Dance is life and passion for Prabha Raghavan. It is a decade since Prabha started Sanskriti.
Here is an article published by Times Of India.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/citizen-journalists/citizen-journalists-reports/ranga-rajah/Prabha-Raghavan-a-Bharatanatyam-diva-in-Canada/articleshow/48958742.cms
Ranga Rajah
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Determination
Writing is toil and more toil. But the rewards are sweet and motivates one to keep going.
Here is something I want to share.
Writing the stories and giving shape to different characters was a journey I enjoyed. Killing a character because the plot demanded it.
Getting a publisher take an interest and publish my book was the first step. Followed by getting reviews in the media.
Here is a review of my book by AsianLite a weekly in UK.
http://asianlite.com/Digital_Editions/2015/June%2001%20-%20June%2007/#p=34
Ranga Rajah
Here is something I want to share.
Writing the stories and giving shape to different characters was a journey I enjoyed. Killing a character because the plot demanded it.
Getting a publisher take an interest and publish my book was the first step. Followed by getting reviews in the media.
Here is a review of my book by AsianLite a weekly in UK.
http://asianlite.com/Digital_Editions/2015/June%2001%20-%20June%2007/#p=34
Ranga Rajah
Sunday, May 24, 2015
My World of Fiction: My World of Fiction: Writer's Journey Continues......
My World of Fiction: My World of Fiction: Writer's Journey Continues......: My World of Fiction: Writer's Journey Continues... : As promised a few days ago, I am back with this blog. Writing is a passion, but how...
Writer's Inspirations
It is the most important moment in her life. Wedding of her child. An emotional chord is struck and...
Simply walking down the road for fresh air and gazing, observing people.
Watching a movie, listening to a song, walking down the memory lane, etc
Any or all the above listed situations can be an inspiration to write. I have this moment where something like this hits me and I know I am ready to write it, jot it down.
That moment could be anytime. while sautéing a curry mix, reading or even talking to someone. This is how it happens. I could be thinking of my childhood, or my siblings, just simply walking down the memory lane. And suddenly an idea, a whole sentence or even a complete story will take a shape in that moment.
It is then that I have to find a quiet corner and quickly put it down for the idea to be shaped at a later time, leisure time, writing time.
But there is another thing here, it is also possible that you might just get into the idea, it could just overpower your being and demand complete attention then and there. And you might just have to succumb to it and complete the writing process. Of course, it will be your raw draft that needs to be shaped later. Yes, this happens a lot to me. And I respect it over and above everything else. That is the 'muse' moment and it should not be ignored if writing is number one priority in your life.
Having said that, there are times when I have to sacrifice that special moment to my routine life which includes work life, at times domestic commitments and chores.
Like all of you out there, I do wish I could just wake up, sip coffee and write for hours without any distractions.
But that is not reality. Inspiration is found in the routine stuff. Everyday life is a great resource for me. I thrive on that one. I challenge myself to create something out of the regular stuff.
Here is a video clip of Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis. The reviewer has done a beautiful job explaining such a complex topic with simple narration and illustrations. (Courtesy YouTube, Minute Book Report)
Ranga Iyer
Simply walking down the road for fresh air and gazing, observing people.
Watching a movie, listening to a song, walking down the memory lane, etc
Any or all the above listed situations can be an inspiration to write. I have this moment where something like this hits me and I know I am ready to write it, jot it down.
That moment could be anytime. while sautéing a curry mix, reading or even talking to someone. This is how it happens. I could be thinking of my childhood, or my siblings, just simply walking down the memory lane. And suddenly an idea, a whole sentence or even a complete story will take a shape in that moment.
It is then that I have to find a quiet corner and quickly put it down for the idea to be shaped at a later time, leisure time, writing time.
But there is another thing here, it is also possible that you might just get into the idea, it could just overpower your being and demand complete attention then and there. And you might just have to succumb to it and complete the writing process. Of course, it will be your raw draft that needs to be shaped later. Yes, this happens a lot to me. And I respect it over and above everything else. That is the 'muse' moment and it should not be ignored if writing is number one priority in your life.
Having said that, there are times when I have to sacrifice that special moment to my routine life which includes work life, at times domestic commitments and chores.
Like all of you out there, I do wish I could just wake up, sip coffee and write for hours without any distractions.
But that is not reality. Inspiration is found in the routine stuff. Everyday life is a great resource for me. I thrive on that one. I challenge myself to create something out of the regular stuff.
Here is a video clip of Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis. The reviewer has done a beautiful job explaining such a complex topic with simple narration and illustrations. (Courtesy YouTube, Minute Book Report)
Ranga Iyer
Saturday, May 23, 2015
My World of Fiction: Writer's Journey Continues...
My World of Fiction: Writer's Journey Continues...: As promised a few days ago, I am back with this blog. Writing is a passion, but how do we channelize and shape it? For me, it comes in the ...
Writer's Journey Continues...
As promised a few days ago, I am back with this blog. Writing is a passion, but how do we channelize and shape it?
For me, it comes in the form of an idea while I am cooking. Or when I am sitting in a bus. One of the reasons I prefer public transport to driving is because I can dream as much as I want. I can ponder over ideas, make notes about chapters to my book. Imagine if I were to drive...
Never.
Coming back to developing an idea, all one needs is to write a very clear draft of an idea that just got into your mind. Do not worry. You will have enough time to develop it. But also bear in mind that, there are times when a particular idea you made a draft into, might not even take a shape of few sentences or paragraphs. And that means, it does not have that power, energy to flow into a full story. Never mind. But do not discard it. Someday, you might get your imagination flowing in that direction and you might turn it into a full length book. Yes, it has happened to me. I never discard any notes I jot down.
On days when I am hit by the writer's block, I visit those notes and check if I can create something out of it. If nothing helps, I just start reading a good book, or watch a movie. and if nothing works, I start cooking. That is a real stress buster and gives me the push to go back to my writing.
You have the freedom to do whatever it takes to get back into the flow of creating, working on that idea. But remember to never ever give up on that idea. You have to sit with that idea and work on it. develop it, shape it. It might get frustrating. But the end result, (which will be your creation) will make you proud. Creating and writing a story is worth all this and more.
Meanwhile, my publisher Cresco Books has created an author's page on Amazon and Flights of Freedom is listed on Goodreads.com as well.
Here is a link https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25587311-flights-of-freedom.
For me, it comes in the form of an idea while I am cooking. Or when I am sitting in a bus. One of the reasons I prefer public transport to driving is because I can dream as much as I want. I can ponder over ideas, make notes about chapters to my book. Imagine if I were to drive...
Never.
Coming back to developing an idea, all one needs is to write a very clear draft of an idea that just got into your mind. Do not worry. You will have enough time to develop it. But also bear in mind that, there are times when a particular idea you made a draft into, might not even take a shape of few sentences or paragraphs. And that means, it does not have that power, energy to flow into a full story. Never mind. But do not discard it. Someday, you might get your imagination flowing in that direction and you might turn it into a full length book. Yes, it has happened to me. I never discard any notes I jot down.
On days when I am hit by the writer's block, I visit those notes and check if I can create something out of it. If nothing helps, I just start reading a good book, or watch a movie. and if nothing works, I start cooking. That is a real stress buster and gives me the push to go back to my writing.
You have the freedom to do whatever it takes to get back into the flow of creating, working on that idea. But remember to never ever give up on that idea. You have to sit with that idea and work on it. develop it, shape it. It might get frustrating. But the end result, (which will be your creation) will make you proud. Creating and writing a story is worth all this and more.
Meanwhile, my publisher Cresco Books has created an author's page on Amazon and Flights of Freedom is listed on Goodreads.com as well.
Here is a link https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25587311-flights-of-freedom.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Flights of Freedom
This post is going to be very short and brief. As promised, I will definitely take you all on a tour of how I reached my destination where my publisher is giving away free ebooks.
First things first.
Here is what my publisher is doing for my book. Follow this link for a free copy of your ebook.
This book of mine is a collection of short stories about women and it was was published last week.
Cresco Books is offering free giveaway of my book.
Please click on this website for your free copy today.http://www.crescobooks.com/flights-of-freedom-preview.
Look forward to your comments and feedback.
Ranga
First things first.
Here is what my publisher is doing for my book. Follow this link for a free copy of your ebook.
This book of mine is a collection of short stories about women and it was was published last week.
Cresco Books is offering free giveaway of my book.
Please click on this website for your free copy today.http://www.crescobooks.com/flights-of-freedom-preview.
Look forward to your comments and feedback.
Ranga
Monday, May 18, 2015
From Reader to being Read
I always wanted to be a writer. Nothing else, but a writer. As a five-year old, I was always clutching illustrated story books, children's magazines and as I grew up, it was Enid Blyton, Nancy Drew and few Hindi novelists I would be having on me. There was never a time when I was without a book. Even today, I feel lost without a book.
I could read, just read and keep reading for days and weeks. If I could not find any other book, I would reread my history, English, even geography text books. Specially during summer holidays, when we were young, most of us had to depend upon our elders to take us to the market. Therefore, if an older sister or brother decided not to go shopping that particular day, too bad, we had to wait to pick up books, magazines or visits to the library as well. Text books came to my rescue.
Second hand book stores were raided regularly, so were the local libraries. Exchanging books with friends was another source that helped me expand my reading horizons. I did not leave a single stone unturned in my hunt for reading material.
Sometime during those years, I do not recall how and when but I had started writing. Nothing big, just few lines like putting my thoughts about a book, the story angle or write in a notebook I used to carry around. This little exercise of mine further lead me to creating my own plots, verses and other writings. Yes, I loved my English class in school and writing essays was something I loved and got good grades too.
Teenage years, I started noting down my observations of people, places and anything that I took a fancy for. During my first year in the university, I decided to take my journal around to ad agencies looking for a copy writer's job and newspaper offices as well. And that journal helped me get few freelance writing jobs.
Dharmayug, Hindi magazine from the Times Of India group paved the way for my writing career. Awadhesh Vyas gave me my break in a Hindi publication. He asked me to write something on relationships and I received my first cheque for that article which I never cashed.
Star&Style, a popular Bollywood movie magazine was my first break in English lifestyle journalism. Uma Rao, the editor gave me my break and I got to interview the evergreen Dev Anand.
After that, I freelanced for various magazines and then worked for daily newspapers as a lifestyle reporter/journalist and few years later worked as a senior copy editor for Bombay Times and Bangalore Times.
Ranga
I could read, just read and keep reading for days and weeks. If I could not find any other book, I would reread my history, English, even geography text books. Specially during summer holidays, when we were young, most of us had to depend upon our elders to take us to the market. Therefore, if an older sister or brother decided not to go shopping that particular day, too bad, we had to wait to pick up books, magazines or visits to the library as well. Text books came to my rescue.
Second hand book stores were raided regularly, so were the local libraries. Exchanging books with friends was another source that helped me expand my reading horizons. I did not leave a single stone unturned in my hunt for reading material.
Sometime during those years, I do not recall how and when but I had started writing. Nothing big, just few lines like putting my thoughts about a book, the story angle or write in a notebook I used to carry around. This little exercise of mine further lead me to creating my own plots, verses and other writings. Yes, I loved my English class in school and writing essays was something I loved and got good grades too.
Teenage years, I started noting down my observations of people, places and anything that I took a fancy for. During my first year in the university, I decided to take my journal around to ad agencies looking for a copy writer's job and newspaper offices as well. And that journal helped me get few freelance writing jobs.
Dharmayug, Hindi magazine from the Times Of India group paved the way for my writing career. Awadhesh Vyas gave me my break in a Hindi publication. He asked me to write something on relationships and I received my first cheque for that article which I never cashed.
Star&Style, a popular Bollywood movie magazine was my first break in English lifestyle journalism. Uma Rao, the editor gave me my break and I got to interview the evergreen Dev Anand.
After that, I freelanced for various magazines and then worked for daily newspapers as a lifestyle reporter/journalist and few years later worked as a senior copy editor for Bombay Times and Bangalore Times.
Ranga
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