This picture was taken in 2014 at the Bangalore Literature Festival during Lit-Mart. For those of you who don’t know what Lit-Mart is, it’s a contest where aspiring authors submit a 300-word synopsis of their manuscript. 25 candidates are selected, and they are invited to attend the Lit Mart, where they present a 3-minute pitchContinue reading “Winning over my worst fear”
Category Archives: Writing
How I dealt with writer’s block
If you’re a writer, you’ll agree with me when I say, that writer’s block is the thing that must not be named! The dreaded thing that sends a cold shiver down our spine. I used to consider myself as a wordsmith; having spent more than 18 years writing for publications and companies, ideating, pitching storiesContinue reading “How I dealt with writer’s block”
On the Book shelf with Neil D’Silva
Neil is an author who writes horror stories. An inspiration to aspiring authors, Neil has made the transition from self publishing to now being published by reputed publishers. What many indie authors dream of achieving, Neil has succeeded in doing that. Kudos to him. He started a YouTube channel – On the Bookshelf and interviewedContinue reading “On the Book shelf with Neil D’Silva”
Interview with Lipika Bhushan
As an author, it’s great to be able to meet other authors, lit agents, book marketeers. During the Pandemic, many people turned to digital platforms as means of interacting with authors. Lipika Bhushan, an ace book marketeer with years of experience with many reputed publishing houses, started her Youtube channel – Between the lines. SheContinue reading “Interview with Lipika Bhushan”
HOW TO THINK OF STORY IDEAS?
If how do you write is the oft asked question authors face; then a close second is how do you think of story ideas? Most authors will tell you that the first book literally gushes out of you. (At least that’s what happened with me). You don’t really have to spend much time thinking aboutContinue reading “HOW TO THINK OF STORY IDEAS?”
You want to write but don’t know how to begin…
I must begin with an apology. With only 2 published books to my name, I’m no authority to guide aspiring writers but given the limited experience I have, I want to share some of my learnings. Hence, this post. In another life, I used to be a freelance writer , writing for publications & companies.Continue reading “You want to write but don’t know how to begin…”
Love what your write
‘Do you think I will be able to write like Murakami?” My friend Z said this to me. I’ve known her for a while; both of us with the shared love for words and books. She’s writing her debut book and rued, “I don’t write like the authors I like to read. I’m not aContinue reading “Love what your write”
How to pitch your novel
So you have finished writing the story that haunted you and kept you awake. Brilliant. That’s really a great feat accomplished. Take a break. Celebrate. You owe it. For the successful completion of phase 1 you must celebrate but do it more to gather strength for the next phase that awaits. Yes. This may sound discouragingContinue reading “How to pitch your novel”
Happy Ending
Some readers asked me, “Why didn’t you end #AFA (A Forgotten Affair) on a happy note? Why didn’t Sagarika go away with Akash – the man who clearly loves her a lot?” I truly believe when I tell them that AFA has a very happy ending. The memory-less, confused scared Sagarika emerges stronger. She confrontsContinue reading “Happy Ending”
How to start writing?
Let’s call her R. We met at Bangalore Lit fest, 2014. We were among the chosen 15 who pitched our stories to the panel of editors. She made a brilliant pitch but is yet to finish her manuscript. There’s a story in each of us. We are all born story tellers. But getting the firstContinue reading “How to start writing?”
Kanchana Banerjee 