Preeti Shenoy's Blog, page 8

5 simple ways to lessen stress during pandemic

 We're in the worst second wave of this terrifying pandemic. We all thought 2021 would be better and that the worst was behind us. But how wrong we were. Anywhere we turn, there is death and illness. Shocking images of crematoriums running full, people dying outside the hospitals for lack of oxygen cylinders and beds, heartbreaking appeals from doctors and ordinary citizens, pleas for help in getting admitted to a hospital, pleas for injections and oxygen--we cannot be immune to it. There's not a single person I know who hasn't faced some kind of a loss because of the Pandemic. Everyone is stressed.

And when you are stressed it affects your immune system. You are likely to succumb to illnesses.  Stress is something which we have to minimize at all costs, especially in these times. But how do we do it?

 Like everyone else, I too was affected.  For a while, my stress levels were high. I  felt totally down as well as angry and helpless. But I am in a much better frame of mind  now.  I am also able to stay positive now and my stress levels are minimal as well. It took conscious effort on my part. I followed a few simple  things which helped me a lot in getting myself out of the dark place I was stuck in.

Here are the things I followed:

1. Limit screen time :

 I use an iphone and I never knew  the the phone comes with an option where you can limit the screen time for every app. I have now set the limits for Twitter and Instagram for just 15 minutes each.  They turn themselves off after the set time. Limiting my screen time helped me a lot to tune off the negativity. It freed up my time which I could use for other things. Even if your phone doesn't have the option to limit screen time, you could download an app which helps you do it. Limiting the amount of time I spend on social media  meant I had more time on my hands to do things in real life. It also kept negativity at bay, as I wasn't constantly 'doomscrolling'. 

 2. Start a new hobby:

Sometimes we all need a little motivation and inspiration. I highly recommend taking a skillshare  premium membership if you can afford it. They have many courses in all kinds of things.  I teach a creative writing class there. I have also enrolled as a student  on skillshare and have done several courses which have helped me a lot. (Once you take a premium membership there's no limit to the number of courses you can do!)

You could use this link to see my class and also if you want to  try skillshare premium  free for 14 days.

https://www.skillshare.com/r/profile/Preeti-Shenoy/9270711

 I have learnt book binding, making a travel journal, clicking self-portraits, using drawing as a tool of self-discovery etc. It helps me de stress and I immensely enjoy these courses and making new projects.

 

3. Create a soothing  habit : 

 

The one thing that I do every day is cycle. I cycle to a lake near my home, walk around it and then cycle back. I find this extremely calming.  Here are a couple of pictures I clicked at the lake this morning.

Ever since I made cycling to the lake a morning habit, I have something to look forward to, each day. You could perhaps make walking a habit. Find a nice spot in your neighbourhood, and simply walk early in the morning. Start observing the things around you and you will be surprised at what you discover.

4. Refuse to engage with 'dumpers':

It is not selfish to temporarily walk away from the whiners. If someone's attitude is getting you down, take a break from them. Of course, you can also choose to be there for them, if they are going through a difficult time. But be aware of the way it is making you feel. If you constantly feel on the edge, and if you constantly feel negative around someone, remember you will be able to help them better, when you are in a better frame of mind yourself.  Only when you are calm and content will you be able to give out positive vibes.

I had posted this on my Telegram Channel (I post exclusive content every day. Do join if you haven't yet subscribed)

 

5.Practice gratitude.

When I was chatting with a friend who is just recovering from covid, she pointed out how this time is unique for all of us. She said she is grateful that her adult child (who lives abroad) is with her right now. These times when all of us are working from home and together isn't going to come back. 

For me, I look for things which make me feel blessed and grateful. We can find joy in small things --like flowers that bloomed, like a glorious sunset or sunrise that you witnessed or simply being healthy. The more we practice gratitude, the less stress we feel.

I hope these tips help you. Which of these do you follow? Do you have anything additional to share?
If you are reading this in your inbox, do head over to my blog and leave a comment in my comment box.

Take Care and Stay calm

Love
Preeti

********************************************

Photo by Jeffery Erhunse on Unsplash

Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/

New! Telegram channel. Join for a dose of Inspiration and positivity

 

 Hi there,

How have you been?  How is the summer heat  at your part of the world?

I got the first dose of Covid vaccine on 1st April. I was fine that day. But the next day,  it knocked me out completely . I was so exhausted I slept the whole day. Fatigue hit me hard. I didn't have fever or any other symptoms though. Many of my friends  too reported feeling the same. It took me 3-4 days to recover.  I am glad to be back on my feet now. A thought struck me--if the vaccine itself causes so much discomfort, how terrible it must be for the ones who actually got Covid. I say a prayer for all the ones suffering.

We are at a phase where it might be 2020 all over again. Maharashtra is mulling a lockdown as I type this. Bangalore might follow suit if the cases don't subside. There's already a night curfew in place.
I don't get why people don't follow precautions, and why people still want to have large gatherings for celebrations.

The need of the hour is staying safe. We need to take care of ourselves--both our mental health and our physical health. Do whatever brings you joy. On social media, follow only those whose content makes you feel good. Do not follow those accounts where you feel 'inadequate'. Remember a lot of things you see on social media is not the full picture. People show only the 'best bits', hiding what is truly going on.

A new thing that I have started is a Telegram Channel. I felt a need to start this, because Instagram limits the number of people who see my posts and stories. Though I have 52K followers only about 2K of them get to see my stories. It is the same for facebook.
But in Telegram, those who are genuinely wanting to see what I post will never miss a post.

I started this channel two days back, and we have already crossed 750 subscribers.

You can check out my channel  using this link:

h ttps://t.me/thepreetishenoyclub

 

Use the 'preview' button to see my posts. Do download Telegram and subscribe, if you like what I have shared. I take out the time to curate stuff for my Telegram.

 

If you have already subscribed, then tell me in my comments what you would like to see more of, and I shall do my best to post about that.

 

 

 

Whatever part of the world you are in, take good care and stay safe.
That's all for now,
Love
Preeti

 

 

Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/

AutHER awards Most Popular Fiction: When Love Came Calling by Preeti Shenoy

 

 

Hello again!

I had posted a few days back, asking for your vote and support for the Most Popular Fiction at AutHER awards. I have some news. I did win the award for  When Love Came Calling.

The event was held at Taj Palace in Delhi, and it was a grand ceremony. All social distancing norms were in place and since it was held outdoors, on the  sprawling lawns, there was plenty of space. We all wore our masks, and we removed them only on stage. Every person present there spoke about how fantastic it was to see each other in person, rather than on a screen, which has now become the norm!

Here is a photo from the event. There were giant screens on either side of the stage, that beamed what was happening on stage, larger than life.

 

 

 

Many of the dignitaries before me, spoke about the pressing need for a women’s fiction award. I had initially planned to speak on the same, but when I saw that multiple people had already done so, I decided to speak about my personal experiences and I made two points which highlight the inequality, which this award seeks to address. It was completely impromptu, and do watch it below. It's a short 3 minute clip. You can also see me collecting the award,

 

 

As always, I do look forward to hearing from you in my comment box.
Please head over to my blog, if you are reading this from your mailbox. I do  try and reply to all comments left on my blog.

Happy weekend.
With summer being here, stay hydrated.
I shall blog again soon.
Till then--Happy Weekend!

Love 

Preeti

Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/

Please vote for 'Most Popular fiction' at autHER awards!

 

 

Hi all,

Today I have a request for you. AutHER awards by Times Group is the only award in India that recognises exemplary writing by women. When it comes to writing, there truly isn't any difference between a book written by a woman and a book written by a man.  I don't think gender plays any role in writing.

However it is much harder for women to get recognition. If you check out the bestseller lists in India, it is always dominated by men, yours truly being the sole exception. Most women authors hate the word 'promotion' and they don't talk about their books. Male authors push their books, and don't hesitate to make a big noise about whatever they are doing. Mostly, this is societal conditioning . Talking about your own book is seen as 'bragging'. (Surprisingly when men do it, this is not viewed that way!)

 

In our country, it is also much harder for a woman to make a mark with her writing. Writing is often not viewed as a 'real job'. If the woman stays at home and writes, it is assumed that she can be interrupted anytime. Writing is seen more as a 'hobby' and not real work by many. When sales don't happen then the author hardly makes money further reinforcing that writing can't be 'work'.

 When a book wins an award or gets nominated, it is taken a lot more seriously. Suddenly people sit up and take notice. Therefore I was very happy that an award  exclusively for women writers  has finally been instituted. This is the second year of this award, and I am really pleased to tell you that my last book 'When Love Came Calling' has been nominated for the Most Popular Fiction award.

Today is the last day to vote. The winner gets chosen by YOU.

So this is a request to please vote for me.
Use the following link:

https://autherawards.in/public-voting/

 

Voting takes less than ten seconds.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Preeti Shenoy (@preeti.shenoy)

I hope that the next time I blog, it will be to tell you that I won because of your vote!

Please share the link with your friends who like my writing, and who think I deserve to win. Do leave me a comment after you vote.

 Will keep you updated. 

Till then, take care, stay safe, stay hydrated as summer is here!
Love
Preeti

Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/

Two important things every woman must do!

 

 Hello there!

 Since I have promised to post here regularly, here I am with another post. I hope to post here at least twice a week. [Or maybe thrice if you leave me loads of nice and engaging comments 😛 ]
 

March 8th is international women's day. The day always begins with a slew of Whatsapp forwards wishing me a 'Happy Women's Day'. While the wishes might be genuine [even if it's forwarded with the click of a button without even bothering to write my name or ask how I am 😉]  I do feel women in our country have a raw deal.

Most of us have been programmed by patriarchal upbringing that we don't even notice it when women aren't treated right. We accept that this is how things are.

A few days back, a young girl jumped to her death in Kolkata, allegedly because of Dowry harassment. If you haven't read it, do read  about it here.  

 

 I had tweeted about it:

For this to stop parents of girls should REFUSE to pay dowry. Don't place so much emphasis on getting off girls married fearing "what will society say". Let your girls be financially independent. That's what is more important than marrying them off. https://t.co/YnIMTu5YJd

— Preeti Shenoy (@preetishenoy) March 4, 2021

I do think parents should be strong enough to not bow down to the societal pressure and should support the girl in whatever she wants to pursue.  The heroine of my book The Rule Breakers faces a similar situation. She is a meek, sensitive, soft spoken girl who cannot say no to her father, and hence sacrifices her dreams and agrees to get married.

 The story deals with Veda's journey. If you wish to read the book, you can order it here.

 

 Some days back, a newspaper had interviewed me asking me two important questions. Here's what they had asked, and my replies too.

The One advice I wish I had heard while starting out:

Today I am living my dream. I have worked extremely hard for it, struggled, faced rejections and have now  accomplished whatever I have so far, on my own. There was no one to guide me or give me advice or hold my hand or pick up the pieces when I was down. Hence the question of ‘I wish I had heard this’ doesn’t arise!

 However, I  do have one piece of advice for anyone who is starting out. There will be a hundred people who tell you that it cannot be done. If you tell anyone your dream, it is likely they will not perceive it the way you do. So be your own best friend. Reach inside yourself and find that reservoir of courage. Set it free, and immerse yourself in it. Fight, fight hard for your dreams. If you don’t do it, no one will do it for you.

  

What should woman should demand in her life?

Financial independence is the one thing every woman should have. Women constitute 48.1 percent of the population. Yet women account for only 19.9 percent of the labour force, which means over 80 percent of the women depend on a man for their livelihood. This would definitely cause an imbalance in the relationship. The person who holds the purse-strings does hold the power. Your man might be the nicest person; He might not ‘object’ to your spending. You might not even have to ‘ask him’. But the very idea of depending on a man should change. If you are unable to take up a full time job, do something just for yourself. Don’t spend your entire time just for the family.

 

 

 

What are your thoughts on Women's day? If you are a woman, what do you wish for the most? What do you really want?

 

If you are a man, how are you planning to celebrate women's day?

 

 

 

 

Tell me in my comments! I'd love to know.

 (If you are reading this in your inbox, do head over to my comment box)

Love
Preeti

______________________________________

 
Photo by Nadi Whatisdelirium on Unsplash

 

 

@font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}@font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}.MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;}

Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/

Hello! Updates from me!

 

 

Hello dear dear reader!

How are you? Hope all is well (and it is something to be grateful for  these days if the honest answer is yes, all is well)

It's been really long since I posted here. I did post for 30 consecutive days during the first lockdown. Then I extended it, as the lock-down got extended.  But the last post here was in September.

The reason for not posting were many. I faced some deep personal losses (I am still recovering). I moved homes. I had a million things to take care of on the personal front. And amidst all of this, I also wrote a book on positivity! I signed a two book deal with Harper Collins. (Click on the link to know more). It became increasingly difficult to do unpaid work (like writing in this blog. To write here, I have to take out extra time, after completing the work that I get paid for.) 

Many of you wrote to me saying you miss my blog, and that you have been loyal readers for over 14 years! (yes, I started this blog in 2006 and have kept it going since then.) All your love and requests were enough to bring me back :)

So here I am (big wave).

 

One other thing that happened during my silence here is that I got featured on the cover of e-she magazine. They did a beautiful in depth story on me.

If you wish to read the issue, you can download it for free  HERE (or you can also read it online). I have spoken in detail on various topics.

I have been regularly posting on my Twitter and on Instagram.

I just posted this update today:

What a BRILLIANT movie The Great Indian Kitchen is. I urge every Indian to watch this !! Each and every scene is so nuanced, so powerful that it leaves you with a punch in the gut long after the movie ends. Well done Jeo Baby!! #TheGreatIndianKitchen #MustWatch pic.twitter.com/6zwoLtNUar

— Preeti Shenoy (@preetishenoy) February 25, 2021

The above movie is streaming only on Neestream  (you can subscribe for just a month or you can just get this movie alone) as Netflix and Amazon prime refused to take it as it has some controversial issues. 

If you have watched it, do let me know your thoughts.

If you haven't watched it, I highly recommend it.

 

More soon, after I read all your comments (Please use my comment box if you are reading this on mail. Head over to my blog and comment there please) . Now that I am back, I intend writing here regularly.

Take care of yourself. Sleep well. Eat healthy and don't forget to get some exercise, even if it is for just 15 minutes a day.

See you in my comment box!

Love
Preeti

____________

Photo by Minh Pham on Unsplash

 

Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/

How to write a Book Review: Preeti Shenoy

 When I was in school,  I had an excellent English teacher.  One of the things she made us do  over summer vacations was to write  to reviews of the books we read. These were graded assignments. 
The most important thing she told us was to not write a mini-summary of the book. 

'This is a book review; Not a chronicled account of everything that happened,' she used to keep reminding us.

Her tips and suggestions enabled all of us, to write good reviews--whether we like the book or not.

Of late, I have been reading a LOT of reviews about my new book When Love Came Calling. 

While many of the reviews have positive things to say, I am always aghast when the reviewer gives away an important plot point or a main event in the story, or the worst--reveals what happens in the end. These are all mistakes which can be avoided.

Some reviewers give negative reviews because the protagonist did not make the choices, they expected him/her to. They get very involved with the story (which is a great thing as it means the book is exceedingly well written) but when they see that the protagonist makes a choice, they themselves wouldn't have made they are disaapointed.

Rarely have I come across a PERFECT review, where the reviewer says everything they want to, and yet does not reveal the plot points. For a shining example of how to write a review check out THIS REVIEW.

The review mentioned above would have got an A plus from my English teacher :)

Here are 5 steps to write a good review.

1. Mention the name of the book, the author and the publisher.

2. Give a very brief summary of what the story is about. Do not reproduce the back blurb here; You can borrow phrases from the back blurb, but if you use your own way to tell us what the story is about, it is going to come alive.

3. Tell us what you loved about the book. You could tell us how the book made you feel. You can comment about the writing style (crisp, simple, easy, appealing, relatable). You can comment about the character development. You can comment about the story arc.  DO NOT give spoilers! Do not reveal anything more than what the author has revealed in the back blurb. You can say 'something happens' or 'an igniting incident' or some such thing which arouses the curiosity of the reader rather than spoil the experience for those yet to read it.

4. You don't have to necessarily write something negative if you didn't find anything negative. Some people write stuff in the review just because they think they have to. You don't really have to. 

5. You can end by telling the readers whether you would recommend it, and if so why. (Please be generous here if you truly loved it. Your enthusiasm will shine through.)

What if you hated everything about the book? You can say so too. But also find something good to say about the book. 

I  read a LOT and have reviewed over a 100 books in my Instagram stories. You can find them all in the highlights Books 1 and books 2.  Sometimes, a book doesn't work for me, and I have said so. That's perfectly okay. But I have also said what is good and also why it didn't work for me.

I hope these tips help you to write a great review!

Check out the reviews of my new book here.

You can get the first three chapters of the above book by clicking HERE

I hope you found the above tips useful.
Leave me a comment, I would love to hear from you!

______________________________

Photo by Nong Vang on Unsplash

Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/

10 reasons to read When Love Came Calling by Preeti Shenoy !

 

1. It is Young Adult fiction!


 

2. If you are not a Young adult, it will make you feel young :)

3. You will feel good after reading it!

.

4. If you are a teen you will understand your parents better!  

5.If you are parent you will understand your teens better.

 

6. It will take you to different places like UK and Kerala

7.You will fall in love with the characters.

8. It's a great love story (even if you hate love stories) 

9. There's action, adventure and drama 

10. It will take you back to your college days! 

Read it yet? Get the book: 

 

 Click this:

 Preeti.io/love

 

 

Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/

When Love Came Calling. New book by Preeti Shenoy!

 Hi there,

 

How are you?

The last time I wrote here was when I did the blog-marathon for 30 days, spreading positivity.  It had started as #21days of positivity, but continued long after.

The situation around us is grim. As I type this, the dreaded covid-19 has taken more than 730K lives all over the world. India now has the third largest number of cases in the world.  I was in Mumbai for the cover launch of my new book when concerns about the pandemic began being raised. I made it back safe home, to Bengaluru.

My publisher had to hold on to the books for MONTHS, we we went into lockdown. Like every other industry, publishing industry too is badly hit and so many bookstores at airports have shut down, unable to bear the high rents. Many have lost their jobs.

Hence the release of a new book, always bring hope;  For any author it is a big moment when they first hold their book which they have been solitarily working at for years! It always tears me up to see the physical copy. But this time, it was even more poignant  because the wait was inordinately long, and hard.

You can see how excited I was when I unboxed the books by clicking HERE.

Unboxing of #whenlovecamecalling ! Just received my author copies. So excited and grateful, as it has been a long line wait. Thank you to all my readers for your ❤️ and support. Pre order links will be up soon! @Srishtipub pic.twitter.com/pvEK3pJQuf

— Preeti Shenoy (@preetishenoy) August 4, 2020

Now it is less than 6 days left for the book to release;

If you wish toget specially printed author signed copies (with a special message from me), you have to pre-order the books.

You can do so from amazon:  Preeti.io/love

or from Flipkart: preeti.io/lovecame

On flipkart, you also get an exclusively designed laptop sticker plus a bookmark.

 

Many a time, after the book is out, reader write to me asking for author signed copies. I am unable to oblige as I don't sell the books personally, and also the requests are too many.

So if you wish to order/gift a friend, please do so now.

It's a book which is a Young Adult fiction, set partly in UK, and partly in kerala. But it's not just for Young adults! It will help parents understand their teens and adult children, and it will help teens understand their parents. It is a story of adventure and discovery.

 You can read the first three chapters HERE. 

 Let me know how you liked the first three chapters :) I am eager for you to read it! (and the rest of the book as well)

We will be having a virtual book launch this time. In these grim times, I hope my book brings you cheer, relief and hope at least for a few days!

Love
Preeti

 

Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/

A list of my favourite books. Happy world book day!!

Hello dear dear person!

Happy world book day!

Today I went LIVE on Instagram, and you can see the SEVERAL books that I recommended which even adults can read!


The entire live session is available on my profile till tomorrow around 12.00 noon, after which it will disappear. So if you want to have  some good children's book recommendations, please go and check it out on my Instagram.
(please look up how to view instagram stories and live if you are new to Insta)'

Also, today completes 30 days of my blogging for every single day. I started on 24th March, when the lockdown was announced. Today is the last post in this series.

Now, I know many of you wait for my posts----but this wasn't easy for me at all. While I have immensely enjoyed it, it also leaves me drained because no matter what I had to come here and blog.  All of you who left me comments--your comments were what kept me going, as it felt like a conversation. So thank you!

I will try to blog every now and then, but it won't be every day posts now on. I do popst regularly on my Instagram stories and you can stay connected with me there.
I leave you with a video of my favourite books. I had shot this last year on world book day.






I hope you enjoy my book recommendations!

I shall reply yo all your comments..and will try to blog again soon.

Meanwhile---take care, stay safe.
Lots of love
Preeti
********************************
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/