tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64996847349369775292024-03-28T15:07:16.800+05:30Aniesha Brahma Blogger | Author | Content Writer | Editor Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.comBlogger400125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-29263663528463066112023-06-20T23:11:00.000+05:302023-06-20T23:11:11.446+05:30#TheWritingDesk: Writing for a Specific Audience<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBticINstS6M_RuX_lgyQfx6YXEuJ1SxmiK4cqoaotlD5bIvZV4Md7maB1g2OeLiw-hjJi1FNG16NG-TAEYrPM83ApPGrWojTqQKx8p4y1WBZgtWqBszzbl49T3-JP4T_b_XsMOCtnq27v5m2o565LD0ASAMtE2c8Bjo1ifjEKPYdvO2DUb1EnIlGc/s2240/Aniesha's%20Musings%20(4).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBticINstS6M_RuX_lgyQfx6YXEuJ1SxmiK4cqoaotlD5bIvZV4Md7maB1g2OeLiw-hjJi1FNG16NG-TAEYrPM83ApPGrWojTqQKx8p4y1WBZgtWqBszzbl49T3-JP4T_b_XsMOCtnq27v5m2o565LD0ASAMtE2c8Bjo1ifjEKPYdvO2DUb1EnIlGc/w640-h360/Aniesha's%20Musings%20(4).png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Writing for a specific audience is an essential skill for any writer. It involves understanding who your audience is, what their interests and needs are, and how to connect with them through your writing. In this blog post, we will discuss how to write for a specific audience, including how to research and understand that audience, how to tailor your writing to their interests and needs, and how to connect with them through your writing.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Identify Your Audience</h3><p>The first step in writing for a specific audience is to identify who your audience is. This can be done by considering the size of the audience and their level of interest. You can also consider the demographics of your audience, such as their age, gender, education level, and income. Once you have identified your audience, you can begin to tailor your writing to meet their needs.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Research Your Audience</h3><p>The next step is to research your audience. This involves gathering information about their interests, needs, and preferences. You can do this by conducting surveys, focus groups, or by analyzing data from social media or other sources. By understanding your audience, you can tailor your writing to their interests and needs.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Tailor Your Writing</h3><p>Once you have identified and researched your audience, you can begin to tailor your writing to meet their needs. This involves using language and terminology that is appropriate for your audience, as well as addressing their concerns and interests. You should also consider the tone and style of your writing, as this can have a significant impact on how your audience perceives your message.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Connect with Your Audience</h3><p>Finally, it is important to connect with your audience through your writing. This involves engaging with them on a personal level, using examples and anecdotes that they can relate to, and addressing their concerns and needs. By connecting with your audience, you can build trust and establish a relationship that will keep them engaged with your writing.</p><p>In conclusion, writing for a specific audience is an essential skill for any writer. By identifying and researching your audience, tailoring your writing to their interests and needs, and connecting with them through your writing, you can create content that is engaging, informative, and effective.</p><p><br /></p><p>Citations:</p><p>[1] https://www.aje.com/arc/how-to-tailor-your-research-for-a-general-audience/</p><p>[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7566313/</p><p>[3] https://www.writeraccess.com/blog/tailoring-your-writing-to-your-audience/</p><p>[4] https://www.umgc.edu/current-students/learning-resources/writing-center/writing-resources/getting-started-writing/writing-for-an-audience</p><p>[5] https://www.linkedin.com/advice/1/what-best-strategies-tailor-your-introduction </p>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-45313189136647189302023-06-17T09:00:00.001+05:302023-06-17T09:00:00.141+05:30#TheWritingDesk: 5 Reasons You Should Hire A Ghostwriter <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7jrqUgUjmyEA20cV0OvCDbKZDvVqsGs5L02DtI1cPJ79RcLkXZsf7z0KZuY9kXeKU2yU6j7gvkbDaOUt-WMDNLVile0N8OPmEGaKS_IHo4LRonV8dlTIdZ6ny67Wzv_RQBULnHXH8o56QbUjiNomEvWk6P5YwGNGZBRMKd5DwjmWJuiyiBquNNyQ/s2240/Aniesha's%20Musings%20(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7jrqUgUjmyEA20cV0OvCDbKZDvVqsGs5L02DtI1cPJ79RcLkXZsf7z0KZuY9kXeKU2yU6j7gvkbDaOUt-WMDNLVile0N8OPmEGaKS_IHo4LRonV8dlTIdZ6ny67Wzv_RQBULnHXH8o56QbUjiNomEvWk6P5YwGNGZBRMKd5DwjmWJuiyiBquNNyQ/w640-h360/Aniesha's%20Musings%20(2).png" width="640" /></a></div><p>Are you an aspiring author with a great book idea but no time to write it? Or maybe you're a business owner who wants to create engaging content but doesn't have the writing skills to do it yourself. Whatever your situation, hiring a ghostwriter could be the solution you need. </p><p>Here are five reasons why you should consider hiring a ghostwriter for your book or content:</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">1. Ghostwriters save you time</h3><p>Writing a book or creating content takes time, and if you're a busy professional, you may not have the luxury of spending hours every day writing. Hiring a ghostwriter can help you save time and focus on other important tasks while your book or content is being written.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">2. Ghostwriters bring expertise</h3><p>Ghostwriters are skilled writers who have experience in writing books and creating content. They can help you develop your ideas, structure your book or content, and ensure that it is well-written and engaging.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">3. Ghostwriters maintain your voice</h3><p>A good ghostwriter will work closely with you to understand your voice and style, and ensure that your book or content reflects your personality and brand.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">4. Ghostwriters provide a fresh perspective</h3><p>Sometimes, it can be hard to see the forest for the trees. A ghostwriter can provide an objective perspective on your book or content, and offer new ideas and insights that you may not have considered.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">5. Ghostwriters help you achieve your goals</h3><p>Whether you want to write a best-selling book or create engaging content that drives traffic to your website, a ghostwriter can help you achieve your goals. They can help you develop a strategy for your book or content, and ensure that it is well-written and effective.</p><p>Hiring a ghostwriter can be a great way to save time, bring expertise, maintain your voice, provide a fresh perspective, and achieve your goals. If you're considering hiring a ghostwriter, be sure to do your research and find a reputable writer who has experience in your industry. With the right ghostwriter on your team, you can turn your book or content dreams into a reality.</p><p><br /></p><p>References:</p><p>[1] <a href="https://searchengineland.com/hiring-ghostwriter-considerations-386233">https://searchengineland.com/hiring-ghostwriter-considerations-386233</a></p><p>[2] <a href="https://www.searchenginejournal.com/why-hire-a-ghostwriter/253219/">https://www.searchenginejournal.com/why-hire-a-ghostwriter/253219/</a></p><p>[3] <a href="https://www.ghostbookwriters.org/blog/top-8-reasons-to-hire-a-ghost-writer-for-your-web-content">https://www.ghostbookwriters.org/blog/top-8-reasons-to-hire-a-ghost-writer-for-your-web-content</a></p><p>[4] <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/dont-have-time-to-write-articles-and-social-media-posts/413419">https://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/dont-have-time-to-write-articles-and-social-media-posts/413419</a></p><p>[5] <a href="https://blog.fiverr.com/post/should-you-hire-a-ghostwriter-and-how-to-do-it">https://blog.fiverr.com/post/should-you-hire-a-ghostwriter-and-how-to-do-it</a></p>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-56512693219866010152023-06-16T13:19:00.004+05:302023-06-16T13:19:41.132+05:30#TheWritingDesk: 7 Tips for Writing Dialogue<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqraiEsWgR4Ii4mxw9P_YGzYlIglN3voFM-wMtOni3BbBCnEIpfuDq6PbARt7ofNGkMJjYiB7E7FwAspf9vge0QZSnLO6kbl2yVznMrC-USjr2G-a4PCWn1QxPClnHY7fSJl1bmze6XAOkWo51Xz2QjVvReHSvX8iDzDSdB0jzDPCe2UD8KL4qZtP/s2240/Aniesha's%20Musings%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqraiEsWgR4Ii4mxw9P_YGzYlIglN3voFM-wMtOni3BbBCnEIpfuDq6PbARt7ofNGkMJjYiB7E7FwAspf9vge0QZSnLO6kbl2yVznMrC-USjr2G-a4PCWn1QxPClnHY7fSJl1bmze6XAOkWo51Xz2QjVvReHSvX8iDzDSdB0jzDPCe2UD8KL4qZtP/w640-h360/Aniesha's%20Musings%20(1).png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>Writing dialogue is an essential part of storytelling, and it can be challenging to make it sound natural and engaging. It has always been one of my favourite parts when it comes to writing. However, I do realize that not everyone enjoys writing dialogue. In fact, starting out, a lot of people struggle with writing realistic dialogues. </p><p>So, what should you do to make the dialogue in your prose sound more natural? </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">1. Listen to Real Conversations</h3><p>One of the best ways to write dialogue that sounds natural and engaging is to listen to how real people talk. Pay attention to their word choices, tone, pauses, interruptions, slang, expressions, and gestures. Notice how they convey information, emotions, and opinions through dialogue, and how they react to each other[1].</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">2. Use Tags and Beats</h3><p>Tags and beats are essential tools for writing dialogue. Tags are words that identify the speaker, such as "he said" or "she asked." Beats are actions or descriptions that accompany the dialogue, such as "he shrugged" or "she smiled." Using tags and beats can help you convey the tone, mood, and emotions of the characters and make the dialogue more engaging[2].</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">3. Convey Character Through Dialogue</h3><p>Dialogue is an excellent way to reveal character traits, motivations, and conflicts. Each character should have a unique voice and way of speaking that reflects their personality, background, and goals. Use dialogue to show how characters interact with each other and how they respond to different situations[3].</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">4. Keep it Natural</h3><p>Good dialogue should sound like real conversation, but it should also be concise and purposeful. Avoid using formal language, unnecessary exposition, or clichés. Use contractions, sentence fragments, and interruptions to make the dialogue sound more natural[4][5][6].</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">5. Skip the Greetings and Small Talk</h3><p>In real life, people often start conversations with greetings and small talk, but in fiction, this can slow down the story and bore the reader. Start the dialogue in the middle of the action or conflict, and use the dialogue to move the story forward[2].</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">6. Use Action Beats</h3><p>Action beats are a great way to break up dialogue and make it flow more naturally. They can also show the characters' emotions and reactions without explicitly stating them. Use action beats to create a visual image of the scene and to add depth to the dialogue[2].</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">7. Read Your Dialogue Out Loud</h3><p>Reading your dialogue out loud can help you identify awkward phrasing, unnatural dialogue, or inconsistencies in character voice. It can also help you hear the rhythm and flow of the dialogue and make sure it sounds natural[3].</p><p>Writing effective dialogue is essential for creating engaging and memorable stories. By listening to real conversations, using tags and beats, conveying character through dialogue, keeping it natural, skipping the greetings and small talk, using action beats, and reading your dialogue out loud, you can write dialogue that sounds natural and engaging.</p><p><br /></p><p>References:</p><p>[1] <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-do-you-write-dialogue-sounds-natural-engaging " target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-do-you-write-dialogue-sounds-natural-engaging </a></p><p>[2] <a href="https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/how-to-write-dialogue/">https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/how-to-write-dialogue/</a></p><p>[3]<a href=" https://firstmanuscript.com/tips-for-learning-to-write-natural-dialogue/" target="_blank"> https://firstmanuscript.com/tips-for-learning-to-write-natural-dialogue/</a></p><p>[4] <a href="https://thenarrativearc.org/your-questions-answered/2021/1/20/how-do-i-write-natural-dialogue">https://thenarrativearc.org/your-questions-answered/2021/1/20/how-do-i-write-natural-dialogue</a></p><p>[5] <a href="https://blog.cathy-moore.com/7-ways-to-make-dialog-sound-natural/">https://blog.cathy-moore.com/7-ways-to-make-dialog-sound-natural/</a></p><p>[6] <a href="https://www.dummies.com/article/academics-the-arts/performing-arts/theater/making-character-dialogue-sound-natural-188021/">https://www.dummies.com/article/academics-the-arts/performing-arts/theater/making-character-dialogue-sound-natural-188021/</a></p>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-80941168566379010672023-06-02T07:57:00.005+05:302023-06-02T07:57:40.673+05:30#TheWritingDesk: 5 Ways to Ensure You're Managing Time & Meeting Deadlines as a Writer<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeSRkkRcXtwd5H9AJjnasr4qCJtnvez4gv45lKZnNRXY04PJm6d7pvY8pEKVdAov9K98pp0lnSek79ZxgSskxJxjklLb8RBhHP0HqbK6JJuzt18D3Z1YXnTcEbmKQh3cy2rPkTPDjxv-XfTlpfIO1ApMseMy-ljx6-ObDp8gUwD29LsHWvdSrRgX9W" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeSRkkRcXtwd5H9AJjnasr4qCJtnvez4gv45lKZnNRXY04PJm6d7pvY8pEKVdAov9K98pp0lnSek79ZxgSskxJxjklLb8RBhHP0HqbK6JJuzt18D3Z1YXnTcEbmKQh3cy2rPkTPDjxv-XfTlpfIO1ApMseMy-ljx6-ObDp8gUwD29LsHWvdSrRgX9W=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Writing is often romanticized as a solitary, creative pursuit that happens in fits and starts. However, for many writers, the reality is that writing is a job that requires discipline, time management, and meeting deadlines. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to create a writing routine that works for you, and how to treat writing as a job to ensure that you meet your deadlines.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">1. Schedule your writing time</h3><p> The first step in creating a writing routine is to schedule your writing time. This means setting aside a specific time of day or week when you will write, and sticking to that schedule. Whether it’s early in the morning before work, during your lunch break, or in the evening after dinner, find a time that works for you and make it a part of your daily routine.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">2. Treat writing as a job</h3><p> One of the most important aspects of creating a writing routine is treating writing as a job. This means approaching it with the same level of professionalism and dedication that you would any other job. Set goals, create deadlines, and hold yourself accountable for meeting them. Treat writing as a priority, and make it a non-negotiable part of your daily routine.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">3. Set deadlines and stick to them</h3><p> Deadlines are an essential part of any writing routine. They provide structure and motivation, and help to ensure that you complete your work on time. Set realistic deadlines for yourself, and make sure to stick to them. This means creating a schedule that allows you to meet your deadlines, and being disciplined enough to follow that schedule.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">4. Create a writing space</h3><p> Having a dedicated writing space can help to create a sense of routine and focus. Whether it’s a home office, a coffee shop, or a library, find a space that works for you and make it your own. Eliminate distractions, create a comfortable environment, and make sure that you have all of the tools and resources you need to write effectively.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">5. Take breaks</h3><p> Finally, it’s important to take breaks. Writing can be mentally and emotionally exhausting, and it’s important to give yourself time to recharge. Take breaks throughout the day, whether it’s a quick walk around the block or a longer break to read a book or watch a movie. By taking breaks, you’ll be able to come back to your writing with renewed energy and focus.</p><p>Creating a writing routine is essential for any writer who wants to be productive, meet deadlines, and treat writing as a job. By scheduling your writing time, treating writing as a job, setting deadlines, creating a writing space, and taking breaks, you’ll be able to establish a routine that works for you and helps you to achieve your writing goals. Remember, writing is a job, and like any job, it requires discipline, dedication, and hard work.</p>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-63255321061524487842023-04-19T23:35:00.003+05:302023-04-19T23:35:24.810+05:30#TheWritingDesk: A Detailed Study of Plot Devices with Examples <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-dP9gFPeDkha_icWp7iKhzu5VqtGwcxx-1d79J3A0nozmAsuAzsc_BZrYsEGEHLwYALSEL_A3f26MRiyGyknYgwdo5InjzLfuCkHjPZI9zmXdJpVSSrkxlwENQRT1Tv1-5K3LSjDK86crzxjcpw1Kvl6VIf6eRJpNkb8IBN-WG6FgCrVP82wgMkO/s2240/Feelings_Aniesha%20Brahma%20(4).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-dP9gFPeDkha_icWp7iKhzu5VqtGwcxx-1d79J3A0nozmAsuAzsc_BZrYsEGEHLwYALSEL_A3f26MRiyGyknYgwdo5InjzLfuCkHjPZI9zmXdJpVSSrkxlwENQRT1Tv1-5K3LSjDK86crzxjcpw1Kvl6VIf6eRJpNkb8IBN-WG6FgCrVP82wgMkO/w640-h360/Feelings_Aniesha%20Brahma%20(4).png" width="640" /></a></div><p>If you read or write fiction, you would have come across plot devices. Even if you didn’t know what these are called. So, what are they? </p><p>Well, plot devices are techniques or elements used in storytelling to drive the plot forward, introduce conflict, reveal information, or change the direction of the story. They are an essential part of any well-crafted narrative, and as authors, we often use them to create tension, suspense, and surprise for the reader. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Foreshadowing</h3><p>Foreshadowing is a plot device where the author hints at future events in the story, creating tension and anticipation for the reader. In J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series, the author foreshadows the return of Lord Voldemort throughout the early books.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Cliffhanger</h3><p>A cliffhanger is a plot device where the story ends at a critical moment, leaving the reader in suspense until the next installment. The TV series "Breaking Bad" often used cliffhangers at the end of episodes to keep viewers engaged and coming back for more.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Red herring</h3><p>A red herring is a plot device where a false clue or piece of information is introduced to mislead the reader or characters. In Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express", the killer's identity is obscured by a series of red herrings.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Unreliable narrator</h3><p>An unreliable narrator is a plot device where the narrator's perspective and version of events may be distorted, biased, or intentionally misleading. In Gillian Flynn's "Gone Girl", the two narrators present conflicting versions of events, leaving the reader uncertain of the truth.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Flashback</h3><p>A flashback is a plot device where the story jumps back in time to reveal past events that are important to the plot. In F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby", the narrator uses flashbacks to reveal the backstory of Jay Gatsby.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Dream sequence</h3><p>A dream sequence is a plot device where the story jumps into the character's dreams, which can reveal important information or symbolize deeper themes. In William Shakespeare's "Macbeth", the character has a series of prophetic dreams that foreshadow his downfall.</p><h3>Deus ex machina</h3><p>A deus ex machina is a plot device where a sudden, unexpected event or character solves a seemingly insurmountable problem. In J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings", the Eagles serve as a deus ex machina to rescue the heroes at the end of the story.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Deus ex machina reversal</h3><p>A deus ex machina reversal is a twist on the deus ex machina plot device, where a sudden, unexpected event or character makes the problem worse, rather than solving it. In Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games", the sudden appearance of muttations at the end of the story serves as a deus ex machina reversal, as they complicate the already dire situation for the main characters.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Chekhov's gun</h3><p>Chekhov's gun is a principle where everything introduced in the story must have a purpose or payoff. In Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Adventure of the Speckled Band", the speckled band of the title is Chekhov's gun, which is revealed to be a poisonous snake that kills the victim.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">MacGuffin</h3><p>A MacGuffin is a plot device that refers to a valuable object or goal that drives the characters and the plot forward, but is often not important in and of itself. The briefcase in Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" is a MacGuffin that drives the story forward, but its contents are never revealed.</p><p>These are just a few examples of the many plot devices used in literature and fiction. By using plot devices effectively, authors can create engaging, suspenseful, and satisfying stories that keep readers hooked from beginning to end. Whether it's a MacGuffin that drives the plot, foreshadowing that builds tension, or a cliffhanger that keeps readers guessing, plot devices are an essential tool for any storyteller.</p><div><br /></div>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-88258892457128086082023-04-06T12:05:00.004+05:302023-04-06T12:23:16.131+05:30#TheWritingDesk: An Analysis of Morally Grey Characters, Why Readers Love Them, with a focus on “The Crows”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYK7aGfjNpkQyEtWJyccl7AyG79gFvlu0nuQOLcRVSl3FmZCp7FGln7QesLKlmIjTe5EMIACTNtMI74Vk1g99rTBZtuYBNqvbL_KK1i39z3OUQv59MXlrEi3R8Ja1Ss49XC3DCnua2UGYCo3Y163Q80rvO9l3_6fD2ozHsf5Hd_LVkNbVgRtF6gwy/s2240/Feelings_Aniesha%20Brahma%20(3).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYK7aGfjNpkQyEtWJyccl7AyG79gFvlu0nuQOLcRVSl3FmZCp7FGln7QesLKlmIjTe5EMIACTNtMI74Vk1g99rTBZtuYBNqvbL_KK1i39z3OUQv59MXlrEi3R8Ja1Ss49XC3DCnua2UGYCo3Y163Q80rvO9l3_6fD2ozHsf5Hd_LVkNbVgRtF6gwy/w640-h360/Feelings_Aniesha%20Brahma%20(3).png" width="640" /></a></div><p>In recent years, there has been a trend in literature towards morally grey characters - protagonists who are not purely good or evil, but instead have complex motivations and make difficult choices throughout the story. These characters often walk a fine line between hero and villain, and their actions are not always clear-cut in terms of morality. So why are readers so drawn to these morally ambiguous characters? </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">What are Morally Grey Characters?</h2><p>Morally grey characters are those who have complex motivations and are not purely good or evil. They often make difficult choices throughout the story, and their actions are not always clear-cut in terms of morality. These characters are often driven by a desire to achieve their goals, even if it means engaging in morally questionable behavior. They may have a tragic backstory that has shaped their worldview, or they may simply be motivated by a sense of justice or revenge.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">The Crows from "Six of Crows" and "Crooked Kingdom"</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmM3qjFdxhnif2X8ed1CQ73dvtbJDTaeE_ujkN55Dohxzjq1mrKUDm7cWHfSVBlUiUJkjUzwCHg2JgT38QJx5c2NnFvBpbYv0ox0kaB1uTZj1ffoki2GiWQeTA4yWbOCmemPhlUvVxV6YqRiI_lx2rgWN0L01hEKxxV1g_k0Xuaw85002jvHWutrbY/s1024/4a3333f918b50b103233e01e67b78bb9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmM3qjFdxhnif2X8ed1CQ73dvtbJDTaeE_ujkN55Dohxzjq1mrKUDm7cWHfSVBlUiUJkjUzwCHg2JgT38QJx5c2NnFvBpbYv0ox0kaB1uTZj1ffoki2GiWQeTA4yWbOCmemPhlUvVxV6YqRiI_lx2rgWN0L01hEKxxV1g_k0Xuaw85002jvHWutrbY/w320-h287/4a3333f918b50b103233e01e67b78bb9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>One of the best examples of morally grey characters in recent literature is the gang known as the crows from Leigh Bardugo's "Six of Crows" and "Crooked Kingdom". The six members of the gang - Kaz, Inej, Jesper, Nina, Matthias, and Wylan - are all complex characters with their own strengths and flaws, and their actions throughout the two books are not always black and white.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Kaz Brekker: The Ruthless Leader</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEuxlydlrr2nZweaFT83pnnV4Lsa3dKLihKMg0oWI6q_9henp5Fdku9_Ovc_H7RIemuIkE7K2NGfUUKHUJheTrXBZUUVWhnIjm8lum4TJzAFwBeEHeOedvix9cOlnnXxAbUj3FQhXsSgZH218d9YQsQxnukVH984u1unLTEM6gh1819JTUytuf5EC/s724/kaz-brekker.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="724" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEuxlydlrr2nZweaFT83pnnV4Lsa3dKLihKMg0oWI6q_9henp5Fdku9_Ovc_H7RIemuIkE7K2NGfUUKHUJheTrXBZUUVWhnIjm8lum4TJzAFwBeEHeOedvix9cOlnnXxAbUj3FQhXsSgZH218d9YQsQxnukVH984u1unLTEM6gh1819JTUytuf5EC/w400-h199/kaz-brekker.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Kaz Brekker, the leader of the gang, is known for his cunning and ruthlessness. He is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals, even if it means resorting to violence or deception. However, he also has a tragic backstory that has shaped his worldview, and he cares deeply for the other members of his gang, even if he doesn't always show it.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Inej Ghafa: The Skilled Assassin</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEp9oflHkVW-8gruYFS6W9kJIdVvOvCdzbUr8oLPvezjUYtF5jZ3MW1ta0mwFIa2qaFXjFe02QhitCxb_x0YNv9Ak-pS6RXscdePE264wHyAWVai3LI8hJTpCgeHWKCkY84QQ70QMB8i0ARVQQxiSiAijJVuEmrJU0wF6ZBfsks_CFZRxTsNT4QSpv/s1531/Inej_Shadow_and_Bone.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="1531" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEp9oflHkVW-8gruYFS6W9kJIdVvOvCdzbUr8oLPvezjUYtF5jZ3MW1ta0mwFIa2qaFXjFe02QhitCxb_x0YNv9Ak-pS6RXscdePE264wHyAWVai3LI8hJTpCgeHWKCkY84QQ70QMB8i0ARVQQxiSiAijJVuEmrJU0wF6ZBfsks_CFZRxTsNT4QSpv/w400-h225/Inej_Shadow_and_Bone.webp" width="400" /></a></div><p>Inej Ghafa is a skilled assassin who has killed people in the past, but she also has a strong moral code and is dedicated to protecting the innocent. She is morally grey in that she is willing to engage in morally questionable behavior in order to achieve her goals, but she also has a sense of compassion and empathy that makes her a sympathetic character.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Jesper Fahey: The Risk-taker</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rYthAQXIpOhpqOoQf-J2s9ufVh8qouaGRa_bnQ09Ygb64TpKWWSgoNWdCb9E31ZDEMaf1C_GPCvVHX1OijvYpQUZSXt-Hogux4LJaWFOl_E9g-4H-8CGt-w9GfaGj5SaRd29VZrYmbboRpamt6KGXoarrxmHQcQLm9mZuiMCLCEopQuH0ZvA9ve2/s815/jesper.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="815" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rYthAQXIpOhpqOoQf-J2s9ufVh8qouaGRa_bnQ09Ygb64TpKWWSgoNWdCb9E31ZDEMaf1C_GPCvVHX1OijvYpQUZSXt-Hogux4LJaWFOl_E9g-4H-8CGt-w9GfaGj5SaRd29VZrYmbboRpamt6KGXoarrxmHQcQLm9mZuiMCLCEopQuH0ZvA9ve2/w400-h241/jesper.webp" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Jesper Fahey is a sharpshooter and gambler with a sharp wit and a love for risk-taking. He has a troubled past and struggles with a gambling addiction, which sometimes leads him to make risky decisions that put himself and the gang in danger. Jesper's character is morally grey in that he is not above lying or stealing, but he also has a strong sense of loyalty and is fiercely protective of his friends.</div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Wylan Van Eck: The Privileged Outsider</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURsIygRM1AIEe20wg29R30WDF4o0vM36bg8D6R6sAR_VGXhWVeoEds7Dw3xalP9X1n7bpHT_1yNRHDNFLzmZbOtJzpOXlZQzpj9rPvIE5fw5l7FgavymcXc836zQ2Y37pm92w1-vCaXYmBNTkJ9y3NCKC9KyPmupGLTfAc7bw0OCZxHr97uu_l4pB/s300/download%20(24).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURsIygRM1AIEe20wg29R30WDF4o0vM36bg8D6R6sAR_VGXhWVeoEds7Dw3xalP9X1n7bpHT_1yNRHDNFLzmZbOtJzpOXlZQzpj9rPvIE5fw5l7FgavymcXc836zQ2Y37pm92w1-vCaXYmBNTkJ9y3NCKC9KyPmupGLTfAc7bw0OCZxHr97uu_l4pB/w400-h224/download%20(24).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Wylan Van Eck is the son of a wealthy merchant who is hired by the crows to help them with their heist. Although he is initially seen as an outsider due to his lack of criminal experience, Wylan quickly proves himself to be a valuable member of the team due to his knowledge of explosives and engineering. Wylan's character is morally grey in that he is somewhat sheltered and naive due to his privileged upbringing, but he is also resourceful and willing to take risks when necessary.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Nina Zenik: The Grisha on the Run</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSexXvgLgGL6si0ss_zvU_XwMqOtE4Dc14Ocr-I5F93yK46oDRaD9P9w8sIr-vxSF9PuVt7WaBATs546Qej8INdCZMIPXZxXqkkzOCbF141O4fbhldG5QbTilp1mZIQcgVAAr--mcB1bTc53ViiqCWkqVsxYm1q4f7-eWZsi-Q3aHZThicNCN-7g4v/s1200/shadow-and-bone-nina.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSexXvgLgGL6si0ss_zvU_XwMqOtE4Dc14Ocr-I5F93yK46oDRaD9P9w8sIr-vxSF9PuVt7WaBATs546Qej8INdCZMIPXZxXqkkzOCbF141O4fbhldG5QbTilp1mZIQcgVAAr--mcB1bTc53ViiqCWkqVsxYm1q4f7-eWZsi-Q3aHZThicNCN-7g4v/w400-h225/shadow-and-bone-nina.webp" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Nina Zenik is a Grisha, a member of a group with magical abilities, who is on the run from the government due to her affiliation with the Grisha rebellion. She is skilled in the art of heartrendering, the ability to manipulate people's internal organs and emotions, which makes her a valuable asset to the crows. Nina is a complex character who is torn between her loyalty to the Grisha and her love for Matthias, a former enemy who is now a member of the gang. She is morally grey in that she is willing to engage in violent behavior to protect her friends and fellow Grisha, but she also has a sense of compassion and empathy that makes her a sympathetic character.</div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Matthias Helvar: The Wrongfully Accused</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Vi1rLdfBccAKPkRE-IiZS-E45pGa5Wh3yOMszkfBPBV_NlhkjWjAOM_hHFfzAu1S9ahnKs0b_UGWVxFRkc2-bWV6evXbwUbVfQWFAr8zZ5jCf3vDYZklJPXsqTPw1RJnBuA-LiSlXEyYp7SWQQTEyL9oISx1sLqvCI0WZQniVcxEubXBsluyTfrm/s275/download%20(25).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Vi1rLdfBccAKPkRE-IiZS-E45pGa5Wh3yOMszkfBPBV_NlhkjWjAOM_hHFfzAu1S9ahnKs0b_UGWVxFRkc2-bWV6evXbwUbVfQWFAr8zZ5jCf3vDYZklJPXsqTPw1RJnBuA-LiSlXEyYp7SWQQTEyL9oISx1sLqvCI0WZQniVcxEubXBsluyTfrm/w400-h266/download%20(25).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Matthias Helvar is a former Fjerdan soldier who joins the crows. He is a morally grey character who initially sees the crows as criminals but over time questions his own beliefs. Matthias is conflicted about his loyalty to his country and his love for Nina, and he struggles to reconcile his past actions with the person he wants to be in the future. His internal conflict makes him a sympathetic character, and his journey from antagonist to ally is one of the highlights of the series. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">5 Reasons Why Readers are Drawn to Morally Grey Characters</h2><p><b>They're more relatable.</b> Morally grey characters are more relatable than traditional heroes or villains because they have flaws and make mistakes, just like real people do. Readers can see themselves in these characters, even if they don't always agree with their actions.</p><p><b>They're more complex. </b>Morally grey characters are often more complex than traditional heroes or villains. They have motivations that are not always clear-cut, and their actions are not always black and white. This complexity makes them more interesting to read about.</p><p><b>They challenge our perceptions.</b> Morally grey characters challenge our perceptions of good and evil. They make us question what we consider to be morally right or wrong, and they force us to confront the gray areas in between.</p><p><b>They add tension to the story.</b> Morally grey characters often add tension to the story because readers are never quite sure what they're going to do next. This unpredictability keeps readers on the edge of their seats and makes the story more exciting.</p><p><b>They're more memorable.</b> Morally grey characters are often more memorable than traditional heroes or villains because they have unique personalities and motivations. Readers are more likely to remember a complex character who defies easy categorization than a one-dimensional hero or villain.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">What Should Authors Do with this Knowledge?</h2><p>If you're an author, understanding why readers love morally grey characters can help you create more compelling and memorable characters. </p><p><b>Give your characters flaws.</b> Flawed characters are more relatable and interesting than perfect characters.</p><p><b>Create complex motivations.</b> Your characters should have motivations that are not always clear-cut, and their actions should not always be black and white.</p><p><b>Challenge readers' perceptions. </b>Use your characters to challenge readers' perceptions of good and evil, and force them to confront the gray areas in between.</p><p><b>Add tension to the story. </b>Use your morally grey characters to add tension and excitement to the story.</p><p><b>Make your characters memorable.</b> Give your characters unique personalities and motivations that will make them stand out in readers' minds.</p><p>Morally grey characters like the crows from "Six of Crows" and "Crooked Kingdom" have become increasingly popular in recent years because they are more relatable, complex, and memorable than traditional heroes or villains. By understanding why readers love these characters, authors can create more compelling and memorable characters in their own work.</p>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-65040436054509659822023-04-04T11:23:00.004+05:302023-04-04T11:24:32.314+05:30#TheWritingDesk: 5 Tips on How to Avoid Writing Cookie Cutter Characters <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPH8zqNleYt4eIDas8ACe4zZmUrYFLQ9i4OeqsCwV-xLJEIUK6mt-dtenR3pc8f22uk7FXw276MZE9ifwIrYRxdndKkY_M-rODxjYhH4yhLRNUsUdLHOwMXjUNZZ6OuVe_wGcNdVJuEqLhsZ5o371CB1DDsVnbjQxbrwOxmeKuZ2AW1QVE6EV_YA5/s2240/Feelings_Aniesha%20Brahma%20(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPH8zqNleYt4eIDas8ACe4zZmUrYFLQ9i4OeqsCwV-xLJEIUK6mt-dtenR3pc8f22uk7FXw276MZE9ifwIrYRxdndKkY_M-rODxjYhH4yhLRNUsUdLHOwMXjUNZZ6OuVe_wGcNdVJuEqLhsZ5o371CB1DDsVnbjQxbrwOxmeKuZ2AW1QVE6EV_YA5/w400-h225/Feelings_Aniesha%20Brahma%20(2).png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />In my debut novel, one constant feedback I received was how Jasmine wasn’t likeable but her best friend, Meghan stood out. That’s because without really meaning to Meghan defied the role of a traditional best friend character. She wasn’t there for the sake of being there. She had agency and her absence in the story would have steered it in a very different direction.<p></p><p>As authors, we are constantly told that we need to make our characters likeable. Sometimes we confuse that for predictable and end up conjuring yet another cookie cutter character. </p><p>Definition of Cookie Cutter Characters - Characters that are one-dimensional, predictable, and lack complexity or depth. These characters are often based on stereotypes or clichés. They can feel artificial and uninteresting to readers. </p><p>For example - The reluctant hero/heroine trope has been overplayed and overused by this point. We saw it in Harry Potter (Harry Potter Series), we saw it in Katniss Everdeen (Hunger Games Series), we saw it in Elena Gilbert (The Vampire Diaries Series) and recently I personally watched it in Alina Starkov (Shadow and Bone Series). I wondered why I was feeling apathy towards her until I realised I’d seen her story being told countless times before. It couldn’t hold my interest. </p><p>I’ve been creating characters for as long as I can remember. Some of them were exactly like me, others were so far removed from me that my long term readers reached out to me and asked if I was suddenly becoming unhinged. </p><p>For example: Jasmine from The Secret Proposal was exactly like I was at twenty-one. But Diya Rai from All Signs Lead Back to You wasn’t anything like I would like to be. She is cruel and manipulative, and can do just about anything to get her way. Her belief is that the ends justify the means. While it was hard to write from the point of view of someone so steeped in mind games, it was fun, and my first real step away from cookie cutter characters. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">5 Tips on How to Avoid Writing Cookie Cutter Characters</h3><p><b>Avoid stereotypes:</b> Instead of relying on preconceived notions of what a character should be like based on their race, gender, or other traits, take the time to develop a unique and complex character with their own individual quirks and traits.</p><p><b>Give them flaws:</b> Characters who are too perfect and have no flaws can come across as unrealistic and unrelatable. By giving your characters flaws and vulnerabilities, you can create a more realistic and nuanced character.</p><p><b>Develop their backstory:</b> A character's past experiences and history can greatly impact who they are in the present. By developing a detailed backstory for your characters, you can create a more fully realised character with their own unique motivations and goals.</p><p><b>Create complex relationships:</b> Characters who only exist to serve the plot or as a foil to the protagonist can feel artificial and uninteresting. By creating complex relationships between your characters, you can add depth and complexity to their interactions.</p><p><b>Give them agency:</b> Characters who are passive and simply react to the events around them can come across as boring and unengaging. By giving your characters agency and allowing them to make their own decisions, you can create a more dynamic and interesting character.</p><div>Remember, your readers will only continue the journey they feel a connection and get invested in your characters. So make sure you offer them an incredible cast to choose from! </div>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-32589420299194871502023-03-25T00:06:00.002+05:302023-03-25T00:06:35.351+05:30Musings: "I'll Get Older, But Fictional Characters Stay My Age"<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNX7DgtMGwP1sd86wCr-POG5br48wXDnhZPm1Emq9U1eb1wfShTr5OwWlI_mqtkgkTTO10uFqyLo8Oe7Q1J4mQniHQ5ksmvPQguzektzISRN99EQDHNfM3tm9nHA73cUTIpTg4rEPVEHstNwar4qSYl7n89JtlN6EAjNlS5qWZSlzdx-dQa9FpgIMI/s2240/Feelings_Aniesha%20Brahma%20(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNX7DgtMGwP1sd86wCr-POG5br48wXDnhZPm1Emq9U1eb1wfShTr5OwWlI_mqtkgkTTO10uFqyLo8Oe7Q1J4mQniHQ5ksmvPQguzektzISRN99EQDHNfM3tm9nHA73cUTIpTg4rEPVEHstNwar4qSYl7n89JtlN6EAjNlS5qWZSlzdx-dQa9FpgIMI/w480-h270/Feelings_Aniesha%20Brahma%20(1).png" width="480" /></a></div><p>Yesterday, I came across a reel where the person in the reel reflected on how characters his age was off saving the world, and he was taking classes he wouldn’t even need in real life. Someone pointed out that the guy in the video would eventually grow up, but the ones in the book would stay frozen in their age. </p><p>How truly wild it was that we would get older, but when our children dusted off the books gathering dust in our libraries the characters, we had left behind would now be their age. </p><p>Over the years, I am guessing a lot of newly minted twelve year olds have found comfort in the redheaded Anne Shirley, and went on to grow up with her in her series. Growing up in the 90s, I was one of the kids who grew up with Harry Potter. It’s a special experience, I believe, getting to grow older with your favourite fictional characters. I am told by those who grew up with Percy Jackson, that they were thrilled they got to grow up with the characters of Camp Half-Blood. I’ve only read one of the Percy Jackson books and they were always targeted at an audience younger than I was when the books were a rage.</p><p>But this got me thinking. Even if we write series and we age up our characters along with their readers, there is going to be a time when the characters stay frozen. For example, no matter how old Akriti from Our World series is in the latest book, when someone picks up <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3TWHIR3" target="_blank">When Our Worlds Collide</a></i>, she is still going to greet them as a twenty-four year old. </p><p>When I started writing (and believe me, I started extremely young), my protagonist was always the youngest sibling. By default, I’d write older characters into my stories based on the behavior I witnessed of my older siblings. It was easier to tell the story from the point of view of someone my age because that was the age I understood the best. And as I grew up, the characters I breathed life into, grew up with me.</p><p>Jasmine Chakraborty (<i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ZmMpEQ" target="_blank">The Secret Proposal</a></i>), was written as twenty-one year old because I was twenty-one at the time. I was grappling with most of the issues she’s shown to have in the book. I guess you could say I was living vicariously through my characters. </p><p>Raashi Ghoshal (<i>Raashi Ghoshal Will Find Her Prince Charming</i>) is to-date the oldest character I’ve written and she was the same age I was when I wrote her story. This was also the time when I understood that while I wasn’t comfortable telling the story through the lens of a character whose age I hadn’t experienced – I was completely comfortable exploring the story via the lens of a character whose age I’d left behind. </p><p>Both Yoshita Ray (<i><a href="https://amzn.to/40bUX2k">An Awfully BIG Adventure</a></i>) and Mia Basu Roy (<i><a href="https://amzn.to/3naqd34" target="_blank">The Backyard Tales</a></i>) are seventeen and reckless, and believe themselves to be invincible. They’re still at the threshold of adulthood and life hasn’t had the chance to knock them down yet. It’s fun to write about reckless teenage behaviour because now, we know better. Back then, we didn’t. </p><p>I realized I haven’t written any characters exploring the third decade of life. That makes me want to ensure that the next book I write has characters in the same age group as I am. Partly because, I rarely come across stories where the characters are in their thirties. It’s always twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight. I know we’ve only just recently worked through the fact that life doesn’t end at twenty-five and we need to stop acting like it does. </p><p>Well, life doesn’t stop until you do. And I think everyone deserves to see themselves get represented in the books they read. So, if you come across books with older main characters, let me know – I’d love to read the books. Because,<i> I’ll Get Older And I’ll Meet Fictional Characters Who Are My Age…</i></p>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-13639538727627779512023-01-02T13:11:00.008+05:302023-01-02T13:13:03.570+05:30#Musings: The Art of Crafting Compelling Characters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQiuBLUkS3OkzERYXvU4hzkIGYt6sX1HEuU5ixEsyELeM45hQvd6qDRsc6MDO8lqJi41KKYRxcE21pijEUHMztbpNeph4XiZW11v0D0kr8BcjAXxbdCJI0uYmZEtbGzWhORtE5O_fAsSKnNNMGZ_Zh_VOk725Iak8psRsQT_bTVcbzdYwbrXpWcA0/s2240/Feelings_Aniesha%20Brahma.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQiuBLUkS3OkzERYXvU4hzkIGYt6sX1HEuU5ixEsyELeM45hQvd6qDRsc6MDO8lqJi41KKYRxcE21pijEUHMztbpNeph4XiZW11v0D0kr8BcjAXxbdCJI0uYmZEtbGzWhORtE5O_fAsSKnNNMGZ_Zh_VOk725Iak8psRsQT_bTVcbzdYwbrXpWcA0/w640-h360/Feelings_Aniesha%20Brahma.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Effective storytelling relies heavily on well-developed,
compelling characters. Without them, a story can fall flat and fail to connect
with readers. So, what goes into crafting a memorable character that readers
will care about and root for? Here are some tips to consider.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Identify Your Character's Goals and Motivations</span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Every character, no matter how minor, should have their own
goals and motivations. These drive their actions and decisions within the story
and help make them feel like fully-realized people rather than just
caricatures. When developing your characters, ask yourself what they want and
why they want it. Is it something simple, like wanting to be loved or accepted?
Or is it something more complex, like seeking revenge or redemption?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Create Unique Personalities and Traits</h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">In addition to their goals and motivations, your characters
should also have their own distinct personalities and traits. This helps them
stand out from one another and makes them more interesting to read about. Think
about their values, habits, and quirks, as well as how they respond to
different situations. Do they have a quick temper or a laid-back attitude? Are
they empathetic or more self-centered? These details will add depth to your
characters and make them feel more three-dimensional.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Give Them Flaws and Vulnerabilities</h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">Perfect characters can be boring to read about. Giving your
characters flaws and vulnerabilities not only makes them feel more relatable
and human, but it also allows for character growth and development. Maybe your
protagonist is overly trusting or has a tendency to procrastinate. Or perhaps
your antagonist has a deep-seated fear or insecurity that they are trying to
hide. These imperfections can create interesting conflicts and challenges for
your characters to overcome.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Consider Their Backstory</h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">While you don't necessarily have to include every detail of
a character's past in your story, it can be helpful to at least have a sense of
their history. This can inform their present-day actions and decisions, as well
as add depth to their personality and motivations. For example, a character who
experienced trauma in their childhood may have trust issues or struggle with
self-worth as an adult.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Use Physical Description Sparingly</h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">It's important to give your readers a sense of what your
characters look like, but be mindful not to get too caught up in physical
description. It's more important to focus on what makes your characters unique
and how they think and act. That being said, a few specific physical details
can be helpful in giving your readers a mental image of your characters. Just
be sure not to go overboard.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Write Consistent and Believable Dialogue</h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your characters' words and conversations should be
consistent with their personalities and backgrounds. It's also important to
make sure their dialogue sounds natural and believable. Avoid using
overly-formal or stilted language unless it's appropriate for the character or
situation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Allow for Character Growth and Development</h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">As mentioned earlier, flawed characters have the opportunity
for growth and development throughout the story. As they face challenges and
make choices, they should change and evolve in some way. This can be small,
subtle changes or more significant transformation. Either way, it's important
to show that your characters are not static, but rather complex and dynamic
individuals.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In conclusion, crafting compelling characters is an
essential element of good storytelling. By giving them goals and motivations,
unique personalities and traits, flaws and vulnerabilities, a backstory, and
the opportunity for growth and development, you can create characters that
readers will care about and remember long after they've finished your story.</p>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-85699810551049190522022-06-01T13:43:00.003+05:302022-06-01T13:47:01.011+05:30#Musings: Playlist for The Secret Proposal<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDdugOXCdw0jTRSfIaLoWcWbH2jfNT8FFzUxSf3R-tiGqSY6FcPtZfJSgShqrcJ8IaxPbtCpUvixnI0VKCyQ_4bJBb3oDTlxvlaZ2dpVUlG7CPtuVzHryo7ofX1UM1XJPWMM5btxsRp9im4nT4Fb8d_eSifx5oN2jIqMCl5Wo2WsI99J7PjaXM5zY/s1080/The%20Secret%20Proposal%20Playlist%20(5).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDdugOXCdw0jTRSfIaLoWcWbH2jfNT8FFzUxSf3R-tiGqSY6FcPtZfJSgShqrcJ8IaxPbtCpUvixnI0VKCyQ_4bJBb3oDTlxvlaZ2dpVUlG7CPtuVzHryo7ofX1UM1XJPWMM5btxsRp9im4nT4Fb8d_eSifx5oN2jIqMCl5Wo2WsI99J7PjaXM5zY/w364-h364/The%20Secret%20Proposal%20Playlist%20(5).png" width="364" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h1 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Songs to listen to while reading or re-reading The Secret Proposal</h1><div>I created a playlist with the songs I think most goes with The Secret Proposal <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/70Z1Qodl4T8k6VJZMcqF5S?si=qh2mKryxRveOxj_SKoXLmQ&utm_source=copy-link&nd=1" target="_blank">right here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I also thought it would be fun to link the YouTube videos for the same, and specifically talk about the scenes from the story that I think fit the story perfectly. But because I know there's a vast majority of people out there who don't want to get spoilers...I'll try to be as vague as possible.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first one is All Too Well (Taylor's Version). It's probably because initially the dynamic between Jasmine and Veer is truly toxic. Not to mention the age difference. It's important to note <i>I </i>was very young when I wrote the story and I was fascinated by certain romantic tropes. As I grew up, I tried to break away from the toxic tropes and started writing believable male and female characters.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="298" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BZ-rLBkUZf4" width="358" youtube-src-id="BZ-rLBkUZf4"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then on my list is Love Is All Been Done Before by Jade Bird. Again, it's the whole will-they, won't-they theme for the story that made go, "Oh, that's such a perfect song for Veer and Jasmine." You know, in the 10th anniversary edition, I was <i>really</i> tempted to break them up. (And before you come for me, let me tell you - I did not do that.) Enjoy the song though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="304" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/42XPnh4VGlI" width="366" youtube-src-id="42XPnh4VGlI"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fix Me Up by A Firm Handshake is the next one on the playlist. Mostly because I love the part where she says, "stay with me just one more moment," and he goes, "it's too late, I am afraid I have to leave." It fits perfectly with the weird dynamic our leads shared in the story.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="297" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o942DTa9hEs" width="358" youtube-src-id="o942DTa9hEs"></iframe></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is followed by a song that I recently started listening to and fell in love with. Dandelions by Ruth B. perfectly captures the feelings that Jasmine has had towards Veer since she was a teenager. Her crush develops into something more intense than she can understand. And she doesn't fully understand what she should do or how she should handle her feelings. Check out the lyrics for yourself and tell me if you don't think so too! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="304" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y7tHZ3WeJAw" width="366" youtube-src-id="y7tHZ3WeJAw"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Little Things by One Direction is another beautiful song that captures the little things the two keeping doing for each other. Whether it's getting themselves out of mind numbingly boring parties, faking engagements to get their parents' off their backs, or just giving each other a break from life. The lyrics are beautiful. And why won't they be? Ed Sheeran was one of the writers of this song.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="302" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6wBzR7zhA0g" width="363" youtube-src-id="6wBzR7zhA0g"></iframe></div><p>Speaking of Ed Sheeran - his song with Taylor Swift, <i>Everything Has Changed</i> also perfectly picks moments from Jasmine and Veer's relationship. Doesn't it?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w1oM3kQpXRo" width="320" youtube-src-id="w1oM3kQpXRo"></iframe></div><br /><p>Like every great couple, Jasmine and Veer are not without their set of challenges. What do you expect to happen when you take a twenty-five year old guy who doesn't know his own heart and a twenty one year old woman who does everything in her power to escape the real world? They'd sing <i>The Story Of Us</i>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="298" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nN6VR92V70M" width="359" youtube-src-id="nN6VR92V70M"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's face it: there were moments when Veer got on <i>my </i>nerves and I am the one who was writing the story. I still to this day don't understand what anyone (especially Jasmine) saw in Veer. But I can just imagine Jasmine belting out <i>Jar of Hearts</i> when she's super pissed with Veer and wants to end things for good with him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="294" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8v_4O44sfjM" width="354" youtube-src-id="8v_4O44sfjM"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I imagine the next song playing around the time Jasmine and Veer have the biggest misunderstanding, and it seems that our leads are going to go their separate ways. But there's a flicker of hope for them. Just a flicker.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="294" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T2urfFpDX1c" width="354" youtube-src-id="T2urfFpDX1c"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jealous Jasmine was a favourite scene to write. When she thinks she might lose Veer to his girlfriend for good. She's annoyed, but some part of her just wanted a story just like theirs. She simply wanted <i>Something Just Like This.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="295" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FM7MFYoylVs" width="355" youtube-src-id="FM7MFYoylVs"></iframe></div>To be fair, this song came out recently and my story has been around for the last ten years (in print) and twelve years (online) …but I feel this calming melody is perfect for the chapters where there's a lot of peace between all the characters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="299" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4kPUh93_hzg" width="360" youtube-src-id="4kPUh93_hzg"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Message in a Bottle</i> is a happy song. Probably imagine this playing in the last chapter, when everything is resolved and the credits for the movie are rolling. No?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="287" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cVaG6adE2mA" width="345" youtube-src-id="cVaG6adE2mA"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This one is obvious. Jasmine has this as her ringtone through the book. Also, remember this story was set in 2010-2011. This was before WhatsApp took over our lives and everyone made videos of everything, and before <i>reels</i> was such a huge part of social media.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gte3BoXKwP0" width="338" youtube-src-id="gte3BoXKwP0"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Veer doesn't understand or is oblivious initially to how much Jasmine is in love with him, at the beginning of the book. It exhausts her to constantly pretend that she's not in love with him. And she becomes unnecessarily mean and rude towards him. But I can just picture her singing <i>Bubbly </i>in her head, all of the time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AWGqoCNbsvM" width="339" youtube-src-id="AWGqoCNbsvM"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And finally, how can we forget that there's always a <i>Moral of the Story</i>?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="285" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VLRVasfC_gc" width="343" youtube-src-id="VLRVasfC_gc"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you have read <i>The Secret Proposal</i>, let me know which song you think fit a scene/the couple perfectly...and it might just get added to the official playlist on Spotify.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post. Let me know if you would like playlists for my other books as well. Plus, which one should I start with? </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><i><br /></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><div><br /></div><br /><p></p>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-32491179191488164242022-01-16T17:07:00.004+05:302022-01-17T12:38:47.815+05:30#Musings: How to Avoid Catching Feelings Like a PRO<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh57hKd7iruRkAeM-r2G2zBqajCrQ3NBlQFfIE0Ja0LdRIABCXtOgvs7Zy2CpcF1LSMhA3_P8twtC61M0-TXBsR946SqF5peANFrTFkdTO_HCX8r2VpRwcecI0GHQoRJSRJso_k_3bdqb0BodfIa-hnmYMPgMdv-GiLC87rRW6XbPloFLh58MqH2zGp=s2240" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh57hKd7iruRkAeM-r2G2zBqajCrQ3NBlQFfIE0Ja0LdRIABCXtOgvs7Zy2CpcF1LSMhA3_P8twtC61M0-TXBsR946SqF5peANFrTFkdTO_HCX8r2VpRwcecI0GHQoRJSRJso_k_3bdqb0BodfIa-hnmYMPgMdv-GiLC87rRW6XbPloFLh58MqH2zGp=w640-h360" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Love takes hostages.”</span></i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Neil Gaiman, The Kindly Ones</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-32963ae4-7fff-a761-0920-36a6740e9e2e"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think about this phrase often. In fact, if you are familiar with Neil Gaiman, you’d think about what he has to say about love in this context a lot too. The whole paragraph that he spews about love is something that has been playing and re-playing in my mind quite often this past week. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>“Have you ever been in love? Horrible, isn't it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest and it opens up your heart and it means that someone can get inside you and mess you up. You build up all these defenses. You build up this whole armor, for years, so nothing can hurt you, then one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life… You give them a piece of you. They don't ask for it. They do something dumb one day like kiss you, or smile at you, and then your life isn't your own anymore. Love takes hostages. It gets inside you. It eats you out and leaves you crying in the darkness, so a simple phrase like "maybe we should just be friends" or "how very perceptive" turns into a glass splinter working its way into your heart. It hurts. Not just in the imagination. Not just in the mind. It's a soul-hurt, a body-hurt, a real gets-inside-you-and-rips-you-apart pain. Nothing should be able to do that. Especially not love. I hate love.”</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">― Neil Gaiman, The Kindly Ones</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I belong to a generation caught between throwing flashy weddings and running away from their feelings at the drop of a hat. We love being able to stay one step ahead of the other person in the equation between us. It doesn’t matter if we have feelings for them or not. It only matters that we never let it escalate to a point that it hurts us. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Neil Gaiman is right when he says love makes you vulnerable. But have you seen us? Glued to our phones, swiping right, in the hopes of finding the one. For us, even hinting to the other person that we might just like them a little more than just friends is equal to being vulnerable. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why do we play the games we play? Why do we always ensure that our hearts are wrapped behind in layers of denial and generous helpings of one-uppings? Why is it so difficult for us to just come outright and tell someone that you just might have feelings for them? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instead, we hide behind terms like “no strings attached” and “friends with benefits”, all the while being casually cruel both to ourselves and the person in question. Whatever happened to putting in the effort, being honest, and figuring out whether you make sense together or you don’t? Whatever happened to looking forward to a future that has you both in it? (Disclaimer: happy futures don’t necessarily mean ending getting married.) </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sometimes, all you need is someone to lean on. But we refuse to be there because we are so deathly afraid of our tomorrow. Because tomorrow would bring a whole set of questions and none of us would have the answers to. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">During the afternoon when I look out of my window and watch the world pass me by, I wonder if we all get the fairytales we grew up listening to. Is there really someone out there desperately looking for me - the way I’ve been looking for them too. In every face I encounter, in every soul I meet, and every person who touches my life. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While I’ve never felt the explosive kind of love that we grow up reading about, I’ve met those who definitely stroked the embers of passion. I’ve never stayed long enough to stroke the flames and see how far they rise. I’ve grown so obsessed with never getting hurt again…I’ve built a shield around my heart. As have many of the people I know. We catch feelings that we squash oh-so-easily. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because sometimes all you get are people who would have made a beautiful chapter in the story of your life, but they choose to be the scribbles on the last page of your notebook. Sometimes you meet people you could have caught feelings for and probably found peace with. But you decided to deliberately ignore those feelings, put them in a box in your head, and never tamper with them again. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You think you’ve won in the game of not catching feelings. Someday, the last page of your notebook will run out of space. You’d be left with just your victory. And the painful pride of not bowing down to your feelings. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here’s the real question though: are you happy now? </span></p></span></span></div>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-82830783539049047012021-12-28T13:59:00.002+05:302021-12-28T14:00:53.549+05:30#BookReview: 3 Short Stories by Sarika Patkotwar <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9Wmi7tb7wXkOhrESWzP9s75aYuSiHEaxSoVNfP3rBP9hb5Nj00zfNjNbp8j3W0F000mjV5LU2OnGa06qHN-kTeAWscfQgCI3SfE-TJowNK9VLDpe3A3ID12Xq6g-NpSg7KYGImFYAfMWg0SptQUKMnyH2CRaJAj_I5rLevTMFGJWrklWLJp8dSTzF=s560" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9Wmi7tb7wXkOhrESWzP9s75aYuSiHEaxSoVNfP3rBP9hb5Nj00zfNjNbp8j3W0F000mjV5LU2OnGa06qHN-kTeAWscfQgCI3SfE-TJowNK9VLDpe3A3ID12Xq6g-NpSg7KYGImFYAfMWg0SptQUKMnyH2CRaJAj_I5rLevTMFGJWrklWLJp8dSTzF=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><a class="a-size-large a-link-normal" href="https://www.amazon.in/Sarika-Patkotwar/e/B09FHT8J4L/ref=aufs_dp_mata_dsk" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; text-decoration-line: none; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Sarika Patkotwar</a><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></h2><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Born, raised and living in Pune since 1992, Sarika is, first and foremost, an avid reader. Her passion for reading led to the creation of The Readdicts Book Blog in 2012 (@thereaddicts on Instagram), where she reviews and promotes books. She is extremely fond of dogs and spends a major part of her day around wagging tails and wet noses which she posts about on @pawstruckfurever on Instagram. She truly believes that dogs are magical beings who make the world a better place by simply being a part of it. Having pursued her Master’s in French literature, she has been teaching the language, which she refers to as her first love, for the past six years and loves every second of it. Always brushing it aside as something not made for her, she has decided to try her hand at writing, inspired by Albert Camus. She hopes readers find in her writing the same feeling of belonging and comfort that she finds in books.</span></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">The Reviews</h2><p>I read all of Sarika's short stories this afternoon. And rather than put off reviewing the books, I decided to review them while I read them - while they are fresh in my mind. Below are my reviews for each of the books. I've linked the books to Amazon Kindle, where they are available at a reasonable price. </p><h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Just Another Day</span></span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirXIBSp9CA8HOzVzeDDzPEqkZ3G-97SQqcdStl_nZtxzMCpyJ1Xd4agUulWd5To0W230iri3crxHSDjT3t_6L3VfXoMPVSU-6D3aqLAvwgDHHtcokTa8-fE6EKusAJikClp87gRrKOuHmPBC9CfUW4HNbCF1Vhu2T8pQ8asHZDrLJHvpJh7R7Lae5u=s1500" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="1500" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirXIBSp9CA8HOzVzeDDzPEqkZ3G-97SQqcdStl_nZtxzMCpyJ1Xd4agUulWd5To0W230iri3crxHSDjT3t_6L3VfXoMPVSU-6D3aqLAvwgDHHtcokTa8-fE6EKusAJikClp87gRrKOuHmPBC9CfUW4HNbCF1Vhu2T8pQ8asHZDrLJHvpJh7R7Lae5u=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I just finished reading Sarika’s short story, </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just Another Day</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and honestly? I’m still sniffling. I am all too familiar with the loss of a beloved pet. Sarika’s simple but beautiful language makes the feeling of both hopelessness and hopefulness resonate with the reader. You go from feeling Tisha’s pain to watching her heart heal just a little bit by the end of the book. Life works in mysterious ways. And Sarika’s story proves it. If you have just lost a beloved pet, let this story be the much-needed pick-me-up that you desperately need. In no way can we say that the pets we’ve lost can be replaced…but I do know they’re happier watching over us from across the rainbow and wagging their tails or kneading biscuits in appreciation for the owners they’d once saved from their darkest thoughts. I hope you write more stories Sarika. This was a delight to read. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3z5YrXF" target="_blank">BUY YOUR COPY HERE</a></span></p><h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></h2><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is It Over Yet? </span></span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDWBzYHqjO7Gh74wuR0TzXfG2M-4JvgQDiE8Ne1OnIVzdPBZzsJhq1uFtIBb0YjPH-sIxE8aR45PcOkafjlOzZB-V_0-NuKyOKy-a7kMgs34tPBl2m-IC9qQ8CEhw_RvMwXuC1mV3BYY85F4C7bF1KMrhmZCKaAqZY5F37qB3V25b_WUM6iGc496Nm=s1500" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="1500" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDWBzYHqjO7Gh74wuR0TzXfG2M-4JvgQDiE8Ne1OnIVzdPBZzsJhq1uFtIBb0YjPH-sIxE8aR45PcOkafjlOzZB-V_0-NuKyOKy-a7kMgs34tPBl2m-IC9qQ8CEhw_RvMwXuC1mV3BYY85F4C7bF1KMrhmZCKaAqZY5F37qB3V25b_WUM6iGc496Nm=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m going to be honest. If I’d read this story before June 2018, I would have probably not been able to understand it one bit. But having lived alone for the greater part of three years now…I can relate to Darshit. And I’m quite surprised that Sarika (someone I’ve always considered to be social…then again, we’ve only interacted with our pets around and met literally once in our lives), feels the way her main character feels. There’s nothing wrong with feeling however you want to feel. Some of us live for the weekends. Others, want it to end as soon as possible. Darshit belongs to the latter. Sarika’s narrative has once again left me in awe of her writing, and wondering why she decided to keep her talents away from us for the greater part of the years I’ve known her (we’re heading off to the 7th year, I believe). I hope Sarika writes more and next year, finds the courage to attempt a novella…I would love to see a world where Tisha and Darshit collide. (Here’s an idea for you ;))</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3HgnKZU" target="_blank">BUY YOUR COPY HERE</a></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Emily’s Christmas </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqQTszidqOMQeGyIEVjjBdy9EThoIhuQ9TvEG9EArfYq5Fw9ehRqzszK6OVHiBvNA3QYHvhGWqUsUPswGIDpkleRL6otTdpEKuKC6Rt9BWyt89WRYJvpsLRkxiM6sZPkWkHREDJTI-VmtCFJm_qbp8wv1G9LqrVPr1jZvK_uy1SWtfVYvg6JN-TcyI=s1500" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="1500" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqQTszidqOMQeGyIEVjjBdy9EThoIhuQ9TvEG9EArfYq5Fw9ehRqzszK6OVHiBvNA3QYHvhGWqUsUPswGIDpkleRL6otTdpEKuKC6Rt9BWyt89WRYJvpsLRkxiM6sZPkWkHREDJTI-VmtCFJm_qbp8wv1G9LqrVPr1jZvK_uy1SWtfVYvg6JN-TcyI=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A bittersweet short story, Emily’s Christmas, is bound to leave your heart aching with both love and sorrow. Once again, Sarika does a brilliant job of telling you an ordinary story with extraordinarily simple words. Emily reminds most people of their childhood, of course. She wants to be a part of everything. You don’t know what the beautiful and heartbreaking twist is until the very last page. Kudos to Sarika for making sure her readers are always at the edge of their seats. It was a beautiful short story to read, and ties in perfectly with the themes of Christmas, and now I am hoping Sarika has lined up one story every month for us to consume! I am still in awe of how beautiful scenes can be painted without using difficult words. I hope you consider writing more and more stories in the future, Sarika. </span></span></p><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/342Ykk5" target="_blank">BUY YOUR COPY HERE</a></span></span></p>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-42629183793187462272021-12-08T13:50:00.007+05:302021-12-08T13:59:14.924+05:30#Musings: Tropes in Literature (with Examples)<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhK7cqorMdTnFNnJYDkwyah-6Mglub3d0lIwKVoEj3Pv3e6wI62gZsobQH3Hmlkaou0B4P0szcJtYVuxr9t9XHiVX6_i7TrJamivE0aNzUAM-ft9-KJ4vF3DvIwYa6Cq1S6YJz8wt2jVqXibKxsdDCAkQ6QrNmOVXQsmZy7Iv_Ltppo3_7-K-0b9x-u=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhK7cqorMdTnFNnJYDkwyah-6Mglub3d0lIwKVoEj3Pv3e6wI62gZsobQH3Hmlkaou0B4P0szcJtYVuxr9t9XHiVX6_i7TrJamivE0aNzUAM-ft9-KJ4vF3DvIwYa6Cq1S6YJz8wt2jVqXibKxsdDCAkQ6QrNmOVXQsmZy7Iv_Ltppo3_7-K-0b9x-u=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div></span></h2><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">The textbook definition of trope refers to an overused situation or plot in fiction. Now, using tropes is in no way wrong. In fact, some people prefer reading fiction around their favourite tropes. The trick is to write it in such a way that it doesn’t seem like it’s being forced. Nor does it feel like it’s the same story just with different characters. That being said, I thought today we could pick some of our favourite books based on their tropes.</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-e437677e-7fff-7173-748d-79bfbe6ae137"><h1 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 20pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>Enemies to Lovers </span></span></h1><h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 20pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">The first book that comes to mind when I think of this trope is, of course, <a href="https://amzn.to/3pAU5n0" target="_blank">Pride & Prejudice</a>. Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy were in fact enemies before they realized their feelings for each other. </span></h2></span><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>In more recent years, we have <a href="https://amzn.to/31AK9S1" target="_blank">The D.U.F.F</a>. as one of our prime examples. Because let’s face it Wesley and Bianca were not exactly friends. And despite all of their hookups, Bianca did hate Wes’ guts. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><br /></span></span></p></span><span><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>And when we are talking about enemies to lovers trope, who can forget the two books that bookstagram has been obsessing over: i. <a href="https://amzn.to/3IsZt41" target="_blank">Red, White & Royal Blue</a> and ii. <a href="https://amzn.to/3y4X7Ug" target="_blank">The Cruel Prince</a> (well, the whole of The Folk of Air Series). </span></span></p><h1 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 20pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>Fake Dating </span></span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>One of the most popular and the most cliched tropes is of course fake dating. For some reason, it has gained popularity over the years. The biggest example of this is of course <a href="https://amzn.to/3EDEmK1" target="_blank">To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before</a>. It went on to become a Netflix movie as did its sequels. </span></span></p><span><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>Alex Light’s <a href="https://amzn.to/3rMI00K" target="_blank">The Upside of Falling</a> has made waves as a groundbreaking book in the same area of people pretending to only date each other.</span></span></p><span><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>A little closer to home, <a href="https://amzn.to/3Dzllam" target="_blank">The Secret Proposal</a>, has the same themes of fake dating and being fake engaged. </span></span></p><h1 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 20pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>Sibling’s Best Friend / Best Friend’s Siblings </span></span></h1><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><a href="https://amzn.to/3pwLema" target="_blank">The Kissing Booth</a> relied heavily on the whole best friend’s brother trope. My second novel, <a href="https://amzn.to/3owMI0v" target="_blank">The Guitar Girl</a>, relied on the brother's best friend. But as you are going through the article - I am sure you are able to identify tropes of your own. Books that you’ve loved and sworn are different also seem to be fitting into one formula or another, isn’t it? </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><h1 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>Friends to Lovers </span></span></h1><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>This is one of the most common tropes seen in books. People have been friends forever or they become friends, and eventually fall in love with each other. Case in point: <a href="https://amzn.to/3oxuwnf" target="_blank">The Mediator Series</a> by Meg Cabot, or even <a href="https://www.amazon.in/Princess-Diaries-Box-Set-Books/dp/B01N5WURFG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3CJD9FUZ43FE8&keywords=the+princess+diaries&qid=1638951075&s=books&sprefix=the+princess+di%2Cstripbooks%2C357&sr=1-1" target="_blank">The Princess Diaries</a> by Meg Cabot. Both have been pretty amazing series in my opinion. </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><br /></span></span></p></span></span><span><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course, the list of tropes isn’t exhaustive. In this article, I tried to explore the ones that are found more commonly. If you can think of any tropes that you constantly encounter, let’s talk about it in the comments! </span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-36300460371978491182021-11-29T14:47:00.003+05:302021-11-29T14:47:58.346+05:30#Musings: Which Aniesha Brahma Novel Should You Read Based On Your Poison<br /><br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4maq1BvzbU2w_RQXSKxe0rw3an1vkujJR0Ky0KHFGXMniOZuVu43FJkU9Pyc_LR8mhAjFBCl4XD2j0IhwaKq97jkFAc42DtrTzFI-SpLEYUvbBS1hGF-dn083vSEmah9lkEZ16DTOSA/s2048/Based+On+Your+Poison_Aniesha+Brahma.png"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4maq1BvzbU2w_RQXSKxe0rw3an1vkujJR0Ky0KHFGXMniOZuVu43FJkU9Pyc_LR8mhAjFBCl4XD2j0IhwaKq97jkFAc42DtrTzFI-SpLEYUvbBS1hGF-dn083vSEmah9lkEZ16DTOSA/w640-h360/Based+On+Your+Poison_Aniesha+Brahma.png" /></a><br /><br />It’s no secret that I was only six when I decided that I wanted to become an author. Instead of telling me to chase a realistic dream, my family encouraged me to chase that dream, and eventually, I did turn it into a reality. It’s been almost nine years since I came into the publishing world. And over the course of that time, I’ve penned over 13+ books (and I’m planning to publish so many more). Now, I realized when people come across my books or my social media profile, they don’t know where to begin from. In order to make it easier on them, I decided to write a bookish guide for you - based on your choice of poison. Buckle up, pour our favourite drink, and let’s get started. <br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">The Secret Proposal - Hot Chocolate</h2><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG4vy3Kb1BiZK6fNJR7lQQdgLViw70opM1jsJM-MWLiRddXtMM6xzJDgUQh9Kz15SXqULZusSHzxueTAmfXkCt2vOQzAzardPSYVSKLEutacnDncDY-57PtB-ZW6BCGc-mdprtYPJtxU/s2048/pexels-fallon-michael-3551717.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG4vy3Kb1BiZK6fNJR7lQQdgLViw70opM1jsJM-MWLiRddXtMM6xzJDgUQh9Kz15SXqULZusSHzxueTAmfXkCt2vOQzAzardPSYVSKLEutacnDncDY-57PtB-ZW6BCGc-mdprtYPJtxU/s320/pexels-fallon-michael-3551717.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />If you are a fan of Hot Chocolate, then my debut novel,<a href="https://amzn.to/3reQJII"> The Secret Proposal</a>, is the perfect read for you. While the characters are in their early to late twenties, I was just turning twenty. It’s a saccharine-sweet romance and pushes the boundaries on will-they won’t-they. Over the years I’ve discovered teens and young adults are fans of this book. Even today, I get queries in my messages asking me what happened to Veer and Jasmine. <br /><br /><br />I did give in and continued the story in <a href="https://amzn.to/3ljuwpc">Princes & Promises</a>, a long short story set in the same universe. The sequel, <a href="https://amzn.to/3lhrdPd">Hook, Line and Sinker</a>, also takes their story forward and gives it a fitting ending. Whether this series will continue to tell Veer and Jasmine’s story, time will tell. But, if you are invested and want to know about this universe - do sign up for <a href="https://forms.gle/zNATCCni3QJcmcM89">The Secret Proposal Universe Newsletter.</a> <br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">The Guitar Girl - Hazelnut Latte</h2><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W0HVTTcICS-Ng5bdsLmAtcJYByOs-zjcUettCT90LuFpOyR3PRUHZwhHM37hIfEr7aVbXxchNFBVvdKpi7Mgkcce6WhowQ7tTNYbxZ2JFDA2_MnX65h6W7WEnlcU9ucKyTm5mh4N8Uc/s2048/pexels-adrian-vocalan-8736379.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W0HVTTcICS-Ng5bdsLmAtcJYByOs-zjcUettCT90LuFpOyR3PRUHZwhHM37hIfEr7aVbXxchNFBVvdKpi7Mgkcce6WhowQ7tTNYbxZ2JFDA2_MnX65h6W7WEnlcU9ucKyTm5mh4N8Uc/s320/pexels-adrian-vocalan-8736379.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/@adrian-vocalan-80196520?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels">Adrian Vocalan</a> from <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-a-cup-of-cappuccino-on-a-wooden-tray-8736379/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels">Pexels</a></div><br />Rhea Shah refused to leave my mind even as I struggled to find her story home with publishers. This was my first journey into Kindle Direct Publishing. I knew nothing about formatting. Nothing about proofreading and editing books on your own. All I knew was I had a story to tell, and wanted the world to hear it. In hindsight, it wasn’t the brightest idea I’d ever had. Anyway. If you’re a fan of the Hazelnut Latte, <a href="https://amzn.to/316DdvG">The Guitar Girl</a> is the perfect match for you. Cute and fuzzy, with the brother’s best friend trope playing out well through the story, this is a perfect little read during a cozy winter afternoon. <br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">When Our Worlds Collide - Masala Chai</h2><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94LRZZCRZpOMNQRyJmJFEIJpvUyN6CphGl4QxWLqdiB_4GIGuVdIKhZRCIWqfuHDOO4wKVRs-UmlIVjYYn9gEOLRIRWCubtDliSXKWEc6KK5c89hgsmtdRvKagROTbS-btQBblpbuO70/s2048/pexels-charlotte-may-5947062.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94LRZZCRZpOMNQRyJmJFEIJpvUyN6CphGl4QxWLqdiB_4GIGuVdIKhZRCIWqfuHDOO4wKVRs-UmlIVjYYn9gEOLRIRWCubtDliSXKWEc6KK5c89hgsmtdRvKagROTbS-btQBblpbuO70/s320/pexels-charlotte-may-5947062.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/@charlotte-may?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels">Charlotte May</a> from <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/ceramic-cup-of-chai-tea-with-cinnamon-and-star-anise-on-linen-fabric-5947062/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels">Pexels</a></div><br />What’s life without a little bit of spice to it? If you’re looking to read a story about an ambitious young entrepreneur and her little moral dilemma of liking someone who’s already in a relationship - <a href="https://amzn.to/3lgWyBC">this book</a> is for you. Akriti and Zayn would be ideal companions as you rest in the evening with a cup of masala chai. Their spicy banter is everything you need after a long day at work!<br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">An Awfully BIG Adventure - Lemon Iced Tea</h2><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29iEkRnFLk_1FLHP5v6kPigha0mfCezg4BFmYBh_Xnfb7oI-1m6Hvdb_bmqRLzCSkoRJAGoR_0jJvtPgXyDtXprhMRywSAHkzfRhyrN7Pct4tdz1RzJHv3TRp8B7_Bkul2BsEwQTiqi8/s1920/pexels-barbara-webb-792613.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29iEkRnFLk_1FLHP5v6kPigha0mfCezg4BFmYBh_Xnfb7oI-1m6Hvdb_bmqRLzCSkoRJAGoR_0jJvtPgXyDtXprhMRywSAHkzfRhyrN7Pct4tdz1RzJHv3TRp8B7_Bkul2BsEwQTiqi8/s320/pexels-barbara-webb-792613.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/@texasgal51?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels">Barbara Webb</a> from <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/lemon-iced-tea-with-lemon-fruits-792613/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels">Pexels</a></div><br /><br />Looking for an early morning binge read while you sip on your lemon iced tea, and look out into the world from the windows of a quaint cafe? Look no further. <a href="https://amzn.to/3I66mZ8">An Awfully BIG Adventure</a> (heavily inspired by the fairy tales I read growing up) will take you on a magic carpet ride of a lifetime. Stepsiblings Yoshita and Tanay have nothing in common except being a blended family. They are forced to put aside their differences and have each other’s backs when things go awry during their little magical adventure. It’s a quick read, I’ll admit. But it’ll leave you feeling happy and wanting to know what happens next! <br /><br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">All Signs Lead Back to You - Wine</h2><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8A10BCA4lF_3zXoisV5jKpUpcRxRPNIeTORekgH5yhfrOw1WlQaJMiaKo_HhMFHZfh4rtco2shk_DJOAIltz9LSZ52QpEJTjl1Vq5-wOOzPg93Mie9SMHFh12RzbCkXw5KZNrIz53faw/s2048/pexels-pixabay-248413.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8A10BCA4lF_3zXoisV5jKpUpcRxRPNIeTORekgH5yhfrOw1WlQaJMiaKo_HhMFHZfh4rtco2shk_DJOAIltz9LSZ52QpEJTjl1Vq5-wOOzPg93Mie9SMHFh12RzbCkXw5KZNrIz53faw/s320/pexels-pixabay-248413.jpg" /></a></div><br />Growing up is hard to do. But it’s even harder when you are convinced your friends will not be around when you’re going through the toughest times of your life. <a href="https://amzn.to/3xxHUL0">All Signs Lead Back to You</a> is the novella that you need to curl up with your choice of red or white wine - because that’s the most grownup thing I can think of drinking - post-dinner. Diya and Ashwin are going to take you on the rollercoaster ride of your dreams. I promise you, the story will leave you questioning if first love really does deserve a second chance.<br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">When Our Worlds Meet Again - Cosmopolitan</h2><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfL534h-dB6ZM_gEyYff8hTuzPf4p6hT6YPUY_gnRB0teLZA6UTR6RB0aBsAeQw28dM6vnAbNntwC-lIOsEoq6R6748dYhGHtfS58OnYEh-8KZTo6B5HYaya8hrH0hHetjPlTOiEQDdu0/s1707/pexels-naae-botanicals-10309046.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfL534h-dB6ZM_gEyYff8hTuzPf4p6hT6YPUY_gnRB0teLZA6UTR6RB0aBsAeQw28dM6vnAbNntwC-lIOsEoq6R6748dYhGHtfS58OnYEh-8KZTo6B5HYaya8hrH0hHetjPlTOiEQDdu0/s320/pexels-naae-botanicals-10309046.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/@naae-botanicals-15863863?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels">Naae Botanicals</a> from <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/red-cocktail-with-lime-10309046/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels">Pexels</a></div><br /><br />If we have to meet Akriti and Zayn, two years after the events of When Our Worlds Collide, in this <a href="https://amzn.to/3rmDntV">book</a>, then the best thing to pair that story with is a Cosmopolitan. Because it will be bittersweet to meet these characters again. Things have changed. Feelings, not so much. Your afternoon lunch should be with these amazing characters, and of course, a glass or two of Cosmo. <br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">The Backyard Tales - Mojito</h2><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52toRs984pDJKZV_4M9hIF1ZuphKGz9HpSEq6ImbRY4U0-bKExF4sl3zG2bzpJ0YPBjGlLS3Gdbb08KBgVcMMqn5ZdHjNzAgBrgHtiVCY3Ytnn8gobvNu1T5l-kysO8YC5-SJ9g2DHhM/s2048/pexels-taryn-elliott-4457153.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52toRs984pDJKZV_4M9hIF1ZuphKGz9HpSEq6ImbRY4U0-bKExF4sl3zG2bzpJ0YPBjGlLS3Gdbb08KBgVcMMqn5ZdHjNzAgBrgHtiVCY3Ytnn8gobvNu1T5l-kysO8YC5-SJ9g2DHhM/s320/pexels-taryn-elliott-4457153.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/@taryn-elliott?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels">Taryn Elliott</a> from <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/green-lemon-fruit-beside-clear-glass-jar-4457153/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels">Pexels</a></div><br />Who wouldn’t want a minty refreshing break, curl up with a story that promises action-adventure, spunky heroines, and talking cats! We all know the world would be a better place if cats could talk. So, here’s the thing: grab your Mojito, get yourself a copy of <a href="https://amzn.to/3cYgm8d">The Backyard Tales</a>, and just chill out over the weekend enjoying this fast-paced story about a young girl who’s the champion for street cats, especially her own cat, Pippo, all the while fighting a force bigger than them all and uncovering a secret that was buried deep in the past. <br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Raashi Ghoshal Will Find Her Prince Charming - Long Island Iced Tea</h2><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSoRmRF3yvJnVjePIVoztAT0_CYS8bJ2dQ6dP7UtwnD2zVDwkOjnpc91-hVcteDVC7JNEZwxanBqHOwkckwxa8kZ-EQUNl0CwP67E_Ja0kqrMwmYFGm3wcSICptRN7NoqA4DNc-ynjxI/s700/longislandicedtea_social_1.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSoRmRF3yvJnVjePIVoztAT0_CYS8bJ2dQ6dP7UtwnD2zVDwkOjnpc91-hVcteDVC7JNEZwxanBqHOwkckwxa8kZ-EQUNl0CwP67E_Ja0kqrMwmYFGm3wcSICptRN7NoqA4DNc-ynjxI/s320/longislandicedtea_social_1.jpg" /></a></div><br />Bored at work? Order up some Long Island Iced Tea (ensure the smell is masked though) and grab your copy of this wild New Adult dramedy - <a href="https://amzn.to/3lgZY7q">Raashi Ghoshal Will Find Her Prince Charming</a>. Just as the cocktail is supposed to give you the illusion of having iced tea while you’re really sipping alcohol - the story of Raashi Ghoshal is almost the same way. A woman in her late twenties has moved out of her hometown and comfort zone, only to find out she’s not at all as put together as she had once believed herself to be. Obsessed with finding Prince Charming and convinced all of life’s problems go away once you find love - Raashi will take you on a hilarious little reality check called life. It’s a good book to read when you’re hanging out by yourself at the bar, waiting for your ever-late friends to arrive.<br /><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3I4u9Z4">These are the 8 novels that I’ve written and published since 2012</a>. I have got a few more up my sleeve, and you guys should really come to check out part two in a few months. If you’ve read my books - which do you like? And which drink do you think pairs the best with my novels? Tell me in the comments.<br />Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-49298360441645934672021-10-29T11:49:00.000+05:302021-10-29T11:49:01.103+05:305 Compelling Reasons to Take Part in NaNoWriMo in November 2021 <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcbG71BAkXn-YEZT0TRSuj2u1w-dK99Nu9PoDhLlfzcel_j6iz5VbzP0PQIzT8iDJh18_AsLCHMYkb1XVi486hqv9O0owN7T8dUdEZez7UhgUySAylLWYq22xqm876CrmLyVfW_KmSng/s560/5+Compelling+Reasons+to+Take+Part+in+NaNoWriMo+in+November+2021+.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcbG71BAkXn-YEZT0TRSuj2u1w-dK99Nu9PoDhLlfzcel_j6iz5VbzP0PQIzT8iDJh18_AsLCHMYkb1XVi486hqv9O0owN7T8dUdEZez7UhgUySAylLWYq22xqm876CrmLyVfW_KmSng/s16000/5+Compelling+Reasons+to+Take+Part+in+NaNoWriMo+in+November+2021+.png" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">While <a href="https://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> has been around for quite some time now, I only heard of it during my second or final year in college. I had always loved writing and since the tender age of six, I knew that’s what I wanted to do with my life. But it wasn’t until I discovered NaNoWriMo and FictionPress, I actually did something about it. </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f031e146-7fff-9fd1-328d-65fc49ab09b6"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WattPad was still the rage back then as it is today. In fact, I watched WattPad grow in front of my eyes to be fair. But somehow it never really worked for me. I always found more readers on FictionPress and since the stories were episodic in nature, that’s where I first began writing what would later become my debut novel – </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Secret Proposal.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But I digress from what I’d set out to tell you, that is NaNoWriMo is around the corner and if you plan on becoming an author – maybe you should consider being a part of it. For those of you who don’t know what that is – it’s National Novel Writing Month. The aim is to write 50,000 words in a span of 30 days. The word count for each day is 1,667 – which if you think about it, is pretty doable. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Besides, we always get encouraging emails from authors giving you pep talks throughout the month. And once it was Lemony </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Freaking </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Snicket who’d written us, mere mortals! So, why should you take part in NaNoWriMo you ask? </span></p><h2 style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You Will Finally Have a Finished Manuscript </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Neil Gaiman was right when he said writers have a peculiar job. It’s always them versus a blank page. But the good thing about NaNoWriMo is that it’s your first draft. It’s a little less about being perfect and a little more about having a finished manuscript. Because as the wise say, you can edit the first draft. You can’t edit a blank page. </span></p><h2 style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Writing Won’t Feel as Isolating as It Is </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everyone knows how lonely writing can be. We do need solitude if we want to do justice to the worlds that we are building. But the good thing about NaNoWriMo is that you will have company. You can be part of groups that meet up and just sit and write together. In fact, I believe 22 November is the night of writing dangerously where a lot of people gather together to pull through. I’m not entirely sure about that. We’ll have to cross-check it. </span></p><h2 style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You Will Become More Protective of Your Writing Time </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For some reason, everyone seems to think writing time can be skipped. I hate to break it to you – but no, it can’t. NaNoWriMo keeps you accountable. You miss one day of writing and you’ll see how far behind that can fall. You will feel less guilty about cancelling plans to sit and write because it’s a commitment you’ve made and you will have to honour that commitment. </span></p><h2 style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’ll Find Both Inspiration & Motivation </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the biggest things that hold most writers back is the lack of inspiration and motivation. But NaNoWriMo gives you both. You’ll start looking forward to the time you’ve set aside for NaNoWriMo every day. You would probably have developed your writing ritual by the 10</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> day. Trust me. Writing shouldn’t be hard. It’s something writers are passionate about…which brings me to my last point. </span></p><h2 style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’ll Have a Lot of Fun </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All of us chose to become writers because we’ve always had fun creating characters, telling their stories, and building worlds out of thin air. Once you fall into a writing schedule, you’ll see how much fun it is to give yourself a goal and work towards achieving it. Even if you don’t win NaNoWriMo – you’ll still have made some progress towards your new writing project. That itself feels so good. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, what are you waiting for?<a href="https://nanowrimo.org/sign-up" target="_blank"> Sign up for NaNoWriMo 2021 today!</a> I promise you, you will thank me in the end. </span></p><br /><br /><br /></span>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-71614961352163994392021-09-08T00:30:00.001+05:302021-09-08T00:31:43.744+05:30Modern Dating Be Like, the Podcast ft. Aashna Iyer<h3 style="text-align: left;">Dating is hard. Especially in these modern times. And, as a twenty-something and a thirty-something, Aashna and I had a lot to say about the dating world. </h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEhn9N5uHeuK1lI7H2lGoA1v5obQpjh9PCJsVBnXTlE0wcWCuCoF0R7IXAt9BTFATmD6JsPfpxNaV393SKwQEYJ5vTlGwbn8R3DZ-XQwSuIDwyVm2-mK-t_mDqgpfVAEo918lhcRHZr8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEhn9N5uHeuK1lI7H2lGoA1v5obQpjh9PCJsVBnXTlE0wcWCuCoF0R7IXAt9BTFATmD6JsPfpxNaV393SKwQEYJ5vTlGwbn8R3DZ-XQwSuIDwyVm2-mK-t_mDqgpfVAEo918lhcRHZr8/" width="1" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TAvOFEKLnD__InnMN-AsbpodGI9fYhLEzxLL8EfhbNDvu5_R4HJo8cJ48vugQMfyRZT1tUb2s0E57nHZmW6DUVjWfwaKVltLkjTW348RuqvKRKz3fryWNAmd2wyAPZSFLOfMYiKryQQ/s2048/Modern+Dating+Blog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TAvOFEKLnD__InnMN-AsbpodGI9fYhLEzxLL8EfhbNDvu5_R4HJo8cJ48vugQMfyRZT1tUb2s0E57nHZmW6DUVjWfwaKVltLkjTW348RuqvKRKz3fryWNAmd2wyAPZSFLOfMYiKryQQ/w524-h295/Modern+Dating+Blog.png" width="524" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">I met Aashna Iyer a few months ago when she joined the company I was previously working at. We met in person once (because we are still living through the pandemic...and honestly? No one knows when it'll end anymore.) Remember how everyone had gone home in March for 2 weeks and it ended up being more than a year? Yeah. That's what I am talking about. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Right before my birthday last year, around August, I met a guy via one these many dating apps that we have at our disposal. Video dating and socially distanced dating was a new thing. In fact, this guy and I clicked on a lot of levels. Chief amongst which was the fact he had the most adorable cat and I had just adopted a lovable, cuddlebug (who later went on to become the CCO for Buzz Magazine), Felix Felicis P. Brahma. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Smokey or his owner are not in my life. The dude went down to grab a pizza and never called me back. In hindsight, when I go over the conversation in my head, I realize that I overlooked plenty of red flags: he bitched about his ex on the first call, his stories didn't add up, and he was perfectly comfortable telling me that he was looking for something serious and steady. And he could text paragraphs...which was exhausting even for someone who texts back pretty fast. And suddenly, one day all that attention, and all that texting just stopped. Yep. I got ghosted. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Look, I get it. Sometimes you meet someone and you realize you don't click. So you let the person know and both of you move on. Sometimes, it is possible to be thoroughly overwhelmed and just stop talking to the other person too. (Been there, done that.)</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"> I've been ghosted and I've been the ghoster too. It honestly does depend on situation to situation. </h3><p style="text-align: left;">So, I spoke to a friend and we found out that we were facing similar challenges in the dating world. Around this time I'd discovered the wonderful world of podcasting. I was already doing it for the little literary venture I run and dubbed it Buzz Pod. Later on, I would be doing it for my YT Series, Chai & Chill as well. I got it in my head that we should do a podcast on dating and name it Modern Dating Be Like. I got excited, planned everything and ran the idea by her. Because I wanted her to co-host it....and she said she was busy and overwhelmed. I was also exploring a podcast because well...she told me she was terrified of showing her face on camera. But because my friend wasn't up for it - I put the podcast on hold. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">FOR ALMOST A YEAR. </h3><p style="text-align: left;">I went home earlier this year because of a few family emergencies. Felix stayed with my friends and their cats, and all of them fell deeply for each other. I think I broke up quite the happy family when I came back to take my beloved catto home. Anyway...I told my friend I'd be going ahead with the podcast if she was busy, and I'd look for a new co-host. She agreed and gave me her blessings. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Thus began the hunt of a co-host. It was lucky I bumped back in Aashna when I did. We were working out of a virtual setup and it is difficult to bump into anyone these days. I told her about the podcast and sent her the document I'd worked on a year ago. She went through it, and it intrigued her enough to say YES. </p><p style="text-align: left;">We added our own touches and twists to it: getting more people onboard for the episodes, sharing our dating experiences, and even got featured on Mid-day as their podcast of the week. During the whole recording, editing, releasing, and promoting of the podcast, I realized that dating, while it feels pretty isolating, is actually a shared experience and you'd be surprised how many people have the same stories. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Now it's almost time for my birthday again, we have just finalized the episodes for season two, and we will start recording the episodes shortly. </p><p style="text-align: left;">It's strange...but isn't it like, one year around the Sun, and we are older, and wiser, and somehow happier than we had first started? </p><p style="text-align: left;">Listen to Modern Dating Be Like on Spotify! Tell us which one was your favourite episode. We shall be waiting. </p>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-33615301192347489342021-08-04T21:58:00.002+05:302021-08-04T21:58:25.475+05:30The Truth About Content | An Agency Perspective<div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-32e1e3bd-7fff-c738-41f9-792786115028"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCfdXmmtRrmRsWIwcC_zp_6oBc_optX72w12apHq-z2fPtIcgXuBzC4gN6Uwyqc4TCP5VAPcSOsk1YxUKs6QF_9NisZaZAx0bhbx4AAa3q6aTHHwz-jSmvomCRT-W7UEqhcBb8bjybss/s2048/The+Truth+About+Content++An+Agency+Perspective.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCfdXmmtRrmRsWIwcC_zp_6oBc_optX72w12apHq-z2fPtIcgXuBzC4gN6Uwyqc4TCP5VAPcSOsk1YxUKs6QF_9NisZaZAx0bhbx4AAa3q6aTHHwz-jSmvomCRT-W7UEqhcBb8bjybss/w640-h360/The+Truth+About+Content++An+Agency+Perspective.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It all started when I was asked to do a Content Audit for a website. Respectfully, the Business Developer tells me - “title is not content” and proceeds to tell me how all the audits and recommendations I suggested have nothing to do with what was expected of me. Which was to find a way to rewrite the content on the website to give it better representation. I go silent. Wondering where to start. Then a small part of my brain pipes up, “I think...I think she means website copies…” and I go, “Oooooooohhhh” with realisation dawning on my head. But I keep myself on mute. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My mother has always told me there’s no point arguing with walls. And well, my mother has a point. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However, it made me think back to the very first time I’d ever set foot in an agency. I was a “Content Writer” and we (I was told) were supposed to take care of all long-format work: blogs, articles, websites, SEO requirements, so and so forth. The “Copywriter”, on the other hand would be the ones in charge of coming up with killer ideas. They would write social media posts. And of course, the whole digital media world would be turned on its head for this. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please take a minute here to sit back, and read that again, roll your eyes and laugh out loud. Because that’s what I did. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By definition: Content is information communicated to an audience through media. This means that anything that we consume, IS content. The social media copies that the copywriters are oh-so-proud of is actually content. The YouTube video, the films you binge on Netflix and Amazon Prime, Podcasts, LinkedIn articles, blogs, ePapers, eBooks, Reels, IGTV videos, Facebook videos, the Stories...you name it, it’s ALL content. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then why does this misconception exist that content writers mostly just deal with long format work? Because our job has always been focused towards informing readers. And while now, we have developed ways (such as Reels and Stories) to feed people bite-sized information, that wasn’t always the case. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We need to remember that copywriting is content, but content isn't necessarily copywriting. Where content writing is informative and creative and meant to be shared, copywriting is direct and focused on a sales-generating end-game. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Content writing and copywriting are primarily distinguished from each other by purpose. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Content writing is designed to educate or entertain, whereas copywriting is designed to persuade. Most text ads involve copywriting because they seek to compel readers to take action. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You will find hundreds of articles out there that speak about content writing and copywriting, how they are different from each other. We seem to constantly forget that content is so much more than just long-format writing. The problem is people treat content writing and content creation as mutually exclusive - when the truth is, they are not. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you sat down today and made a blogging schedule for the coming month, and planned out your strategy - that's a piece of content. (Am I blowing your mind yet?)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Or if you made a beautiful presentation on how you should approach your Instagram for the next week. That strategy that you crafted is, once again, content. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Over the years, content gained a bad reputation. And even today people are told content writers won’t make as much as copywriters. Well, maybe start calling these people website copywriters and social media copywriters - if it means so much to you. To me, it doesn’t. My current job title is Senior Copywriter and Content Manager. Ridiculous, you might say. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I would have been happy with ‘Content Specialist’.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Or maybe not. Since I have colleagues who think titles aren't content. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you still have questions about what content, copy, and strategy - feel free to leave a comment. Would love to know your thoughts on this piece. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /></span><br /></span></div>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-13999521607872211512021-08-04T21:49:00.001+05:302021-08-04T21:49:18.538+05:307 Ways to Develop a Better Reading Schedule <p><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></i></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"That's the thing about books. They let you travel without moving
your feet."</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">- Jhumpa Lahiri</span></b></p></blockquote><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldZb98RkOri07FGSk18q-gXw_P2eZeK46Te5NB6xU20JF2bhQOs52qrXSnscqL1fjey7fe5il9F2QP75GvqD3bPp6IRyrubHfvcN1xbZ0Y5r811XdasGbxaBya3ZkEKR_gNevzlbHYBU/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldZb98RkOri07FGSk18q-gXw_P2eZeK46Te5NB6xU20JF2bhQOs52qrXSnscqL1fjey7fe5il9F2QP75GvqD3bPp6IRyrubHfvcN1xbZ0Y5r811XdasGbxaBya3ZkEKR_gNevzlbHYBU/" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">John Green once wrote that
books are the ultimate dumpees. You put them down and they wait ever so
patiently for you pick them back up. On lonely nights or overworked days, the
right book can be your perfect company. If your parents cultivated a reading
habit in you as a child or you just grew up loving to read, you would know
exactly what we mean. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The newer generation is
growing up with social media. With series available at the click of an app. To
them, reading could perhaps not be of priority. However, we also know that
social media does wonders in promoting books and authors. A lot of times we
come across our next good read because of it. It definitely has opened up a lot
of people’s eyes to reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Don’t worry if you have
not inherited your love for the written word from someone in your family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether you are a teenager or an adult, with
these 6 practical ways we can cultivate a reading habit for you!</span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Set a reading target using GoodReads</span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Setting a reading goal is
always a good idea. It motivates you to read the number of books you’ve chosen.
And there is something deeply satisfactory about reaching your goal one book at
a time. GoodReads allows you to create a reading target at the beginning of the
year. You just have to pick the number. When you are just starting out, we
would suggest picking a realistic one. Such as 12 books a year. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Invest in reading apps or Kindle or Nook Book </span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">One of the best ways to
start reading is by using the extra time you have. But often times when we
travel, we are advised to travel light. Investing in a reading app on your
phone such as PocketBooks or Kindle app, works like magic. If you do not mind
reading on your phone, you can easily think about switching to a more permanent
option such as Kindle or Nook Book. You can load these with multiple books, and
you would have a range of stories to choose from. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Start a book blog or bookstagram </span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sharing your opinion about
the book that you just reading on a book blog or a bookstagram account, would
not only bring you in contact with like-minded readers but bring a plethora of
reading recommendations to you. Besides, once you tap into a genre you like,
you will find more books to read, more author recommendations, and best of all,
you can consider becoming a full time book reviewer!</span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Join a readers’ community online or offline</span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Finding your kind is also
one of the best ways to cultivate a reading habit. If you partner up and read
the same book, it makes it even better – because knowing there’s someone who
can discuss the plot and the characters with you details once you finish
reading the book is truly wonderful feeling. Whether you find your kindred
spirits online or offline, they will find you your next best read. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Consider audiobooks by downloading Storytel or
Audible </span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We live extremely busy
lives. Sometimes it is hard to just sit down and read a book. It is hard to
open an app to read, when 20 different notifications pop up. For times like
these, it’s good to have audiobooks as a backup. Apps like Storytel and Audible
lets you listen to stories or other books while you go about your day. That
definitely does get one interested in books. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Have a specific time dedicated to just reading your
book </span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A designated reading time
also helps in cultivating a daily reading habit. Whether reading during a meal
break, or in the commute – a fixed time always helps. Reading right before
bedtime is one of the most common designated time slots allocated to reading.
Turn in an hour earlier than when you plan to sleep and spend the time getting
acquainted with the magical world of words.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When you get into the
habit of reading books, believe us, it is hard to stop. Reading also helps put
you in a better mood. Of course, the stories too would have to play a part in
that. Even today, we find new readers discovering old classics like Jane
Austen’s novels and Lord of the Rings – and of course, a host of new authors as
well. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Of course there are many
other guidelines or tips for cultivating a reading habit. It is famously
believe that there is no such thing is a non-reader. Only people who have not
found the right book yet. If you are just beginning or wonderful journey into
reading, we highly recommend these six methods. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #5f6368; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-24378594508617107912021-06-25T14:14:00.001+05:302021-06-25T14:16:13.104+05:30#TheWritingDesk: How To Write Better Characters <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRDKXVdOt9jOEioBkBUIjIFoXXX0OYmzOWppVraQVFA89mzm1GqnSPhYv4TPz_xB3uKTjf6UY2H-FqJNyyC3EM9A7LqhyJ21p3XX0to9lVJX3WE7B6WxjajrbvFsPHJ4atBrEeMBkupU/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRDKXVdOt9jOEioBkBUIjIFoXXX0OYmzOWppVraQVFA89mzm1GqnSPhYv4TPz_xB3uKTjf6UY2H-FqJNyyC3EM9A7LqhyJ21p3XX0to9lVJX3WE7B6WxjajrbvFsPHJ4atBrEeMBkupU/" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">When you're writing a story, one of the key focus should be, besides the plot, the characters. Too often good stories fall short of being great because the characters were not three-dimensional. It is super important to get your readers to become invested in your characters. Because more often than not, they are reading the story to see if the character they are rooting for succeeded.</span></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-86a9b735-7fff-f688-57a1-4e73c5acd5dd"><h3 style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> Tip 1# Make your characters likeable. </span></span></h3><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">There's a fine line between a likeable character and an unlikeable character. Contrary to popular belief, you can write antagonists who are likeable. For example, in my story <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3decArN" target="_blank">The Backyard Tales</a></i>, Shekar's dad Mr. Roy is a likeable antagonist. And you can also write unlikable </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">protagonists: case in point Diya Rai from <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ddDss6" target="_blank">All Signs Lead Back to You</a></i>. But if you need more convincing, Artemis Fowl started off his series as an anti-hero. And when was the last time you heard someone say that their favourite character from Harry Potter is the boy wizard himself? </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span style="font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><h3 style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Tip 2# Always give your character a goal.</span></span></h3><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unless you give your character a goal, chances are people will not care what happens to him / her. John Green’s novel </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Paper Towns</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> has the protagonist Q, read all the clues left behind by his childhood crush, Margo, so that he can find her again. We want to know what happened to Margo too. We start trying to solve the clues along with Q to figure out the truth about Margo. Q’s goal is to find Margo and bring her back home.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><h3 style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Tip 3# Ensure your character has a rich history. </span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maybe they had a fight with their enemy when they were little. Lara Jean from </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">used to be best friends with Genevieve when they were little. But a misunderstanding has created a rift between them, which shows itself in little ways in the present. Or maybe like <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2TZuU19" target="_blank">The Secret Proposal</a></i>, Jasmine has always been in love with Veer and he had never cared about it. He remains oblivious to her actual feeling until the very end. </span></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><h3 style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Tip 4# Give them a specific character trait. </span></span></h3><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This doesn’t have to be physical. It can be something that is not tangible. It can be something relatable. Such as Raashi Ghoshal from my upcoming novel, <i>Raashi Ghoshal Will Find Her Prince Charming</i>, is deeply addicted to tea and is also working through her anxiety. Similarly, Louisa May Alcott’s </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Little Women</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, all had defining character traits and were beloved. Even though Jo outshone all of her sisters – it is her love for Beth and her devotion towards her weaker sister that makes her the most likeable.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><h3 style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Tip 5# Give them flaws. </span></span></h3><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No one likes reading about Little Miss Perfect or Little Mister Perfect. One of the best ways to ensure your character is human is to ensure they bleed when they’re cut. It is also human to make mistakes. In </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Perks of being a Wallflower</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Charlie screws up big time with his new set of friends. It takes a while for things to go back to normal. As we empathize with his struggles, we also begin rooting for him to get to the bottom of his hermit-like behaviour. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><h3 style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Tip 6# Give them quirks. </span></span></h3><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sidney Sheldon’s famous novel, </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tell Me Your Dreams</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, had a character who would say ‘Pop goes the weasel’. Catchphrases or even quirks such as the way someone pushes their hair out of their eyes etc. makes a character really create an impression. If I said, </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I won’t think about it today, I will think about this tomorrow </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">– you would know I’m referring to Scarlett O’Hara from </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gone with the Wind</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. These quirks give your characters a much higher recall. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><h3 style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Tip 7# Give them moral dilemmas. </span></span></h3><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">That being said, we would also like to see them come close to crossing those lines. Put them in impossible situations and then help them find a way out of it. Not only will it make for a very gripping story – it will make your readers begin to ask themselves what they might do if placed in the same shoes as the characters they are reading about. The famous argument – “I didn’t have a choice” can be countered and challenged.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">Finally, and I've said this before, it is important to know your characters like the back of your hand. Know them better than anyone else - even if the details never make it to the final draft of the book. Happy writing better characters for your stories! </span></span></p><br /></span>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-34616193085758039822021-05-31T08:39:00.004+05:302021-05-31T08:40:35.825+05:30#BookReview: No Illusions in Xanadu<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1oaN6pivX-5rsc01-pwnsK0pyFCQ_xCjgBiiIcZdhJ7f_tpFeziC7yRKL0VonEoGyZiib9xaFxgugVjGePTHVOYB5UbjCdWrUacOHnQGXU-VFmsLS_kImIrFAGWLczonnVcony_Y-X0/s560/No+Illusions+in+Xanadu_Book+Review.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1oaN6pivX-5rsc01-pwnsK0pyFCQ_xCjgBiiIcZdhJ7f_tpFeziC7yRKL0VonEoGyZiib9xaFxgugVjGePTHVOYB5UbjCdWrUacOHnQGXU-VFmsLS_kImIrFAGWLczonnVcony_Y-X0/w640-h360/No+Illusions+in+Xanadu_Book+Review.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 2rem;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">About the book:</span></span></h1><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.9rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When the devilishly handsome, legendary Bollywood superstar Rajvir Kapoor is found dead in the thirtieth-floor study of his swanky new home, Xanadu, the entire country is aghast. <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Barely hours before his death, Xanadu, had been teeming with the pick of the country’s elite: hot-shot celebrities, business magnates and close friends and family of the iconic actor – all of whom had come together for the grandest party Mumbai had ever seen. <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Investigations reveal that Rajvir Kapoor was murdered, and now everyone is a suspect.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Professor Shantanu Bose, eminent nano-expert and part-time sleuth, a house-guest at the time, is willy-nilly forced to join the investigation. He finds himself in an alien world of the glitterati and their idiosyncrasies, where murky secrets are revealed and facts muddled. As Shantanu struggles to piece together the puzzle amidst the confusing moral codes adopted by the people of this starry realm, glamorous Mumbai seduces him and he finds himself irresistibly attracted to the enchanting prime suspect … <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Will the professor manage the tightrope walk between emotions and justice?</span></p><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 2rem; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0.5rem; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">About the Author:</span></h1><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.9rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After her unputdownable bestseller, <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A Degree in Death, </em>Ruby Gupta is back with another thrilling Professor Shantanu Bose mystery. This author of eight books, including the hugely popular <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Maya</em>, and a literary critic of Khushwant Sigh’s fiction, is currently penning her next thriller. She is based amidst the misty Himalayan foothills where she loves to concoct heady mixes of mystery and emotions.</span></p><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 2rem; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0.5rem; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Review:</span></h1><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.9rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When we first picked up No Illusions in Xanadu, we thought this was going to be one of those usual run of the mill whodunnit cases. Little did we know that we were going to be in for a treat thanks to the kind courtesy of Ruby Gupta.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.9rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As we are introduced to the cast of characters, each with their own motives for the murder of Bollywood star Rajvir Kapoor, we begin to wonder who indeed is the killer. You think you know something but Gupta manages to surprise you. Until the very end.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.9rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was our first encounter with Professor Shantanu Bose and he doesn’t fail to impress. We were reminded so strongly of Agatha Christie’s works while reading this novel, that we believe we had began to draw parallels with a lot of the murder mysteries we previously consumed.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.9rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You know dealing with the pandemic was hard. But it’s stories like these that make you hope that there is comfort in surrending yourself into the arms of a book. Since it’s a murder mystery, we can’t delve too deeply into the revelations. But we will say this that if you are a fan of murder mysteries and especially ones that have a boat load of suspects, and you want to solve the case along with characters, this one is absolutely for you!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.9rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We look forward to reading other books by Ruby Gupta. For now, we’ll just say she got away with the Illusions at Xanadu. </span></p>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-7446307431030564642021-04-11T13:23:00.004+05:302021-04-11T13:37:05.211+05:30#BookReview: When Fate Conspires by Purvi Mehta <p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAv6QuwdiuYD1mJObrUYqeX-UB0n9NBRFe5hewNTmX3_aSoMYWWrihJRrZh9jgz6X9fytTl5GoLYoZcYQxyQfHkUnrfLfPCMRyrv5E497syZzLMycsjW1A9NWyq09TpL-Din-U3LyQH1E/s560/Book+Review+-+When+Fate+Conspires.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAv6QuwdiuYD1mJObrUYqeX-UB0n9NBRFe5hewNTmX3_aSoMYWWrihJRrZh9jgz6X9fytTl5GoLYoZcYQxyQfHkUnrfLfPCMRyrv5E497syZzLMycsjW1A9NWyq09TpL-Din-U3LyQH1E/w640-h360/Book+Review+-+When+Fate+Conspires.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">About the Book: </span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Neel, a young dynamic
charmer, lives a life designed by the hands of luck. When he recruits a
talented young designer, she walks not just into his office, but also into his
heart. His own committed status and her disinterest in him rocks his life and
sways his sanity.<br />
To top it all, life curates customized twists for each one of them along the
path. Ruled by passion, dedication, manipulation and hatred, will their fates
sink them in their own emotional tsunamis?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">About the Author: </span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQ28MloqKEnNG7ytUzpvqbrh14OPeBhBcaEo3sn0bs0TAD_NlkLrFbM7Y2b-kv97UEC7ZQqH28U97lYtrnYMZHwVM-i75docRvPVDZnJ70I_wNfEskKPwhDiALLVM74R-k8Iib67pbbE/s762/Purvi+Mehta.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="700" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQ28MloqKEnNG7ytUzpvqbrh14OPeBhBcaEo3sn0bs0TAD_NlkLrFbM7Y2b-kv97UEC7ZQqH28U97lYtrnYMZHwVM-i75docRvPVDZnJ70I_wNfEskKPwhDiALLVM74R-k8Iib67pbbE/w160-h174/Purvi+Mehta.jpg" width="160" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Purvi
Mehta</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> is an educator, trainer and
coach. Passionately associated with the field of academics for 24 plus years,
she has mentored a multitude of students and teachers. Her love for art,
philosophy, reading and her students, continues to inspire her. She lives in
Surat with her husband and daughter.</span></span><p></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Follow Purvi Mehta on Social Media:</span></b></h3><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/purvimehtawrites/" target="_blank">Instagram </a>| <a href="https://www.facebook.com/purvimehtawrites" target="_blank">Facebook </a>| <a href="https://twitter.com/purvimehtawrite" target="_blank">Twitter </a></span></h4><div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The Review:</span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It has been a while since
I’ve read a slow burn romance. But Purvi Mehta’s novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When Fate Conspires</i> is the perfect example for this genre. It was
quite a long read but what caught and kept my attention was the will they, won’t
they that was introduced early on in the novel. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Brownie points for the
cover being intriguing, as well. It really helped us make the decision to pick
up the book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The story doesn’t take
away from the fact that Rashi is brilliant at her job, and Neel is enamoured by
her skills. It is refreshing to see that the female lead wasn’t reduced to just
a love interest but hold her own – even when things went south. There was an interesting cast of minor
characters who played their parts to help the story move forwards<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Something I’ve always
struggled with in both writing and reading are love triangles. This conflict
has been well done in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When Fate
Conspires. </i>Neel is torn between his growing affection towards Rashi and his
sense of duty towards Tia, who he is in a long distance relationship with. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We don’t want to reveal
too much about the story lest we give away the plot twists that make this slow burn
romances one of our good reads. But we highly recommend this book if you like
reading romances and prefer the story to unfold slowly. This is a perfect long
weekend read, paired with a cup of chai or coffee. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p></p>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-24153483681689636402021-03-28T15:41:00.001+05:302021-03-28T15:41:27.278+05:30#Musings: It's Okay to Be 28 and Still Feel Lost in Life <p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6uxM8dadn2eYmgbrVsxrJfzXe7YUQddHzs7dQoh4HgEliRCKM-zmhNmUYwfC6ALBPWdNfhh69Fons0A72NF0AnVrYe7WTlZ9QZk6-SsJQ6YnGzfzfWSdCo8EptV0saDtAA59_WTyScg/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6uxM8dadn2eYmgbrVsxrJfzXe7YUQddHzs7dQoh4HgEliRCKM-zmhNmUYwfC6ALBPWdNfhh69Fons0A72NF0AnVrYe7WTlZ9QZk6-SsJQ6YnGzfzfWSdCo8EptV0saDtAA59_WTyScg/w640-h360/%2523Musings_+It%2527s+Okay+to+Be+28+and+Still+Feel+Lost+in+Life+.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here’s the sad truth.
When we are newly minted teenagers, at the age of thirteen the twenties seem
like such a grownup age to be. Even though most of us would probably not admit
it right now but at thirteen we knew exactly how we wanted our lives to turn out
to be when we turn twenty eight.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course once you turn
eighteen and get officially branded as an adult, you being to realize that
‘adulting’ is difficult. That even though you gain in wisdom and in years,
sometimes you do not have all the answers. Sometimes we go in search for people
who have been adults way longer than we have. And sometimes we are pleasantly
surprised to learn that even they don’t have all answers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You cannot exactly
pinpoint the time when your parents started asking you for your opinions and
your advice, instead of being the other way around. Was it the day you began
saving up for your future or the time you mollycoddled your father into signing
up for annual health checkups just to be on the safe side? You did everything
you were supposed to do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finish school, graduate
college, study somewhere, find a stable secure job. Maybe you were in a fair
few relationships. And maybe sometimes they didn’t work out. Maybe you are
engaged to be married sometime in the near future. Or maybe you are still
waiting for love to show up at your doorstep. But despite all of these things –
despite the Universe aligning itself perfectly to make all your dreams come
true – some nights, at midnight, when the world is fast asleep, you’re wide
awake. Because you feel hopelessly lost! You don’t really know why you’re
feeling this way but a nagging part of your brain tells you that since you’re
twenty eight and lead a decent enough existence, you needn’t be bothered. You
needn’t feel lost.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But I am here to tell you
that it is okay to feel lost. It is completely find to breakdown at times
because you’re not supposed to have all the answers. Age is nothing but a
number. You shouldn’t justify how you feel with the candles that light up your
birthday cake. You are allowed to feel whatever you want to feel. And being sad
at times doesn’t mean you’re not grateful for the good things in your life or
the amazing people who surround you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Feeling lost is a very
human emotion and we shouldn’t ignore how we might be feeling because someone
else might have it worse. Don’t sweep your feelings under the rug because you
feel guilty about feeling sad and broken at 3 am on a random night. It is okay
to have your life completely together and still think that something is
missing. The only advice anyone would give you is – don’t dwell on it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Life can never be all
good things or all bad things. Eventually everything rolls back into the happy,
safe middle. But until that time arrives, just be okay with being okay. There’s
nothing wrong it. And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. </span><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-55306694946839813412021-03-15T01:37:00.003+05:302021-03-15T01:38:51.180+05:30#BookReview: Btw I Want My Cat Back by Saurabh Sharma & Divya Anandani <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm3CnN5BIvlZWKVSBitdEdJ-87WIZk2yRdbiZZOE7V5VOdL8xlulDNNtf40vudlB_yM2mW4TqqzUgELeh7PrtibwGApRx-AFYf7gF8uC0yaOT7Ef5bJpmwGUe6J7ND78E0xKEjxRm9HE/s560/Btw+I+Want+My+Cat+Back_Book+Review.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm3CnN5BIvlZWKVSBitdEdJ-87WIZk2yRdbiZZOE7V5VOdL8xlulDNNtf40vudlB_yM2mW4TqqzUgELeh7PrtibwGApRx-AFYf7gF8uC0yaOT7Ef5bJpmwGUe6J7ND78E0xKEjxRm9HE/w640-h360/Btw+I+Want+My+Cat+Back_Book+Review.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Book Blurb:</span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 107%;">How many stories have you
read where the characters fall in love and then breakup. But have you ever read
a story where it begins with the breakup! Ritika and Abhay are in an extreme
fight, and ends up breaking their relationship with each other. But is that the
end? If not then what follows next? Read to be a part of the discussions of
break up and more in between Ritika and Abhay.</span> </span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Review:</span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Available as a Kindle eBook, Btw I Want My Cat Back is one
of the bittersweet tales that I’ve come across. It’s a short and sweet
narration of what happens when a couple who has fallen apart realizes that they
can no longer run away from the truth! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Told in a seamless, back and forth narration, you go through
Abhay and Ritika’s journey in just 30-odd pages. And while the story’s blurb suggests
that things not end happily ever after it’s the plot twist that will make you
want to call up the authors and yell at them for leaving you with such a
cliffhanger!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our verdict: this is a perfect weekend read and you should
add it to your Kindle library. Read it on your web browser or your phone. It
would be the perfect story to binge on when you’re travelling somewhere for an
hour or so and don’t want to be disturbed. </span><o:p></o:p></p>Get Your Copy: <a href="https://amzn.to/3qGt6os">https://amzn.to/3qGt6os</a><p></p>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-10304766928358621432021-02-26T14:00:00.000+05:302021-02-26T14:00:10.661+05:30Musings: Pet Peeves <p><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEv6JO43OIo-sbzePK-H6zhyphenhyphenlx7f630W92895vz9NGqO_CJj8m0dqrmTOR-JfY1OYLd-OrS8evPPoxqdjt-iQwvzWBUWp_4Tg4Z7VcYwIoa3f1KnKiN6njYFlnESq0mRkt3wb7Du44KM/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEv6JO43OIo-sbzePK-H6zhyphenhyphenlx7f630W92895vz9NGqO_CJj8m0dqrmTOR-JfY1OYLd-OrS8evPPoxqdjt-iQwvzWBUWp_4Tg4Z7VcYwIoa3f1KnKiN6njYFlnESq0mRkt3wb7Du44KM/w640-h360/Pet+Peeves.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The old saying goes, do not make a mountain out of a molehill. But mountains were not built in a day. It’s the little things. It always has been, that adds up to the big thing and then - BOOM - an explosion! </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-8f2f25ab-7fff-2e73-633e-a79e81a9a087"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 18.96pt;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I tell you to find a seat away from the loud music, do not laugh it off and tell me I’ll get used to it. That two more drinks down I would be the one swaying to the music. For I will roll my eyes at you. And you will find yourself getting slightly irritated with me. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 18.96pt;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That’s your pet peeve. You cannot stand it when I do not argue with you, instead choose to roll my eyes. You find it frustrating and funny - all the things in the world that bother me. Because to you, those things are insignificant. They should not be taking up space in my head in the first place. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 18.96pt;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Using my Amazon Prime account to watch a series I just started and accidentally spoiling what happens in season 2, episode 5. Because how was I supposed to know someone can leave an episode midway? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 18.96pt;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am used to feeling you squeeze my arm gently during the movies because someone invariably forgot to put their phone on silent. You would think with multiple reminders they would do a better job! But there’s always one person whose phone will ring right in the middle of a plot twist. The gentle squeeze is to remind me not to snap into the darkness or hiss at people to put their phones on silent. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 18.96pt;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before you came along, I was on my unconquerable journey of trying to find Prince Charming on a white horse. I tried looking for him on dating apps and in familiar faces. Got tired of hearing this one phrase, over and over again, “So, what exactly are you looking for here?” To some, I replied. To others, I i</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gnored it</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Until you saw right through my answer and called me out on it. “This has become a pet peeve, hasn’t it?” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 18.96pt;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You soon discovered other little things that bothered me enough to give me a big headache. When you set down the coffee mug on the table and did not use the coaster. When I would not let you help with my laundry because only I know how to fold my t-shirt and organise my cupboard in apple-pie-order. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 18.96pt;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I do not like being called by someone else’s name. And you’ve called me by my sister’s, just because you like how I snap at you and get a glint in my eye. I say that on Sundays you get on my nerves especially, and you bring out my inner serial killer. You laugh it off and tell me I am adorable. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 18.96pt;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You try to pinch my cheeks as I swat your hands away. Are you kidding me? How many times have I told you not to do that? Especially when I am furious about something. Instead you pat my head and tell me everything will be fine. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 18.96pt;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We sit down on the sofa and I put my head on your shoulders. You sit ramrod straight for a second before relaxing. It had slipped my mind how when we first met you flinched at anyone touching you. But with time you eased into it, you did not mind my stealing a few minutes of rest with my head on your shoulder. You put your arms around me and I am assured that if you can work on your pet peeves...maybe someday, so can I. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6499684734936977529.post-25948585514916842062021-01-17T15:14:00.001+05:302021-01-17T15:21:55.104+05:30#BookReview: Urban Chronicles - I by Nita Bajoria <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37TG3FHKetOhCestw-WQPEjooujJ6MhznNjZQ4eayijrp9Wsst2vY2B2-Bv6TDzhXbiuIy5XiQxDT0czZPGMeDYxhzs72HsXBdXnzqoAVYw9UlSrnJSZUM3HlyLPLOxBfdmA9R9n3InA/s560/Book+Review+-+Urban+Chronicles.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37TG3FHKetOhCestw-WQPEjooujJ6MhznNjZQ4eayijrp9Wsst2vY2B2-Bv6TDzhXbiuIy5XiQxDT0czZPGMeDYxhzs72HsXBdXnzqoAVYw9UlSrnJSZUM3HlyLPLOxBfdmA9R9n3InA/w640-h360/Book+Review+-+Urban+Chronicles.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">About the Book: </h2><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Urban Chronicle series is a collection of graphic short stories. Unlike typical genres of a comic book, this series is one of its kind that explores life in a metro. The infrastructure of built environment categorized by urban sociology has always been a subject of an enigma. City dwellers are often accused of escaping from their agrarian life towards the comforts of a bourgeois metropolis. But is it true? Is a cosmopolitan devoid of struggles and hardships? My stories are humble attempts to explore the above questions through some lighthearted tales that capture this alienated and fragmented reality through an imaginative weave of words and illustrations. Tinged with suspicion the three stories, in the first series of Urban Chronicles are grounded in the contemporary era. While in one a husband tries tackling his suspecting wife, in another, a neighbour’s curiosity, brings forth an unexpected truth. And then there is our GBG, aka Gossip Brewers Group who will go to any extent to find out spicy secrets of their society.</span></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span face="Amazon Ember, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;">About the Author:</span></span></h2><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Nita may be best described as a lazy bookworm who utilizes her moments of feeling out-of-place in a social gathering by observing people around her and plotting short stories. Before she started writing fiction, she experimented with various occupations like being a computer teacher, computer programmer, kitchen designer, kitchen manufacturer, and office magazine editor. But her favourite job is the one she's now doing full time - weaving stories. Mother of an adorable daughter, she finds writing de-stressing. She loves reading on flights, and she is at her best when left alone to scribble on her laptop in a library or a cafe. Knitting stories around relationships, emotional needs and various perceptions that build up the drama of life is her forte. She believes that travelling opens up her mind and helps her understand life better. Most of her short stories and travelogues have been featured in popular magazines such as <i>Women's Era, Alive, </i>and <i>Airports India</i>. <i>The Leap </i>is her debut novel. You can get to her blog by simply typing the word "nitatussiemussies". </span></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">The Review:</h2><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nita Bajoria’s Urban
Chronicles Book I, is a collection of three short stories in a graphic novel. It
takes commonplace instances from everyday life and shows us what it is like to
live in the city.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Balcony </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">touches
upon how we constantly make assumptions about someone else’s lives, by peering
through our neighbour’s windows. <i>Smell</i>
is a sweet and funny anecdote of what happens when suspicions run wild in a
wife’s mind when left to her own devices. And finally, <i>Mrs. Ramachandran</i>, who heads the Gossip Brewer’s Club in her
society. The theme, as explained in the blurb, for these stories is suspicion. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a fun and happy
read, to make a Sunday afternoon fun while sipping on your cup of chai. It’s a
comfort read for sure. We cannot wait to read the next two installments for Urban
Chronicles. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The illustrations also do
justice to the stories. So kudos to Pradipta Mukherjee for nailing all the
characters well! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Added bonus: the Hindi
version of this book will be made available in the market very soon. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can get your own copy
by placing an order:<a href="https://www.amazon.in/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3ANita+Bajoria&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1" target="_blank"> Amazon India</a> | <a href="https://www.flipkart.com/urban-chronicles/p/itme7eec70caba82?pid=9788194229445&lid=LSTBOK97881942294454CLJ0P&marketplace=FLIPKART&srno=s_1_1&otracker=search&otracker1=search&fm=SEARCH&iid=81dfca26-4d07-4273-99b9-9f8f5fde014c.9788194229445.SEARCH&ppt=sp&ppn=sp&ssid=v19h46ifcw0000001610875868794&qH=e44bf60188510ebe" target="_blank">Flipkart</a> </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>Aniesha Brahma http://www.blogger.com/profile/17604587868341885431noreply@blogger.com0