Preeti Shenoy's Blog, page 20
December 23, 2018
The best bits of December
Today's post is a photo post. This is a picture of me clicked with both my children (who are not really children anymore) on my birthday which was three days ago. My children are in college overseas, and hence when they are home, the family time is always special. We play games like Pictionary, Dumb Charades and Monopoly cards. We also spend a lot of time with each other. The pets of the family --hero, the Hamster and Lostris the doberman are very happy too as they have two extra people to pamper them.
For me some of the best bits of December are my birthday, christmas, family time, the cold winter air, the warmth in everyone's hearts (okay, most people's!)
What are the best bits of December for you? What do you look forward to?
Tell me in comments.
More tomorrow!
Love
Preeti
_____________________________________
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
December 22, 2018
How I construct the details of the scenes in my books.
Hello,
How was your Saturday?
Mine was great!
As always, all my Saturdays begin with checking the HT nielsen best seller booklist which is published in Hindustan Times every Saturday.
As you can see, Life is What You Make It is on number 5.
It's been 8 YEARS since this was published, and it continues to be in the charts.
Many thanks to all of you who make this happen!
For today's post I thought I would discuss a tiny little scene from my book 'It's All In the Planets'.
The story is told from Aniket's perspective and Nidhi's perspective. One chapter is from Aniket's perspective, and the next is from Nidhi's. I will let you in on a secret---talks are on to make this book into a movie. It will take a while though! It is in the very early stages. So do not congratulate me yet!! There's a lot of work involved, and my team is scheduling meetings. But I am excited about this :)
In this book, there's a scene where Nidhi shakes Aniket's hand. She likes his grip, and the way he gives a handshake. Nidhi is very observant, and notices these things.
This comes from my own experiences. I notice a lot of things (Like all good writers do!). Then I read up about whatever I have noticed. When I am writing, these little things that I notice, go into my characters.
I wanted this scene to reveal something about the chemistry between Nidhi and Aniket. They have just met. She is assessing him, judging him. He is dressed shabbily (as his girl friend has just given him a list of things to change about himself). His mind is in a turmoil. Yet his handshake is good!
This scene tells a lot.
I research and read up before writing my scenes. To write this scene THIS is what I researched. (click on the link to read more about what handshakes reveal about the person)
If you want to read the book with the new cover, you can rush to your nearest bookstore.
Or you can order it online (I think it might be the old cover when you buy online).
Here's the link: http://preeti.io/planets
The kindle version is just for 161/- and the physical book is about Rs.237/-
It's still less than the cost of two movie tickets, and a meal at a restaurant! (sometimes people crib for the price, and they forget how many MONTHS the author has worked to produce that book).
I hope this little explanation of how I construct a scene helps all you aspiring writers. And I hope all you regular readers find this little snippet of a 'behind -the scene' interesting.
Tell me in comments what you think!
New post again tomorrow!
Love
Preeti
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
December 21, 2018
Forty seven things I learnt.
I turned 47 today. This is a picture clicked today. I received a lot of flowers today.
The older I get, the more grateful I am for everything that I have in my life. Today, I am living my dream. There's nothing more I ask from life!
The path hasn't been easy at all. There have definitely been so many downs. When I look back, I think for every victory of mine, there has been a failure. But I have fought. I am a fighter. I never give up.
Persistence pays.
Age has made me wiser, calmer and very very sure of many things.
Here are 47 things I have learnt along my path. These are things I practise.
1. Say NO to negativity of any kind.
2. People will treat you the way you allow them to.
3. If people really care for you, they will make time; Otherwise they will make excuses.
4. Be grateful for every one who is kind to you.
5. Better to have TWO genuine friends who truly care for you than a HUNDRED friends who aren't so genuine.
6. Fitness is everything.
7.Always have a 'nest egg' set aside just for yourself, which you can dip into.
8. Do one thing every day which grows your mind.
9.Think.
10. Meditation always helps. Even a ten minute calming one relaxes you.
11. Business is business. Don't every get emotional about it.
12. Be ethical but ruthless when it comes to business.
13. Your colleagues are NOT your friends.
14. Go where you are celebrated not tolerated.
15. If someone constantly puts you down, cut them out of your life.
16. Laugh a lot.
17. Wait. It is coming!
18. Believe in something bigger than you.
19.Write--it helps.
20. Think about why someone less privileged than you is unkind or rude.
21. Take time for yourself, and don't feel guilty about it.
22. Dress well.
23. Thank people who are nice to you.
24.Clear clutter from your home regularly.
25. Have a 'sacred space' in your home--just for yourself.
26. Stay hydrated.
27. You don't have to be like everyone else. You don't have to fit in.
28. Learn to cook.
29. It is okay to let go.
30. People change. We change.
31. If someone doesn't answer your call, never call them again!
32. Your heart will be broken.
33. You will heal.
34. You will do things you never thought you ever would.
35. When the time comes, you will have the strength.
36. You will lose a parent.
37. You will learn to go on, but every happy moment from now on will be tinged with sadness.
38. You never have control over anything, even when you think you do.
39. Signs from Universe are real!
40. Listen to your spirit.
41. Make time for doing that one thing you would do even if nobody paid you.
42. When you feel alone, you can always turn to a book.
43. It will end.
44. Something new will replace it.
45. Blaming yourself isn't productive
46. Every once in a while, the person who you depend on will disappoint you. It's okay!
47. Choose which battle to fight.
And finally (a bonus one) --We do not have control over what happens to us, but we always have control over what we choose to FOCUS on!
Thank you to all of you who wished me today.
Lots of love to you all.
Preeti
_____________________________________
ps: check out my books: http://preeti.io/amazon
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
The older I get, the more grateful I am for everything that I have in my life. Today, I am living my dream. There's nothing more I ask from life!
The path hasn't been easy at all. There have definitely been so many downs. When I look back, I think for every victory of mine, there has been a failure. But I have fought. I am a fighter. I never give up.
Persistence pays.
Age has made me wiser, calmer and very very sure of many things.
Here are 47 things I have learnt along my path. These are things I practise.
1. Say NO to negativity of any kind.
2. People will treat you the way you allow them to.
3. If people really care for you, they will make time; Otherwise they will make excuses.
4. Be grateful for every one who is kind to you.
5. Better to have TWO genuine friends who truly care for you than a HUNDRED friends who aren't so genuine.
6. Fitness is everything.
7.Always have a 'nest egg' set aside just for yourself, which you can dip into.
8. Do one thing every day which grows your mind.
9.Think.
10. Meditation always helps. Even a ten minute calming one relaxes you.
11. Business is business. Don't every get emotional about it.
12. Be ethical but ruthless when it comes to business.
13. Your colleagues are NOT your friends.
14. Go where you are celebrated not tolerated.
15. If someone constantly puts you down, cut them out of your life.
16. Laugh a lot.
17. Wait. It is coming!
18. Believe in something bigger than you.
19.Write--it helps.
20. Think about why someone less privileged than you is unkind or rude.
21. Take time for yourself, and don't feel guilty about it.
22. Dress well.
23. Thank people who are nice to you.
24.Clear clutter from your home regularly.
25. Have a 'sacred space' in your home--just for yourself.
26. Stay hydrated.
27. You don't have to be like everyone else. You don't have to fit in.
28. Learn to cook.
29. It is okay to let go.
30. People change. We change.
31. If someone doesn't answer your call, never call them again!
32. Your heart will be broken.
33. You will heal.
34. You will do things you never thought you ever would.
35. When the time comes, you will have the strength.
36. You will lose a parent.
37. You will learn to go on, but every happy moment from now on will be tinged with sadness.
38. You never have control over anything, even when you think you do.
39. Signs from Universe are real!
40. Listen to your spirit.
41. Make time for doing that one thing you would do even if nobody paid you.
42. When you feel alone, you can always turn to a book.
43. It will end.
44. Something new will replace it.
45. Blaming yourself isn't productive
46. Every once in a while, the person who you depend on will disappoint you. It's okay!
47. Choose which battle to fight.
And finally (a bonus one) --We do not have control over what happens to us, but we always have control over what we choose to FOCUS on!
Thank you to all of you who wished me today.
Lots of love to you all.
Preeti
_____________________________________
ps: check out my books: http://preeti.io/amazon
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
December 20, 2018
5 reasons I do a blog marathon.
Hello there,
Today is Day 20 of my blog marathon. (Blog marathon simply means I blog every single day for a month).
People ask me why I do this each year--sometimes twice in the same year. They also ask me why I do not monetise my blog. You will not find a single ad on my blog. I don't make a single rupee out of my blog-posts. Many brands have offered lakhs for me to endorse their products on my blog. I have refused.
(On my other social media handles, if I believe in the brand, I might).
The reason why I do blog marathons is
1. It brings in discipline.
2. It is a challenge: It is not easy at all to write every day in a blog. On some days (like today) when there is a LOT going on in my life and all I want to do is curl up and sleep, I still have to blog.
3. It improves creativity. Each day I have to come up with a new thing to blog about.
4.It helps me connect with my authentic readers. I love it when you leave me a comment.
5. It is a great platform for your voice, your authentic self.
Have you every tried to do something, where you commit publicly--and therefore you are forced to keep it up? Have you ever done a blog marathon?
Why not try?
Tell me in comments!
Tomorrow, something special :)
Thats's all for now.
Good night.
Love
Preeti
_________________________
Buy my books: Http://preeti.io/amazon
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
December 19, 2018
How I got the idea for my novel A Hundred Little Flames
For today's post, I thought I would do a video post.
Have you read the book? Tell me in comments!
____________________________
You can my books at your nearest bookstore or order online : http://preeti.io/amazon
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
December 18, 2018
Illegal entrants
This is a poem which I wrote for Conde Nast Magazine. They had commmsioned me to write poetry on the theme of Travel, and I wrote four poems for them.
Here is one of them.
___________________________
Restlessness
Desire
Longing
Are now constant companions
Travelling with me
Within me
They have made themselves comfortable
They arrived as tourists
On a travellers visa
But somehow managed to linger on
No force could banish them
My heart , my thoughts
Are yours now
My soul
Subsumed, consumed, blazing
Burning
I live in restless hope
I longingly dream
Of making the journey
Across the miles
The desire to be with you
And to linger on.
Just like my travelling companions
I hope
To stay
Till eternity
In your arms.
***********© 2018 Preeti Shenoy
For more poems click here. Some poems have already appeared in print. Kindly do not reproduce without permission. Buy my books: http://preeti.io/amazon ***********
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
December 17, 2018
5 tips for success
Hi all,
For today's post, I thought I would share an article I just published on LinkedIN.
There are two kinds of investments—one, which your financial advisors and the finance magazines tell you about, and the other, which you don’t hear about often.The second kind of investment which we do not much talk about (or at least not enough) is where you invest in YOURSELF. I am a firm believer of the statement ‘Life is what you make it.’
I have used the second kind of investment, to shape my life. In 2006, I did not have a single book to my name and nobody had even heard of me. Today, I have eleven books, several short stories, and over a hundred poems to my name. My books make a regular appearance on the Nielsen bestseller charts.
A lot of people ask me ‘How do you do it? What is your secret?’ I had never thought about it till people started asking me for ‘my secret’.
I think the ‘secret’ is.......... READ THE FULL ARTICLE BY CLICKING HERE
Apologies for redirecting--but I didn't see any sense in publishing the same content twice
Hope you understand!
More tomorrow
Love
Preeti
_______________________________________
Buy my books: http://preeti.io/amazon
photo from Unsplash by RawPixel
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
5 investment tips for rich returns you can make today, without spending any money.
Hi all,
For today's post, I thought I would share an article I just published on LinkedIN.
There are two kinds of investments—one, which your financial advisors and the finance magazines tell you about, and the other, which you don’t hear about often.The second kind of investment which we do not much talk about (or at least not enough) is where you invest in YOURSELF. I am a firm believer of the statement ‘Life is what you make it.’
I have used the second kind of investment, to shape my life. In 2006, I did not have a single book to my name and nobody had even heard of me. Today, I have eleven books, several short stories, and over a hundred poems to my name. My books make a regular appearance on the Nielsen bestseller charts.
A lot of people ask me ‘How do you do it? What is your secret?’ I had never thought about it till people started asking me for ‘my secret’.
I think the ‘secret’ is.......... READ THE FULL ARTICLE BY CLICKING HERE
Apologies for redirecting--but I didn't see any sense in publishing the same content twice
Hope you understand!
More tomorrow
Love
Preeti
_______________________________________
Buy my books: http://preeti.io/amazon
photo from Unsplash by RawPixel
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
December 16, 2018
All about my personal style! Post16
Hi there!
Yet another Sunday! I can't believe I have kept this up for 15 days now!
Yet another Sunday! I can't believe I have kept this up for 15 days now!
December 15, 2018
Love A Little Stronger. Amazon's Best books of 2018
Hello!
How was your Saturday? Mine involved a lot of travel. I came across monkeys, cats and a field of marigold flowers! You can see the videos on my Instagram in the stories.
In case you aren't familiar with Instagram, click on my profile pic around which there is a red circle and you will see the stories :) (many tell me that they do not know how to use Instagram and where to find stories, hence explained)
I received some terrific news today.
My publisher messaged me and told me that Love A Little Stronger was nominated by Amazon, for the best books of 2018, in the romance category.
This is a picture of my publisher (Arup Bose of Srishti) and me, clicked during the launch of Love A Little Stronger.
This nomination means a lot to me for two reasons
1.It is the first time, my book has been nominated for any award
2.The book contains TRUE stories from my life. There's nothing which is made up. All the incidents described in the book happened to me. It is a creative non-fiction. But since that category is rare, I am guessing it was grouped under romance.
Your vote can help me win!
The voting lines are now open, and will close by 25th.
If you enjoyed the book, and think that I deserve this, please do vote on the link below
http://preeti.io/voteforlals
A line in response after you have voted would be most appreciated.
That's all for now.
See you again tomorrow.
Love
Preeti
________________________
buy my books: http://preeti.io/amazon
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
How was your Saturday? Mine involved a lot of travel. I came across monkeys, cats and a field of marigold flowers! You can see the videos on my Instagram in the stories.
In case you aren't familiar with Instagram, click on my profile pic around which there is a red circle and you will see the stories :) (many tell me that they do not know how to use Instagram and where to find stories, hence explained)
I received some terrific news today.
My publisher messaged me and told me that Love A Little Stronger was nominated by Amazon, for the best books of 2018, in the romance category.
This is a picture of my publisher (Arup Bose of Srishti) and me, clicked during the launch of Love A Little Stronger.
This nomination means a lot to me for two reasons
1.It is the first time, my book has been nominated for any award
2.The book contains TRUE stories from my life. There's nothing which is made up. All the incidents described in the book happened to me. It is a creative non-fiction. But since that category is rare, I am guessing it was grouped under romance.
Your vote can help me win!
The voting lines are now open, and will close by 25th.
If you enjoyed the book, and think that I deserve this, please do vote on the link below
http://preeti.io/voteforlals
A line in response after you have voted would be most appreciated.
That's all for now.
See you again tomorrow.
Love
Preeti
________________________
buy my books: http://preeti.io/amazon
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
