Preeti Shenoy's Blog, page 55

A lovely evening! (blog marathon post 12)

Have just got back from the Interactive session at Landmark. It was a FABULOUS session!

This is me, in the car. The mandatory selfie before an event



The love and warmth I got from all of you who turned up there was overwhelming and I do feel awesome about it!

Here is what Pramod, a reader said. (Thanks for the photos Pramod!) The other person in these pictures along with Pramod is Rajkumar Cannebo, who has made it for all my book launches!



Here is what another reader Preethi Venugopal said




There are many many more photos. And many more readers have said lovely things about me.
A huge thank you to all of you who made it today. We had a great time as is evident from these pics.

I am really tired to write anymore today, as I have been on my feet since 5.30 pm. I am off to Lucknow tomorrow. I have an early start to the day.

So goodnight folks. See you in Lucknow at the Lucknow litfest.

I shall be posting from Lucknow tomorrow!
_____________________________________
Get my books:http://is.gd/preetibookshttp://preetishenoy.com/

[image error]

A lovely evening! (blog marathon post 11)

Have just got back from the Interactive session at Landmark. It was a FABULOUS session!

This is me, in the car. The mandatory selfie before an event



The love and warmth I got from all of you who turned up there was overwhelming and I do feel awesome about it!

Here is what Pramod, a reader said. (Thanks for the photos Pramod!) The other person in these pictures along with Pramod is Rajkumar Cannebo, who has made it for all my book launches!



Here is what another reader Preethi Venugopal said




There are many many more photos. And many more readers have said lovely things about me.
A huge thank you to all of you who made it today. We had a great time as is evident from these pics.

I am really tired to write anymore today, as I have been on my feet since 5.30 pm. I am off to Lucknow tomorrow. I have an early start to the day.

So goodnight folks. See you in Lucknow at the Lucknow litfest.

I shall be posting from Lucknow tomorrow!
_____________________________________
Get my books:http://is.gd/preetibookshttp://preetishenoy.com/

[image error]

Love , kisses and all things warm (blog marathon -post 10)

Okay--so here is a surprise which i have been working on for the past many weeks! *bugles, Trumpets and drum rolls please*
  Love, Kisses and all things warm . An e-book singlet priced at just Rs.30/- ! (from my columns in FC, and other places). It will be available for download on Feb 14th.
This is what my editor said in the blurb :

In Love, Kisses and Everything Warm, bestselling writer Preeti Shenoy puts together some thoughts on love and its side-effects. Written with her trademark perceptiveness and lucidity, the collection — especially put together for Valentine’s Day — contains five short essays, and five hand-drawn illustrations by the author. With observations on office romances, on what love means to us, why there is no age limit for it, and why kisses are the ultimate expression of passion, this e-book single is a perfect gift for anyone pondering about love, anyone in love, and for everyone who has ever been in love and wants to find it again.

Like it? Leave me a comment!
________________________________________________ 


http://preetishenoy.com/

[image error]

Love , kisses and everything warm (blog marathon -post 10)

Okay--so here is a surprise which i have been working on for the past many weeks! *bugles, Trumpets and drum rolls please*
  Love, Kisses and all things warm . An e-book singlet priced at just Rs.30/- ! (from my columns in FC, and other places). It will be available for download on Feb 14th.
This is what the blurb says:

In Love, Kisses and Everything Warm, bestselling writer Preeti Shenoy puts together some thoughts on love and its side-effects. Written with her trademark perceptiveness and lucidity, the collection — especially put together for Valentine’s Day — contains five short essays, and five hand-drawn illustrations by the author. With observations on office romances, on what love means to us, why there is no age limit for it, and why kisses are the ultimate expression of passion, this e-book single is a perfect gift for anyone pondering about love, anyone in love, and for everyone who has ever been in love and wants to find it again.

Like it? Leave me a comment!
________________________________________________ 


http://preetishenoy.com/

[image error]

Another short extract from 'It happens for a reason'. (Blog marathon post 9)

From page 43 of 'It happens for a reason'.

 I pour myself another drink though. I just want to forget the day’s happenings.
As we wait for the pizza to bake, we talk. I learn that he has studied veterinary medicine at no less than Cornell. He says the college offers a very small number of merit-based scholarships that are awarded on the basis of outstanding academic performance, and there was just one scholarship for an Indian student, instituted by a family of Indian origin, which he had won. Once he completed his course, he worked in one of the best animal hospitals in Brooklyn. He returned to India a couple of years ago and is one of the founder members of the hospital that he currently runs.
‘Wow—no wonder it is this good. You are personally involved in everything,’ I say.
‘Yes, when you are passionate about something, it shows. There is no point doing something that does not make you feel happy just to earn money. If you hate what you are doing, you are then just wasting your life,’ he says and I nod. I can completely relate to that. I made lots of money when my modelling career was at its peak, but I don’t think I enjoyed it at any point of time. I am a far happier person now. Or at least I was happy till this fiasco happened.
‘Yes, I agree completely. Very few people do what they love. Most are stuck in a rut and drag themselves to work. I guess we are among the few lucky ones for whom their work is a passion. My other job is as a fitness instructor, and when I go to the gym, I forget everything. It doesn’t pay as much as Paw-Factor but it does make me very happy.’

The above is a short para from my latest book, which resonates with me. I do believe that money isn't essential to be happy. Once the basic needs are met, where does one draw the 'I am satisfied now' line? There  really is no limit. The more money you make, the more you discover that someone is richer, drives a better car, has a bigger house.

True joy lies in living each day, doing things that you love. I will be talking about all of this and more at my book-events which starts off in Bangalore on 11th Feb at  Landmark,Forum mall, 6.30 pm.

I will be at Lucknow (at the Lucknow lit fest) on 13th Feb , Delhi at the world book fair on 14th Feb, 16th at Chandigarh at Whistling Duck and on 17th at Jaipur at Crossword book stores. If you have friends in those cities, do share the above poster with them.

If you are in any of the above cities, do block your dates. I look forward to meeting you.
___________________________________________________

Read about what happens to Vee:

Amazon: http://is.gd/Ithappensamazon
Flipkart: http://is.gd/Flipkartithappens
Crossword: http://is.gd/Ithappenscrossword


http://preetishenoy.com/

[image error]

Alone together (blog marathon post 8)

Of all the different kinds of mails I get, the ones that surprise me most are the ones where people bare their souls, their life problems and their dilemma and ask me for advice. I sometimes wonder why. I know it is because they can connect to my writing. I know it is because they feel I can understand what they are going through. I know it is because they think I can come up with a perfect solution to their problem. But it yet confounds me that they dash off an e-mail to someone who for all practical purposes is a perfect stranger to them and who doesn't even know they exist.  I can't imagine doing that. I love Neil Gaiman's writing, and also Mitch Albom's. But that doesn't mean I dash off a lengthy email to them, telling them all that is going on in my life and expecting them to come up with a solution.
And mostly there is nothing I can do to help them. Many a time it is a problem where the person they are in love with doesn't love them back. Sometimes, it is a break-up story.

Here is  the thing--you cannot make anyone love you. You might love them with all your heart. But they may not reciprocate. They may be busy. You might not be their kind. You might be too needy/clingy. They may not see anything in you.

And you know what---it is best for you to move on. That person you set your heart on is not the only one who is perfect for you. Such a thing doesn't exist. True love grows over many years of being with each other and still enjoying each other's company, doing things together, helping each other grow.
 And as much as you may doubt it now, the person you are meant to be with will surely come along.

Be patient if you are trying to find 'The One.'
And remember---you can be complete by yourself too. You do not need another person to make you feel whole. If  it happens, great.
If not the more time you spend with yourself, the more you learn to enjoy your own company.

Alone doesn't always mean lonely.
And 'together' doesn't always mean happy.
____________________________________________________
If you can relate to the above, you will love Vee, my protagonist in my latest book
#Ithappensforareason  Buy it:

Amazon: http://is.gd/Ithappensamazon
Flipkart: http://is.gd/Flipkartithappens
Crossword: http://is.gd/Ithappenscrossword



http://preetishenoy.com/

[image error]

Things happen for a reason (blog marathon post 7)

If you are in Bangalore, drop by at Landmark on Wednesday, 11th Feb at 6.30 pm. I will be there. It is going to be an interactive session and you can ask me questions and I will answer. I will also be talking about my journey from an unknown blogger to where I am today :) I do believe #ithappensforareason !
If you are not in Bangalore, but  have friends here who would like to attend, do send them the above invite.

The other day a journalist from 'The Hindu' was interviewing me. (I was later featured on the front page of The Hindu--metroplus)


I was telling the journo that whatever happens to us, does happen for a reason, though the reason is not evident at that time. I do believe that the Universe has a plan for each one of us. We cannot escape our destinies.
No matter what you do, some things just will not happen and sometimes things effortlessly happen to you. There is destiny but then there is free will too. We may not know where the path of life takes us, but we are still driving our car and traveling on the road . Ancient folks tried to make sense of it through things like runes, tarot cards and astrology. They are still in use. There are many who are skeptical about it too. Many swear by it.

I believe that Science still has not found answers to everything. I watched this Ted talk by Anita Moorjani and it made an impact on me.




I have also read many experiences like this one.
If you haven't heard this talk, I urge you to set 18 minutes aside and watch it. It is worth the time spent. And if you have any thoughts on it or anything related do feel free to share.

 I will be back tomorrow with a new post. Until then focus on what you have been blessed with and you will feel positive and happy.
_________________________________________________

Read my latest which is topping the charts:

 Amazon: http://is.gd/Ithappensamazon
Flipkart: http://is.gd/Flipkartithappens
Crossword: http://is.gd/Ithappenscrossword


http://preetishenoy.com/

[image error]

10 things about you probably didn't know about writers (blog marathon post 6)

1. If we love you , we will take the trouble to write to you. We get paid to write. For us, writing is the ultimate gift. It is what we are best at. So if we take the trouble to write to you a nice long letter/mail, then you can be sure you are loved.

2.We never speak on the phone  when an email will suffice. We might be in the middle of an absolutely marvelous plot, when a phone call shatters all the castles carefully built so far. So we prefer to mail. We don't talk on the phone unless it is 'absolutely essential.' Our primary mode of communication is emails/texting/whatsapp/viber---anything but speaking on the phone.

3.We're secretly judging every book we read, comparing it to how we write. We can't help it. We are wired that way.

4.We're always making mental notes about every single thing we see, hear, experience. Yes--all of it might be worthy enough to go into a book. We are observant by nature and we don't forget easily.


5.We are impressed by someone who writes well and is also articulate. Of course  it goes without saying that the person shouldn't be an arrogant boor in which case his/her writing abilities as well as his/her oratory skills are immediately discounted.

6.We are always thinking and we hate it when people say 'You think too much'. It's our job. Our brain is a constant idea churner. To tell us not to think is like telling the leaves of a plant to stop being so green.

7.We love books and can't have enough. The perfect evening to us is absolute silence and a ton of interesting books.

8.We are closet nerds. We love researching and finding information which most people wouldn't be interested in. And we love to do it all by ourselves. Information is wealth. We live by that.

9.We find drama in even the most ordinary thing and are surprised when others don't. We do. Everything is in Technicolor, high definition and dialogues are constantly playing in our heads.

10. We are easily hurt but we mask it cleverly with words and more words. Words are our security blanket, our comforter, the pacifier we need when everything seems black.
____________________________________
Nielsen bestseller .No. 7. Read it yet?
Amazon: http://is.gd/Ithappensamazon
Flipkart: http://is.gd/Flipkartithappens
Crossword: http://is.gd/Ithappenscrosswordhttp://preetishenoy.com/

[image error]

10 things you don't know about writers (blog marathon post 6)

1. If we love you , we will take the trouble to write to you. We get paid to write. For us, writing is the ultimate gift. it is what we are best at. So if we take the trouble to write to you (for most of us, writing is our work) then you can be sure you are loved.

2.We never speak on the phone  when an email will suffice. We might be in the middle of an absolutely marvelous plot, when a phone call shatters all the castles carefully built so far. So we prefer to mail. We don't talk on the phone unless it is 'absolutely essential.' Our primary mode of communication is emails/texting/whatsapp/viber---anything but speaking on the phone.

3.We're secretly judging every book we read, comparing it to how we write. We can't help it. We are wired that way.

4.We're always making mental notes about every single thing we see, hear, experience. Yes--all of it might be worthy enough to go into a book. we are observant by nature and we don't forget easily.


5.We are impressed by someone who writes well and is also articulate. Of course  it goes without saying that the person shouldn't be an arrogant boor in which case his writing abilities as well as his oratory skills are immediately discounted.

6.We are always thinking ans we hate it when people say 'You think too much'. It's our job. Our brain is a constant idea churner. To tell us not to think is like telling the leaves of a plant to stop being so green.

7.We love books and can't have enough. The perfect evening to us is absolute silence and a ton of interesting books.

8.We are closet nerds. We love researching and finding information which most people wouldn't be interested in. And we love to do it all by ourselves. Information is wealth. We live by that.

9.We find drama in even the most ordinary thing and are surprised when others don't. We do. Everything is in Technicolor, high definition and dialogues are constantly playing in our heads.

10. We are easily hurt but we mask it cleverly with words and more words. Words are our security blanket, our comforter, the pacifier we need when everything seems black.
____________________________________
Nielsen bestseller .No. 7. Read it yet?
Amazon: http://is.gd/Ithappensamazon
Flipkart: http://is.gd/Flipkartithappens
Crossword: http://is.gd/Ithappenscrosswordhttp://preetishenoy.com/

[image error]

Sometimes we need to learn to take (blog marathon post 5)

Sometimes you need to tell it like it is. There is no other way. If you do not like something, you just have to speak up. Swallow the discomfort. Risk the anger. Wade out of your comfort zone. Let go of the need to please.
'Yes, I was upset about you doing_________' instead of 'No, I didn't mind.'
'Yes, I think you were uncaring, But it's okay.' instead of 'No, I didn't even notice.'
'Yes, I wondered why you have suddenly stopped communicating. I thought I was important enough for you to make time for me,' instead of 'You must be really busy.'

Must you always be blunt and honest and direct?
No, not always---only when you feel hurt.

Because, you need to respect yourself, value yourself.
You need to sometimes show others how to treat you and what you will take.
You need to stand up for yourself.
You need to explain your point of view--because only you can see the view that you do, from where you stand. For everyone else it is a different view.

You have to do it, because you deserve better.
You have to do it because if you do not speak up, there will be tiny cracks that seep in. Cracks that will grow with hurt and confusion. Cracks that will expand to breaks. And slowly, before you realise it, the relationship will fall apart because you have been giving and giving and giving.

There is only so much you can give.
You need to learn to take too.

________________________________________________
 
Nielsen bestseller .No. 7. Read it yet?
Amazon: http://is.gd/Ithappensamazon
Flipkart: http://is.gd/Flipkartithappens
Crossword: http://is.gd/Ithappenscrosswordhttp://preetishenoy.com/

[image error]