Shelfari

Shelfari is described as the “premier social network for people who love books”.  I came across this network only recently and was delighted to explore the immense possibilities there. I look forward to spending many enjoyable hours here.

 

Writing To Be Read

Writing To Be Read is the name of my new blog.

Books have given me countless hours of joy over the years. I hope to cover books, authors and all aspects of writing in this new blog.

Look forward to your continued support and your dropping in, from time to time to offer a comment or share a thought

 

Personal Update II

Here’s some good news on the personal front. Delighted to share that a “second opinion” and treatment following that indicates that I may not have to rush for a coronary artery bypass graft surgery after all! It underscored for me the value of getting a second opinion. It really helped me and could help others in such a predicament too.  Here are my thoughts:-

 

Beating The Retreat

Thanks to good old Doordarshan- these are perhaps the only occasions when we see it- we were treated to the magnificent spectacle of the Beating the Retreat at Delhi’s Vijay Chowk yesterday. Over 30 bands from the Indian armed forces participated in this spectacular event.

Lawrencians will remember this ceremony with fond memories. Most touching of all is the playing of that great hymn “Abide With Me“ particularly the pealing of the bells.

The bands marched off to another old favourite “ Sare Jahan Se Achha” .

 

New Novel

After successfully completing NaNoWriMo 2009, I developed my writing further and – here’s the great news- I am delighted that I am ready to go! Looking around for literary agents who can guide me through the complex world of publishing.

My first novel is called ” It Can’t Be You” and has elements of mystery, historical fiction and family drama. It is set in India and largely based on the life of an officer in the Indian Army.

Very excited!!

 

Personal update

On January 13, I was admitted to hospital following an attack of angina pectoris. In medical terms, I am supposed to have what is called a “stable angina”.

The results of an angiography show that I have blockages in three arteries- again in medical terms what they call a triple vessel coronary disease. They have advised me to undergo surgery- coronary artery bypass graft surgery or CABG has been recommended.

I am under observation and rest for the last couple of weeks. Let’s see how it goes.

 

Erich Segal R I P

Many of my generation grew up spewing quotes from Erich Segal’s ” Love Story”. We were fascinated by the simple yet elegant love story of “Ollie”  Oliver Barrett IV and “Jenny” Jennifer Cavilleri, students at Harvard.

” Love Story” was a best seller when it was first released in 1970 and went on to sell millions of copies.

Erich Segal passed away recently. Thank you, Erich for one of the best stories one could hope to write. May he rest in peace.

 

Happy New Year

Here’s wishing all of you a very happy and prosperous New Year. May 2010 bring you and yours the best of health and every happiness.

 

“Taps”

Thanks to my old friend Anvar Ali Khan for showing me this.

Came across a haunting rendition of “Il Silenzia” commonly known to most of us simply as “Taps” by a very talented 13 year old Melissa Venema.

I think the music is beautiful. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

 

NaNoWriMo

Delighted to participate for the first time- and successfully complete NaNoWriMo- the National Novel Writing Month. The aim is to write 50,000 words between November 1 and November 30. I managed to complete this on November 25. I am a proud winner- as indeed are many others who have done the same thing. It was a wonderful experience.

My “novel” currently about 50,200 words is in the genre of historical fiction. It is the story of an officer in the Indian Army and covers a span of five decades from 1946 to 2000. It has elements of mystery and family drama apart from being a commentary of life in India in those times. It is narrated in the first person by the four main characters in the story.

My goal is to develop this to a 80,000-100,000 word full fledged novel. My dream: to have this published:)