Preethi Venugopala's Blog, page 10
August 31, 2018
On Writing: Interview with Neelam Saxena Chandra
Today on Ón Writing' we have Neelam Saxena Chandra, who works as General Manager at Mahametro, Pune. She is an Engineering graduate from VNIT and has done her Post Graduation Diploma in IM &HRD and also in Finance. She has completed a course in Finance from London School of Economics.
She has four novels, one novella and five short story collections, 27 poetry collections and 10 children’s books to her credit. She is a bilingual writer; writing in English and Hindi. She holds a record with the Limca Book of Records -2015 for being the Author having the highest number of publications in a year in English and Hindi.
She has won second prize in a poetry contest organized by American Embassy and in a National poetry contest organized by Poetry Council of India, 2016. She has received Humanity International Women Achiever Awards 2018, Bharat Nirman Literary award in 2017, Premchand award by Ministry of Railways, Rabindranath Tagore International Poetry award, Soninder Samman, Freedom award by Radio city for Lyrics along with other awards and honours.
She was listed in Forbes as one among 78 most popular authors in the country in 2014.
Welcome to Ón Writing', Neelam!
Follow Neelam via her Website
Facebook Twitter: @chandra_neelam Instagram: neelamschandra
Was becoming an author always your dream or was it a particular event or incident that gave birth to the author in you?
Writing was a childhood dream, which I had forgotten in the assiduous schedule of my job and other commitments. However, I continued to spin new stories for children and would narrate them to my daughter. After a few years, my husband suggested me to take a step forward and send those children’s stories to reputed magazines for publishing. Their acceptance marked the beginning of a new era in my life.
How important are the names of the characters in your books to you? Do you spend agonizing hours deciding on their names?
Oh yes! Names of the characters are very important! If it is a special character, the name also has to be exquisite. If it is a bullying character, the name also has to be slightly different and so on. The names lend more credibility to the story and I do spend a lot of time deciding upon them.
What is your writing process like? Do you write every day? Is there a favourite place to write?
My writing process is very versatile. I do not have any fixed writing hours. If I get time, I write. After all, I am in a very busy profession and leaves me with little time of my own. However, writing is so rejuvenating, that I can’t stay without it for long. It imparts enthusiasm in my heart and prepares me for my technical and managerial tasks. I mostly write in my bedroom, directly on my computer.
What is different about "A woman is a palette of hues and has various shades to her persona. She desires nothing, but love. If she feels loved, she shines, opens her wings and touches the sky; radiating the whole world. If she does not, she cribs for some time, may get angry too; but then finds her own horizons in the space provided. She does not stop anywhere. She is always adapting to the situations and then also modifying herself accordingly and learning to grow in the worst of situations.‘Tales from Venus’ makes you aware of the various colours of a woman right from teens till she matures. There are tales that tickle your bones, tales that make you feel emotional, tales of courage, tales of treachery, tales that thrill you and tales that make you happy. Ultimately, you are bound to remain glued to the book because of the surprise element offered by each story."
Which is your favourite story in the book and why?
It’s really very difficult to decide upon a favourite story as such since all of them are my creations. Each story is different and unique. They are based on the common experiences in life in and around us. ‘The Choice’, ‘Priorities’ and ‘The Realization’ are the stories which should appeal to the readers the most.
Which do you prefer as a reader? EBook or Paperback?
I am slightly old-fashioned and I prefer a paperback. I love the smell of the pages, their touch and their antique value.
How long did it take to finish writing ‘Tales from Venus’? The stories were written over a period of six months. I wrote them leisurely, without even realizing that these stories are likely to come together and form a book.
How important do you think is marketing in today’s world for any book?
Marketing is a field in which I am totally lacking and I think, I should be more active. I have seen many of my wonderful books not so popular, whereas, others offering literally nothing, very famous. However, being in a hectic job leaves me with no time for marketing and I am alright with the current position. Even without marketing, my books did reasonably well.
Please share a passage or quote from ‘Tales from Venus’ for our readers.I am sharing a passage from the story ‘The Realization’
The chest was opened. One by one the things were taken out. Sheeba jumped in joy as she found her first dress, her first chappals and the dress worn by her during her first stage performance. She marvelled at Shibu's torn first uniform, his photos playing football and his first coat. There was a huge photo frame holding a photo of both the siblings embracing each other.
Sheeba looked at Shibu. He was sitting pensively. When he saw her looking towards him, he came and sat next to her with his head lowered. He mumbled softly, "Sheeba, I feel as if I am undergoing a complete transformation. These are real jewels for us. And I was after the embellishments! Seeing this uniform and coat and our photo together, I remember what our parents and granny wanted me to do. Lead a decent life. From today, I will try to do so. Will you help me, Sheeba?"
What are the three tips you have for readers of this interview who are aspiring writers?
1) Never give up. Keep writing. 2) Read a lot. 3) Know the rules well in order to break them.
Thank you, Neelam! Wishing you the very best for your future endeavours.
TALES FROM VENUS
"A woman is a palette of hues and has various shades to her persona. She desires nothing, but love. If she feels loved, she shines, opens her wings and touches the sky; radiating the whole world. If she does not, she cribs for some time, may get angry too; but then finds her own horizons in the space provided. She does not stop anywhere. She is always adapting to the situations and then also modifying herself accordingly and learning to grow in the worst of situations.
Tales from Venus makes you aware of the various colours of a woman right from teens till she matures. There are tales that tickle your bones, tales that make you feel emotional, tales of courage, tales of treachery, tales that thrill you and tales that make you happy. Ultimately, you are bound to remain glued to the book because of the surprise element offered by each story."
She has four novels, one novella and five short story collections, 27 poetry collections and 10 children’s books to her credit. She is a bilingual writer; writing in English and Hindi. She holds a record with the Limca Book of Records -2015 for being the Author having the highest number of publications in a year in English and Hindi.
She has won second prize in a poetry contest organized by American Embassy and in a National poetry contest organized by Poetry Council of India, 2016. She has received Humanity International Women Achiever Awards 2018, Bharat Nirman Literary award in 2017, Premchand award by Ministry of Railways, Rabindranath Tagore International Poetry award, Soninder Samman, Freedom award by Radio city for Lyrics along with other awards and honours.
She was listed in Forbes as one among 78 most popular authors in the country in 2014.
Welcome to Ón Writing', Neelam!
Follow Neelam via her Website
Facebook Twitter: @chandra_neelam Instagram: neelamschandra
Was becoming an author always your dream or was it a particular event or incident that gave birth to the author in you?
Writing was a childhood dream, which I had forgotten in the assiduous schedule of my job and other commitments. However, I continued to spin new stories for children and would narrate them to my daughter. After a few years, my husband suggested me to take a step forward and send those children’s stories to reputed magazines for publishing. Their acceptance marked the beginning of a new era in my life.
How important are the names of the characters in your books to you? Do you spend agonizing hours deciding on their names?
Oh yes! Names of the characters are very important! If it is a special character, the name also has to be exquisite. If it is a bullying character, the name also has to be slightly different and so on. The names lend more credibility to the story and I do spend a lot of time deciding upon them.
What is your writing process like? Do you write every day? Is there a favourite place to write?
My writing process is very versatile. I do not have any fixed writing hours. If I get time, I write. After all, I am in a very busy profession and leaves me with little time of my own. However, writing is so rejuvenating, that I can’t stay without it for long. It imparts enthusiasm in my heart and prepares me for my technical and managerial tasks. I mostly write in my bedroom, directly on my computer.
What is different about "A woman is a palette of hues and has various shades to her persona. She desires nothing, but love. If she feels loved, she shines, opens her wings and touches the sky; radiating the whole world. If she does not, she cribs for some time, may get angry too; but then finds her own horizons in the space provided. She does not stop anywhere. She is always adapting to the situations and then also modifying herself accordingly and learning to grow in the worst of situations.‘Tales from Venus’ makes you aware of the various colours of a woman right from teens till she matures. There are tales that tickle your bones, tales that make you feel emotional, tales of courage, tales of treachery, tales that thrill you and tales that make you happy. Ultimately, you are bound to remain glued to the book because of the surprise element offered by each story."
Which is your favourite story in the book and why?
It’s really very difficult to decide upon a favourite story as such since all of them are my creations. Each story is different and unique. They are based on the common experiences in life in and around us. ‘The Choice’, ‘Priorities’ and ‘The Realization’ are the stories which should appeal to the readers the most.
Which do you prefer as a reader? EBook or Paperback?
I am slightly old-fashioned and I prefer a paperback. I love the smell of the pages, their touch and their antique value.
How long did it take to finish writing ‘Tales from Venus’? The stories were written over a period of six months. I wrote them leisurely, without even realizing that these stories are likely to come together and form a book.
How important do you think is marketing in today’s world for any book?
Marketing is a field in which I am totally lacking and I think, I should be more active. I have seen many of my wonderful books not so popular, whereas, others offering literally nothing, very famous. However, being in a hectic job leaves me with no time for marketing and I am alright with the current position. Even without marketing, my books did reasonably well.
Please share a passage or quote from ‘Tales from Venus’ for our readers.I am sharing a passage from the story ‘The Realization’
The chest was opened. One by one the things were taken out. Sheeba jumped in joy as she found her first dress, her first chappals and the dress worn by her during her first stage performance. She marvelled at Shibu's torn first uniform, his photos playing football and his first coat. There was a huge photo frame holding a photo of both the siblings embracing each other.
Sheeba looked at Shibu. He was sitting pensively. When he saw her looking towards him, he came and sat next to her with his head lowered. He mumbled softly, "Sheeba, I feel as if I am undergoing a complete transformation. These are real jewels for us. And I was after the embellishments! Seeing this uniform and coat and our photo together, I remember what our parents and granny wanted me to do. Lead a decent life. From today, I will try to do so. Will you help me, Sheeba?"
What are the three tips you have for readers of this interview who are aspiring writers?
1) Never give up. Keep writing. 2) Read a lot. 3) Know the rules well in order to break them.
Thank you, Neelam! Wishing you the very best for your future endeavours.
TALES FROM VENUS
"A woman is a palette of hues and has various shades to her persona. She desires nothing, but love. If she feels loved, she shines, opens her wings and touches the sky; radiating the whole world. If she does not, she cribs for some time, may get angry too; but then finds her own horizons in the space provided. She does not stop anywhere. She is always adapting to the situations and then also modifying herself accordingly and learning to grow in the worst of situations.
Tales from Venus makes you aware of the various colours of a woman right from teens till she matures. There are tales that tickle your bones, tales that make you feel emotional, tales of courage, tales of treachery, tales that thrill you and tales that make you happy. Ultimately, you are bound to remain glued to the book because of the surprise element offered by each story."
August 28, 2018
Create a Logo for your brand with DesignEvo
Are you a small business owner, an organisation or blogger? If yes, you might want to create a unique logo for yourself or your brand.
What do we do when we want to create a logo? Usually, we approach graphic designers or artists who are experts in this area. Yet, it won't always yield the result you are looking for.
That is when free online logo makers like DesignEvo come to your rescue.
If you are familiar with design websites like Canva, using this website is super easy. The layout and tools are easy to understand. It is dedicated entirely to logo designs. With over 5000 free templates, you can choose from over multiple business categories.
A quick search using keywords in their search box will throw up multiple premade designs to choose from. The best thing about this logo maker is that it is fully customisable. You can play around with the various fonts, colours, icons all for free.
Some of the things I liked about Designevo:
1) You can play around with the logo maker without logging in. It is only if you wish to download the logo that you have to log in to the site. So, you can always scroll and check if they have that perfect logo that you have in mind.
2) If you like a design, you can create your own logo for free by customising it.
3) You can choose from the free or paid options to download the logo. If using the free version, you have to embed a badge showing the software used in your logo and also share it on social media platforms.
4) Paid option comes with multiple file formats including transparent background, jpeg and png. Also, you get the copyright for your logo. They have a sale going on now with offers of 39.99 $ plan and 19.99$ plan.
5) It is user-friendly and requires no technical skills. You also get the design saved on the cloud.
6) Option to login in via Facebook or Google account.
My creation:
I created a logo for my website within a few minutes. I had a rough idea for what I wanted. Hence I searched for the keyword ‘writing’ in the search column on the site. I got so many options but I loved this design at first sight.
Here is it.
Isn't this amazing? Are you not tempted to try out some designs for your brand logo? If yes, visit DesignvEvo and thank me later.
Happy creating!
What do we do when we want to create a logo? Usually, we approach graphic designers or artists who are experts in this area. Yet, it won't always yield the result you are looking for.
That is when free online logo makers like DesignEvo come to your rescue.
If you are familiar with design websites like Canva, using this website is super easy. The layout and tools are easy to understand. It is dedicated entirely to logo designs. With over 5000 free templates, you can choose from over multiple business categories.
A quick search using keywords in their search box will throw up multiple premade designs to choose from. The best thing about this logo maker is that it is fully customisable. You can play around with the various fonts, colours, icons all for free.
Some of the things I liked about Designevo:
1) You can play around with the logo maker without logging in. It is only if you wish to download the logo that you have to log in to the site. So, you can always scroll and check if they have that perfect logo that you have in mind.
2) If you like a design, you can create your own logo for free by customising it.
3) You can choose from the free or paid options to download the logo. If using the free version, you have to embed a badge showing the software used in your logo and also share it on social media platforms.
4) Paid option comes with multiple file formats including transparent background, jpeg and png. Also, you get the copyright for your logo. They have a sale going on now with offers of 39.99 $ plan and 19.99$ plan.
5) It is user-friendly and requires no technical skills. You also get the design saved on the cloud.
6) Option to login in via Facebook or Google account.
My creation:
I created a logo for my website within a few minutes. I had a rough idea for what I wanted. Hence I searched for the keyword ‘writing’ in the search column on the site. I got so many options but I loved this design at first sight.
Here is it.
Isn't this amazing? Are you not tempted to try out some designs for your brand logo? If yes, visit DesignvEvo and thank me later.Happy creating!
August 26, 2018
Stolen kisses – Tanay and Mita in Reet Singh’s ‘Take One Fake Fiancé’
And snake that he was, Mita’s fake fiancé bent over to smoothly capture shocked lips in a goodbye kiss that fried her brain.Mita, hypnotized by the musky scent of Tanay's proximity, missed the fact that her mother had slipped out of the room looking quite smug.Seconds later, the firmness of determined lips and the velvet of a persuasive tongue invaded her consciousness to the exclusion of all else. His beard rasped and the sensation of it against her skin was extraordinarily sensual.Time slowed - the kiss demanded a response, and her reaction to it was confusing - she should be furious but she felt drugged. She couldn't bring herself to end it and, apparently, neither could he.He did eventually let her go but his eyes wandered over her face. She tried to still her racing heart, hoping he wouldn't notice the heat in her gaze or the fire in her blood – then, lowering her eyes, she busied herself with taming her tangled plait.
About the book
The BlurbMita Ramphul is single and fancy-free – and she wants to stay that way for the foreseeable future. Living and working on the idyllic island of Mauritius is the stuff dreams are made of – until she bumps into a man who threatens to destroy it all.Tanay Devkumar is cynical and shuttered – events in his past have cast a long and deep shadow. Convinced that Mita Ramphul represents a threat to his sister’s happiness, he seeks her out, determined to block her nefarious plans.They meet in circumstances that can only be described as hostile – suspicions abound and resentments flare on both sides, even as attraction simmers beneath the surface. A series of disastrous events follow and they are compelled to pretend that they are in love and wish to marry.It is meant to be a temporary engagement – but will Mita be able to resist her fake fiancé or will his scorching kisses make her yearn for something more permanent?
Originally published as “Scorched by His Fire” by Harlequin India, 2014Take One Fake Fiancé is a refurbished, revamped, remodelled, updated version of Scorched and will soon be available on Kindle
The Cover
Reet Singh when she’s plotting something
Look up Reet Singh – she usually hangs out on her website, on twitter, or on facebook.
August 22, 2018
Book Spotlight -- Love: Lost and Found
Title: Love: Lost and FoundGenre: RomanceCategory: Short Stories
Blurb: The heart wants what it wants. When hit by love, there is no reasoning. There is just an intense, addictive, exhausting feeling of losing oneself. When found, love can make a person. When lost, love can destroy a person completely. We all have a couple of friends who have held our hands through heartbreak and celebrated our happiness with us. This book celebrated those friendships and love. Read if you have fallen in love. Must read if you have lost in love.
About the Author: Esha Pandey, currently living in New Delhi, is an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer serving as DCP Special Police Unit for Women and Children. Having been posted in the odd terrains of Lakshdweep, she has gained vast experience of life and policing over the years. Esha has a Masters in International Relations and Masters of Philosophy in American Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. Before becoming a civil servant, she dabbled with the idea of being a journalist and worked with Times of India as a copyeditor. She has won a United Nations FPA Award for Excellence for the “Best Short Story”. She made her debut as an author with her book I Will Meet You There, a collection of short stories, which was released at Pragati Maidan during the Delhi Book Fair and has been doing well. Esha Pandey is a veteran writer whose articles are regularly published in leading newspapers like The Time of India, Asian Age etc. She can be reached at twitter.com/PandeyEsha and www.facebook.com/iwillmeetuthere.
Excerpt:
Shivi looked around, petrified. Ishaan was sitting at the far end of the room. Her friends knew she had a huge crush on him since the last two years. They had been pestering her to do something about it but Shivi never acted on her feelings. Ishaan had been steady with Nupur since they had joined college. She liked Nupur. She didn't want to act on her feelings. But Rahila had asked her to dare to kiss him. She looked at her friends helplessly. They all shouted, “Go! Go! Go”. Shivi knew she could get out of it. She just had to say no, but something got into her that day, and she took a split second to make the decision to take her chances. She would kiss him.
She looked at her friends with determination, anxiety, hunger and fear at the same time. “Ok” she exhaled and got up from her seat. She walked steadily towards him, but her feet were threatening to give way any second out of fear of what she was about to do. She could hear her friends cheering her on.
Blurb: The heart wants what it wants. When hit by love, there is no reasoning. There is just an intense, addictive, exhausting feeling of losing oneself. When found, love can make a person. When lost, love can destroy a person completely. We all have a couple of friends who have held our hands through heartbreak and celebrated our happiness with us. This book celebrated those friendships and love. Read if you have fallen in love. Must read if you have lost in love.
About the Author: Esha Pandey, currently living in New Delhi, is an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer serving as DCP Special Police Unit for Women and Children. Having been posted in the odd terrains of Lakshdweep, she has gained vast experience of life and policing over the years. Esha has a Masters in International Relations and Masters of Philosophy in American Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. Before becoming a civil servant, she dabbled with the idea of being a journalist and worked with Times of India as a copyeditor. She has won a United Nations FPA Award for Excellence for the “Best Short Story”. She made her debut as an author with her book I Will Meet You There, a collection of short stories, which was released at Pragati Maidan during the Delhi Book Fair and has been doing well. Esha Pandey is a veteran writer whose articles are regularly published in leading newspapers like The Time of India, Asian Age etc. She can be reached at twitter.com/PandeyEsha and www.facebook.com/iwillmeetuthere.
Excerpt:
Shivi looked around, petrified. Ishaan was sitting at the far end of the room. Her friends knew she had a huge crush on him since the last two years. They had been pestering her to do something about it but Shivi never acted on her feelings. Ishaan had been steady with Nupur since they had joined college. She liked Nupur. She didn't want to act on her feelings. But Rahila had asked her to dare to kiss him. She looked at her friends helplessly. They all shouted, “Go! Go! Go”. Shivi knew she could get out of it. She just had to say no, but something got into her that day, and she took a split second to make the decision to take her chances. She would kiss him.
She looked at her friends with determination, anxiety, hunger and fear at the same time. “Ok” she exhaled and got up from her seat. She walked steadily towards him, but her feet were threatening to give way any second out of fear of what she was about to do. She could hear her friends cheering her on.
August 21, 2018
Book Spotlight: Crazy Cat Lady Finds Love by Sudesna Ghosh
Title: Crazy Cat Lady Finds Love
Genre: Romance/Romantic Comedy
Length: 62 pages (novella)
Blurb:
She's a member of the Crazy Cat Ladies Club.
Her life is all about cats and the cat ladies.
Until the purrfect cat man comes along...
Get the book from:
About the Author:
Sudesna or Sue, is a multi-genre author based in Kolkata, India. She has penned My Singapore Fling, A Perfect New York Christmas, Can a Fat Girl Get a First Kiss? and many other books. Her short stories have been published in magazines across India. When she isn't reading or writing, you can find her trying to keep her rescue cats happy.
Excerpt:
Would Navin think I was pretty? Would he hold my hand? Maybe he would kiss me if we got some privacy?
“Too many questions, Sue,” I told myself, as the cab rolled on.
Navin sent me a text saying he would be at the café in 15 minutes. He added another text saying he couldn’t wait to meet me finally. Aww. Genuine excitement or was he being polite? I wasn’t the insecure kind but this online dating thing just filled relationships with so much mystery. Never tried it in my 20s.
The Crazy Cat Ladies Club group had three messages; one from each of the ladies, telling me to relax and give them details after he left. I wrote back asking Sunita to let us know about Vivek’s visit that night too. She replied: I will. Sigh.
Turning off my mobile data, I felt my stomach churn as we pulled up at my destination. There stood my date, dressed immaculately in a polo neck tee and dark jeans, feeding a street dog biscuits. The dog wagged his tail and Navin’s eyes said it all – he had the same look in them that I’d seen in my friends’ eyes when we were with animals. Love. It was pure, beautiful love.
What Amazon readers are saying:
"The author has a wry observational voice that makes me chuckle every time I read her. The cats are cute too and the dude is extra cute! Five full stars."
"Along with men trouble, dating issues, canine problems, and Cat man, Navin, this book makes the perfect satisfying read for pet lovers and others, alike. if you haven't considered keeping a pet, you may be tempted to after reading this. very refreshing and a fun great read!"
Genre: Romance/Romantic Comedy
Length: 62 pages (novella)
Blurb:
She's a member of the Crazy Cat Ladies Club.
Her life is all about cats and the cat ladies.
Until the purrfect cat man comes along...
Get the book from:
About the Author:
Sudesna or Sue, is a multi-genre author based in Kolkata, India. She has penned My Singapore Fling, A Perfect New York Christmas, Can a Fat Girl Get a First Kiss? and many other books. Her short stories have been published in magazines across India. When she isn't reading or writing, you can find her trying to keep her rescue cats happy.Excerpt:
Would Navin think I was pretty? Would he hold my hand? Maybe he would kiss me if we got some privacy?
“Too many questions, Sue,” I told myself, as the cab rolled on.
Navin sent me a text saying he would be at the café in 15 minutes. He added another text saying he couldn’t wait to meet me finally. Aww. Genuine excitement or was he being polite? I wasn’t the insecure kind but this online dating thing just filled relationships with so much mystery. Never tried it in my 20s.
The Crazy Cat Ladies Club group had three messages; one from each of the ladies, telling me to relax and give them details after he left. I wrote back asking Sunita to let us know about Vivek’s visit that night too. She replied: I will. Sigh.
Turning off my mobile data, I felt my stomach churn as we pulled up at my destination. There stood my date, dressed immaculately in a polo neck tee and dark jeans, feeding a street dog biscuits. The dog wagged his tail and Navin’s eyes said it all – he had the same look in them that I’d seen in my friends’ eyes when we were with animals. Love. It was pure, beautiful love.
What Amazon readers are saying:
"The author has a wry observational voice that makes me chuckle every time I read her. The cats are cute too and the dude is extra cute! Five full stars."
"Along with men trouble, dating issues, canine problems, and Cat man, Navin, this book makes the perfect satisfying read for pet lovers and others, alike. if you haven't considered keeping a pet, you may be tempted to after reading this. very refreshing and a fun great read!"
August 2, 2018
The Ultimate Short Story Workshop: A Quick Summary
On the 28th of July, 2018, I conducted a creative writing workshop at Atta Galatta in association with Juggernaut books. The aim of the workshop was to give a jumpstart to writers who were keen on getting their creativity flow through short stories.
It was my first time facing creative writing students as all my previous students have been engineering students during my stint as a lecturer at my alma mater. Yet, it was fun from the word go.
Here is a brief summary of the topics that were discussed at the workshop:
The concept of the Artist Brain and the Editor Brain:
Writers often struggle with creativity because there is always a war going on inside their heads. Everytime the creative or the 'artist' brain comes up with a brilliant idea, the 'editor' brain or the logical brain nitpicks and discourages the writer.
Yet, when these two work alternatively on the manuscript, it often results in a brilliant, bestselling story.
The trick is to involve the artist brain in the creation of the ideas/ first draft. The editor brain is great at structuring the story and revising it and hence use it that way.
Exercise: As the 'artist' brain works best under time pressure, the students were asked to come up with a short synopsis for a story idea they had within ten minutes.
Types of writers:
Writers are different in the way they create stories. Yet we can divide writers into mainly three categories.
1) Pantsers or Gardeners
2) Plotters or Architects
3) Plotsers or Hybrids
Read in detail about the different categories by clicking here.
6 Key elements of a short story
1) Character
A character can be a person, animal or thing around which the story is developed.
2) Setting
Setting talks about when and where the story is happening.
3) Conflict
Conflicts can be of two types: Internal and External.
The kinds of conflicts are
a) Man vs Man
b) Man vs Nature
c) Man vs science fiction
Read more about conflicts and character sketch here.
4) Plot
The plot is a series of events that takes the character closer to his/her goal.
5) Point of View or POV
The different types of POV are:
a) First person (Walking-in-their-shoes style)
Here the main character is the narrator. This technique is very effective to draw the reader into the story.
Pronouns used: (I, Me, Myself)
b) Second person (Reader-is-the-character style)
Mostly avoided in fiction as it lacks the pull of the first or third person pov.
Pronouns used: (You, Your, Yours)
c) Third Person (Fly-on-the-wall style)
The narrator knows how the characters think, feel, react to various events and experiences.
Two styles: Third person limited, Third person omniscient
Pronouns used: (She, He, herself, himself)
6) Theme
A theme is an underlying message the story has for the reader. It can also be a hidden lesson.
Read more about it here:
20 Themes in Fiction Writing with Examples
How to create vivid characters:
You can create a vivid character by getting to know your character better.
Here are some details to jot down. Tabulate the following data for your character.
a) Biodata of your character
b) Physical characteristics
c) Describe their life in general when the story is beginning.
d) What are their goals, deepest fears, secrets, likes, dislikes?
e) How was their childhood?
f) Did they undergo any tragedy?
g) What is the best thing that happened to them?
h) Nuances and idiosyncrasies like accent, mannerisms etc
i) Habits
Even though we won't be using many of these in the story, it still creates a vivid picture of your character in your mind. This helps to write better scenes.
How to hook the reader from line one?
Writers use many techniques to grab the attention of the reader right from page one.
Some are:
1) An interesting first sentence
2) Beautiful description
3) Action
4) Humour
5) In-media-res (Beginning at a pivotal moment) (Read more about it here)
6) Intriguing character
7) An unusual situation
8) Show, don't tell. (Read more about it here)
9) Pace
10) Exploding the moment ( Read more about it here)
Read more about hooking the reader by clicking here.
A Quick Formula to Plot a Story
The easiest way to plot is the ABDCE formula. In the ABDCE structure for plotting a story/novel developed by Alice Adams, the story begins with an Action or an inciting incident.
Action: This is the inciting incident which sets off the story in motion.Background: What happened to the characters in the past that made them what they are today.Development: The course of the story where the characters chase their goals.Climax: This is the point where the goals are achieved with dramatic consequences.Ending: All the loose threads in the plot are tied up.You can use this technique to plot a novel as well. Read more about it by clicking the below linkHow to Plot your Novel using the ABDCE FormulaEditing your first draftSome quick tips:Stage 1) Take it up after a break. check for obvious flaws and errors.Stage 2) Tighten the proseStage 3) Read aloud to see how the story soundsRead more about editing in these posts:15 Steps for Rewriting your First DraftOf Dialogues, Drafts, Developments and DictionariesKill your darlingsX-Ray Vision for EditingFinal ChecklistA checklist always helps when we are in the editing stage. At this stage, the editor brain has taken complete charge of your manuscript. It loves lists.Check if there are:1) Grammatical errors and passive voice
2) Structural problems3) Punctuating and formatting errors4) Interesting first sentence/ paragraph.5) Is the character likeable?6) Is the ending interesting/ cliched/ cheating? 7) What is the readability quotient?
Hope this post gets you closer to your dream of converting your inner visions into perfect short stories.
It was my first time facing creative writing students as all my previous students have been engineering students during my stint as a lecturer at my alma mater. Yet, it was fun from the word go.
Here is a brief summary of the topics that were discussed at the workshop:
The concept of the Artist Brain and the Editor Brain:
Writers often struggle with creativity because there is always a war going on inside their heads. Everytime the creative or the 'artist' brain comes up with a brilliant idea, the 'editor' brain or the logical brain nitpicks and discourages the writer.
Yet, when these two work alternatively on the manuscript, it often results in a brilliant, bestselling story.
The trick is to involve the artist brain in the creation of the ideas/ first draft. The editor brain is great at structuring the story and revising it and hence use it that way.
Exercise: As the 'artist' brain works best under time pressure, the students were asked to come up with a short synopsis for a story idea they had within ten minutes.
Types of writers:
Writers are different in the way they create stories. Yet we can divide writers into mainly three categories.
1) Pantsers or Gardeners
2) Plotters or Architects
3) Plotsers or Hybrids
Read in detail about the different categories by clicking here.
6 Key elements of a short story
1) Character
A character can be a person, animal or thing around which the story is developed.
2) Setting
Setting talks about when and where the story is happening.
3) Conflict
Conflicts can be of two types: Internal and External.
The kinds of conflicts are
a) Man vs Man
b) Man vs Nature
c) Man vs science fiction
Read more about conflicts and character sketch here.
4) Plot
The plot is a series of events that takes the character closer to his/her goal.
5) Point of View or POV
The different types of POV are:
a) First person (Walking-in-their-shoes style)
Here the main character is the narrator. This technique is very effective to draw the reader into the story.
Pronouns used: (I, Me, Myself)
b) Second person (Reader-is-the-character style)
Mostly avoided in fiction as it lacks the pull of the first or third person pov.
Pronouns used: (You, Your, Yours)
c) Third Person (Fly-on-the-wall style)
The narrator knows how the characters think, feel, react to various events and experiences.
Two styles: Third person limited, Third person omniscient
Pronouns used: (She, He, herself, himself)
6) Theme
A theme is an underlying message the story has for the reader. It can also be a hidden lesson.
Read more about it here:
20 Themes in Fiction Writing with Examples
How to create vivid characters:
You can create a vivid character by getting to know your character better.
Here are some details to jot down. Tabulate the following data for your character.
a) Biodata of your character
b) Physical characteristics
c) Describe their life in general when the story is beginning.
d) What are their goals, deepest fears, secrets, likes, dislikes?
e) How was their childhood?
f) Did they undergo any tragedy?
g) What is the best thing that happened to them?
h) Nuances and idiosyncrasies like accent, mannerisms etc
i) Habits
Even though we won't be using many of these in the story, it still creates a vivid picture of your character in your mind. This helps to write better scenes.
How to hook the reader from line one?
Writers use many techniques to grab the attention of the reader right from page one.
Some are:
1) An interesting first sentence
2) Beautiful description
3) Action
4) Humour
5) In-media-res (Beginning at a pivotal moment) (Read more about it here)
6) Intriguing character
7) An unusual situation
8) Show, don't tell. (Read more about it here)
9) Pace
10) Exploding the moment ( Read more about it here)
Read more about hooking the reader by clicking here.
A Quick Formula to Plot a Story
The easiest way to plot is the ABDCE formula. In the ABDCE structure for plotting a story/novel developed by Alice Adams, the story begins with an Action or an inciting incident.
Action: This is the inciting incident which sets off the story in motion.Background: What happened to the characters in the past that made them what they are today.Development: The course of the story where the characters chase their goals.Climax: This is the point where the goals are achieved with dramatic consequences.Ending: All the loose threads in the plot are tied up.You can use this technique to plot a novel as well. Read more about it by clicking the below linkHow to Plot your Novel using the ABDCE FormulaEditing your first draftSome quick tips:Stage 1) Take it up after a break. check for obvious flaws and errors.Stage 2) Tighten the proseStage 3) Read aloud to see how the story soundsRead more about editing in these posts:15 Steps for Rewriting your First DraftOf Dialogues, Drafts, Developments and DictionariesKill your darlingsX-Ray Vision for EditingFinal ChecklistA checklist always helps when we are in the editing stage. At this stage, the editor brain has taken complete charge of your manuscript. It loves lists.Check if there are:1) Grammatical errors and passive voice
2) Structural problems3) Punctuating and formatting errors4) Interesting first sentence/ paragraph.5) Is the character likeable?6) Is the ending interesting/ cliched/ cheating? 7) What is the readability quotient?
Hope this post gets you closer to your dream of converting your inner visions into perfect short stories.
July 9, 2018
Bombay Heights by Adite Banerjie : Book Spotlight
A FEEL-GOOD ROMANTIC COMEDY
Blurb:
Small town girl Sanjana Kale wants a fresh start in Mumbai. A challenging job and some much needed distance from her ludicrously over-protective family could get her life under control.
Forced to team up with video game designer Ashwin Deo, who is too attractive for his own good, she finds life becoming a whole lot more complicated when he turns out to be her new neighbour. How can she maintain a professional distance with this charming troublemaker who believes in getting up close and personal?
To make matters worse, her ex tries to manipulate her loved ones to work his way back into her life. Hysterical siblings, a cantankerous client, an ex who will not take no for an answer, and a blow hot blow cold neighbour... Sanjana is sleepless in the City of Dreams! Can she do what Ashwin dares her to--create a few ripples even if it upsets her family?
Excerpt:
The promenade in front of the beach was chock-a-block with morning walkers, joggers and yoga enthusiasts. The Laughing Club members were at it—raising their arms to heaven and laughing their guts out. Ashwin Deo gazed lazily at the sight around him. If it weren’t for Dumbass, he would be sleeping off his dreadful hangover. The dratted critter gave two sharp yelps. Good God! He had been saddled with a mind-reading dog? The Lhasa Apso was peering at him with brown soulful eyes that would melt the hardest of hearts. “Okay. I got you here, right? Do me a favour and do what you need to.” The dog gave a massive tug on his leash and Ashwin lurched forward, nearly crashing into a woman in canary yellow yoga pants and matching T-shirt. His eyes hurt at the bright colours and he mumbled an apology before being dragged ahead by the dog. “Dumbass!” he yelled firmly. And the dog came to a halt. “That’s more like it.” He lowered himself on his haunches and peered into the mutt’s eyes. “Let’s get this straight. We keep it civilized. You walk calmly, do your thing and we go back home. Got it?” The dog’s tongue lolled out from the side of his mouth as he gave Ashwin a beseeching look following it up with a quick lick on his bare knee. “Right. So, slow and easy. No pulling, okay?”Another swift lick. “Thanks, bro. I think we got a deal. Let’s go.” Ashwin raised his towering six-foot frame and taking deep breaths kept moving along, his eyes narrowing painfully as the hangover continued to hammer away at his head. Barely had they walked a few paces when Dumbass broke into a series of high-pitched yelps and tugged. Before Ashwin had figured out what was going on, Dumbass gave a mighty yank. The strap tore out of his hand and the dog was hurtling down the promenade at top speed. “Goddammit! Stop, Dumbass!” Walkers turned around to give Ashwin funny looks as he took off after the dog. Every stride sent pain shooting up into his head which threatened to split wide open. The cacophony of screeching tyres, frightened squeals of onlookers and a dashing ball of fur brought him to a standstill. He bounded on to the street and came to a halt at the sight of Dumbass lying prone in the middle of the road, his lead tangled under the car tyre. Oh no! He heard the car door open and someone step out, yelling loudly, “Why in God’s name can’t you control your dog?” As Ashwin inched forward to pick up the dog, he heard a woman’s lilting voice, “That was close. The leash got tangled under the tyre but he doesn’t seem to be hurt.” Ashwin let out the breath he was holding and reached out to pick up Dumbass. The mutt was winded but breathing. There was no blood and as soon as he touched him, Dumbass leaped into his arms and did his lickety-spit number. “You gave me the fright of my life,” he muttered as he got up and turned around. The driver was only too glad that the creature was alive and kicking. Getting into the car, he ranted about irresponsible dog owners and drove off. The woman whose voice he had heard said, “Poor thing must have gotten such a fright!” That’s when he noticed her. She looked like a college student with her long waist-length hair tied casually with a silk scarf. Her big, dark eyes shone with compassion as she leaned slightly towards him to pet Dumbass and a fruity perfume assailed him. Her thick eyelashes swept up and she turned her gaze on him. “Never been so scared.” He gave her his best hangdog look.“I was talking about him!” “Dumbass.”“Excuse me? Did you just call me, Dumbass?” Her eyes sparkled with annoyance and he came back to his senses with a start. “No…his name.”He cursed his blasted headache which made talking such a goddamn effort. She looked at him as if he had some kind of mental disability. He smiled with effort. “Perfect name for a dog with no sense of self-preservation, right?”She glared back at him. “What about the owner who thinks he has no responsibility for his dog’s welfare?” He took a few deep breaths. “I can explain.”“Never mind. Just make sure you take him to a vet. There might be some internal injury.” She gave Dumbass a last pat, bestowed a dirty glare on him and jogged away. ----
Buy Links:
IN: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07FC2JGK1 US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FC2JGK1
About the Author Adite Banerjie discovered the wonderful world of books at an early age which sparked her interest in writing. After a fulfilling and exciting career as a business journalist, she turned her attention to fiction.
Three of her books have been published by Harlequin/Harper Collins India. She is now committed to being an indie author.
She also writes screenplays and in 2017 one of her scripts made it to the semi-finals of the prestigious Academy Nicholl Fellowships.
When she is not grappling with her current work-in-progress, she enjoys spending time with her husband and watching back-to-back movies.
She loves to connect with her readers at:
Website: www.aditebanerjie.com
Amazon: https://amazon.com/author/aditebanerjie
Facebook: https://facebook.com/AditeBanerjieWriter
Twitter: @adite
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
June 14, 2018
New Release: The Princess and the Superstar
A Princess in love with a Bollywood Superstar
Saketh Rao aka SR, India's latest Bollywood heartthrob, has bagged the role of a lifetime: to play Hari Varman, the doomed royal scion. When he arrives at Sravanapura Palace with his director friend Rajeev Ratnam, little does he know that his life is about to change forever! Princess Kritika is overjoyed that Saketh Rao will play the role of her ancestor. But when she comes face to face with the arrogant superstar she is determined to scuttle the project.Fate, however, has different plans for them. The feisty couple is soon head over heels in love with each other. As they uncover the secrets of Hari Varman's life, Saketh makes a discovery that can rip them apart and their new-found love. Will the secrets and lies of the past deny them a future together? Or will they overcome the obstacles to true love?
Get the book from Amazon
Excerpt
Kritika checked the time. It was nearing seven thirty. She was a bit late than usual. But she still had plenty of time to pamper herself and get ready to meet the superstar, who seemed to have won hearts all over the world if she were to believe the fan videos posted on YouTube and various blogs. Yes, she had shamelessly checked the many YouTube videos about him to know more about him. It seemed perfectly normal to stalk his Twitter and Facebook page. He had come across as a friendly and warm person who retweeted his fans often and replied to interesting comments on his FB Page.She knew half of his persona online was created by his PR team. His social media profiles might be maintained by dedicated teams who would present only the best aspects about him to the public. The real Saketh Rao might turn out to be a total jerk. Yet, she was looking forward to meeting the star in person and decide for herself.
When she stepped on to the road that led to the residential wing of the palace, she was surprised to hear the horn of a car. She whirled around and watched as a silver Mercedes Benz came around a bend in the road and raced towards her.
Vijay had renovated a number of unused rooms in the palace and turned them into luxury hotel suites, thus creating one more gem in his hotel business chain. The only snag in the entire setup was that guests often sneaked into the palace’s residential areas, even though they were marked as no entry zones and had to be turned away by the palace guards. And it irked her very much. She wondered how this car had escaped the scrutiny of the guards. She needed to talk with the head of security. But for now, she would tackle this herself.
She gripped the straps of her backpack and stood in the middle of the road facing the car that seemed to have no intention of slowing down. It came to halt at a mere metre in front of her and she heard the driver swear. She narrowed her eyes and continued to stare at the car, daring the occupants to come out and face her. The passenger door of the car opened and a handsome youth, who looked as though he was jet-lagged and badly in need of a leisurely bath and sleep, got out. He seemed vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place him immediately.
"Please, miss. May I know why you are blocking our path?" he asked, his mellow tone bringing Kritika's anger a few notches down.
"This road leads to the residential areas of the palace and is not accessible for guests at the hotel. Kindly turn around and go away."
"But miss-"
"Enough, no need to explain.” Kritika raised her right hand to stop him from talking any further and snapped at him. The fact that he was trying to justify his action, brought her anger back.
"But we are-"
"As I said, I don't want to hear any further explanation. Instruct your driver to reverse the car and get the hell out of here."
The driver of the car opened his door and got out. Kritika’s jaw dropped and her mouth formed an O because she recognised the driver instantly. Saketh Rao, clean shaven, casually attired in a t-shirt and jeans, all six feet two inches of male glory. He removed his sunglasses and walked towards her, his lips curved into his characteristic lopsided smile. He was clearly enjoying her distress. And then the last piece of the puzzle fell into place when she recognised the handsome youth with him as Rajeev Ratnam. Kritika felt her heart racing. If Saketh came near her now, her excited heart would undergo a heart attack.
"Who are you to block our path? We have the adequate permission papers and we were let in by the guards. Move your heavy butt out of our way and allow us to pass."
His arrogant talk snapped Kritika out of the trance she was falling into. The arrogant snob.
And he had made a personal comment. About her butt!
"Mr! Watch your language."
"Are you going to get in? Why are you listening to this annoying, attention seeking female?" Saketh was ignoring her outright and addressing his friend.
"How dare you?" Kritika took a step forward and slapped him. He stopped her hand in mid-air and in one swift move, yanked her towards him, momentarily taking the wind out of her lungs.
When she attempted to step back, he tightened his grip on her arm and held her other arm with his right hand. His nearness was doing strange things to her composure. His touch was making her heart stutter, sending electric impulses rushing through her body.
If it was not for the revulsion he had evoked with his arrogance, she certainly would have enjoyed the sensation of being held by him. But now, she regretted the hours she had spent browsing the internet to know more about him. As she had feared, he had turned out to be an outright jerk. She didn't want to waste her energy arguing with him.
She pushed him with all her strength and then broke into a run, determined to never to cross his path again. She heard him chuckle and it enraged her further.
She wanted to see how they were going to make a film about her ancestor. She would see to it that it got an early grave.
May 28, 2018
Cover Reveal – Mauri, Book 2 of Abhaya Collection
Mauri, the second book of Abhaya collection by Saiswaroopa Iyer is set to release on 9th June 2018 on Amazon Kindle Store. Set in the times of Mahabharata, the books explore lesser-known stories of the timeless epic of India from the perspectives of strong female protagonists. The opening Title, Abhaya, was released on Kindle store in November 2015 and has received praise from acclaimed authors and reviewers.
"Abhaya allows us to delve into the world of our ancestors and Gods through the route of great storytelling and a brilliant narrative. A thoroughly enjoyable read" - Amish TripathiAbout MauriShe wanted to kill the man who others called a God.Love is but an obstacle in her path
With her father’s death shattering her world, Mauri is torn away from everything she had once loved. Anger replacing every emotion within her, she seeks only one thing. To kill her father’s killer. Even if the man is none less than Krishna Vaasudeva, the man who people worshipped as a God! Someone stands in the way, reining in her bitterness when she is the least prepared for it. The Rakshasa Prince Ghatotkacha! But by the time love sprouts within her, Mauri has gone too far in her thirst for vengeance.
Can Mauri save herself and Ghatotkacha before the consequences of her own actions can destroy both their worlds?
ExcerptThe smile on Ghatotkacha’s face faded the moment he saw the figure that had appeared atop the wall. Unknown to him, his fists curled over his club and heart fought against the searing pain of the memory. The memory of betrayal. His intensified gaze and a placid forehead contrasted each other. No more of this. Not now!Mauri saw him. Like he commanded a new surge of energy after their last meeting. Mauri had little in her defence. And she had other things on her mind before she could take an interest in defending herself. In fact, she had no wish to defend her past actions. Face it! But her predicament sorely needed external help and his demeanour did not leave much hope. Mauri steeled her heart and inhaled. She was going to need all her energies for this! She forced a smile onto her lips and looked at him, trying to summon her old self. “So, we have visitors!” she thundered, glancing at his small band of Rakshasa followers. “But I regret to inform you that the temple is closed to pilgrims indefinitely.” “Closed to pilgrims, open to monstrous rogues and their heartless little minions.” Ghatotkacha retorted. “Perhaps there needs to be a change.”Her guilt notwithstanding, Mauri was not going to brook being called names, much less, being called a minion to a crafty coward like Alambusha. Still, his pain when he uttered the word ‘heartless’ did not go unnoticed by her. Her frown narrowed, fighting back any traces of regret. In vain though. “Change comes at a price, Rakshasa Prince, sorry, King. Though I must say the population under your command has dwindled too much for one to still consider you a king.” She could see his annoyance mounting. Something amused her about it. “So tell me what you can pay, Ghatotkacha!” Ghatotkacha threw his head up and shrugged looking around. “I would have loved to play a game of word parlay. Except this is no stage and there is no audience to enjoy the exchange.” His eyes betrayed impatience. “I come to keep a promise. A promise of protection that was given to this sacred place under the rule of my uncle, Emperor Yudhishtira. My demand is clear, daughter of late commander Mura. Open the gates, surrender the rogue Rakshasa traitors to me. Open up this temple of the Supreme Goddess to those who deserve to see Her.”“I asked for a price you could pay and you repeat the demand. By the Goddess, someone needs to grow up!” Mauri sneered back and leaned against a pole, feigning nonchalance. This was all going nowhere—her show of hostility, his mounting anger, Dhatri’s life in danger, and Alambusha preferring to hide inside the inner circle. She needed to break away. She struck upon a frantic plan, praying all Gods for its success. “There seems to be only one language you understand. Defeat me, and you can have a free pass inside.”About the Author
Formerly an analyst with a Venture capital firm, Saiswaroopa currently writes Puranic fiction, with a focus on lesser known heroines of Ancient India. Mauri is her third work of fiction after Abhaya and Avishi. Her interests include Carnatic Music, Philosophy, History and Literature of India. She won a state level gold medal from TTD in rendering Annamacharya Kritis. She holds an MBA from Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur.
May 16, 2018
Loving Flowers For Your Loved Ones
Are there any romantic ideas quite like a great gift of flowers for your day, bring a smile to your face, and cause you to really feel special? Whether you're a man or a woman, giving a flower or a bouquet to your spouse is one of the best, most affordable ways possible to add a little natural, old-fashioned romance to your relationship or marriage.
If you want to bring a smile on your wife, husband, girlfriend or boyfriend face, then flowers are one of the few romantic gifts that require such little thought and yet still go a long way. Flowers are easy to obtain, affordable to buy, wonderful to look at, smell wonderful and may function as a fresh reminder of your love for days.
When it comes to individual online flowers delivery in Gurgaon or creative bouquets and arrangements, there are a lot of options to choose from you could get your lover flowers every week and get them to seem new and unique every time.
Pick your flower
For several hundreds of years, the red rose has gained the popularity as an image of love. It symbolizes interest, love and romances and on Valentine Day, large numbers are bought around the world.
If however, a rose is too traditional for your flavour, a professional florist will be able to recommend you on buying the best collection of flowers to show your feelings. Every flower has a particular significance, and some flowers have many definitions, according to their colour. The red chrysanthemum symbolizes romantic love, while the yellow-coloured chrysanthemum signifies unreciprocated love. With the help of an efficient flower shop, you can create a shiny, wonderful bouquet that is a tasteful and symbolic expression of your emotions.
Choosing your loved one's favourite colour as a theme is a popular choice for many flower buyers. This effort and good care show your thoughtfulness, rather than purchasing a meaningless gift. Arrangements such as flowers with shiny colours in a variety of colours and colours such as white, red, pink, orange, violet and yellow-coloured create wonderful gifts.
Gift Ideas
The services of a professional florist can add a designed and expert finish to your gift. Flower shops have several choices for flower arrangements and gift hampers to complement your romantic gesture. Suggestions for romantic gifts to add to a slow down include chocolates, champagne, bubble bath and candles. Flower shops generally offer a delivery service, creating an ideal opportunity to surprise your beloved by having their gift hamper and flowers sent to their front door.
Chocolates show desire. Delivering confectionary such as chocolate is associated with love, especially as it is an aphrodisiac: candy causes emotions such as excitement and heightened sensitivity.
The mixture of flowers and a great gift hamper sent to your beloved will not only be a welcomed surprise but function as an ideal way to show that they are in your thoughts. However, if you really love someone and worry about him or her, then you do not need any occasion to send flowers; you can do so just like that to show how much you care.
