Sunday, March 18, 2018

Reet Singh on writing and why there is 'No Escape From Love'

Today on 'On Writing', we have Reet Singh, an ophthalmologist, who makes time for her other passions – reading and writing, watching romantic comedies, and doing creative things with wool and a crochet hook. She enjoys working on cryptic crosswords and playing Scrabble®. When she has no other choice, she can be found in the kitchen putting together her 'world-famous' one-pot meals.
Wecome to 'On Writing', Reet!
Follow Reet on: Twitter Facebook Her Website
Find her Books on Amazon

Was becoming an author always your dream or was it a particular event or incident that gave birth to the author in you?

I have always been a reader; but then when my sons were born, I discovered that I needed to learn how to pull stories out of thin air every night after lights out. My husband and I continued the tradition that our parents had started – the telling of the bedtime story. The boys wanted a new story every night and I would cook one up for them with great inventiveness – the ritual inspired me to try my hand at writing - the boys have grown up and flown the coop, but I’m still writing.

You are a popular traditionally published author.  You are venturing into the Indie publishing route with your third novel. What made you to try the indie route?

That’s such a nice thing to say – popular! Thank you, Preethi.

As a brand new writer, it was a lovely break to find a traditional publisher who was willing to take on my stories. I won a two-book contract with Mills and Boon® when they were looking for Indian authors for their imprint. This was in 2013 and they published ‘Scorched by his Fire’ and ‘The Cure was Love’ in 2014.

After that, I discovered a few things that I hadn’t known before: publishers don’t do more than the bare-minimum publicity for books by newbies, and the reporting of sales is sometimes quite a hopeless mess. In the years after my books came out, I witnessed self-published authors like you, Preethi, having such fun with their book promotions and with the transparency of the sales process, and I made up my mind that I would try it with book three. I have to say that while it was nerve-wracking, being my first time, I have no regrets so far. I am only a few weeks old in the self-publishing world, but I do think I am a permanent convert.

What is the most interesting part and most difficult aspect of going indie?

I love being in control of every aspect of the process from cover design, to editing and formatting, right up to the final publishing. Even after publishing, if I need to edit any part of the book, I can do it at any time that I like.

The thing that I find a little difficult with self-publishing is making the decisions that I’ve just mentioned as being mine to make. Sounds absurd, I know, but it can be a bit lonely as a self-published author. And so, it makes sense to have a support team that you can run to with questions. I’ve been very lucky in that I did have a bunch of writers rooting for me. I have acknowledged them in my book and if you want to find out if you’re one of them you’ll have to buy my book!

How important are the names of the characters in your books to you? Do you spend agonizing hours deciding on their names?

I take naming my characters very seriously. And, yes, the process is agonizing (you picked the right word) for the following reasons: One, half the names I want to use belong to people that I know and it could be potentially embarrassing for me – I wouldn’t want them to wonder if I’ve based my character on them, because, most likely, I haven’t. Then, the name has to reflect some of the characteristics of the protagonist, in my mind at least. I also don’t want it to be a very common name, nor one so rare that my readers find it unbelievable. Also, all the names of all my characters have to be sufficiently different from each other so that readers don’t confuse one character with the other. Agonizing doesn’t even begin to cover it!

What is your writing process like? Do you write every day? Is there a favorite place to write?

I’m afraid I don’t write every day.
No, wait! Let me change that.
I don’t write fiction every day, but I do write for research and academic purposes on a daily basis. I am an ophthalmologist and I collaborate on research projects with other doctors – hence, I have a pile of data that needs to be written up for publication in scientific journals. So, yes, I write every day. My favorite place is in an armchair with my feet up on a stool, or propped up in bed, which ever is closer to me when I decide to write.

What is special about ‘No Escape from Love’?

No Escape from Love’ is set in a rural community in Punjab. The protagonists are all city-bred, but I was keen to remove them from the glitz and glamor of the city and try and see how they’d handle life in a village. I’m happy to say that they managed fabulously, apart from a couple of problems that I threw in just to see them squirm - we writers can be wicked that way!

How long did it take to finish writing ‘No escape from Love’?

Preethi, I took ages. I started writing Mohini and Aalok’s story right after ‘The Cure was Love’ came out in November 2014, and I took long sabbaticals in between, so that I completed it only in early 2018.

Three years! I might want to add this as a disadvantage of self-publishing: you have no publisher deadlines when you are self-pubbing, and so you must set a time frame for yourself and keep to it otherwise you’ll end up procrastinating more than writing.

Please share a passage or quote from ‘No Escape from Love’ for our readers.

Aalok wanted to stop Mohini's mad, clumsy dash across the mossy stones. If she slipped she would cause herself serious damage. But he couldn't touch her, not after that ... what a strange, complicated moment that had been back at the stairwell!

He hadn't meant anything, hadn't even thought twice before grabbing her - she would have broken her neck for sure crashing down that high last step.

Shockingly, she hadn't appreciated his help. Aalok rubbed at the stinging at his wrists. She'd scratched him something fierce. What had she imagined he was up to? Why would he hurt her? He was her brother's friend, for crying out loud!

Have you ever faced writer’s block? If yes, how do you get over it?

I cannot say that I have. In any case, I find that simply opening up my work-in-progress and reading a few of the paragraphs that I’ve written earlier gets my brain buzzing and my fingers start creeping toward the keyboard. When I’m stuck with a scene that isn’t turning out right, I put it away and sleep on it. It usually sorts itself out the next time I sit down to write.

What are the three tips you have for readers of this interview who are aspiring writers?

  1. Read the authors that you love or the genres that you want to write in, or do both things – in other words, just read a lot.
  2. Get a good editor – not just a software like Grammarly, but also a human editor who has a reputation for strong, sound editing.
  3. Write every day (tongue firmly in cheek)


Thank you, again, Preethi. I’ve loved talking to you!

Thank you, Reet. It was fun talking to you. Looking forward to read more from you. 

 About 'No Escape from Love':



Will the demons from their past succeed in tearing them apart?

After personal tragedy strikes, Mohini Kapoor runs away from the city to her grandparents home in a village in Punjab. Though she manages to pick up the pieces of her broken self, and even builds a life for herself, the horror of her experience is difficult to forget. She buries it deep down inside her subconscious mind until the arrival of a stranger threatens to resurrect the old demons.

Reputed photojournalist, Aalok Ahuja, has to hide out for a few days to escape circumstances beyond his control. When his friend recommends Tejopur, a remote village in Punjab, Aalok expects life to be simple there and, perhaps, even boring - instead, his world is thrown into chaos by a woman more desirable, and vastly more complicated, than any he has ever known.

When their destinies collide, attraction flares, but secrets threaten their new found feelings. Should they cut and run or give love a chance?

The book is free on Kindle Unlimited!
or Buy from:
NOTE: This article is written as part of the #SuperBloggerChallenge2018 by #Instacuppa conducted by HealthWealthBridge.comFashionableFoodz.com and AllAboutTheWoman.comand should not be repurposed, republished or use otherwise. The content herein is owned by the blogger. SuperBloggerChallenge2018 is not responsible for any infringement caused.

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

InstaCuppa and a Happy Writer



What makes this writer happy? Coffee and my latest discovery, the range of products from Instacuppa.

Don’t we all wish for a healthy and energetic lifestyle?

Yet many of us are forced to consume bottled soft drinks just to drag us through a hectic day. The result is often just opposite of what we crave: deteriorating health, fatigue and obesity.

Around the world, coffee is the fuel of writers. I am no different though I am a late comer into the world of coffee lovers. Getting up from the desk to brew some coffee is a must but then the lengthy process of brewing a coffee will break the flow of writing.  Fruit infused water was an easy alternative but I still crave my coffee. That is when I discovered Instacuppa.

A friend recommended Instacuppa range of products to me as I am a fan of coffee and detox drinks. Both fuel my creativity and keeps me tapping on the keyboard with ease and happiness.

INSTACUPPA FRENCH PRESS COFFEE MAKER


Do you think you can brew a perfect cup of black coffee within 4 minutes? If your answer is no, it is time you tried the Instacuppa French press Coffee maker. 

Bid goodbye to cloudy coffee. The high-quality metal filter on this French press coffee pot leaves no grinds in the brew, and it is super easy to make. 

Add coffee powder, hot water and use the French press to filter out the grinds. Super easy, right? Check out this video to know more. 


The product promises durability as it has an extra tough heat-resistant borosilicate glass carafe that doesn’t break as easily as the others. 

Its high grade 18/8 stainless steel components that keep rust at bay. It has 600ml capacity and we can brew 6 cups in just one press. The plunger mechanism is super smooth making it easy to use.


The best part is that all the materials used in the manual coffee tea maker are FDA-approved and meet stringent international quality standards.

The sleek and timeless design of this French press will add beauty to your kitchen as well.

Click here to buy Instacuppa French Press Coffee Maker


Let me introduce some of the other products from Instacuppa that I absolutely loved.

INSTACUPPA THERMOSTEEL BOTTLE / THERMOS FLASK 1200ML WITH FRUIT INFUSER

Ever seen a flask with a fruit infuser? Check this one out.
Not only does this flask keep water cold up to 24 hours, but the insulated fruit infuser rod adds the extra benefits of the regular fruit infuser.




INSTACUPPA DOUBLE WALLED GLASS GREEN TEA / DETOX INFUSER BOTTLE

If you love green tea, you will love this infuser bottle from InstaCuppa. It is double glass walled and hence would keep the green tea hot for a long time.




 INSTACUPPA PREMIUM MILK FROTHER HANDHELD


This milk frother helps to make milkshakes and drinks easily. 
Click here to buy premium milk frother

Also, it helps to even make the perfect scrambled eggs by frothing it just the right way. 

It is handheld, cute, easy to clean and also dishwasher safe. And guess what, it has a 1-year warranty as well.

There are many other products at the site which is on a mission to bring more and more people towards a better health. For example, the InstaCuppa Fruit Infuser Water Bottle is another must buy. 
Let me go drink some coffee to fuel the writer in me further.  What is your fuel? Coffee, fruit-infused drinks, green tea?
Which one of the Instacuppa products are you going to purchase?


NOTE: This article is written as part of the #SuperBloggerChallenge2018 by #Instacuppa conducted by HealthWealthBridge.comFashionableFoodz.com and AllAboutTheWoman.comand should not be repurposed, republished or use otherwise. The content herein is owned by the blogger. SuperBloggerChallenge2018 is not responsible for any infringement caused.












Monday, March 5, 2018

Protinex: It's all about Hydrolysed Proteins

When hydrolysed proteins were first introduced to the consumers in the year 2000, it was just understood that they digested faster than the available protein powders. But over the years, their impact has been studied and documented well.

So, what are hydrolysed proteins?

Hydrolysed proteins are proteins that have been partially digested or ‘hydrolysed.’ The proteins are broken down into single amino acids and small amino-acid peptide strands making way for a speedy delivery from gut to muscles when compared to intact proteins.

How important is protein for health?

Protein is an important component of the human body. Hair and nails are made of proteins. Our body requires protein to build and repair tissues. Enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals are created using proteins. They are also an important building block of blood, muscles, skin, cartilage, and bones.
Common sources of proteins are both plant-based and animal based. Common vegetarian sources of proteins are milk, pulses, dals, beans, and soy. For non-vegetarians, eggs, fish, beef, mutton, and chicken will supply all the protein you need. When these protein-rich food items are included in your daily meal, the protein demands of the body are met.
Calculate the protein content in your daily meals using the Protein calculator from Protinex.

What is Protinex?

Protinex is a protein supplement from Danone, which is a leading global food company built on four business lines: Essential Dairy and Plant-Based Products, Early Life Nutrition, Waters and Medical Nutrition. It was introduced in the Indian market 60 years ago. As of now, it is the No.1 doctor prescribed protein supplement powder in India.
It contains adequate amounts of nutrients and hence makes your diet perfectly balanced. It has a high protein content of 34g per 100g. It comes in various flavours like elaichi, chocolate, vanilla and original. There is also a special variant for Diabetics and one for pregnant women by the name Mama Protinex.  It doesn’t contain trans-fats. A glass of Protinex brings in vigour and energy making you achieve your goals easily. A word of caution: It contains Soy Protein Isolate, and is hence not recommended for people allergic to peanut or soya.

Protein Calculator from Protinex:

Protinex unveiled the ‘Protein Calculator’ with nutritionist Kavita Devgan on 27 February 2018 at Lucknow.
Protinex, with its mission ‘to educate Indians about the relevance of protein daily’, launched a Protein Calculator at an event in Lucknow. It was unveiled by Kavita Devgan, nutritionist, weight management consultant and health writer. The calculator provides an easy way to calculate one’s daily protein intake thus helping to improve one’s diet to fulfil the daily protein needs.

According to a recent IMRB survey, 73% of urban Indian population consumes foods deficient in protein, with Lucknow being the highest in deficiency at 90%, Mumbai at 70% and Delhi at 60% while Kolkata reported the least protein deficiency at 43%.

Kavita Devgan at the event
 At the event, Kavita Devgan spoke about the importance of proper protein intake in one’s daily diet.
“Protein is a highly misunderstood nutrient and consumers are unaware that pulses, fish or chicken alone do not meet the daily protein requirement. A healthy adult requires about 1 g of protein per Kg body weight. Sometimes it is difficult to meet this requirement through our daily diet unless we are conscious of the food that we consume or support it with protein supplements,” said Kavita Devgan.

Mr. Himanshu Bakshi, Director- Marketing, Danone India said, “93% of Indians are unaware of their ideal protein requirement and believe that they are getting enough protein in their diet. Hence, we developed a simple Protein Calculator to help Indians assess their protein intake. This tool allows the consumer to calculate their protein intake and take remedial actions in their diet or through protein supplements that offer the right quality and quantity of protein in a convenient format”.

How to include Protinex in your diet:

Protinex is a powder and hence is consumed by mixing it with milk. It is a complete protein source which means it includes all the essential amino acids. Being hydrolysed protein, it acts quickly and hence ensures the protein needs of the body are met.

Have you tried Protinex yet?

 Disclaimer: All the information provided in the post are for general health awareness. Please consult your doctor before adopting any new dietary changes.

Friday, March 2, 2018

Cover Reveal - A Royal Historical Romance by Ashvini

Holi Book Release – Sharvari (Book 1 of Royal Romance Collection)



Sharvari is the first standalone novella in the Royal Romance Collection. The story is set in ancient India and mirrors the dynamics of that era.

Book Summary

Betrayed in love and war, Sharvari makes one final attempt to save her people by offering herself to the victorious rival King of Sindh, Brihadrath. The handsome king gives her a hope of a new start. But life at her new home is ridden with challenges. While she is coping up with a slew of palace intrigues and assassination attempts, the man from her past haunts her. Can Sharvari overcome the hurdles and find love again?
If you love intriguing stories of steamy romance with a guaranteed HEA, do download and read this one!

Buy Link: hyperurl.co/m0d8cl

Excerpt


“Move!” The goad hit her shoulder. She heard another soldier forbid the first one from hitting her again. It did not matter. She had grown numb to the pain. The second soldier caught hold of her bound hands and yanked her back to her feet. Many pairs of eyes stared upon her dusky hued limbs, a feast to eyes, for the wolf skin tunic that had made for the most of her clothing had been cast off long before. Save for the ragged jute that covered her breasts and her loins, her youth was on a display.

Modesty was the last of things on her mind as her legs gathered whatever strength they could to walk in to the court. Her lips quivered at an odd lewd word she heard while walking ahead, the ropes still pulling at her hands. But her eyes stayed fixed on the ground, on the marble flooring of the court hall, on the art that adorned the floor, on the flowery carpet that covered the stairs to the throne seat and on to the feet that wore the intricately carved sandals.

The Victorious King! Her gaze froze there. A cheer erupted in his name. “Long live King Brihadrath!”

Sharvari felt her limbs go numb. With an effort, she lifted her gaze to sight the blue silken Dhoti held in place by an ornate golden waistband. She then saw the garland of flowers around his neck, a whiff of their fragrance swept till where she stood. Strings of precious gems shone in the sunlight. King Brihadrath knew to groom himself! Or at least he knew what it took to impress a woman at the first sight.

Is what I heard about him correct? She prayed it was. As disgusting as the idea was, that was the only way she could save them all.

Her eyes met his. Sharvari saw them widen for a second before his lips parted as he signalled to the general to come closer.

“Were women captured and dragged along?”

The forbidding frown that momentarily passed on his forehead locked her gaze upon his face. Sharvari thought fast. She was ready for this. At least she thought she was.


Found the excerpt interesting? Download the book here: Buy Link: hyperurl.co/m0d8cl

About the author


Ashvini is a management professional turned story teller. She loves to dream history and weaves romantic fantasies set in ancient India. She lives in Bangalore with her husband and daughter.

This is written for the #SuperBloggerChallenge2018 #Instacuppa hosted by HealthWealthBridge.comFashionableFoodz.com and AllAboutTheWoman.com. The challenge is from 15 Feb – 26 April 2018.  

Thursday, March 1, 2018

How to Write more Every day?




March begins today and I haven't really written anything on the blog last few months month except posting a few interviews and cover reveals for which practically I had nothing to write.

Are you wondering why?

I was busy writing.

One of the resolutions I made for 2018 was to be more productive as a writer this year. And that asks for a more disciplined writing schedule and writing practices.

A target I had in mind while thinking about it was minimum 2500 to 3000 words a day.

For the past few days, I am happily achieving that within the two or three writing hours that I get for myself. My highest word count was 3800 words within two focused hours.

How did I achieve that?

Pomodoro Technique:

I am using the Pomodoro technique which I have described before in this blog before. Read about it here. The writing is done in sprints of 25 minutes. Anyone can easily write 500 words in 20 minutes. So imagine how much you can write if you have 4-5 such sprints!


During this time, I do not answer any calls or check social media notifications. The Internet is disabled on my computer and the Scrivener window remains open in fullscreen mode. 
 In short no distractions.

Plot your story:

I used to be a pantser. That means I used to just write and develop the story as it came to me. I have by now realised the benefits of being a plotter. So I plot the entire story before I sit to write. I make a rough outline of each chapter before I actually begin to write.



Rehearse writing:

Another thing that really helped was rehearsing the scenes that I wanted to write in my mind while doing chores. This way, when I was about to write, I had even the exact sentences /dialogues that I wanted to write.

Turn off the internal Editor:

Writers and editors cannot co-exist. While writing, ask the editor in you to go and take a break. Editing is for another time.

Why should you do this?

Writing uses your right brain which is the creative center of your brain. Whereas, editing uses the left brain or the logical and analytical center of your brain. If both these areas create a conflict, the output will be zero.

So how to turn the editor off?

Free write. Write your heart out. Don't listen to the brain which would want you to consider whether you have used the perfect word. Or whether you have committed a typo.

At the end of each session, go back and correct your mistakes. But while writing, don't break the flow by going back to edit. When writing, just write.

Read more books:

Reading always makes you a better writer. The words that get imprinted in our memory pours out while we are writing our own story. We can model scenes and characters on visuals which might be from fiction or from real life. The exposition comes easily if you read more books in the genre you are writing.

Exercise:

I do yoga for an hour every day so that my body gets back its vitality and energy which it loses if I sit long hours in front of my computer. 
Yoga also helps in clearing the clutter in our mind and gives clarity to the mind. Team it with a short meditation and the benefit just doubles.
Caution: When you start any kind of exercise, do so only under the guidance of a teacher or trainer.

Sleep well:

Getting minimum 8 hours of undisturbed sleep is the best medicine. Make sure you give your body adequate rest to rejuvenate every day.

POINTERS:


Hope this helps you to accomplish your writing goals this year.


This is written for the #SuperBloggerChallenge2018 #Instacuppa hosted by HealthWealthBridge.comFashionableFoodz.com and AllAboutTheWoman.com. The challenge is from 15 Feb – 26 April 2018.