Preeti Shenoy's Blog, page 59
October 3, 2014
Some snapshots from the Bangalore litfest 2014
The recently concluded Bangalore literature festival (Bangalore lit fest 2014) was fabulous. It was well organised, well attended and there were some marvelous sessions.
The great thing about litfests is meeting so many people whose books you have read and admired. I was a part of a panel that discussed love and relationships. The others who were a part of my panel were Dr.Vijay Nagaswami, Psychiatrist and a relationship counsellor (also an author), Milan Vohra and Nandita Bose--both fellow authors. Here is a picture which was clicked just before we went on stage.
Everyone said that our session was lively, interesting, insightful and yet fun!
I was honoured that a senior writer --and one whose writing I love attended my session, and even asked a very relevant question. She was none other than Sathya Saran.
I have read a lot of her writing and I love what she has to say.
here is a picture of me and Sathya Saran, chilling in the author's lounge.
The festival saw a lot of eminent names and the media covered it extensively. I won't go into details as the media has covered it extensively and there is google to do the job for you :)
Here I am at the venue, striking a pose.
I was glad that satish could attend it along with me, and he had a great time too!
If you have never attended a lit fest, do try out the next one. The entry to most lit fests is free. All lit fests are open to public, and there are some amazing panel discussions spread over 2-3 days. Study the festival schedule, which would be up on the website and choose the ones that you like to attend.
You meet some great minds, you listen to some different insights and you leave with some food for thought. An unusual way to spend a weekend.
I enjoyed it immensely, and I hope to see you at the next lit fest, if I happen to be where you are!
___________________________________________________________
Grab my last book at a price which is a steal : http://tinyurl.com/nzfu3v2http://preetishenoy.com/
The great thing about litfests is meeting so many people whose books you have read and admired. I was a part of a panel that discussed love and relationships. The others who were a part of my panel were Dr.Vijay Nagaswami, Psychiatrist and a relationship counsellor (also an author), Milan Vohra and Nandita Bose--both fellow authors. Here is a picture which was clicked just before we went on stage.
Everyone said that our session was lively, interesting, insightful and yet fun!
I was honoured that a senior writer --and one whose writing I love attended my session, and even asked a very relevant question. She was none other than Sathya Saran.
I have read a lot of her writing and I love what she has to say.
here is a picture of me and Sathya Saran, chilling in the author's lounge.
The festival saw a lot of eminent names and the media covered it extensively. I won't go into details as the media has covered it extensively and there is google to do the job for you :)
Here I am at the venue, striking a pose.
I was glad that satish could attend it along with me, and he had a great time too!
If you have never attended a lit fest, do try out the next one. The entry to most lit fests is free. All lit fests are open to public, and there are some amazing panel discussions spread over 2-3 days. Study the festival schedule, which would be up on the website and choose the ones that you like to attend.
You meet some great minds, you listen to some different insights and you leave with some food for thought. An unusual way to spend a weekend.
I enjoyed it immensely, and I hope to see you at the next lit fest, if I happen to be where you are!
___________________________________________________________
Grab my last book at a price which is a steal : http://tinyurl.com/nzfu3v2http://preetishenoy.com/
October 1, 2014
Guess the name and win a prize!
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You met Ankita in 'Life is what you make it'You met Nisha in 'Tea for two and a piece of cake'You met Diksha in 'The Secret Wishlist'You met Aman in 'The One You Cannot Have'Whom are you going to meet next?
See the clues above and guess the name. (Another hint: She is a Bollywood celebrity)
Leave your answers either as a comment in this post or if you want to see what others are saying, join me on my author page on facebook. Click HERE
Results to be announced tomorrow! (On my Fb page)
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Buy my last book: http://tinyurl.com/nzfu3v2http://preetishenoy.com/
September 19, 2014
What happens after writing a novel? A behind the scenes post.
The first phone call. To a good friend--a guy who is 29.
'So which one do you think will look better as the cover?'
'Both are good'
'Come on--pick one'
'Both are really good'
'Look, I told my publishers that I have this good friend who is 29 and he would give me the right inputs'
'But you forgot to tell them that this 29 year old thinks like a 42 year old'.
'Come on--if I hold a gun to your head and asked you to choose one, which one?'
'I would still say both are brilliant'
'Thanks, that was very helpful. You have been conferred the 'most helpful friend' award'
'Ha ha ha.'
The second phone call. To another close person--a guy who is 28.
'So which cover?'
'Definitely the first. I loved it!'
'Really? Me too!'
'Yes, it's awesome. So eye-catching.'
'I was just thinking that in a book-store it would really stand out. And I was just telling my publishers that I wanted inputs from a young person. You perfectly fit the bill'
'Hey don't go by my suggestion. I may be completely wrong here as the only books I have read in this genre are yours.'
'I know, that's why your opinion is so important'.
'The first one then. Definitely.'
'Yay--first one it is!'
The third phone call. To someone I am very fond of--a girl who is 18.
'Which cover?'
'Definitely the first. I have a thing for reds.'
'Me too--I totally loved it.'
'Yeah! It is fabulous!'
'And the other option is too run-of-the-mill right?
'Yes. This one stands out. It's great!'
'Thanks!'
Then a email to my Editor, expressing my choice.
Many more e-mails back and forth.
Many people involved.
More options explored.
Fonts changed.
Press quotes chosen.
Conference call with publishers.
More changes.
And finally finally---a BRILLIANT cover! (I can't show you yet but stay tuned!)
Yay! I could do a merry jig.
Instead I heave a sigh of relief.
And sleep.
I haven't slept in days.
This is what goes into making of a book, after writing it, after the zillion-gazillion edits flying back and forth. After the countless changes. The lines blur after a while and you lose track. Slowly all you see are words and words and words and more words.
And now the work has just started.
Till it is out (On December 10th) I would be completely buried, lost and swamped.
All for a new book :)
But make no mistakes---I wouldn't have it any other way!
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A new book by me will be out this December!
For buying my last book 'The One You Cannot Have' which debuted at No.2 on Nielsen list, click HERE
http://preetishenoy.com/
September 3, 2014
Four writers in India Today
India Today, issue dated 8th September 2014 features four writers other than Chetan Bhagat who mark key points in timeline of the English best-seller in India.
Recognise someone you know? :)
If you are not able to enlarge it, read it online: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/how-four-writers-announced-their-success-and-took-the-indian-bestseller-mainstream/1/379636.html
A big thank you to all of you who read me!
___________________________________________________________
Buy my latest :http://www.preetishenoy.com/books/the...
August 29, 2014
Because he is.. (for someone very special)
He is Hobbes when I am CalvinHe is the shoe when I want to be a sockHe is water when I want whiskey (he can be soda too)He is Woody when I want to be BuzzHe is Pon when I want to be ZiAnd he is Vice when I want to be Versa (and sometimes the other way too)He is the string in a pair of pajamasHe is the S on the superman logoHe is laughter when I need some lightening up.And sometimes he is the tears too.He is there—an unfailing safety netHe persists long after I have given upHe brings a perspective I would have never seenHe listens patiently even when he knows I am wrongHe has in him a capacity to love like no one elseAlso to annoy like nobody else. (wonder if they go together too) He is a part of me.
Happy birthday to the love of my life. I am so glad we are. :)
© 2014 Preeti Shenoy For more poems click here. Some poems have already appeared in print. Kindly do not reproduce without permission.
___________________________________________________________________
Buy my books in India
Buy my books outside India http://preetishenoy.com/
August 27, 2014
Blog marathon completed! (post 30 of blog marathon)
So, here we are on day 30 of the blog marathon. Those who have been following this blog would know that for the last 30 days, there has been a post every single day! It has definitely not been easy.
I have blogged through a holiday, through the time when I had house-guests and also through birthdays of close friends.
I have blogged when I did not feel like it, when I was unwell, and when my eyes were shutting out of sheer exhaustion.
It's a great sense of achievement to not have missed a single day.
I must make a special mention of Alka Singla who is a reader who has commented on every single post of the marathon! A big thanks to you Alka---your comments were really encouraging, and you have completed a marathon of a different kind--which is replying to 30 posts!
I will definitely be blogging. So see you around.
And for those of you who are aspiring to be authors, do pick up the current issue (August 2014) of Cosmopolitan magazine. I have been featured along with some co-authors, and the story covers every aspect of being an author.
That's all for now folks. Thank you for reading me.
I will be back soon :) (faster if you tell me you love reading what I write!)
________________________________________________________
Buy my books in India, here.
(You can pay cash on delivery. You don't need a credit card)
Buy my books on Amazon, (outside India) herehttp://preetishenoy.com/
I have blogged through a holiday, through the time when I had house-guests and also through birthdays of close friends.
I have blogged when I did not feel like it, when I was unwell, and when my eyes were shutting out of sheer exhaustion.
It's a great sense of achievement to not have missed a single day.
I must make a special mention of Alka Singla who is a reader who has commented on every single post of the marathon! A big thanks to you Alka---your comments were really encouraging, and you have completed a marathon of a different kind--which is replying to 30 posts!
I will definitely be blogging. So see you around.
And for those of you who are aspiring to be authors, do pick up the current issue (August 2014) of Cosmopolitan magazine. I have been featured along with some co-authors, and the story covers every aspect of being an author.
That's all for now folks. Thank you for reading me.
I will be back soon :) (faster if you tell me you love reading what I write!)
________________________________________________________
Buy my books in India, here.
(You can pay cash on delivery. You don't need a credit card)
Buy my books on Amazon, (outside India) herehttp://preetishenoy.com/
August 26, 2014
Things to remember when you seek advice (blog marathon post 29)
Sometimes, when we are stuck in a problem, where no solution seems to emerge despite our best efforts, we turn to friends. Or our trusted ones. We believe that their advice is going to offer a fresh perspective. It will help us find something that we might have overlooked. If we are really desperate, we hold on to whatever they say. Or at least think about it.
The thing here that we forget is no two people look at the same thing the same way. It might as clear cut as a rock. Yet, when viewed from an angle that is ever so slightly different from yours, it appears different. To that extent, the advice given is skewed.
What then do we do? Do we take no advice at all? Do we seek no help? Do we mulishly trudge along, with a try-and-fail-and-discover method?
No. I think the answers are within us. But sometimes, emotions cloud our judgement so much that we are unable to see. The thing to remember is never to take any decision, when emotions are tumultuous. One needs to sleep over a problem. Give it time
You would be surprised how many problems get resolved by doing nothing about it. We leave it alone and it vanishes. We discover that it was of magnitude only inside our heads.
Take this date two years ago. What were you going through? What were you worried about most? Hasn't it been resolved? Does it tell you something?
Wisdom, they say lies is knowing when to interfere with a problem, and when to leave it alone.
And strength is what you need, when things don't always go according to plan.
I wish you strength. And I wish you wisdom.
And I wish you a lot of time --to dream, to explore and to discover new things. For it is only then that you grow.
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Get my latest book The One You Cannot Have for a whopping discount: http://www.preetishenoy.com/books/the-one-you-cannot-have/ http://preetishenoy.com/
August 25, 2014
Helpless Bliss (blog marathon post 28)
Memories flood, like the river in spateSubmerge the soul and reasoningYou are everywhere I turn.In the drawer I open after a shower,It is your scent that I smellIn the words that pour out of my penIt is your passion that poursIn the clothes that adorn my bodyIt is your thoughts that are wovenThe harder I try to suppress themThe more powerfully they push-backUntil I can with withstand no moreAnd I yieldCarried along the swirling watersWith a force never envisagedThat takes me to places I never intended to go.I am floating now,HelplessBut finally at peace.And oh the bliss!
© 2014 Preeti Shenoy
For more poems click here. Some poems have already appeared in print. Kindly do not reproduce without permission.
© 2014 Preeti Shenoy
For more poems click here. Some poems have already appeared in print. Kindly do not reproduce without permission. - See more at: http://blog.preetishenoy.com/2014/08/...
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Get my latest book The One You Cannot Have for a whopping discount: http://www.preetishenoy.com/books/the-one-you-cannot-have/ http://preetishenoy.com/
August 24, 2014
Games people play (blog marathon post 27)
One of my closest friend is visiting me for a few days. We were talking today about our childhood games. The games we grew up playing. The ones our children have never played or even heard of.
We explained to them about Kabbadi. The three of us, adults--My friend, Satish and I had all played Kabbadi in our childhood. Three of us had grown up in three diefferent regions of India, and yet all of us had played it. None of our children even knew the word. We explained what it was like. The we told them about Lagori. Satish said they used to call it Pithu.
Then we spoke about 'Tiger and the goat'. We used to form a large circle joining hands. One child would be the goat who would be inside the circel. The other child would be the Tiger, outside the circle. The tiger has to try and break into the circle. If the tiger got in, we would have to let the goat out, and not let the tiger get out. I remember it was loads of fun. We would all scream and shout, and play the game, throwing ourselves into it, with great gusto.
Then of course there was Kho-kho. We used to play that a lot. I used to love it.
Are there any games that you used to play, as a child, which you don't see these days? If so, do share--I would love to know.
The games we played as children, are so different from the ones the kids these days play. I seriously think there should be time set aside in the present day schools, where the children are taught such games. We learn so much when we play. We learn to relate to other people, we learn to anticipate actions, we learn to let go. Most importantly we learn that we sometimes win and sometimes lose.
A lot like life.
Don't you agree?
_________________________________________________
Read my books http://www.preetishenoy.com/#
http://preetishenoy.com/
We explained to them about Kabbadi. The three of us, adults--My friend, Satish and I had all played Kabbadi in our childhood. Three of us had grown up in three diefferent regions of India, and yet all of us had played it. None of our children even knew the word. We explained what it was like. The we told them about Lagori. Satish said they used to call it Pithu.
Then we spoke about 'Tiger and the goat'. We used to form a large circle joining hands. One child would be the goat who would be inside the circel. The other child would be the Tiger, outside the circle. The tiger has to try and break into the circle. If the tiger got in, we would have to let the goat out, and not let the tiger get out. I remember it was loads of fun. We would all scream and shout, and play the game, throwing ourselves into it, with great gusto.
Then of course there was Kho-kho. We used to play that a lot. I used to love it.
Are there any games that you used to play, as a child, which you don't see these days? If so, do share--I would love to know.
The games we played as children, are so different from the ones the kids these days play. I seriously think there should be time set aside in the present day schools, where the children are taught such games. We learn so much when we play. We learn to relate to other people, we learn to anticipate actions, we learn to let go. Most importantly we learn that we sometimes win and sometimes lose.
A lot like life.
Don't you agree?
_________________________________________________
Read my books http://www.preetishenoy.com/#
http://preetishenoy.com/
August 23, 2014
Favourite fictionals (Blog marathon post 26)
Am doing a Sunday Stealing post for today which is on Fictional Favourites.
1. Favorite fictional couple?
Henry and Clare in Time traveller's wife
2. Favorite fictional character?
3. Favorite fictional TV show?
Band of brothers
4. Favorite fictional movie?
Too many to name!
The Shawshank redemption, Pursuit of Happyness, The Bucketlist, Goodwill Hunting, Up in the air, The bridge to Terabithia, Bridges of Madison County, The descendants, Brokeback Mountain and Lord of War, The wolf of wall street, to name a few
5. Favorite fictional villain?
I don't have one.
6. Favorite fictional hero?
Again I don't have a favourite hero as such. I think is it situations that make heroes out of ordinary people.
7. Favorite fictional pet?
Snowy from Tintin :)
8. Favorite fictional setting/universe?
The Universe we live in is so beautiful! Currently reading A brief History of time by Stephen Hawkings. How can anything be more beautiful than the Cosmos?
9. Least favorite fictional couple?
I don't have one. If I don't like something I don't spend too much time thinking about it. It is unnecessarily giving them space in your head!
10. Least favorite fictional character?
None!
11. Least favorite fictional TV show?
I don't watch TV at all. But the othe day I happened to chance upon Two Broke girls and thought it was pathetic!
12. Least favorite fictional movie?
Many badly made movies out there. Begins with Dhoom 3--the first movie, I actually walked out of the movie hall as I found it unbearable to sit there to absorb the stupidity.
_____________________________________________________________
Buy my books in India
Buy my books outside India
http://preetishenoy.com/
1. Favorite fictional couple?
Henry and Clare in Time traveller's wife
2. Favorite fictional character?
3. Favorite fictional TV show?
Band of brothers
4. Favorite fictional movie?
Too many to name!
The Shawshank redemption, Pursuit of Happyness, The Bucketlist, Goodwill Hunting, Up in the air, The bridge to Terabithia, Bridges of Madison County, The descendants, Brokeback Mountain and Lord of War, The wolf of wall street, to name a few
5. Favorite fictional villain?
I don't have one.
6. Favorite fictional hero?
Again I don't have a favourite hero as such. I think is it situations that make heroes out of ordinary people.
7. Favorite fictional pet?
Snowy from Tintin :)
8. Favorite fictional setting/universe?
The Universe we live in is so beautiful! Currently reading A brief History of time by Stephen Hawkings. How can anything be more beautiful than the Cosmos?
9. Least favorite fictional couple?
I don't have one. If I don't like something I don't spend too much time thinking about it. It is unnecessarily giving them space in your head!
10. Least favorite fictional character?
None!
11. Least favorite fictional TV show?
I don't watch TV at all. But the othe day I happened to chance upon Two Broke girls and thought it was pathetic!
12. Least favorite fictional movie?
Many badly made movies out there. Begins with Dhoom 3--the first movie, I actually walked out of the movie hall as I found it unbearable to sit there to absorb the stupidity.
_____________________________________________________________
Buy my books in India
Buy my books outside India
http://preetishenoy.com/
