythological stories. For me, Santa Claus was always a fairy tale,and so I didn’t think much about Santa being real. On the other hand, I’dvisited Dwaraka as a child, seen the birth place of Krishna, been in Badrinath etc.Santa Claus was just in the books I read.

13. What was your favorite subject in school?

English! I always topped the class in English through all my years ofschooling.

14. What's the most unusual thing you've ever eaten?
I don’t eat meat. I imagine that must be ‘unusual’ and I would never know as Idon’t intend to eat or try meat or sea food. (I can’t even stand the thought ofit)

15. What's your favorite family recipe?

Pathrodo—the most essential in Gowd Saraswath Brahmin households!

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Published on June 25, 2023 10:28

Saturday--12 This or That questions

Photo by Mor Shani on Unsplash

Hello again!

For today's post I thought I'd do a 'This or that' post.
Here are the questions I got. (and my answers of cousre!)

Skydiving or SCUBA Diving?|

Neither. But if I had to choose one it would be sky-diving. I tried scuba diving once and I feel suffocated to breathe with all that apparatus.

Cable or Streaming?

Errr--what is Netflix and Amazon Prime?

Live Theater or Movie?

Movies forever!

Sunrise Yoga or Sunset Meditation?

Sunset Meditation. I need my sleep.

Sculpture Garden or Mural Wall?

Definitely Sculpture garden.

Horseback Riding or Cycling?

Horseback riding (Although I've never ridden a horse! This must be the effect of Outlander that I'm currently watching and loving)

Astronomy or Astrology?

Definitely Astrology

Football or Basketball?

Basketball (I used to plat at national level)

Leader or Follower?

Leader!

Birdsong or Ocean Waves?

Definitely birdsong

Streaming or YouTube?

You-Tube

New Clothes or New Phone?

New phone of course!

More tomorrow.
Have a pleasant day/night (depending on which part of the world you're reading this from)

Love
Preeti

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Published on June 24, 2023 10:28

A life lesson from a plant.

For four years this plant stood in the pot without a single flower. Every time I passed it, I wondered why it wasn't blooming. I tried everything --fetiliser, water sunlight. But it stood stubbornly, with not a single flower.

Whenever my mother came to visit, I'd tell her I should probably uproot it as it never flowered. My mother said 'Let it be--it can exist just as a green plant to add some greenery in your garden.'

So I let it remain.

Last week it bloome ! And ever since then it has been giving me a magnificent flower. Every single day. How wonderful is that!

Many a time we get imaptient when we take time to achieve things. We get disappointed when the work we're putting in does not seem to be yielding results. But underneath, deep down there's a lot happening which we aren't aware of.
This plant was growing strong roots, and preparing for the right moment to flower.
Similarly the adversities and the difficult times are preparing us for something better. It's preparing us to BLOOM so we can take out place in the sun!

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Published on June 23, 2023 08:01