Preethi Venugopala's Blog, page 23

On their Wedding Day

The trees were green, the water sang as it rushed by and the birds chirped. Just like it had been years ago.
A little girl visiting her grandma’s house in the countryside had wandered towards this stream with its long wooden bridge where the villagers sat and fished. The little boy who had accompanied his father to the spot had looked up and smiled. And she had smiled back. They hadn’t known at that moment that they were laying the foundation for an eternity of love and friendship.

The newlyweds fondly reminisced how their friendship had blossomed steadily into love.
Word Count: 100
This post is a part of #FridayFotoFiction being hosted by Tina and Mayuri

The Wonderful Seven in my Life

There are many people in my life I feel grateful for every day. To pick seven from them is tough. But here I go in no particular order:
My mentor Anita Nair: Image Source
I was privileged to be part of the 4th season of Anita’s attic, where I had one to one interaction with my favorite writer. But for her, I might have stopped writing entirely. The insights, feedbacks, and the subtle hints that pushed us in the right direction were the main characteristics of Anita’s attic. I met some other wonderful writers, my tribe, there. She also introduced us to many established personalities from the publishing world like writers, editors, agents, and social media experts. What a writer needs most is constructive criticism, someone who can point out their strengths and weaknesses. How wonderful it is to be mentored by someone whose works have been translated into 30 languages already. Thank you, Anita, for entering my life at the right time.
My son and Husband
My son:
They say the best things come in the smallest of packages. Yes, this small packet of love, laughter, and naughtiness makes my life bright and merry every day. It is nice to be scolded at times by a tiny tot for being irresponsible. And best is when they turn into your Guru. He is my Kannada guru. I know I am a very slow learner. But I promise I will be a better student from now on.Thank you, Achu, for being my everything.
My husband Venugopala:
It is fun when the man of the house is one jolly person. He reads my moods, puts up with them, and encourages me to go after my dreams. And most importantly, he supports me when I need it the most. Over the years, he has become my best friend and confidante. There are no secrets between us. And yes, he is my alarm clock and disciplinarian when it comes to my sleeping habits. But for him, I might read throughout the night and sleep through the day. Thank you, Venugopala, for being my best buddy.

My best friend Aathira:
Aathira
Years ago, if someone told me that my best friend would be someone I haven’t even met, I would have called him or her CRAZY. But that is my truth now. I met Aathira via blogging. After we were published in an anthology together, we began chatting occasionally, mostly about writing. We got published together twice again and then we began interacting via Whatsapp. Now there is nothing under the sun that we don’t talk about, though mostly they are centered on books, writers, and writing. She was with me when I was going through a very bad phase in my life early this year. I was down in the dumps. Insecurities and self-doubt plagued me. She sent N number of messages, consoled me and made me laugh with silly jokes. She was the one who told me about Anita’s Attic first, the best step ever for the writer in me. Being an amazing writer, she inspires me. We belong to God's own country. Jokes which only we mallus can understand, calling each other names in Malayalam are our favorite pastimes. Thank you, Aathira for being there always with a bucketful of smilies.
Me with my siblings Dr. Sunil Kannada and Dr. Mini Kannada
My sister Mini:
If there is one no-nonsense person in our family, it is my big sister. She will tell when and where I went wrong and offer the right solution. She is one person I first call for anything. She is my pillar of support. She is my personal doctor and Achu refuses to take any medicine other than what ‘unnuamma’ gives. And yes, he openly admits he loves her more than me. Alas, she is the better cook and mother. The hours spent on the phone with her are some of the best. Thank you, Miniachi for introducing me to many good things like Reiki, for lessons in grooming and discipline. What will I do but for you?
My brother Sunil:
Laughter is what I associate most with my brother. When he is around, laughter is never far. His friends, his anecdotes about college life, movie outings, travels, everything makes us laugh. He is the better writer. He is the better poet, humorist, and everything in between. I really wish he would take up writing seriously one day. With the experiences from his life as a doctor, I am sure he has tons of data already to spin out books after books. Thank you for being a happy presence in my life.
My mother Panchali:
My father and motherThere is no one who can be as wonderful like a mother. She led a very inspiring life being the first woman from our village who ended up working in a white-collar job outside our state. She is a no-nonsense person and scolds us mercilessly if we err. After we lost our father, she is one person who we all cling to. We used to tease her because of her name and ask where her other four husbands were! Panchali, after all, had five husbands. Thank you, Amma, for being who you are.  
So tell me about the people in your life you are grateful for.

This post is written for #ThankfulThursdays being hosted by Tina Basu and Amrita Misra

A Letter to my (soon-to-be-ex) Smartphone

Dear (soon-to-be-ex) Smartphone,
I know you are wondering why I am erasing all the data from your memory. Unlike other times, when I used to create a backup, I have deleted everything. You must have guessed it by now. Our relationship is coming to an end.
You have been a faithful mate for years now. You were my best companion, my confidante. But as they say, every good thing should end one day. Don’t judge me. I have decided to replace you with a new, rather expensive but efficient newcomer.
Oh, I am surprised when you tell me that you were expecting this. You don’t begrudge my decision! So nice of you. As you say rightly, you were showing signs of old age. Hanging at odd times, taking ages to get charged, and losing it all in a flash. Your video and picture quality were tolerable but not extraordinary. You say it is time you went to that amazing place where old Smartphones go eventually. I am sure you will rule like a king there.
Before you go, let me introduce you to your nemesis. Okay, you prefer to call it your replacement. You are so magnanimous. I know you are concerned about me. But don’t worry, once you get to know who is taking your place, all your worries will vanish. I am getting the new #LGV20.

Image Source: LG
It has an Android v7.0 Nougat operating system with 2.15GHz + 1.6GHz Kryo Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor, Adreno 530 GPU, 4GB RAM, 64GB internal memory expandable up to 2TB and dual SIM (nano+nano) dual-standby (4G+4G).
I heard your whoop of delight. Yes, you now understand why I turned greedy and selfish. I confess I couldn’t resist the temptation.
Its sleek metal body and Si-PC material ensure durability. It has three high AOP (Acoustic Overload Point) mics, which would allow me to record loud scenes. Imagine being able to record sporting events without the disturbance created by cheering fans! There is also an option called Steady Record 2.0 that allows me to record even when I am on the move. It minimizes unintentional handshaking. Now my videos are going to be crisp and clear.
Did you know it has a wide-angle 5MP front camera? I can capture selfies with a wider background, which means I can include more friends or wider scenery. Isn’t that amazing? The back camera (16MP+8MP dual primary camera) comes with a wide-angle lens, an astonishing 135-degree, which would allow me to capture stunning landscapes or large group shots without much ado. It has the normal 75-degree angle option as well.
B&O PLAY collaboration tunes its audio and delivers it through its specially designed earphones making it perfect for a music lover like me.
I see you have turned dark green with envy. Okay, I will stop extolling the virtues of your nemesis.But again, thank you for serving me even when you are going away. They inform me there is an upgrade option of up to Rs. 20,000 for a Smartphone exchange.
Image Source :LG
What! Now don’t die on me.
Let me rush you to the LG showroom before it is too late.
Rest in peace, dear.
Much Love,Your ex-owner.
  

The Song

Pic Courtesy: Saumy Nagayach
The sponsors were beaming the concert live on national television. When the first note of the violin hit his ears, tears began to sting in his eyes.
Miles away, his wife watched him blink back the tears. She would trade her life for this one moment. Today the world would rediscover her Anand, the singer who had forgotten to sing, caught in the vagaries of life.
Perhaps this would be the last time she would hear him sing. When the last notes of the song died away, she nodded to the attendant who pushed her gurney into the operation theater.  
Word Count: 100
This post is a part of #FridayFotoFiction being hosted by Tina and Mayuri

Gracias Soul mates!

I know it has been long overdue. But I am not ungrateful. You knew it was coming, right? After all, you three understand me like no one else.
Image Source

Dearest Laptop,
I am thanking you first. No, not because you might get angry and just go blank if I shove you to the last position. But because you are my favorite. (Yes, why do you doubt it? I swear!) Also, you are a class apart. You are not a home appliance, you are my home. XO
You don’t mind my threats of throwing you into the dustbin whenever you show off your blue error screen. You don’t mind the expletives I shower on you when you suddenly shut off. I know it is my mistake that I overwork you!
I am thankful for all the digital memories that you create and store for me. Thank you for taking me on amazing trips via your screen. You are my genie who brings the world to me. I would have lost touch with my loved ones but for you.
Can I even begin to thank you for all the hours you have tolerated my tapping away on your keyboard while I wrote my books, my stories, and my blog posts? Thank you for the patience and magnanimity.
Lest I forget, you are the reason my toddler learned his alphabets and numbers. You are his best friend. You taught him languages, songs and had fun playing games with him. Thank you, dear.
I can go on listing your virtues the whole day, but see, there are some others I need to thank as well.I will remain forever grateful to you.
Image Source

Dearest washing machine,
If there is one single discovery that I am thankful for every day, it is you! My magnificent, cute, lovely little machine. Thank you for serving me without any grudge or complaints. I do make you work so much.
What would we do if not for you? We would roam around smelling like rotten cabbages or onions! Eeew. Ever since you came into our lives, I don’t have to depend on that thankless maid who made such a fuss for washing the clothes. The clothes smell good now and dry faster.
All I need to do is throw in the clothes along with some detergent. You do all the dirty work elegantly. No noise, no tantrums. You even notify me when you are done. I am so thankful for all that you do.
Don’t mind that sometimes I forget to wipe you clean or empty the filters. It is just that I am so busy these days.
Thank you, dear. Image Source

Dearest refrigerator,
I know you are angry with me. I haven’t cleaned you in weeks. I swear I will do it this weekend. Just for another two days, you have to bear with the stains left by my unruly little boy who loves banging your doors after taking out his treats. I know he sometimes leaves your doors open. He dislodges your beautiful octagonal ice-crystals, just to hear the tinkling sound of the ice falling into your ice-box. Do forgive him. He is just eight.
You tolerate everything without any complaint. Thank you for being such a magnanimous being. Thank you for keeping all the leftovers, vegetables, and beverages fresh. I know the man of the house doesn't like eating anything that has lived inside you for more than a few hours. That is just him. I love you. I am your big fan.
Thank you for being the coolest addition to our home.

  Today's promptThis post is written for #ThankfulThursdays being hosted by Tina Basu and Amrita Misra

On Writing: Avantika Debnath

Today on ‘On Writing’, we have the promising new author Avantika Debnath.
 Avantika is a corporate professional who gets drunk on good reads. And after having devoured Khaled Hosseini, Erich Segal, Jhumpa Lahiri and Paulo Coelho, she has finally figured out that writing is the only thing she would find solace in. She also has a crazy end to her personality with zero tolerance towards social hypocrisy and the open denial of the truth that prevails all around. A regular contributor in the Chick Soup for the Soul series, blogging for some of the most popular websites, and experimenting with various forms of writing, she has finally worked out her first book, The Bridal Pyre - Nainam Dahati Pawakah. She speaks her mind through everything she writes and doesn't pen a word down if she doesn't mean it. So, only if you can face reality, read her book. 
Welcome to ‘On Writing’ Avantika Debnath.
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How did writing begin for you? Was becoming an author always your dream or was it a particular event or incident that gave birth to the author in you?
I honestly don’t know, rather don’t remember. My mom has pieces of papers with my scribbles and it’s from when I was 4 or 5. I had written rhymes on my first Barbie doll, a favorite dress, the first rose that bloomed in our garden in Shillong. So, I genuinely don’t know how I took up writing, I guess it happened the other way round. Writing took me up.
How important are the names of the characters in your books to you? Do you spend agonizing hours deciding on their names?
Names of my characters are crucial, in fact, they are as significant as the plot itself. I don’t mind spending hours or even days brooding over their names. It is not about how pleasant they sound or how unique these names are, it is about how the names resonate with the characters they embody.
 What is your writing process like? Do you write every day? Is there a favorite place to write?
My writing process is that there is no writing routine or schedule. I am very impulsive when it comes to writing. I might be in the middle of my dinner and a thought could strike my mind. Till the time I do not pen it down, or rather type it down, I do not find solace. I cannot think for hours and write deliberately. Words need to flow through my mind. That is how it works for me. But I love to write or even read for that matter on a cozy couch by my window.
What is special about ‘Bridal Pyre’? How long did it take to complete writing it?
The Bridal Pyre is a journey from illusion to reality, and a journey every woman, especially the Indian ones had to embark upon at some point in their lives. I have come across many women and was moved by the unjustness of their regular lives, the contradiction between what they were brought up to believe and what reality turned out to be, mostly as far as marriage is concerned. How in a society like ours, matrimony is considered paramount, the one aspect of life in favor of which women are encouraged and forced to give up everything and still fall flat on their faces, bewildered me. The promises of love that more than often prove themselves fake broke my heart, the relentless battles of an average woman confined within the four walls of her house, paternal or matrimonial startled me, and to condemn that, to bring that to light, I penned The Bridal Pyre: Nainam Dahati Pawakah. It took me about two years to complete it.
Who is your favorite character in the book and why?
The protagonist Meera is my favorite character. She is neither perfect nor flawed. She has virtues and faults just like you and I. And that makes her relatable to the core. Every reader would be able to identify with her or will be reminded of at least one woman in their circle of friends and family by the story of Meera. Also, in the ups and downs of Meera’s life, you will somewhere find a struggle you have put up with, maybe not the extremes that she had to deal with, but some episode of her life will bring back one in yours.
 Do share a snippet/ Quote from your book.
“Strange is the direction of the thought process that guides such people. If the bride supports the family with her hard-earned money, the inflated ego of the husband gets hurt. But, no one will know when the father of the bride transfers money from his account to his son-in-law's account. No one will know when the mother of the bride brings her jewelry in a lunch box and hands them over to the mother of the groom to sell them or use them to her heart's desire. No one will know.”
This one, because though Meera says these words, you and I at any given moment can count at least 10 women around us who feel exactly the same way, whether or not they choose to accept it aloud.

 Is there a certain type of scene that is harder for you to write than others? Did you face such an issue while writing ‘Bridal Pyre’?
There are a couple of them. But the most difficult scene that I wrote was Meera’s miscarriage in The Bridal Pyre – Nainam Dahati Pawah. More, so because the amount of emotional turmoil this character goes through along with the physical pain. This was my first work as a novelist, I am not sure if I could do justice to the situation. But I was writing this scene, and I had to stop for a while, cry, get myself a cup of coffee, and go back to completing the scene.
What is your method of writing? Are you a plotter?
Honestly, I do not believe in methods when it comes to any form art. Methods, I as they appear to me, limit your creativity. But that’s just my opinion, other might find it easy to work in a method. Plots present themselves to me when I am doing something really important and unrelated to writing, I take them down Which do you prefer as a reader? EBook or Paperback?
I prefer a Paperback any day. I am so old school. I had a Kindle and I lost it somewhere, I was not even bothered because I don’t even remember using it.
What are the three tips you have for readers who are aspiring writers?
1) Be Original2) Don’t get disheartened by refusal3) Don’t believe them when they say you are not good enough, they just don’t get your art.

Thank you, Avantika! Wishing you the very best for your book.

Book Blurb: 
 "Girls need to adjust a little after marriage." Said her mother. And she obeyed her mother's words. She gave up on her dreams... her hopes... her happiness... her self-respect... her father's dignity... her mother's honor... and herself. But she couldn't give up on her child. The child whom she never saw, named, or held close to her heart...The child whom she couldn't give birth to. She obeyed her mother's words but then.... Her own motherhood was taken away from her. She blew the conch shell and declared a war. She stood against all, the husband, the society, the law of the land and the leaders of the people. The local goons....politicians ...corrupt police officers and lawyers...irresponsible judges...the opportunist media...the futile judicial system...wasted legal system...no one could stop her. She feared none. She could not be broken or be burnt....And they said even the holy Ganga would refuse to immerse her... She was no more a body with a soul. She was a soul with a body. And the soul doesn't get torn, doesn't get drowned, and doesn't get burnt. She sat on her pyre and set it ablaze....The Bridal Pyre....but, Nainam Dahati Pawakah

 Click the following links for purchase and reviews:On Amazon|| On Flipkart || On Goodreads.com || On Facebook

Clarissa

Image Credit – Timur Saglambilek



They weren’t meant to be. Fate had tried to drill that into their heads multiple times. Their hearts never listened. They had attempted many times to be together. But, destiny had always played with them.
Now at 55, he doubted whether it was too late. She was 50, single like him. Her presence and smile still evoked the same contentment inside him.
It was time. He walked over to her, went down on one knee and held her arms while the other diners watched.
“Marry me, Clarissa. I can’t live without you anymore .”
She nodded as her eyes had misted.
Word Count: 100

This post is a part of #FridayFotoFiction being hosted by Tina and Mayuri

Friendship, Blogging, Aliens and Hrithik

Image Courtesy: www.tinabasu.com


November is always a time for new beginnings. Being my birthday month and that of my baby, I always look forward to some quiet family time and travel. November is also the month of vigorous writing, being the month of Nanowrimo. Last year I had registered for it, but couldn’t write as we were mostly traveling. This time I decided to give it a miss for a multitude of reasons.
This #ThankfulThursday I wish to thank Tina for literally dragging me back to blogging. I had put Blogging on a back burner in the last few months as fiction writing had taken priority. I didn’t get much time to blog. If I did, they were just random outpourings from a tired mind.
I believe that people come into our lives for a reason. They might arrive with a lesson or for a season.I had met Tina during the Game of Blogs by Blogadda in 2014. We belonged to team ‘By Lines’ which went on to win the competition. This inspiring lady surprised us daily by being completely involved in the discussions, editing, posts and also the huge amount of research that we did. After all, we were writing Sci-Fi fiction. All this while working at a hectic day job at an MNC. Because we clicked as a team, four from the team came together and created the best-selling anthology ‘A Little Chorus of Love.’ Our chat group on Facebook still remains the place where I unravel my bundle of doubts, troubles and also finds inspiration and ideas. 
 Now she is a busy mom and yet she finds time to maintain two blogs, be a hands-on mommy, cook awesome dishes and yes, she is active on social media as well. She also stood by me during one of the darkest phases in my writing career. I am forever grateful for that.
Being Scorpios, and having birthdays adjacent to each other, we are almost twin souls.We share many common interests. We LOVE Hrithik Roshan and would kill for him. Any Hrithik hater will face our wrath. 

Tamanna: Friday Foto Fiction

Image Credit – Fotolia 

The path ahead blurs as my eyes well with tears. I press down the accelerator and will the car to move faster.
I grab my phone as it vibrates with another message. It is from Tamanna’s father.  He has reached her apartment together with the paramedics. She is now stable. I send up a token of gratitude to the heavens and breathe.

I don’t want her to go through another such hypoglycemic attack alone. I am terrified of losing her. I don’t care what my parents think; I am going to move in with her. I love her, damn it!

Word Count: 100

This post is written for #FridayFotoFiction being hosted by Tina Basu and Sirimiri.

We are Starstuff: Thankful Thursday

Image Source: Pinterest
Sometimes in my dreams I fall from a height, spinning across galaxies, passing through tunnels of light and experiencing inexplicable joy. Is this caused by a memory that has been embedded in my genes? Did human beings arrive on earth from a distant place? Are we made of stardust? Is there anyone like us out there in the cosmos?
Such questions often trouble me. While in school, cosmology was one section in science in which I always scored full marks. Even today, I devour any article/video that talks about the universe.

Image Source: www.tinabasu.com
Today is Thursday and it also happens to be my birthday. This #ThankfulThursday, the event that I am thankful for is my birth on earth, this tiny blue dot, as a human being. We are the only species gifted with the capability to think. One who can imagine different worlds and that too I am born in an era which has seen enormous scientific advances!

With every significant leap that science takes, humanity hopes to solve the biggest of mysteries. Where do we come from? Where do we go? We are nowhere near the answer yet.
But isn’t it enough to be grateful for this life, this moment, this birth? When we feel one with the cosmos, all the petty fights, the ego clashes; everything become immaterial. Even the earth we reside is an insignificant tiny blue dot when we consider the entire cosmos.Let me quote from Carl Sagan, the eminent American cosmologist and astrophysicist here:
“Every one of us is, in the cosmic perspective, precious. If a human disagrees with you, let him live. In a hundred billion galaxies, you will not find another.” ― Carl Sagan, Cosmos
Isn’t this profound? If we can think this way, there wouldn’t be any conflicts in our world.  Being born on this beautiful planet as an intelligent being is in itself a miracle. Shouldn’t we be thankful for it?
This next quote explains how similar we are even though we belong to different races, continents, and nationalities.
 “The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of starstuff.” ― Carl Sagan, Cosmos
Do pick up the book Cosmos by Carl Sagan where Sagan reveals the jewel-like blue world inhabited by us. 
This post is written for #ThankfulThursdays being hosted by Tina Basu and Amrita Misra