Preeti Shenoy's Blog, page 16

On whether my stories are TRUE stories and my favourite Indian writers.

A question which I am often asked is 'Are your stories true stories? They seem so real?'
People then ask me who the 'real person is'. They beg me to reveal the names of the real people on whom these stories are based etc.

I understand that to the reader my characters and my stories seem VERY REAL. But honestly I don't even know what to say when people beg me to let them meet the 'real people' behind my stories. They even assure me that they will keep it confidential and never tell anyone!

In order for me to oblige them, I will have to give them an entrance into my head. And that is impossible.

Also, I think if you look at the bestseller  fiction lists in India, the authors declare that it is based on their own lives. I think sadly, the Indian reader is used to that kind of stuff! I also read a LOT. This year, I have already read 26 books. You can see my entire reading list (and what i thought of them) on my Instagram profile under the highlights "books".
When I read some of the books by Indian authors, I feel sad at the deterioration in quality writing. A lot of writing is lazy writing with no depth or substance. A lot of it is 'Hinglish' (sadly). You can write deep, yet simple. You can write complicated yet gripping. You can write simple yet powerful.  You can write a 'page turner' which teaches you a LOT.

I admire many Indian writers like Shinie Antony, Kiran Nagarkar, Manu Joseph, Anita Nair and Benyamin. I also love Chitra Divakaruni Banerjee and Ruskin Bond. I think these authors should be read a lot more than they are currently.
Do tell me in comments who YOUR favourite Indian authors are--I'd love to know.


I had  also read somewhere that as a writer , there's TRUTH in our lies, and LIES in our truth.
I think that is so true!
_______________________________
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The secret to sucess.

As I type this, my son is sprawled out on my bed, waiting  for me to finish. My dog is pawing me, and whining, wanting me to finish. My husband just walked in and asked if I am done.

I told all three of them, I need some time to write.

One of the hazards of working from home is this! There are so many interruptions to your day and time. This is especially so in India, where anyone from courier guy to dhobi to newspaper guy to house-help to security guard bringing some official notice ring the bell.

People often ask me how I manage to write so much. It is simple--I guard my writing time.

JK Rowling had said

“Be ruthless about protecting writing days, i.e., do not cave in to endless requests to have "essential" and "long overdue" meetings on those days. The funny thing is that, although writing has been my actual job for several years now, I still seem to have to fight for time in which to do it. Some people do not seem to grasp that I still have to sit down in peace and write the books, apparently believing that they pop up like mushrooms without my connivance. I must therefore guard the time allotted to writing as a Hungarian Horntail guards its firstborn egg.”

I can only say I completely agree with her. It is a practice I have followed for many years now-- ever since I wrote my first  book and decided I wanted to be a full time writer.

Danielle Steele has managed to write 179 books.
Do read the very inspiring article I have linked.  She also has a sign in her workspace that says 'There are no miracles. There is only discipline.'

Whenever people tell me I am talented, I always reply that I work really hard.
So I was happy to see the words of Connor Mc Gregor who says the same thing:




My first book was published in 2008. Since then I have had  eleven more books. (First and last one not seen in the pic below)



I believe that all it takes is discipline, and investing time in something you deeply care about. If it matters to you, you will make time; Otherwise you will make excuses.

This is true for all professions but doubly true for writers, artists, musicians---anyone in the creative field. Insipiration doesn't drop down from the sky above. You commit to doing it, and you turn up and do it. Day after day. Letter by letter. Word by word.

And you keep doing it.
Some call it talent.
I call it an all consuming passion
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A happy day of SON-shine :)

Hey there!

Mothers and sons always have a special bond. (Just like mothers and daughters do)

I am super super excited just now, as I am leaving for the airport, to receive my son. It's been almost 6 months since I saw him. My daughter will come home probably next month or so. Some of you who have been following this blog might remember that he was scouted by a modelling agency in Singapore, while was walking out from the gym. He didn't even intend to take part!


He was one of the finalists in Singapore's face of the year model hunt. I had attended his first ramp show, and had even live-streamed it from Singapore (so my mom  in Kerala could watch it as it happened!) You can click HERE to see his profile.

My son is totally into fitness and riding. He was the one who taught me how to ride is KTM RC 390 :) (I never thought I would be able to ride a sports bike).  Here is the video  of me riding :)

View this post on Instagram
Riding into 2019! I wasn’t kidding when I said my son taught me to ride his bike

To my daughter, on her eighteenth birthday.

My darling daughter,
On this day eighteen years ago, I lay in the hospital, utterly overwhelmed. I had gone into labour unexpectedly. My gynaecologist had not yet reached the hospital as it was 5.30 am in the morning. You were in a tearing hurry to come out into the world. The doctor who was on night duty scurried  about in panic and urgency; It was a natural childbirth (but God—I had to have stitches which I won’t freak you out with now).‘Are you qualified enough to handle my baby?’ I thundered at the doctor, in throes of  my  labour pain.‘Yes m’am,’ she replied.When they told me I had a baby girl, I wept in joy. When you are hoping, wishing and wanting something so badly, it is an incredible and a magical moment, when the wish is granted.But the nurses on duty that night didn’t know this.
‘Don’t worry, you can try for a boy next time,’ the nurses said.‘I ALREADY HAVE a boy. I soooo badly wanted a GIRL,’ I yelled through my tears.
This, my daughter was your welcome into this world. Where people presume girl-children are not welcome. That somehow boys are superior.
Do you know my darling, that even to this day, on an average, 2332 female foetuses are aborted on a daily basis?  Studies vary in this regard—but numbers are alarming, even if you consider the possibilities in the lower range. One group estimates that 10 million female foetuses have been aborted since 1990's. We’re in a country where girls are treated as ‘lesser’ and where they have to fight to even take birth.

You had no idea of any of this while growing up. You were (and still are) the baby of the family. Your older brother, your father and I doted (and still dote) on you. Looking back, my friends tell me that they don’t remember a time when you were not perched on my hips. You refused to get off. I had to carry you everywhere. I would cook, walk, shop---all of it with you on my hips. You didn’t want to stay in the baby-sling or the baby-stroller like your brother did.  You decided that mom’s hips make a good sofa and that was your rightful place. If I tried to make you walk, you would scream and yell, till I picked you up again. You won that battle, hands down.
 Before you learnt to read, your favourite book used to be The Jungle Book and you made me read it so many times (must be more than a thousand?) that you memorised it.  Then you would pretend to read it. Your father was astounded. He thought you were actually reading it at the age of two. You even knew where to turn the pages. I still smile at that memory and I can still recite the Jungle Book, and I am sure you can too.

My favourite childhood memory of you is scaring the neighbour’s son Adi, with a knife when you were just 3 and a half. You managed to fool the house-help by telling her that I was asking for a knife. Then you hid it behind your back, and slowly made your way out, where you were playing with Adi.  The next thing I know, I hear a ear-shattering, terrified wail and footsteps fading away. Adi had run away screaming in fright.Apparently, Adi had made a negative comment about our family. You asked him to shut up and he refused to. So you decided to do something about it. After smuggling the knife out, you threatened him saying his limbs will float in the canal outside, if he dared utter another word. Though I did my mommy duty and told you it wasn’t a good thing, secretly I was proud.  ‘That’s my girl!’ I thought.

In school,  for the annual  school day you were chosen as emperor Ashok, the lead role in the play. It was a befitting role and you played it to perfection. You had a natural flair for theatre and dance. I am proud of the trophies you won at the inter school dance competitions. I am also proud of all your MUN (Model United Nations) achievements where you have won best delegate so many times. You also made it to the school basketball team, and the school band, where you were the drummer.
You are a born leader. People gravitate towards you. You know how to manage people. You are so good at what you do, that you got into college at 16.  Right after class ten. Your portfolio was incredible--so outstanding that you straight away joined college, skipping class 11 and 12! In India we call it a ‘double promotion.’ 
You earned it; it was your dream college and you left home at 16. To pursue your dream.
 I let you go. I knew I had raised you to be strong, and even though I was worried, and sad, I knew you would be fine. I knew I had to let you go, and so I did.



And how you have blossomed and bloomed! I absolutely LOVE your work. I am very proud of you, and tell people proudly when they ask me about you.

On your eighteenth birthday, my darling, I want to tell you a few things (which you already probably know, yet I want to say it):
1.     NOBODY has the right to tell you what to wear, and what is ‘okay’ or not ‘okay.’ No one gets to decide this. Dress to please yourself!
2.      Your body is your business. The society doesn’t get to tell you what to do with it. You do not need the society’s approval for your weight or height or colour of your skin. Don’t ever be ashamed of your body. Be proud. 
3.     You can achieve ANYTHING! Do you know women were not even allowed to work till the Second World War? It was only as recently as 1960’s that women entered the workforce in large numbers When I wanted to join the Indian Air Force as a pilot, back in 1990, women were not allowed! I was outraged. Now the rules have changed.
4.     Don’t even bother about marriage and kids. Build your career first.
5.     Whatever you do, be financially independent. Depend on NO ONE. Let no one tell you where to live, where to work, where to go and what to do.
6.     If you do fall in love, wait it out. The best test of a relationship is TIME. You can have a great relationship without marriage, and you can have a marriage and still not have a relationship. WAIT and see what unfolds. Then decide.
7.     Travel, my darling, Travel. Go see the world. Explore. Meet new people.
8.     Read my baby, read. That is the ONLY way to grow your mind. I know you do read a lot, but try to up the ante. Try to stretch it a bit more than what you think is achievable. You will be so surprised to see how much MORE you can achieve.
9.     Be kind. Be kind to everyone you meet. Be sweet and polite, like you are. Don't ever change.
10.  Make art every day. Do things that make you happy. Spend some time alone. Listen to music. Sit in silence. Walk in nature.


There are a few hundred thousand more memories I have with with you and as you know, I have written them all in a book, which I have been writing in, even before you were born. Those are treasured ones, and I will probably gift that book to you on your twenty-fifth or maybe even later. I cherish the time I spend with you. How we laugh! I love the easy relationship we have where we can discuss anything--men, boyfriends, movies, TV series, art, life--just anything. I love how we can now trade clothes and exchange movie recommendations.


Today my precious, I wish I was with you; But since I am not, I am writing this to tell you that you light up my life. People tell me ‘Your daughter is lucky to have you as a mom.’ You know what I tell them? ‘Oh, but I am luckier I have her.’I love you.Be UNSTOPPABLE.Be YOU.
All my loveMom.
Ps: my book The Rule Breakers is dedicated to my daughter Purvi who turns 18 today. Also you can read all TRUE stories from my life (especially about my kids when they were smaller) in my book Love A Little Stronger








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The connection between my art and writing :)

For today's post I am sharing three portraits I made over last three days. These were hard pictures to draw. I am a part of an international Artists community (Sktchy which I have mentioned before), and every day, we get a muse in our inbox. We paint the muse and share it. So do many others.
I enjoy it immensely, and now have many artist friends who I've met online, but I know will meet in real life too, because of sketch meets and  sketching conferences.



For me, art gives me so much joy. Just as writing does. In an interview I was asked recently which one I like better and how one supports the other. My answer was that one is like my right arm and the other is like my left arm. I do not know how they are connected, but I do know, I need both !

Here are the portraits:




That's all for today.
Tomorrow: A very special post.

Love
Preeti
______________
ps: Get my book at Rs.105/- special offer : preeti.io/awake
 
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http://preetishenoy.com/

A fun fun post for Sunday.

For the last many years now, whenever I do a blog marathon, I always do a post from Sunday Stealing.
Since I haven't t done one this time, I thought I would do it today. Every Sunday, Sunday Stealing puts up a nice set of questions, which bloggers then answer on their own blogs, and leave a link at the original post, so others can blog-hop and read  other people's answers. It's great fun!

I am copy pasting today's questions  (and I am also giving my answers below)

Today's Sunday stealing is from  From Unconscious Mutterings.

Instructions:   There are no right or wrong answers. Don't limit yourself to one word responses; just say everything that pops into your head.  Thanks to The Gal Herself for the suggestion.

        I say ... and you think ... ?

    Hurry! :: Bon Jovi from It's my life





    Dumb :: The movie Dumb and Dumber, which I never watched!




    Fudge :: Something  sweet and chocolatey that sticks to your teeth.





    Sturdy ::  My grandfather's antique table which I inherited and still use.






    Printing ::  My next book and the printing presses that I visited at Manipal and Delhi




    Itch :: Itchy itchy ithchabod from Dr.Suess






    Creaks :: 'Where is the oiling can? Let's fix it.'




    Paste :: Tooth paste or sticking things into scrapbook?



    Waste of time :: Television


    Let down :: What Ankita feels is Wake Up Life Is Calling.

 


    Cancellation :: Jet airways flights!


    Suspect :: Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie


    Fireplace :: England and my home there.


    Spring :: Beautiful!


    Commute :: Andheri to Churchgate fast train ;-)



    Places :: So many visited, so many yet to visit.






    Fraud ::  Nirav and Vijay and Harshad (many years back)



    Adoption :: A great way to spread love, and the noblest of acts.


    Election :: God--when will it end?


    Moving day ::  Nightmare!!!

_______________________________ 
I have tried to make today's post light and fun.Hope you enjoyed it :)More tomorrow.
lovePreeti

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Why what you wear is important

A little while ago I watched a nice episode of a reality TV series on Netflix called  Queer Eye. It's an award winning show. It consists of five style experts (who happen to be gay) who go around transforming lives, forging relationships with people who have completely different beliefs from them. It was all about helping people to be the best they can be---transforming them from inside, helping them get a makeover for themselves, for their homes, for their life itself.

Click HERE for a trailer which tells you more about the show.
Coincidentally, this morning I also got featured on a fashion blog.


You can click HERE to read the above piece. I have  elaborated on about what my personal style means to me and have described in detail how I like to dress.

I believe it is extremely important to dress well.



Do watch the above Ted x talk by Stasia Savasuk. It is inspiring and I completely agree with what Stasia says.

When you dress well, you feel confident. Dressing well isn't about wearing the most expensive designer label. It is about finding out what works for you, and choosing clothes according to your own unique personality. It is putting together, various elements that express YOU.

When you dress well, you are also caring for yourself.  Sometimes, when we get busy with life, when we become mothers, or when we are so busy chasing our dream (maybe preparing for an exam or interview) we neglect that self care. Sometimes, there really is 'no occasion' to dress up. Sometimes  we have been so busy with other happenings that our wardrobes are stuffed and messy and  we end up wearing whatever is on top, over and over.



I am a huge fan of Marie Kondo and when I read her book (The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up)  a couple of years ago, it really did transform the way I organised everything in my home. Now, ever so often I  spring-clean my wardrobe, and give away stuff I no longer wear.



For me, my job consists of working long hours by myself. So I don't have to really bother how I dress, as I am all by myself. My work is such.  But when I dress well, my mood is instantly elevated. It doesn't matter whether the world sees it or not. When I look into the mirror, I should like what I see! I also walk my dog 2-3 times a day, and so I am often in shorts and a t shirt. But I ensure that they are ones that are stylish, comfortable and make me feel op top of the world! I have noticed that dressing well can be an instant mood elevator.


I think age also has something to do with it. I am 47 now, and very confident in the way I dress, the way I carry myself, my general outlook and what I want from life. I do not think I was this confident when I was younger. I am in a happy place now----and for that I am grateful.

As always I look forward to your thoughts on this.
Till tomorrow, may your sartorial choices bring you joy! :)
Love
Preeti
_____________________________

 ps: I am  very happy today. TWO books of mine came in today's Nielsen chart of highest selling titles in the country.
Get it: preeti.io/awake



















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Wake Up Life is Calling: Win A Kindle!

 We've been running contests and giving away Kindles for the promos of my latest book 'Wake Up, Life Is Calling.' This is in partnership with Kindle India.

 So far we've given away FIVE Kindles.
Now here're the last one to be won! I thought I would post it here, as it's the last one, and it is a very easy contest,


What you have to do:
1. Watch this trailer
2.Answer the question  'What consumes Ankita and draws her in?'
3. Tag three friends.

That's it!

To participate you can head over either to my Facebook post, or Instagram post
Winners will be announced on 1st  June.
Apart from kindle we are also giving away a set of three books of mine !

Go on! You may be the lucky winner!
It's a simple contest to participate in.
If you win, you need a valid shipping address in India.

That's all for today.
More tomorrow
Love
Preeti

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Get the book at a special price of 99: Type preeti.io/awake in your browser. Limited period offer.
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On painting portraits

Today I restarted my practice of  making a portrait daily. I used to do it every single day.  I am a part of an International Artists Community. (Check out thousands of reference photos on Sktchy which is currently for iphone users only)
I would post daily on the app as well as on my Instagram Art Handle. You can see my other portraits by clicking on the link.
Any artist will tell you that drawing people is an extremely difficult thing. Even if you differ a line on the face  by a millimeter, the likeness is totally lost. It is very intense work. At the same time, a portrait is a not a photographic reproduction of the person. You have to capture the likeness, and yet it has to be your own unique style.
As a child, I dreamt of making a portrait which would have a great likeness.  I would draw people and ask my family members if they could guess who the person was. I never got the proportions right, and I would be disappointed. I would try harder. :)

Now I am happy that I can get a good likeness. I prefer working from photos, although I have made live sketches too. I have also been commissioned for my art in UK.

In India, many people do not get the idea of commissioning art work. They think it is okay to ask 'Will you draw me?'
(It isn't! You can pay the artist if you want them to draw you. It's like asking a Dentist--'Will you do my filling for me?' and expecting the Dentist to do it for free!) When people ask me that I don't even know what to say. I refuse politely and search for the nearest exit door.

In the other news from my end, I quite liked this article which came in The Hindu, about the Coimbatore event.



It was very well written, and reported the event, exactly like it was. If you wish to read it, either click on the above image, or read it online HERE.

More tomorrow!
Till then, smile.
love
Preeti
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ps: A great offer on Wake Up Life is Calling. Get it at 99/- preeti.io/awake



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Gift yourself yoga. It changes lives.

I have written in the past about my  long standing relationship with yoga.

I have also explained (read the linked post above) why I prefer Ashtanga yoga over the other forms of yoga.

View this post on Instagram
Yoga and I have been friends since I was ten. It was a part of our curriculum in school. Yoga has stood by me ,through the birth of my children, death of loved ones and through all my ups and downs in life. If there is one constant in my life , it is yoga. The benefits of yoga are immense. After many years of practice I finally have got to a stage where I can do the headstand effortlessly. Yoga has taught me discipline , self-control and to simply focus on your breath, when everything else in your world falls apart. Make yoga your friend too. You will never regret it. This is my 500th post on Instagram. And for #internationalworldyogaday I thought this was apt! #yogainspiration #yoga #yogadaily #yogadayA post shared by Preeti Shenoy (@preeti.shenoy) on Jun 21, 2017 at 5:27am PDT

In my practice  I do the headstand daily.

The benefits of head stand are immense, ranging from relieving stress, improving focus, improving bloodflow to the eyes, strenghtening shoulders and arms, strengthening core, preventing fluid build up in legs, ankles and feet  to stimulating the lymphatic system.

The one thing I do feel is that there has been so much hype about yoga, which has sadly resulted in it becoming commercialised now. Out of curiosity and because I love yoga, I visited a few yoga centres in my neighbourhood, and I was shocked to discover how poorly qualified the instructors are. Many of them have not got proper certification. Some of them have been practising yoga for just a few months.

If you intend joining a yoga class, I highly recommend you check out the credentials of the teacher. Especially check if they are physically fit and flexible. See how they make you feel. See if they understand your needs.
A good teacher should never make you feel inadequate or intimidated.


I learnt Ashtanga yoga, the traditional way from one of the best gurus and I feel fortunate to have found and learnt from a great teacher.If you are looking for authorised teachers of Ashtanga, click HERE which is the official website. Every teacher listed here will be teaching in the traditional way.

No matter which form of yoga you choose to practise, the key to success is regularity and consistency.
Try yoga. It can change your life.
______________________________
ps: A FABULOUS deal on my new book. Printed author signed copy plus postcard plus bookmark at just Rs.99/-
This is a very limited period offer. So click HERE  to avail it. You can also pay cash on delivery


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