What are you reading now?

We writers drool over books the way people drool at the sight of food. I am sure I am one of the few people who goes gaga in bookshops and I just adore the smell and  feel of new books.

I am extremely possessive about my collection of books. Infact, friends who borrow my books have to suffer my frequent phone calls regarding how much they have read and when will they return the book.

Currently there are quite a few books on my TBR list.

1. Holes by Louis Sachar

2. Ash by Malinda Lo

3. The Puffin Book of Animal Stories for 6 -year olds (in which I have contributed a short story).

4. The Life of Aung San Suu Kyi by Peter Popham

Whats on your TBR list? Which book has currently snagged your interest and which author has captured your fancy now? We all would love to know what you all are reading now?

P.S. I am taking a blogging break for a few days. I will return in the first week of June. Till then, happy writing.

First drafts and rewrites

“The first draft of anything is shit,” said Ernest Hemingway. Its something I completely agree with. If anyone were to read my first draft they would officially disown me. My first drafts are written in long hand, on ruled sheets, because on plain sheets of paper my handwriting goes haywire. Every corner of the paper is filled with words as new ideas strike me.

 I read about a writer who has said that, “I am not a very good writer, but I am an excellent rewriter.” I agree wholeheartedly. First drafts are anything but publishable. Only we writers can make sense of it.

The first draft is just a collection of words on paper that makes sense only to the writer who through rewrites has to wade through the literary mess, sift and sort, and make sense of it. It takes several rewrites for writers to actually come close to querying.

I find rewriting fun. As the basic model or skeleton is ready, its now time to give it shape, to refine and remodel. To nip, tuck, chip and chisel.  

 Something that has personally worked for me is that after the first draft, I take a break of few days. I let the manuscript marinate in its own juices. During this enforced break, I catch up with reading, writing my articles for the newspapers and several other things. Though my mind is constantly hovering over the manuscript, I don’t actually sit down to rewrite.

This process is a lot like meditation, when  thoughts enter a mind during a state of meditative contemplation, we are advised to neither  ignore, nor encourage them. I write everything that comes into my mind during the first draft, even when I know I most probably will be deleting it later.

When I return, I feel I get a fresh and better perspective over the first draft.  Actually after each rewrite a little break is a must for me. It’s like giving each other a little breathing space. And when I return to the WIP, I am eager to tackle another draft. Though  the mental  connection with my  WIP  is constant, the physical distance is very therapeutic. I am then able to see the manuscript with its ugly warts. The glaring loopholes stare at me. With each rewrite I hope to plug the gaps created in ignorance.

Do you have any first draft tips for me? How do you all tackle your first drafts and how do you all handle the rewrites. We would all love to know.

Random Act of Kindness BLITZ!

A smile. An encouraging word. A thoughtful gesture. Each day people interact with us, help, and make our day a bit brighter and full. This is especially true in the Writing Community. 

Take a second to think about writers you know, like the critique partner who works with you to improve your manuscript. The writing friend who listens, supports and keeps you strong when times are tough. The author who generously offers council, advice and inspiration when asked.

So many people take the time to make us feel special, don't they? They comment on our blogs, re-tweet our posts, chat with us on forums and wish us Happy Birthday on Facebook.

Kindness ROCKS!

To commemorate the release of their book The Emotion Thesaurus, Becca and Angela at The Bookshelf Muse are hosting a TITANIC Random Act Of Kindness BLITZ. And because I think KINDNESS is contagious, I'm participating too!

The moment I came to know about this blogfest, I knew I just had to participate. I think I am late in joining, but as they say, better late than never.

I choose my two awesome and amazing Crit Partners:

KimKoning, my first Crit Partner is my one of the  recipients of my RAOK.

 Mark Noce my second Crit Partner is another recipient of my RAOK.

There is no way I can forget to mention Angela Ackerman who so generously critiqued my query letter during the Christmas Holidays and made it shine.  

All three of these amazing writers and bloggers are wonderful additions to my writing life. They have enriched it with their insightful suggestions, helpful feedback and encouraging words.

Becca and Angela have a special RAOK gift waiting for you as well, so hop on over to The Bookshelf Muse to pick it up.

Have you ever participated in or been the recipient of a Random Act Of Kindness? Let me know in the comments!

P.S. My Random Act of Kindness is a first chapter critique to anyone who is interested. You can email me the first chapter and I will be happy to critique it for you. You can click on my profile for my email id.