Wednesday, December 5, 2018

December IWSG Post – Five objects on my writing space


When I started my blog in March 2010, I came across Alex Cavanaugh, a blogger who was like a Rockstar online. He had a large number of followers and lots of comments on his blog. I envied him a lot. One day I left a comment on his blog. Within a few hours Courteous Cavanaugh arrived at my blog and left a return comment. And therein started our friendship.

Later I joined IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) an online community of writers posting on the first Wednesday of the month. In our IWSG posts we discuss all our writing related doubts, fears and worries. This global group of writers also helps each other out in various way.

November was the first IWSG post I missed. November 7th was Diwali and also my book release and with me chasing the courier company who was sitting on my author copies for 10 days, I completely forgot about IWSG. And when I read Amazing Alex’s comment saying he missed me, I immediately felt better. Sweet of him to visit my blog and leave that warm comment.

Ninja Captain Alex J Cavanaugh (author of the Amazon Bestsellers: CassaStar, CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the Stars) started this awesome group that is like a therapy for writers. Under Rockstar Alex’s leadership (Alex is also a fantastic guitarist), IWSG has become a force to reckon with: there are monthly newsletters, contests, anthologies, articles from Industry experts and IWSG has also hosted several successful Twitter pitch contests. Do visit the IWSG website. 

The awesome co-hosts for the December 5th posting of IWSG are J.H Moncrieff, Tonja Drecker, Patsy Collins and Chrys Fey.

December 5 question – What are the five objects we’d find in your writing space?

The five objects you would find in my writing space are, my pen, fullscap sheets where I have written the plot points and character details, a glass of water, my mobile phone and whichever book I’m currently reading.

Eager to read about the five things I would find in your writing space. Will hop over to your blogs later to say hi.

Friday, October 26, 2018

My First Guest Blog Post about my New Book

Though I’m a little sad that the release date of my book Festival Stories Through The Year (HarperCollin’s Children’s Books) has been postponed from 25th October to 10th November, but I’m also excited to talk about how the whole thing just fell into my lap, the struggles I faced while writing about festivals and the difficulty I had in researching it, on Shyamala Shanmugasundram’s wonderful blog.

Shyamala is the creator of the group Kahanitakbak, a prolific writer herself and a selfless human who believes that writers should support and encourage each other.

Kataba (Kahanitakbak) is a free monthly newsletter, it contains articles and interviews of people in the world of publishing. It also includes news about new book releases, upcoming workshops and events conducted by children’s authors.

To subscribe to the newsletter visit Kahani Takbak's website

My first blogpost about my latest book and I couldn’t have chosen a better blog to talk about my experience.

Do visit Shyamala’s blog to read my guest post.

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

IWSG Post and my Writing Good News



It’s time for the October IWSG post. IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) is an online community of writers, who post on the first Wednesday of every month. IWSG posts usually centre around writing related topics. So check out the IWSG website for informative articles on writing and publishing.

Alex J Cavanaugh also called Ninja Captain, Super A, Saint Alex, Superhero Alex (my secret names for Alex), started IWSG. Alex is the author of the Amazon Bestsellers: CassaStar, CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the Stars.

 The October 3rd question is – How do major life events affect your writing? Has writing ever helped you through something?


Major life events throw my writing out of the window. I just can’t write or focus. In the third week of December 2015, my dad fell sick, and on January 4th  2016 he passed away. For nearly three months I just could not focus on writing. But then I decided that I had to do something about it. So on 1st April 2016 I started my first adult novel and by 31st May 2016 I had written the first draft. I channeled all my grief into my story and writing.

Blog buddies, I need to share my writing good news with you all. My book Festival Stories Through The Year (HarperCollins Children’s Books) is releasing on 25th October. I had to keep a low profile while writing this book and not mention it to anyone and that’s what I did. Now I’m allowed to talk about it. Sharing the cover and the pre-order link on Amazon.





Here is the pre-order link to buy the book

Festival Stories Through The Year on Amazon


Wednesday, September 5, 2018

September IWSG post – My Path to Publishing


It seems as though just yesterday I posted my August IWSG post and now its time for the September post. IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) is an online community of writers, who post on the first Wednesday of every month. IWSG posts are usually writing related. Check out the IWSG website for amazing articles on writing and publishing.

Ninja Captain Alex J Cavanaugh (of the super powers fame) started IWSG. Alex is also the author of the Amazon Bestsellers: CassaStar, CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the Stars.

September 5 question is – What publishing path are you considering/did you take and why?

I’ve always wanted to be traditionally published. Self-publishing sounds very difficult for me. There is so much to do if a writer opts for the self-publishing route, from getting the book edited, to cover design, to printing to marketing. For that reason I never gave self-publishing much thought. And ofcourse one is taken very seriously if one of the Big 6 publishes our book/s.

Looking forward to reading all about your publishing paths.

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

August IWSG Post – Pitfalls to avoid during our Publication Journey


It’s unbelievable that we have reached the 8th month of the year. This year is flying at a supersonic speed. Another IWSG has arrived at our doorstep. IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) is an online community of writers, posting on the first Wednesday of every month, our posts are usually writing related. Check out the IWSG website for amazing posts on writing and publishing.

Ninja Captain Alex J Cavanaugh (author of the Amazon Bestsellers: CassaStar, CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the Stars) came up with this amazing idea of starting IWSG. This idea of Alex was welcomed by writers all over the world. IWSG not just connected us with other writers, it also showed us that we aren’t alone in our writing journeys, that most other writers share the same insecurities and battle the same demons. And it also introduced us to a wonderful angel in disguise called Alex Cavanaugh. I think the writing God has sent Angel Alex to help writers all over the world. And he is doing a wonderful job.

The awesome co-hosts for the August 1 posting of IWSG are Erika Beebe, Sandra Hoover, Susan Gourley and Lee Lowery.

August 1 IWSG question – What pitfalls would you warn other writers to avoid on their publication journey?

I would tell other writers not to give up their day jobs, because books by themselves don’t make much money, it’s the other writing (the free-lance work) that gives us a steady income. I would also tell other writers that the moment they have a book out on submission they should start their next one. As we writers never know which book or story will get us an agent or a publishing deal. I would also tell writers to be open to other writing opportunities, as many times our paths to publication take on different routes.

Looking forward to reading everyone’s suggestions and advice.




Wednesday, July 4, 2018

July IWSG Post – What are your Ultimate Writing Goals?


I completely forgot that today was the first Wednesday of the month and that it was IWSG posting day. I was on my evening walk when I realized it. I rushed home and checked the IWSG website for the question of the month and here I’m typing out my post. Last month I was organized and this month completely disorganized.

IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) is an online community of writers, posting on the first Wednesday of every month, our posts are usually related to our writing. The IWSG website has amazing posts on writing and publishing.

The credit for creating IWSG goes to Ninja Captain Alex J Cavanaugh (author of the Amazon Bestsellers: CassaStar, CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the Stars). Alex is multi-talented, a multi-tasker, one of the kindest people I know online, he is also a fantastic musician, a great writer and a wonderful human. Thanks to Alex, IWSG has become a welcome therapy for us writers.

The July 4th IWSG Question is “What are your ultimate writing goals, and how have they changed over time (if at all)?

My ultimate writing goals are to write many, many books, across genres, and this goal has been a constant. Its another matter that I haven’t yet achieved it. But, I’m working towards it.

Looking forward to reading what all your writing goals are.
P.S. I completely forgot that we were supposed to post on 3rd July.


Wednesday, June 6, 2018

June IWSG Post – What’s Easy, Book Titles or Character Names

For a change I scheduled my IWSG post one day in advance. And I’m proud of that fact that I’ve become a teeny-weeny bit organized. I can’t believe that its the sixth IWSG of 2018. IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) is an online community of writers, posting on the first Wednesday of every month, our posts are usually related to our writing. The IWSG website has amazing posts on writing and publishing.

The credit for creating IWSG goes to Ninja Captain Alex J Cavanaugh (author of the Amazon Bestsellers: CassaStar, CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the Stars). Alex is also a fantastic musician and a wonderful human. He had this great idea of starting this group, to help writers talk of their fears, worries and insecurities. Thanks to Alex, IWSG has become a welcome therapy for us writers.

June 6 question – What’s harder for you to come up with, book titles or character names?

Actually both book titles and character names are easy for me. Infact the moment a story pops up in my mind, it arrives accompanied with its title and the names of the central characters. Very rare do I have trouble thinking of book/story titles or character names. I’m lucky that way. Wish the plotting too was so easy!

I look forward to reading what comes easy for you all.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

May 2 IWSG Post – Does Spring Inspire you to Write?


I usually schedule my IWSG posts atleast a couple of days before. But as I completely forgot about the May 2nd IWSG post, it’s a last minute one. I think I’m still in April mode. The fifth IWSG of 2018 has knocked on our doors. IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) is an online community of writers, posting on the first Wednesday of the month. Our posts are about our writing-related issues and our writing experiences.Visit the IWSG website for the amazing posts.

Ninja Captain Alex J Cavanaugh (author of the Amazon Bestsellers: CassaStar, CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the Stars) had this wonderful idea of starting IWSG, where we writers can let off all our writing-related steam, in a holistic and healthy way, thereby getting rid of our fears and worries. Writers are so susceptible to anxiety and stress-related issues, that IWSG comes as a wonderful therapy.

I heard doctors all over the world are hunting for Alex, who has cheated them of many patients. Have no fear Alex, no one can touch you or harm you, we all are your bodyguards.

May 2 question - It’s spring! Does this season inspire you to write more than others, or not?

I don’t think Spring inspires me to write more than the other seasons. Nowadays I make it a point to write every day, inspite of the seasons, and irrespective of the time of the day and whether it is weekends or weekdays. Earlier, I would write till evening, reserving the late evenings and nights for reading, but nowadays I write throughout the day and even during the nights and weekends. I think I’m getting more disciplined and committed to writing in this phase of my life.

Looking forward to reading your posts.

P.S. Due to work pressure I’m just posting on IWSG days.




Wednesday, April 4, 2018

IWSG Post – When our Writing Life gets Cloudy or Filled with Rain


Another IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) has arrived. All writers who live on Earth know what is IWSG, an online community of writers who post on the first Wednesday of the month. In our posts we discuss all writing-related issues and sometimes we do grumble a bit. Visit the IWSG website, its full of information on writing and publishing.

Ninja Captain Alex J Cavanaugh (author of the Amazon Bestsellers: CassaStar, CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the Stars) came up with this wonderful idea of starting IWSG. In a short span of time, under our resident Superhero Alex’s leadership who is one of the most generous writers I know, IWSG has become a force to reckon with in the writing world. IWSG has a newsletter which keeps the members updated, IWSG has also published several anthologies and has hosted two Twitter pitch contests. 

Psstt…I was contacted by an alien who lives on Pluto, he wanted to know about our Ninja Captain’s secret source of energy, and he also wanted to know how to join IWSG. Help me out as I’m a bit confused, shall I allow him to join?

 April 4th question is : When your writing life is a bit cloudy or filled with rain, what do you do to dig down and keep writing?

When my writing life is a bit cloudy or filled with rain, I almost always take a break, either by reading or tackling my freelance writing assignments. That way though I’m not actively working on my novel, I’m still writing. And reading subconsciously clears the cobwebs in my head. Disappearing into another writer’s world always unravels the knots that come while I’m writing. And taking that small reading break refreshes and energizes me.

I’m looking forward to reading how you all tackle the clouds or rain that hit your writing.

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

IWSG Post How do you Celebrate achieving a Writing Goal/finishing a story


A few years back when I used to read the IWSG posts, I never realized that I’ll somehow summon the guts to join IWSG and even talk of all my writing related anxieties and issues without a fear of being judged. I not just look forward to IWSG, but by reading other writers’ worries and doubts I’m assured that I’m not alone where writing problems are concerned.

IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) is an online community of writers posting on the first Wednesday of the month. We discuss all our writing related doubts, fears and worries in our posts. This global group of writers also helps each other out in various way.

Ninja Captain Alex J Cavanaugh (author of the Amazon Bestsellers: CassaStar, CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the Stars) started this awesome group. Under Superhero Alex’s leadership, IWSG has become a force to reckon with: there are monthly newsletters, contests, anthologies, articles from Industry experts and IWSG has also hosted two Twitter pitch contests.  

The awesome co-hosts for the March 7 posting of the IWSG are Mary Aalgaard, Bish Denham, Jennifer Hawes, Diane Burton and Gwen Gardener.

March 7 question – How do you celebrate when you achieve a writing goal/finish a story?

Whenever I achieve a writing goal or finish a story I celebrate by taking some time off and doing what I love the most: eating and reading a book. Earlier I would always reward myself by taking a day or two break to read a book that has been sitting in my To Be Read Pile or go out with my friends. But nowadays due to my work commitments, the break time has been reduced to a few hours and I immediately start planning my next writing goal or story. I feel the best reward I can give myself is to move on to another story/manuscript or complete pending assignments, the celebrations have all moved on to my mind.

I look forward to reading all your posts and seeing how you all reward yourself when you achieve a writing goal/finish a story.

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

IWSG Post - What do I love the most about the genre I write in?


It’s time for another IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) post. IWSG is an online community of writers who post on the first Wednesday of the month. Our posts hover around our writing-related issues. Writers from all over the world who are at different stages of their writing journeys encourage and support us with their suggestions and advice.

Ninja Captain Alex J Cavanaugh (author of the Amazon Bestsellers: CassaStar, CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the Stars) started this wonderful group.
In a short span of time, under Superhero Alex’s leadership, IWSG has become a force to reckon with. The IWSG newsletter keeps the members updated, the IWSG website is full of information on writing and publishing, IWSG has also published several anthologies and has hosted two Twitter pitch contests.  

Our awesome co-hosts for the February 7th posting of IWSG are Stephen Tremp, Pat Garcia, Angela Woolridge, Victoria Marie Lees and Madeline Mora -Summonte

February 7 question – What do you love about the genre you write in most often?

As I write Middle Grade Fantasy, I love the fact that I can do extensive world building. I love creating a make-believe world and putting a whole lot of magical creatures and places in it. For my first MG book, I had gone berserk, I had created many magical creatures who lived in that place, even the food that the characters ate was intrinsic to that place and had come about after extensive thought and planning. Perhaps that is the reason I love the genre of fantasy so much, as it gives me the freedom to go wild.

I look forward to reading all your posts and seeing what you all love the most about the genres you write in.

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

IWSG Post – My Plan for my Writing and Publishing?

One of the best things to happen to writers all over the world is IWSG, the other things being signing with an agent and bagging a publishing deal. But before the other two happen, writers celebrate being a part of IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) an online community of writers posting on the first Wednesday of the month. We discuss things that we can’t talk with non-writers: our writing blues, writing insecurities and worries. And the best thing is writers from all over the world who are at different stages of their writing journeys encourage and support us with their suggestions and advice.

The credit for starting this amazing group goes to Ninja captain Alex J Cavanaugh (author of the Amazon Bestsellers: CassaStar, CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the Stars). Superhero Alex has made IWSG a force to reckon with. There is an IWSG website, a newsletter that keeps the members updated, IWSG brings out  anthologies every year, it hosted a Twitter pitch party last year and will host its second party on January 18th.  

My co-hosts for January IWSG are Tyrean Martinson, Ellen @The Cynical Sailor, Megan Morgan and Jennifer Lane.

The IWSG January 3rd question is : What steps have you taken or plan to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing?

At the start of my writing career I had put a publishing plan in place. My aim was to get visibility as a writer and to achieve that purpose I wrote short stories, features and did book reviews for many newspapers, so that more and more people would get familiar with my byline. I also contributed stories for several anthologies brought out by leading publishers so that the editors would be acquainted with my style of writing when my books landed in their inbox.

Yes, my writing and publishing plan has worked to a certain extent. Nowadays many people are familiar with my name and read my features and the editors of the publishing houses don’t take me lightly. Usually editors have a habit of brushing off writers, but not in my case, as I’ve become a columnist for two newspapers. 
w for two newspapers.
This year my plan is to write more books in different genres.


I’m looking forward to reading all your writing and publishing plans.