tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77864084840985125852024-03-05T15:19:51.818-08:00thoughts of everyday of an aspiring writerRuchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-49655833756744124792013-09-28T23:25:00.001-07:002013-09-28T23:26:48.552-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi everyone, I have had a change of address. Please join me at my new blog<br />
<a href="http://ruchivasudeva.wordpress.com/">http://ruchivasudeva.wordpress.com/</a><br />
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It's been great sharing my writing journey with you all and hope you'll extend the same support at my new venue. So looking forward to seeing you there! Ta!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfe8aM_QHAWF_pIhFI2FnJzMqC4f_LXfANHaA3KeJ0ORhT-p6gL1UQ0eKtVKZYEiEaRuxeFd20rFBzkErk4GoLi60ZvLNqM1-6KYpt5SSGrH6yhrCVJV0oUYY19T88RlvAZhfbv2uGAqg/s1600/images+(39).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfe8aM_QHAWF_pIhFI2FnJzMqC4f_LXfANHaA3KeJ0ORhT-p6gL1UQ0eKtVKZYEiEaRuxeFd20rFBzkErk4GoLi60ZvLNqM1-6KYpt5SSGrH6yhrCVJV0oUYY19T88RlvAZhfbv2uGAqg/s1600/images+(39).jpg" /></a></div>
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Here's the link to my new 'nook' once again :) <a href="http://ruchivasudeva.wordpress.com/">http://ruchivasudeva.wordpress.com/</a><br />
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Many thanks and love<br />
Ruchi<br />
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Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-33977093350069178482013-08-24T22:39:00.001-07:002013-08-24T22:44:05.817-07:00For my online friends<p dir="ltr">Now I'm finally a published author one book old and this morning finishing a convo online I realised what was the best thing about this writing journey. </p><p dir="ltr">
Of course the book is a unique award and it's absolutely thrilling to have a published work and be able to say I've written this. But what I got were the priceless friends I've made on the way. Friends who've supported me sometimes in unexpected ways. Surprised me. Friends I can talk to in troubled times and those who understand and totally 'get' it. </p><p dir="ltr">
So this post is for my friends. I can't name you because I might miss someone, there are so many of you who helped in each of your unique special ways. But at the risk of getting soppy, much love to you all and thank you. Because without your contribution, I wouldn't be feeling so great at this point in my life. </p><p dir="ltr">
So as I finished the chat this morning, I was filled with this warm fuzzy feeling and grateful to my book because it brought me inadvertently in contact with such awesome people. </p><p dir="ltr">
Do you have awesome friends? What is more important in being published? The book or the journey? </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VCVQK-y9Ja_RcAq4Xg0LBSliQ6t_exKWsN4bka7pVrNVnXWqG88ozBEMihVgZ308ZV3MS6hH2se_mjLradhXWHhJHq3xil0jeOqL0S6tlv_9Ba6DQObGWKuYRttyV0IbctRBsoYiy1Y/s1600/2013-08-25-11-00-57--1195815903.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VCVQK-y9Ja_RcAq4Xg0LBSliQ6t_exKWsN4bka7pVrNVnXWqG88ozBEMihVgZ308ZV3MS6hH2se_mjLradhXWHhJHq3xil0jeOqL0S6tlv_9Ba6DQObGWKuYRttyV0IbctRBsoYiy1Y/s640/2013-08-25-11-00-57--1195815903.jpeg"> </a> </div>Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-34651282768790417722013-08-14T23:05:00.001-07:002013-08-14T23:07:41.163-07:00Excerpt from my book - Bollywood Fiancé For A Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here's an excerpt from my book. Vishakha has been waiting for Bollywood actor Zaheer to show up. She's already upset over her broken engagement and waiting for him makes her even more angry. Who does he think he is. But the unrepentant actor is more than just annoying, she finds. Read some of their word exchange :<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>‘A
girl like me?’ She threw his words back at him. ‘By the<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>way,
what exactly do you mean by that?’<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>He
shrugged, showing off sinewy shoulders. ‘Stuck-up.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Starchy.
Clinging to trivialities.’<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>He
didn’t believe in pulling punches, did he? ‘There’s no<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>need
to be insulting or to act like I’m in the wrong. You were<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>aware
of the whole schedule of this event. Or weren’t you?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>These
things get arranged months in advance, but you still<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>didn’t
bother to turn up on time. Of course, you think you’re<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>entitled
to do anything, being a celebrity.’<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>‘Well,
it has its advantages.’ He raised his brows at her near<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>gasp.
‘What? Did you expect me to deny that?’ He grinned,<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>totally
unconcerned, his famous, oddly endearing cheek clefts<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>showing
up.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Frustration
made her breathe in a quickened rhythm. For a<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>moment
they looked at each other, locked in a silent exchange<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>of
vibes—provoked and seething on her side, mocking but unruffled<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>on
his. He spread his hands in a peace-making gesture.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>‘Hey,
don’t get uptight again. It only makes me want to<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>push
your boundaries and see how uppity I can make you.’<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Gold
flecks showed in the warm hazel eyes. Somehow<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>they
sent some errant signals to her system, which had her<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>pulse jumping in response.</b></span></div>
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Here is where it's available : </div>
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<a href="http://www.infibeam.com/Books/bollywood-fiance-day-ruchi-vasudeva/9789351060581.html">http://www.infibeam.com/Books/bollywood-fiance-day-ruchi-vasudeva/9789351060581.html</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flipkart.com/bollywood-fiance-day/p/itmdhhuwhyegzchu?pid=9789351060581&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=bollywood+fiance+for+a+day&ref=45fb560c-7749-43f6-9c8d-6e58bddc0bae">http://www.flipkart.com/bollywood-fiance-day/p/itmdhhuwhyegzchu?pid=9789351060581&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=bollywood+fiance+for+a+day&ref=45fb560c-7749-43f6-9c8d-6e58bddc0bae</a></div>
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<a href="http://ruchivasudeva.weebly.com/">http://ruchivasudeva.weebly.com/</a></div>
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Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-90190675156569180352013-08-14T22:53:00.001-07:002013-08-14T22:53:39.758-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here are the links for my guest posts :<br />
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<a href="http://millsandboonsindiaclub.blogspot.in/2013/08/unexpected-love-encounters.html">http://millsandboonsindiaclub.blogspot.in/2013/08/unexpected-love-encounters.html</a><br />
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<a href="http://pebbleinthestillwaters.blogspot.in/2013/08/an-interview-with-ruchi-vasudeva-author.html">http://pebbleinthestillwaters.blogspot.in/2013/08/an-interview-with-ruchi-vasudeva-author.html</a><br />
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<a href="http://aditebanerjie.com/2013/08/11/romancing-bollywood/">http://aditebanerjie.com/2013/08/11/romancing-bollywood/</a></div>
Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-75848737529915573362013-08-07T06:57:00.004-07:002013-08-07T07:04:27.198-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #073763;">Today's post is at Mills and Boon India club about how love strikes unexpectedly. </span></div>
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<a href="http://millsandboonsindiaclub.blogspot.in/2013/08/unexpected-love-encounters.html" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #f48d1d; text-decoration: none;">Unexpected Love Encounters</a></h3>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Hi everyone,</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">I came across this very cute saying...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-IN" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">The best relationships usually begin unexpectedly<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Do you believe in this? And if you don’t...have you heard about the couple who met through Facebook because they have the same name? Yes, really.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSDA8CbHpea-qudY8DxR8VqbGWfwcmE2FyT7WLB1m11m9lr3i7uUNDgL80abCeSovogWjFTW5o2dmMaL-7wX5jI6bfKeliwnHXPu3an5gZrKxa5SOWIcFV6YfJ42isDEIryV-qYaNfL4R/s1600/DSC02022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSDA8CbHpea-qudY8DxR8VqbGWfwcmE2FyT7WLB1m11m9lr3i7uUNDgL80abCeSovogWjFTW5o2dmMaL-7wX5jI6bfKeliwnHXPu3an5gZrKxa5SOWIcFV6YfJ42isDEIryV-qYaNfL4R/s320/DSC02022.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></span></span></a><span lang="EN-IN" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Isn’t it amazing when things happen at a totally unexpected place and time, yet turn out to be so right?.... </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Read the rest of the post <a href="http://millsandboonsindiaclub.blogspot.in/2013/08/unexpected-love-encounters.html" target="_blank">here</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #073763;">and comment on their blog to win a copy of Bollywood </span></span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">Fiancé</span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #073763;"> for a Day</span></div>
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Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-4090475868425636562013-08-02T22:14:00.000-07:002013-08-02T22:15:06.107-07:00Get To Know Sheritha Singh, <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hi everyone, please welcome Sheritha Singh on my blog. Sheritha is a writer of New Adult genre. Today, she'll share with us something of herself and her journey in the writing of her book 'Only Yours'.</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: purple;">1. Tell us something about yourself and how
you got into writing?</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I started writing at the age of
twelve. I loved reading and wondered
what it would be like to write my own book.
I got started and haven’t stopped since.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: purple;">2. What was the experience of writing your
first book – easy as pie or as hard as nails?</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">My first “real” book – I say real because I
took a writing course last year and identified common writing mistakes – was
the most difficult thing ever. Once I
learned the dynamic of plot and writing style book two, which I am querying,
became much easier. I wrote Book one in
a year and book two in a month. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: purple;">3. What motivates you to write?</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The characters who live in my head.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: purple;">4. What inspired Only Yours, your
manuscript on submission?</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The sudden interest in New Adult. I wrote a New Adult book years ago and it
wasn't well received. The growth in this
genre has been beneficial for me because I am stuck in this growth phase of my
life. Lol.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: purple;">5. Please describe your book briefly.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Twenty year old Riley Hart thought she left
behind her traumatic past behind her when she settled on South Africa’s east
coast two years ago and started over. When she snags a job that helps pay the
rent and her college tuition fees Riley believes she’s truly moved on from her
dark past. However her romance with her
cricket star boss Liam David, is strained when subtle reminders of Riley’s past
surface. Riley is forced to choose
between Liam’s love and his safety – if she doesn't choose fast she’s risking
Liam’s life.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiij7lJAf1qR-lz32TvYDvo_48rG-yuMmFJ1iQjqBCD3VQZRt81WrAt5PSFHgDD0EQEHJbkfGMf_f9wPfN_MZR54YTl9RKH0wcbHXznj_euMrRb-tF1rN3oyF5AwICAyuI-sI5b87h63f4/s1600/59154_532017480180885_1753001361_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiij7lJAf1qR-lz32TvYDvo_48rG-yuMmFJ1iQjqBCD3VQZRt81WrAt5PSFHgDD0EQEHJbkfGMf_f9wPfN_MZR54YTl9RKH0wcbHXznj_euMrRb-tF1rN3oyF5AwICAyuI-sI5b87h63f4/s320/59154_532017480180885_1753001361_n.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">6. Tell us about your main characters in
your book?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Riley is an orphan, a loner who’s started
over after being raised in an orphanage. She’s a part time student and a full time employee. Liam is an international cricket start who’s
just taken over the reins of his father’s business. Liam is instantly attracted to Riley and
tells her so. He lives by the philosophy
– life is too short to live in slow motions.
Riley’s traumatic past makes her more reserved. I've included memes from the book.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZ3udGEdqhTGJEcE1nCeOkdLru6gOt_bKIu6edKpgnqDYdRXvN0s0dYrvYZfemyc3D9FK0Lzc0LK8Oh0VRB_7A6v6YwCU3NEYHFkGl9syUv1dI0x8yNqxGHo6yRSIO4NXpWtdOeDZeuM/s1600/529094_10200336525191023_1488834395_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZ3udGEdqhTGJEcE1nCeOkdLru6gOt_bKIu6edKpgnqDYdRXvN0s0dYrvYZfemyc3D9FK0Lzc0LK8Oh0VRB_7A6v6YwCU3NEYHFkGl9syUv1dI0x8yNqxGHo6yRSIO4NXpWtdOeDZeuM/s320/529094_10200336525191023_1488834395_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKrsDC6k0s8ba08lVA-qDGtgZgnxeUBEbUy4YvfO5Lhuf1a5lD4bJDDWenm9WwL7_jkSaoFyU3siqW_UOqoh4INYkR0TWxQJXycNFW399IChU2wJX5VyNBm8Y7yjr_tiWdSKOc6MDiNs/s1600/946321_532017076847592_602114232_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKrsDC6k0s8ba08lVA-qDGtgZgnxeUBEbUy4YvfO5Lhuf1a5lD4bJDDWenm9WwL7_jkSaoFyU3siqW_UOqoh4INYkR0TWxQJXycNFW399IChU2wJX5VyNBm8Y7yjr_tiWdSKOc6MDiNs/s320/946321_532017076847592_602114232_n.png" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: purple;">7. How do you overcome writer’s block?</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I watch a lot of Indian movies.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: purple;">8. Does writing get in your way of life?</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Not really.
I’d rather write than waste time doing nothing.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: purple;">9. What’s next in your writing plans?</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I’m querying Only Yours. If I don’t garner any requests I will self
publish.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: purple;">10. What is the best thing about
writing?</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Living the characters’ lives for a short
while. I learn a lot while researching
my characters. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: purple;">11.
And here comes our rapid fire round…</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #674ea7;">Favourite Movie?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">My favourite movie of all time is Avatar. I
also love grande Bollywood stories complete with song and dance like Om Shaanti
Om and Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gam. </span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Worst
Movie?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">It based on the book by Stephen King. I am scared of clowns.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Any
secret habits?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">None really.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Actor
you’d fall for in a heartbeat?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Salman Khan</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Favourite
Book?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Twilight </span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Fallback
Option when the fridge is empty</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Nandos Portuguese styled grilled chicken.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #674ea7;">What
comforts you when things go bad?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">My nephew</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Your
most comfortable outfit?</span></span></b></div>
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Leggings and a long t –shirt.<br />
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You can keep up with her latest news at her <a href="https://m.facebook.com/SherithaSingh?refid=46&ref=stream" target="_blank">author page.</a> </div>
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You can follow her on Twitter <span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;">@Shersinghzn</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;">Thanks, Sheritha. Best wishes for your book and hope to hear its acceptance buzz soon!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;">And here's another of her lovely memes</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfi60GmhMdM-h9h-6ZfQhUD8xa0u93a5APy-pdkBCrnpA6KWUFm8ilfcOM0RVjcn95rX5TmOuQbloibexHgxEYqP_wrBCluVpmyUN7qQYyD1h76sAhmwIebZ-p5FMuZW6lvF_nWZmS3U/s1600/946335_532028026846497_132810003_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfi60GmhMdM-h9h-6ZfQhUD8xa0u93a5APy-pdkBCrnpA6KWUFm8ilfcOM0RVjcn95rX5TmOuQbloibexHgxEYqP_wrBCluVpmyUN7qQYyD1h76sAhmwIebZ-p5FMuZW6lvF_nWZmS3U/s320/946335_532028026846497_132810003_n.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Hope you enjoyed looking at those as much as I did.</span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"> Thanks everyone! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;">Ciao :)</span></span></div>
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Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-65607560709262157192013-07-28T02:23:00.000-07:002013-07-28T02:50:00.833-07:00Cover reveal and Blurb<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My book is going to the town (well, out there anyway) and now I finally have the costume ready. And what a dress it is...can't wait for it to step out in this finery. Do have a look and see if you agree! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7q6srtGOY1NyRuCLwlt3xgweIa9FihfcuG5liiglpbVsx2W7VQzMPTMvLW6yhv9M5QZ2GUTuAtK39ox89zuyR4TPbj7O8jBoX5ogmNUqLIShUnscLpv6b33033zkkdJ1ry3ECFXWTyYw/s1600/EE11+BOLLYWOOD+FIANCE+COVER+(3)_1+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7q6srtGOY1NyRuCLwlt3xgweIa9FihfcuG5liiglpbVsx2W7VQzMPTMvLW6yhv9M5QZ2GUTuAtK39ox89zuyR4TPbj7O8jBoX5ogmNUqLIShUnscLpv6b33033zkkdJ1ry3ECFXWTyYw/s400/EE11+BOLLYWOOD+FIANCE+COVER+(3)_1+-+Copy.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
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Oh, what is it I hear? You know nothing about it? Nobody is fond of blind dates, so I'll tell you something to get you better acquainted with it. Here's the blurb which will give you a look in how it is.<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The man of her Bollywood dreams</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;"> </span></span></b></span></span><br />
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<br style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" />
<b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Winning the chance to meet the ultimate Bollywood heart-throb, Zaheer Saxena, is just what Vishakha needs to take her mind off her recent humiliation—being jilted the week before her wedding! And when gorgeous Zaheer offers to be her fake fiancé, the chance to save face with her family is just too tempting… </span><br style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">It’s a deal that benefits them both—Zaheer is warding off any unwanted female attention until his next film is finished—but can Vishakha trust herself not to hope that her dream fiancé for a day will be her forever man?</span></span></b><br />
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So are you ready for an evening with my book? It will be near you soon. Hope you'll have a good time! :)<br />
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Btw, pop over to my page to keep up with my book updates <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RuchiVasudeva">https://www.facebook.com/RuchiVasudeva</a></div>
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Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-57182428163333497062013-07-19T23:26:00.000-07:002013-07-19T23:27:58.326-07:00Author interview – Get to know Shoma Narayanan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today I'm
hosting Shoma Narayanan on my blog. Shoma is an author for Harlequin Mills and
Boon and also holds the prestigious position of senior vice president in HSBC. She has three books published
till now, one under publication, releasing in November and is currently working
on her fifth book for Harlequin.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Her most recent
release is 'Secrets and Saris.' </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let's get to know more about her and the book
through a question and answer session. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q1. Tell us
something about yourself and how you got into writing. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I got into writing completely
by accident. I used to write a little in
school and college – nothing serious, and I gave it up when I started
working. I saw an ad for a writing
competition organized by Harlequin India in a bookstore, and sent in an entry
on impulse. I was one of the contest
winners, and got a shot at writing a book for Harlequin. Then the book got picked up for a global
release, and the next thing I knew, I was offered a four book deal with
Harlequin….</span></span></i><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q2. What was
your experience of writing your first book? Easy as pie or hard as nails?
*smile*</span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Somewhere in the
middle! I loved most of the experience,
and my editor was a dream to work with.
But there were still bits of the story I struggled over, and even after I’d
re-written those bits, I’d still keep coming back to them, wondering if I could
have done a better job!</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q3. What
motivates you to write? </span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The high I get from the
writing process – and the quiet feeling of satisfaction when I hold the first
few printed copies of a book in my hands.</span><b style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q4. What
inspired this story?</span></b></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The initial idea was sparked
off by a conversation on how lots of people move from small towns to big
cities, but very few do the opposite – that made me think of writing a romance
novel set in a small town.</span><b style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q5. Please give
us two lines describing the book.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s about two ‘big-city’
people thrown together in a small town. Neil is a TV celebrity, and also a
single dad. Shefali was brought up to be the perfect wife and mother - but after she was jilted on the day of her
wedding by the man her parents had chosen for her, she decides to strike out on
her own. The book is about the two of them finding happiness with each other
(after their due share of fights and misunderstandings!)</span><b style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">Q6. Do share two
prominent traits about each of your two main characters in the book.</span> </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Neil is half Indian and half
British and combines very traditional Indian sensibilities with a fiercely independent
outlook to life. He’s a single dad, and is far more mature and responsible than
most twenty-eight year olds, but he has a quirky side to him - of course, he’s
stunning to look at as well! Shefali is a
little stiff and uptight at the beginning of the book. As the story progresses,
she loses a lot of her hang-ups, and comes out as a strong, loving and
independent woman who’s not afraid of the depth of her own feelings.</span><b style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q7. All writers
dread the writer's block. How do you overcome it?</span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’ve not had a bad case of
writer’s block yet (fingers crossed!) but there have been days when I’ve found
it tough to write more than a few pages – on those days, I just stop working on
the book and go off and do something with my kids. When I come back to the book after a couple
of days, it’s a lot easier to pick up wherever I stopped.</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q8. Does writing
get in way of 'life'?</span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">No, but my life gets in the
way of my writing often enough </span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 115%;">L</span></i></span><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q9. What's next
in your plans?</span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’ve just signed a contract
for another four books with Harlequin – now I need to sit down and actually
write those books!</span><b style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q 10. What's the
best thing about writing – other than it gives you a great excuse to avoid
housework? *wink* </span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, I don’t do much
housework other than cooking the odd meal with my kids…. The best thing about
writing romance novels is that they are as much of an escape for the author as
for the reader.</span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q11. This last
is a rapid-fire round. Brace yourself to give some quick responses. Say the
very first to come in your mind. Be honest! *gives a stern look*<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here goes…</span></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><i style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">- Most hated
movie:</span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Jeepers Creepers – I watched it
on a trip to London with a bunch of colleagues – it was so bad, it </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">wasn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> even
funny</span></i></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: bold; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">- <span style="color: #741b47;">Your one
secret habit no one knows about. (getting tough here?)</span>:</i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I tell myself stories every night before I go to bed</span></i><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">-<span style="color: #741b47;"> Actor you'd
fall for every time (don't worry we won't tell hubby </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #741b47;">J</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #741b47;">)</span>:</i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Daniel Craig</span></i><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">- <span style="color: #741b47;">Book you would laminate to preserve it:</span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“To Kill a Mockingbird”</span></i><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">-</span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Fallback option when the fridge is empty</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">:</span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Salads from Subway</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">- <span style="color: #741b47;">What comforts
you when things go bad?</span></i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>My kids</i></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">-</span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What sounds
better?</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="color: #741b47;">A party or a quiet evening at home?</span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Depends on my mood</i></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">- </span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Your most
comfortable outfit?</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Shorts and a
well-worn T-shirt</i></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">-<span style="color: #741b47;">Which is a better
pastime – a book, a movie or a game?</span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Always
a book.</i></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Than<span style="font-family: inherit;">k you so much, Shoma for the interesting answers. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's the blurb, excerpt and the buy links for the book. Go enjoy! :)</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">Blurb:</span><span style="color: #20124d;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Jilted at the altar,
Shefali Khanna should be humiliated. Instead she takes the opportunity to start
again. Top of the priority list: do not tumble headfirst into another
relationship!<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">But even moving from Delhi to a small town can't
keep Shefali out of trouble—especially when she catches the eye of TV celeb
Neil Mitra. To add to the complications, Neil is divorced and a single dad, and
his four-year-old daughter Nina is one of Shefali's students.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">There is no way she can risk a getting into
another relationship. He might be gorgeous, but he's totally off-limits…right?</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Excerpt:</b></span> Please follow <a href="http://www.harlequin.com/store.html?itemid=28251&cid=416" target="_blank">this link</a> to</span><span lang="EN-US"> the Harlequin website to read the excerpt</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Buy links:</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Harlequin:</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.hqnindia.com/author/shoma-narayanan">http://www.hqnindia.com/author/shoma-narayanan</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Flipkart:
</span></i><a href="http://www.flipkart.com/mills-boon-secrets-saris-june-2013/p/itmdhazezsakh6g8?pid=9789351060611&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&q=shoma+narayanan&ref=6a69ad47-6e1a-4f05-8c44-58215e919b8f">http://www.flipkart.com/mills-boon-secrets-saris-june-2013/p/itmdhazezsakh6g8?</a><a href="http://www.flipkart.com/mills-boon-secrets-saris-june-2013/p/itmdhazezsakh6g8?pid=9789351060611&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&q=shoma+narayanan&ref=6a69ad47-6e1a-4f05-8c44-58215e919b8f">pid=9789351060611&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&q=shoma+narayanan&ref=6a69ad47-6e1a-4f05-8c44-58215e919b8f</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Infibeam: </i><a href="http://www.infibeam.com/Books/secrets-saris-shoma-narayanan/9789351060611.html#variantId=P-M-B-9789351060611">http://www.infibeam.com/Books/secrets-saris-shoma-narayanan/9789351060611.html#variantId=P-M-B-9789351060611</a><b><i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Amazon Kindle:
</span></i><a href="http://www.amazon.in/Secrets-Saris-ebook/dp/B00D41LVNC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1373993496&sr=8-4&keywords=shoma+narayanan">http://www.amazon.in/Secrets-Saris-ebook/dp/B00D41LVNC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1373993496&sr=8-4&keywords=shoma+narayanan</a></span><i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-13979586843108343232013-07-13T00:07:00.005-07:002013-07-19T23:51:04.553-07:00Kashmir Trip<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A trip that will remain in my memory for ever. Kashmir is rightly called 'A Paradise on Earth'. Everyone who has been there, knows it.</div>
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Funnily enough it wasn't in our plans at all to go to Kashmir or even anywhere at all for summer break. Suffering from
wilting July heat I urged my husband that we should take kids somewhere cool for a short trip. We hadn't planned anything. I thought of Shimla which wouldn't
take much time out of my schedule. But a weather check turned out a rainy week
prediction. My husband suggested out of the blue we opt for Kashmir.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Things
moved fast. One day I was talking to DH about going and by evening we had the
tickets booked and by next afternoon, excited and breathless we were landing at
Srinagar. After checking in, we took off and enjoyed the shikara ride on Dal
lake.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Next up was
a fifteen minute stop at Chashme shahi. </span></div>
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With beautiful flowers in the garden.<br />
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And refreshing ..brr.. cold water.<br />
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The curving road went back and on towards the lake. A cool breeze had started
tinged with the scent of flowers. The road wound round the water and we clicked
on the lake-marks that the shikara rower and guide had pointed out.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Nishat Bagh
was our next spot. Imagined the moguls roaming the grounds :) </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Magnolia tree which I had heard praised of but not seen.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Shalimar garden was much smaller but sat and enjoyed the breeze there. Flowers filled all the gardens in profusion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US">The next
day brought an uphill curving road ride to Gulmarg. The slopes were dotted with flowers. White ones looked like snow drops. Delphiniums abounded. Enjoyed the views</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">During the horse ride, the guide pointed out the sites for movie
shots. This is where '<i>Hum tum ik kamre mein band ho</i>' from film Bobby was shot according to him.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Ksheer Bhawani amd Jyashta mata temple next on the list.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Pahalgam is
not to be missed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">After the ride the day before, we were tired of and allergic to horse rides but the trail would take two hours on foot, our driver told us. Still we were brave enough to set off. However it
was so steep and we were unconditioned, so were soon out of breath. Plus we
couldn't make out the trail by ourselves. The villagers helped but soon the
spot was totally deserted. </span></div>
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So we succumbed to the guide's persuasions and again
mounted on ponies.<br />
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<span lang="EN-US">The trail
wound continuously upward. Frightening at places as the edge of the foot wide
trail dropped precariously away to running stream below. Too tightly holding on
to the horse to click pics so managed only few. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">At the end
of a grueling half an hour we reached the mini Switzerland. Ah, sheer natural loveliness!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">However, the way downward
was even worse than up - at least for me! Kids told me they enjoyed it. The horses were
stepping on dusty slope with steps for horses carved in spots in between the hardened roots of trees. Horses proceeded step by step following each other.
Almost vertically downward or so it looked and I closed my eyes when it became too steep and just prayed. The guide brought us out to vista of Kashmir valley. We looked at it from the edge of the out-curving road.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid82vf05FKjOLIQhjBY0nMARz2kcXPYkW14y_Spop7PVcjwKpHBxDFJlQuyYDCEJeaNJQOJOnhIjVZ69TDCeEf1Epiy2mfni-QqY1nnx9G7dRvJJrJ7BoSF8KGwhG-GpvPNW7pf9_2g0o/s1600/DSC01898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid82vf05FKjOLIQhjBY0nMARz2kcXPYkW14y_Spop7PVcjwKpHBxDFJlQuyYDCEJeaNJQOJOnhIjVZ69TDCeEf1Epiy2mfni-QqY1nnx9G7dRvJJrJ7BoSF8KGwhG-GpvPNW7pf9_2g0o/s320/DSC01898.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US">He aimed us
to go right down the dropaway edge and I could only say you mean go down where?
Here? Here was no place but air. Anyway his implicit faith in the horse and
obvious un-maneuverability on foot had me sighing and submitting. Again hung on
for dear life. Though if you tore away to glance at the views they were amazing! Tall green trees. The running stream over the stones way down below. The green slopes. The cool still air which can't be described, only felt. The only
thing was you couldn't keep from gasping at the steep downward direction. At
least I couldn't. My daughter was blithe later. She thoroughly enjoyed it. And
son was also pretty cool. So maybe it's just me getting old!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Then the
horse suddenly seemed to go mad and walk right into the river. While I panicked
the guide was insouciant as ever. I realized belatedly the animals needed
watering.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Later we
had to stop for rafting. Which was really out of this world! So much fun. <o:p></o:p></span>Here's a short video.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxkbrL1zxnL2_ahEcdt8AN6RIaBjlkY1Q9EL0AHa8uP4lde8zM9h6kWoxCI5x1Dw3WKXWztLMJCb__Hx3CVGA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">On the way
back our driver took us to apple gardens.</span></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeGODYtVscSVuL_5fub77RQujmg-27q39on1PnQ1xD6T4lIYDq8vnMAzM3v1VMtLSET6hq_2P_xpGrZcm5d49upNTcHXO4gQNvVyTfm-N6mB97CcykBsduoyZk_GrD74I5r9gQtRjh-g/s1600/DSC01952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeGODYtVscSVuL_5fub77RQujmg-27q39on1PnQ1xD6T4lIYDq8vnMAzM3v1VMtLSET6hq_2P_xpGrZcm5d49upNTcHXO4gQNvVyTfm-N6mB97CcykBsduoyZk_GrD74I5r9gQtRjh-g/s320/DSC01952.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US">He asked us
if we had tried kehwa, the Kashmiri tea and we said yes, over at Nehru park in the lake. But he
sneered at that and took us to a stall by the numerous dry fruit shops lining
the road. It was indeed quite different there, tasting great with the crushed
almonds, cardamom, cinnamon, saffron and other spices. We went in the shop and
bought dried figs and blackberry. Also saffron which Pampore is famous for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNq2bynENl3FzSFehu_G7-MfmVGU6sHDrGecoKOtEFsKX51P5ZPlxaiaILiaEkCRxQZGsKRkLMMID1jaiRr3tggS4ZEo9flbPI7NG77zkjbG9yS7ln6Tjbw2dI-QeHjxlm3c7wV1dGQU/s1600/20130705_165032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNq2bynENl3FzSFehu_G7-MfmVGU6sHDrGecoKOtEFsKX51P5ZPlxaiaILiaEkCRxQZGsKRkLMMID1jaiRr3tggS4ZEo9flbPI7NG77zkjbG9yS7ln6Tjbw2dI-QeHjxlm3c7wV1dGQU/s320/20130705_165032.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US">The next
morning we went to Shankaryacharya temple. The only pic I have is the sighting
we did from Dal Lake as camera wasn't allowed inside.</span></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">All in all it was a great trip. Here's some shopping I did. Though I was short of time to do much.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So how did
you spend your vacation? Do share. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Ciao!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-59193129540427362112013-07-02T04:05:00.000-07:002013-07-02T04:19:47.785-07:00Exercise?...Gah!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2luaaTdXC3M7UfVOJRwUMabTY4BDbZK04-Mq4LmMZ3JkKbHCyXgdD_YFiDw-ZdpVpumeRpwr19l8EpjH007BEtc66D4GS9sUO2YrZg6qqNEsjzxpDl_POBJiRio1mYGmg0hKS5TrZz4/s259/images+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2luaaTdXC3M7UfVOJRwUMabTY4BDbZK04-Mq4LmMZ3JkKbHCyXgdD_YFiDw-ZdpVpumeRpwr19l8EpjH007BEtc66D4GS9sUO2YrZg6qqNEsjzxpDl_POBJiRio1mYGmg0hKS5TrZz4/s259/images+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
This is an
out of way post for me as it has nothing to do with writing but it has
everything to do with a topic that's most important to all of us. HEALTH.</div>
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Health relates to that awful thing : exercise. Which none of us mostly feel like!</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">But reading this will make you WANT to exercise because this happened to me when I discovered
this illuminating fact that I'm about to share. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Each one of
us knows exercise is important and that it's important to keep moving. But what
we don't know is that not moving can be lethal. Or eventually WILL be lethal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">How?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I found
this when I was helping my daughter on a biology lesson. She had asked me what
is lymph? I told her the usual answer given in the textbook, that it's a straw
coloured fluid which contains lymphocytes which are part of the body’s defense
system. It helps to transport substances, it flows through lymph capillaries to
lymph vessels and it drains into blood. But she still didn't know what to make
of it. Why is it there in our body when there is blood to transport substances?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Now, lymph
is something which is a mysterious entity to even medical people. We know it is
very important in immunity. But the exact role is somewhat vaguely understood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">To explain
better to my daughter, I read up lymph and was struck at how important its
function was and how ignorant I had been about its true significance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">To explain
briefly, lymph is formed from interstitial fluid, which is the fluid surrounding
the cells. It flows in vessels which have valves, much like the hole-less belts
which can go forward but not slide back. When it is formed it has composition
like tissue fluid but on its way it accumulates lymphocytes from lymph nodes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What has
lymph to do with exercise?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Our body
fluids by the way of lymph get exposed to a rich plethora of immune cells like
lymphocytes – which are enough to get rid of most of the heaps of pollutants
and toxins we are exposed to in daily life. That is its job. To form from fluid
in between tissues, hence contain much of the toxic waste from the cells, and take up immune cells from lymph nodes on the way. But lymph
needs help in one thing: circulation. Its circulation is totally dependent on
muscles. When muscles contract, lymph is pumped up and the empty vessels are
filled up. If the circulation is proper, more amount of body fluids are exposed
to the action of immune cells because of better lymph flow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here’s the
crux.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">If you keep
moving, you're doing your body a huge favour. As the immune cells are the ones
which have capability of destroying cancer cells and eliminate many disease
factors, so exposing body fluids to immune cells works to clean your body from
these threats. I'll repeat, the more you move, the more the lymph circulates.
Rest and inactivity lead to sluggish flow and accumulation of the debris inside
your body. The immune system and lymph still works but it's slowed down
considerably and toxins can build. Cells come under stress and can change into
cancer cells. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">That's
why regular exercise is important.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Even if it's
a brisk daily walk, it will cleanse your system. Lymph circulation is hastened. Boo toxins! Defeat of disease. the health flag unfurls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What
more can you do to boost this? </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">*Eat more of
fruit and veggies. Fatty and greasy food has more free radicals which are
reactive entities, causing damage to your cells, stressing your system and
eventually overloading the immune system. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">*Eat more
salads and fast one day a week by eating only fruits to help your lymph clean
up the toxins. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Nature has
designed your body to heal itself. Help yourself maintain it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">GET WALKING
NOW! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">One thing :
a fast one day a week eating fruits or even restricting yourself to one meal can
help you lose weight and add to the world’s food stores. I fast every Monday,
though I keep it for religious purpose and do eat something made of wheat and
sugar one time besides fruit. You can make your own version of detoxifying
diet, without being too hard on yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Do let me
know if you got anything out of this post. But if you are going to comment
below, take a walk NOW and then come back and tell me about it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Make it your
mantra from now on. Exercise. Get rid of your toxins. Stay healthy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Ciao!</span></div>
</div>
Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-40271732542398325972013-06-27T03:10:00.000-07:002013-06-27T03:10:15.236-07:00When the words won't come...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A writer is most happy writing. Yet sometimes our jobs, family life or even writing schedules become so humdrum that words are difficult to put down. Even more likely, the words are there but the will to capture and put them down in proper order just isn't. This last happens to me more often than not. I can happily daydream perfect sentences and even scenes in my head but when it comes to putting them on paper or the keyboard, it seems too much like work! There is no FUN that writing is supposed to be. So what do we do when we need to get the words from our head to our fingers? Or even get them forming in our head, when creativity just seems as elusive as rain in an Indian summer.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">First is it a block? Or just a pebble you are looking at from very close up?</span><br />
Are you making too much of a minor problem? Are you just tired ? That's the first thing which dries up the drive to write. A good night's rest or playing hookie from writing if you don't have a deadline looming can do the trick. It's very well to tell ourselves we must be regular but Sunday was made for a reason, you know. New experiences, meeting friends, even cooking a new recipe, trying out a new eating place, can all get you away from dwelling too much on your frustrations. Distract yourself from the problem. It has the scientific basis of freeing our synapses from impulse overload so that transmission can resume without the offending psychological fatigue. The reference of psychological fatigue brings us to the next question,<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Are you sick of your work in progress?</span><br />
<br />
This doesn't imply that your work isn't right or not proceeding the right way. It can just mean that the routine has got overwhelming. You've been 'living' inside the heads of the 'same' characters day in and out. Thinking in their skin. This can get tiring. It does for me because I write emotional stuff and and to write with feeling can be exhausting. You need to replenish the store. Or sometimes the characters can for whatever reason not just <i><b>talk </b></i>to you. (you'll either get this or think I'm a lost cause.) Staring at the blank page is just not helping. You can do any of these in such a situation :<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">i) Take a walk.</span> I read somewhere it was someone's top Writer's Block Curing Tip and it is mine as well. A walk, preferably somewhere you can admire the serenity of nature, will do wonders. Must be why Keats wrote '<a href="http://www.bartleby.com/106/255.html" target="_blank">Ode to Autumn.</a>' '<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdphtMWjies" target="_blank">Ode to a Nightangle</a>' (cool recital), Robert Frost wrote '<a href="http://judithpordon.tripod.com/poetry/robert_frost_birches.html" target="_blank">Birches</a>', Wordsworth wrote '<a href="http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/daffodils/" target="_blank">Daffodils</a>'. Nature has the magic spray a whiff of which can cure writer's block and a daily dose serves as a tonic which builds your resistance like Vitamin C building resistance against colds :)<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">ii) Mull in isolation</span>. This isn't always possible. But even if you're shut up in a room or just not talking to anyone else, it can serve. At a crutch, you can pretend to be reading. If you have music blaring in your ears, it can serve. For me, waiting for something to cook, when family thinks I'm busy in kitchen does the trick ;) Activities which keep your hands busy while not requiring active mental engagement can serve. Washing dishes, cooking, maybe driving for some...you can devise your own. You can feel and think your characters through in those minutes and sometimes get startling ideas. Of course keep your device or pen handy for these times as memory can be very short term. A blink and it is gone!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">iii) Read over what you have written</span>. This can provide insights you have missed. But you must read the right way. The 'right' way for me means taking apart every dialogue and thought of the character or characters and see if it really fits them. Have I missed some hidden motivation because I was in too much hurry to pour my thoughts on the keyboard? Or too taken up by the 'beautiful' metaphors my brain had come up with? Language and expression has a way of cloaking your character's real thoughts and motivational twists, I'm still learning this, though it's happening less frequently than when I started. A chance phrase would crop up and I would ignore what my character really would say in a scene just so I could use that phrase which at that time sounded witty. Writing is trickier than driving an obstacle course, I tell you.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Face it, you could just be acting lazy</span><br />
<br />
Yes. Writers are also human beings so why can't we have our weak moments? But too few of these and you get into the habit of shelving your work. It just wouldn't call out to you that alluringly if you start to feel it's a drag. So you have to dredge up enthusiasm when it isn't there and suddenly after you type half a page, you are IN the story and it's there. It's happening. I read in a Reader's Digest article that the motor system of the brain can influence our emotional state. For instance, smile, even when it's a plastic smile and sometime later it can become a real one. Start writing, move those muscles, act like you love it and <i>viola!</i> a minute later, you are! Okay, okay sometimes it takes half an hour. BUT YOU GET SOMETHING DONE. Yes, writing is supposed to be something we love to do, but mothers will remember how sometimes kids can make you feel so unloving, yet you mother them. Same is the way with writing. You have to DO it even when you don't love it. Kick that writer's block by banging your head against it.<br />
<br />
Slack off but only in very small doses. Make up in a big way. Write with love or by gritting your teeth but just write.<br />
Which reminds me, I still have to type the scene that came to me yesterday when I was staring out of the bus window :p<br />
<br />
So did you get anything out of this post? What are your secret tips on beating writer's block. Do share!<br />
<br />
Ciao!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-47418698535625000102013-06-16T00:09:00.000-07:002013-09-28T23:41:07.727-07:00First Chapter Writing Tips<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<i><span style="color: #0c1584;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mills and Boon is hosting medical fast track
in which you get rapid feedback in just two weeks! All you have to do is submit
the first chapter of your medical romance story. It ends 30th June '13. Here's the
link for details :<br />
<br />
<a href="http://community.millsandboon.co.uk/content/medical-romance-fast-track-open-now"><span style="color: #ce6c73; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://community.millsandboon.co.uk/content/medical-romance-fast-track-open-now</span></a><br />
<br />
For those who are thinking of submitting, I'm sharing some writing advice
here.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: #0c1584;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They say, well begun is half done. Or in other
words, well prepared is target secured.<br />
Any contest is both difficult and rewarding. Difficult as it takes nerves to
enter and rewarding because one always learns from experience. Writing contests
are no different except that an aspiring writer contestant is especially
sensitive to rejection. It's important when you enter a contest to first keep
in mind that ANY outcome is possible. Second, to repeat to yourself, 'I'll give
it my best shot.' Over and over. If you do, you'll have no reproach for
yourself at least, however it ends...and who knows you may be next one
shortlisted!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0c1584;">From my experience of
entering writing contests, and winning two of them, I've compiled some tips.
Also I've included the input from all I learnt during the writing of the first
chapter of my first book, <a href="http://www.flipkart.com/bollywood-fiance-day/p/itmdhhuwhyegzchu?pid=9789351060581&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=bollywood+fiance+for+a+day&ref=ac040c68-6e20-4b48-b6df-cd77390c4a19" target="_blank">Bollywood </a></span></i><i><span style="color: #0c1584;"><a href="http://www.flipkart.com/bollywood-fiance-day/p/itmdhhuwhyegzchu?pid=9789351060581&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=bollywood+fiance+for+a+day&ref=ac040c68-6e20-4b48-b6df-cd77390c4a19" target="_blank">Fiancé fora Day.</a><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0c1584;">I've listed them in o</span></i><i><span style="color: #0c1584;">rder of
what seems important to me:<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Opening scene:</span><span style="color: #0c1584;"> The opening scene should draw the reader in. Right
into the world you have created. What is your character doing as the story
opens? What is she/he feeling? Is your character worried while driving? Does
she accidentally miss the turn signal of car in front? What happened then?
Create a situation where the readers (or your judges) can't help but read on to
find out what happens next. </span></span></i><i><span style="color: #0c1584;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Build a problem:</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0c1584;"> Is your heroine (or hero) in trouble? Why? Who
could help her? Why wouldn't she take help from him? Always go deep into a
character's reasons. Why. That simple word leads to so many possibilities. The
late Penny Jordan, romance author extraordinaire once said, the most important
of the tips her editor gave her was: always ask why.</span></i><i><span style="color: #0c1584;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Interaction of characters:</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0c1584;"> In romance you have two main characters.
Have them in the scene together as soon as possible. That sounds like a tall
order for a first chapter. You would say, what about explaining the setting,
the situation, the background? But just think, if you don't show them together
here, you may not get another chance! First chapter is all you have for putting
up in this contest. So have them interacting. Show what the heroine feels for
the hero and he for her. How do they happen to be there? Is it planned? Or
coincidence? Does she want to avoid him? Will she succeed? Build up the
curiosity factor.</span></i><i><span style="color: #0c1584;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Tension:</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0c1584;"> Show the tension between the characters. Awareness. Attraction.
Conflict. Does she drop something in her confusion when near him? Most heroes
aren't bumbling but a little tug at his necktie would be endearing, don't you
think? Tension between Hero/heroine is a must in a Mills and Boon! :)</span></i><i><span style="color: #0c1584;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Sympathy for characters:</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0c1584;"> Have the reader sympathize with your
character. If the hero turns heroine's troubled aunt out of her house, it's a
very strong conflict between the characters but would the reader sympathize
with someone like that? Would you? You'd most likely kick such an insensitive
brute. Always keep your character lovable.</span></i><i><span style="color: #0c1584;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0c1584;">For more on characters, go <a href="http://millsandboonsindiaclub.blogspot.in/2013/01/building-character.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ce6c73; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">here</span></a>.</span></i><i><span style="color: #0c1584;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Make it read-worthy</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0c1584;">: Last but not least the grammar. Spell check.
Read. Revise. Watch your tenses. Double check your verbs. </span></i><i><span style="color: #0c1584;">Make your presentation the best it can be.<br />
</span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0c1584;">Also always follow the
specifications given under the contest rules. For genre submission, it's
important to follow the guidelines. </span></i><i><span style="color: #0c1584;">For more
guidelines to know how much 'medical' your story needs to be, click <a href="http://www.millsandboon.co.uk/AAMedR.asp" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ce6c73; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">here</span></a>. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0c1584;">So do remember, begin with a strong opening scene, build a problem, have
your characters interact and show tension between them. Make your characters
lovable, always spell check and make your work presentable.</span></i><i><span style="color: #0c1584;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0c1584;">Hope I have been able to help. :)</span></i><i><span style="color: #0c1584;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0c1584;">Sharing your work can be scary. If you've submitted or made a decision to
submit your entry, you're already to be congratulated.</span></i><i><span style="color: #0c1584;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0c1584;">If you're reading this to
improve it, double congratulations, because you have decided to go after this
writing thing and you're already interested in making it better. </span></i><i><span style="color: #0c1584;"><br />
</span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0c1584;"><br />
So are you trying your luck? </span></i><i><span style="color: #0c1584;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0c1584;">Good luck to all the entrants and remember, if you're pursuing your
dream, you're a winner!</span></i><i><span style="color: #0c1584;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0c1584;"><br />
Write with love,</span></i><i><span style="color: #0c1584;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0c1584;">Ruchi. </span></i><i><span style="color: #0c1584;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-31536812492593662702013-05-26T06:39:00.000-07:002013-05-26T06:42:03.587-07:00The Sunshine Award<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DlZvMQnBJpYjdUO0ZLeohNwzHennUJlNBChr8yJuNSGPwX0C0rZZ1JGsQU8p79UcUujjSi33eTB-Qf3cd0q2zxD6jLs29rrNkb4pAlSjO8wwAwHsmcPCsMAApjEGEwNlUm5rg4nHjUY/s1600/Sunshine+Award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DlZvMQnBJpYjdUO0ZLeohNwzHennUJlNBChr8yJuNSGPwX0C0rZZ1JGsQU8p79UcUujjSi33eTB-Qf3cd0q2zxD6jLs29rrNkb4pAlSjO8wwAwHsmcPCsMAApjEGEwNlUm5rg4nHjUY/s1600/Sunshine+Award.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #120d0d;">The Sunshine Award</span></b><span style="color: #120d0d;"> is a lovely sunny flower that
bloggers give to other “bloggers who positively and creatively inspire others
in the blogosphere”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was tagged for this lovely award by <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jennifer.faye.96" target="_blank">Jennifer Faye</a>, a dear
friend and a fabulous author published by HMB. Check out her post <a href="http://jenniferfaye.com/hearts-scribbles/2013/4/11/the-sunshine-award" target="_blank">here</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #120d0d;">Now, for those tagged onward in this post, the rules of
the</span><span style="color: #120d0d;"> ‘The Sunshine Award’ are as follows. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #120d0d;">They are
really </span><span style="color: #120d0d;">simple:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #120d0d;">(1) Thank the person who gave you the award
in your blog post.</span></i><span style="color: #120d0d;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #120d0d;">(2) Do the Q&A below.</span></i><span style="color: #120d0d;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #120d0d;">(3) Pass on the award to 10 – 12 deserving
and inspiring bloggers, inform them and link to their blogs.</span></i><span style="color: #120d0d;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #120d0d;">Rule 1. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #120d0d;">Many thanks,
Jennifer. I'm guilty of being tardy, I must say extremely tardy in putting up this post. Let me just say I have an excuse that I was working to meet the
deadline on my second book for HMB and the days just flew past! I'm delighted you thought of
me. </span><span style="color: #120d0d;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rule 2. Q&A<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>Favourite Colour:</b> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d; font-family: inherit;">Peach. It isn't a coincidence that when I first met
my husband I was wearing a peach Punjabi suit. I always have one or two outfits
in this lovely colour. And just look at this gorgeous peach rose.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bLOURVDENLIDFYp_f9cL_xiZVjF2VnlAETTArxB7uthNIn0v7_w-RsWHDea_wbY66zi-2JL472SONq5-VZA33WaKzJ2yk-R7Bqi4u-wUPbSIykHtKw5uEWDc4hPniNX2d5yJGYJ9wwo/s1600/911379_579640635387602_118356032_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bLOURVDENLIDFYp_f9cL_xiZVjF2VnlAETTArxB7uthNIn0v7_w-RsWHDea_wbY66zi-2JL472SONq5-VZA33WaKzJ2yk-R7Bqi4u-wUPbSIykHtKw5uEWDc4hPniNX2d5yJGYJ9wwo/s320/911379_579640635387602_118356032_n.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d; font-family: inherit;">Also pink and green lavender are also favourites closely following
peach :)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit;">Favourite Animal:</b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d; font-family: inherit;">I'm not a pet keeper, though I like goldfishes flitting in their bowls. For just looking, I like the majestic leos. ah, what an inspiration for a shifter :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPsMTOqY8RXnv6A9-OWkvw7EpM7-SF4K5Od-u17tsRbiqZjwsJDvE9Mys4I9a0Clk4PnQ1cjT1sV6xr2yQVbXd-A5KbwRH6L5lBwtabO5CZH35WcLwr2QfS4ak7V8ZPrWSwE4jYQuwXg/s1600/download+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPsMTOqY8RXnv6A9-OWkvw7EpM7-SF4K5Od-u17tsRbiqZjwsJDvE9Mys4I9a0Clk4PnQ1cjT1sV6xr2yQVbXd-A5KbwRH6L5lBwtabO5CZH35WcLwr2QfS4ak7V8ZPrWSwE4jYQuwXg/s1600/download+(3).jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<b style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Favourite Number:</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #120d0d;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #120d0d;">4 and 6. Six because I'm somewhat of a believer in
numerology and 4 is a quirk. Rose has four letters and 4 was the sumtotal of my roll number when I topped in Physiology in first year medical, which are reasons of sorts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #120d0d;"><br /></span></span></span>
<b style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Favourite Non-alcoholic Drink:</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d; font-family: inherit;">I'm a tea person.</span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d; font-family: inherit;">Can't get any task started before stoking up on it
:) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #120d0d;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<b style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Facebook or Twitter:</span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d; font-family: inherit;">I'm maybe slightly inclined towards twitter. It's rather
easier for a reserved person like me lol. That said, I do love chatting
and meeting new people on both. FB messages are wonderfully convenient in keeping in touch with regard to the time difference across the world.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #120d0d;"><br /></span></span></span>
<b style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit;">Your Passion:</b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #120d0d;">My family and my writing. Which is why I'm
constantly at war which to devote my time to! *grin* but yes both are very
fulfilling.</span><span style="color: #120d0d;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #120d0d;"><br /></span></span></span>
<b style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Giving or Getting Presents:</span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d; font-family: inherit;">Who doesn't love to get presents? Do I sound greedy? Let me redeem myself by adding I don't go for expensive presents. Just
thoughtful ones, even if it is my favourite sweet ras malai brought by hubby.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiF59ZWklxq-KOYaeEN7WiSTN26JctyqiG2RCX3sBTlYjHEllAZGM8kAhtyo_xaFwRwqas7mNm1U3yGDVeFExpSsWFHUWKOZkdFIK-sMhBy8WjsJhdlE_AeUqd5oWxFznKcrQ3khFMco/s1600/images+(17).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiF59ZWklxq-KOYaeEN7WiSTN26JctyqiG2RCX3sBTlYjHEllAZGM8kAhtyo_xaFwRwqas7mNm1U3yGDVeFExpSsWFHUWKOZkdFIK-sMhBy8WjsJhdlE_AeUqd5oWxFznKcrQ3khFMco/s1600/images+(17).jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #120d0d;">Giving is wonderful as well especially when I get to see the surprise on kids' faces. </span><span style="color: #120d0d;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #120d0d;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit;">Favourite Day:</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wednesday. Surprised? Well, midweek you get into the flow and I think more productive.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>Favourite Flower:</b> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #120d0d;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Roses. Especially peach roses. Chrysanthemums are a close second.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkr1DU3KchDxfo4xiRXVhX9CTNv6AmaSLhoUeejYMDmaEdtYgycBZq0ygr8uf-kZnl5nEkuwJoXqtaYz9mKP-baBcujaC6xJjov0sCCYzzoojxWAV1RWLUlYAV72scuyH2dXIyahGxaYw/s1600/images+(18).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkr1DU3KchDxfo4xiRXVhX9CTNv6AmaSLhoUeejYMDmaEdtYgycBZq0ygr8uf-kZnl5nEkuwJoXqtaYz9mKP-baBcujaC6xJjov0sCCYzzoojxWAV1RWLUlYAV72scuyH2dXIyahGxaYw/s1600/images+(18).jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d; font-family: inherit;">So this is about me and now longing to hear from the people I am passing this award to, who are:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d; font-family: inherit;">Adite Banerjie</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Aimee Duffy</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Carmen Falcone</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hema Dhawan</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jennifer Drogell</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Julia Broadbooks</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d; line-height: 16.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maria Perry Mohan</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d; line-height: 16.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d; line-height: 16.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mary Middleton</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d; line-height: 16.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d; line-height: 16.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Michelle Smart</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d; font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #120d0d; font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.5pt;">Samantha Darling</span></div>
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Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-91152885489221730092013-04-13T23:30:00.000-07:002013-04-13T23:57:03.881-07:00Before You Sign That Book Contract...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-US">No legal advice here! But just to get you on the track of dealing with getting
your (grubby? greedy?) hands on the contract . Every writer covets a contract. But when
one gets it (take it from me) one is often floored at the hefty sheaf of print
outs. So how do you seat belt yourself up and take the ride? Here are some tips from yours
truly ;) Here goes :<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">My first tip : Before even glancing at the pages, buy - and
strap on - <u>a safety helmet</u>. Why, you ask? But<i> mon ami</i>, it's paramount! The first thing every writer fixes their beady eyes
on is the advance (what else?). And that maybe either too high for your expectations or too
low. So either case, when you hit the roof, you'll still save your head! So it's C.S. In the rare case you expect the amount you can always go back and get a refund on the said helmet :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">My second tip : <u>Eat
almonds</u>. You'll get a headache trying to decipher where did the beginning of
sentence go, which gets lost as you plough your way through the innumerable phrases. For the unbroken, it goes something like "during the term of agreement, abcd will have the right to cdef, and ghij, according to zyxw and tuvw unless abcd have already ijkl in which case pqrs will have the mnop to cdef and abcd will then pqrs or qrst failng which pqrs can....and thus on and on. So must advise the traditional Indian remedy for this is : Grow
more brain. Eat almonds. Preferably after overnight soaking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">My third should-do : <u>Meditate</u>.
After the effects of struggling through understanding all that, in case you are extremely brave and forego hiring a lawyer,chances are you'll be snapping at
everyone and everything in sight. Even the dog is going to hide under the bed at sight of you. So keep calm and count prayer beads. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">What else can you do : Keep <u>two copies</u>
handy. Useful for those "as mentioned before in page x section y" clauses. By the
time you go back and find the page you want, you lose the one you were reading originally.
So another copy handy will keep you on your page and yourself oriented.</span></div>
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Aping a <u>rubber bath duck</u> won't hurt. No matter what gets you down, whether you're affronted, jumping up high, grinning with relief, aghast or head-achy, bounce back
and get normal - or whatever passes as normal for you. Are writers anywhere near other people 'normal'? Umm debatable.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">A word about <u>queries being like Hydra</u>: By the time you get clarification back on some point that puzzled you, you have another question. Then another. Like a mythical hydra one question cut off has another two
sprouting in its place. Keep calm and be the hydra killer. Have a figurative Taser of brainpower to stun them.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
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<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ab5PP2L-Ax9LveHQcfWw7weuOZ5WNE1r2BfXXtq_1QmKwRcQFlpTaZzBa2paPjhwBnnHlHrCupaBEjVFU7Yqkj6kGoHa7JbaZSKFqrfVkf0PpfWKbEYy4gtjYahWKm0YuUc6neLfOXY/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ab5PP2L-Ax9LveHQcfWw7weuOZ5WNE1r2BfXXtq_1QmKwRcQFlpTaZzBa2paPjhwBnnHlHrCupaBEjVFU7Yqkj6kGoHa7JbaZSKFqrfVkf0PpfWKbEYy4gtjYahWKm0YuUc6neLfOXY/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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Finally, the
momentous occasion when you scribble your unsightly (at least mine are
unsightly, yours maybe like Cleo's. Wait, did she have beautiful signature?) Anyway, nothing more satisfactory for an aspiring/debut author that the sight of that crawling-ant-like scrawl inked at the dotted line. Go burst into a song. Dance.
Celebrate. Go mad. You earned it!</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">So, peeps, what are
you tips/preventive measures while contract perusal to not freak out?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Do
share :)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Ciao! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-757445432120683742013-03-29T00:40:00.000-07:002013-03-29T00:40:19.987-07:00The Leibster Blog Award Challenge<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkrYuKUIWyy7AsnFOO01M483Skhx7HGCAHRdXsmzRnrWormGWplqU2vlUgYjBo7I-jpcz0K5BLVOXbNiNNlYiPHiE9WeW2IRTw_0juDeppAVeiki7tSfzBe68v_yH0MvQLGgYOw8LA18/s1600/liebster-blog-award1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkrYuKUIWyy7AsnFOO01M483Skhx7HGCAHRdXsmzRnrWormGWplqU2vlUgYjBo7I-jpcz0K5BLVOXbNiNNlYiPHiE9WeW2IRTw_0juDeppAVeiki7tSfzBe68v_yH0MvQLGgYOw8LA18/s400/liebster-blog-award1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #323232;">
I've been nominated for the Leibster Blog Award Challenge by</span><span style="color: #323232;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #323232;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/mary.middleton.90" target="_blank">Mary Middleton</a></span><span style="color: #323232;">. The purpose of the challenge is to help bloggers </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #323232;">be more popular</span><span style="color: #323232;">. I have to tell you eleven little known things
about myself, answer eleven set questions and nominate eleven other
bloggers to take the challenge after me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #323232;">If
you are nominated below, post on your own blog linking back here, with 11
random facts about yourself, answer my 11 questions and nominate 11 new
bloggers (and think of 11 questions to ask them - can be anything!)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #323232;">Here
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #323232;">are eleven supposedly
interesting facts about me! Some of them are my laments about myself, so do
bear with me here.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;">1.<span lang="EN-US"> Being a diehard
procrastinator, if something can be put off in my day, it will be. I find it
terribly difficult to set a given task into motion.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;">2.
<span lang="EN-US">I love to
store cards. Birthday cards. Anniversary cards, Christmas and Diwali greetings.
All are packed up securely. I still have most of my Congrats on Getting Married
cards. And of course my kids' birthday cards.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatSgoA08_sC0DKh-mrsL9Evif9RP2BBrwmOHgzpUKln6CTVVl4tWOJuAkbfyyQVm522Kn-lIuDKHBqwxrg6U3P3wYXgXEFL2DTdcOiHcaxCSd3XAlm0WKTPXNVlHTadJbnZxbZ5rfMI4/s1600/20130329_102810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatSgoA08_sC0DKh-mrsL9Evif9RP2BBrwmOHgzpUKln6CTVVl4tWOJuAkbfyyQVm522Kn-lIuDKHBqwxrg6U3P3wYXgXEFL2DTdcOiHcaxCSd3XAlm0WKTPXNVlHTadJbnZxbZ5rfMI4/s320/20130329_102810.jpg" width="240" /></span></span></a><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;">3.
<span lang="EN-US">Singing
relaxes me. I find it soothing, especially singing sad songs. Unfortunately
people around me don't find it so…lol!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;">4.
<span lang="EN-US">When I'm in
the thick of a story, characters start talking in my head. Sometimes the
dialogue is so crystal clear and snappy I have to stop whatever I'm doing to
note it down. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;">5.
<span lang="EN-US">I love pics
of flowers. This is a particular hobby of hubby (pun unintended) and I love it.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;">6.
One habit I’d like to get rid of is <span lang="EN-US">that of stressing over nearly
everything, probably one reason I'm often forgetful. However, sometimes my mind
is champion at remembering important things to be done! Wish it would happen
more often. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;">7.
<span lang="EN-US">I often
signal to mothers while travelling on the road to keep their kids' body parts
inside the vehicle. You can't believe how often this happens. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdDs4EyrYn5L7EOhH_JTexw91f99avcpvGJpL6iodHwELO34mOtCq0h8UpTHKkCv1IocCdyfFeUygkCKQBOlVqClWDLkMuqhPJvSHgKCFtZ_mMzeGECBXuIoP7bWzpmcc814nUUSzJos/s1600/20130329_102356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdDs4EyrYn5L7EOhH_JTexw91f99avcpvGJpL6iodHwELO34mOtCq0h8UpTHKkCv1IocCdyfFeUygkCKQBOlVqClWDLkMuqhPJvSHgKCFtZ_mMzeGECBXuIoP7bWzpmcc814nUUSzJos/s320/20130329_102356.jpg" width="240" /></span></span></a><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;">8.
<span lang="EN-US">My favourite
colours are pink and green. At one time I had about six sea green outfits
including nightwear. I also love peach and red. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;">9. <span lang="EN-US">Have a
confession. I'm terrible at remembering faces, though am trying to improve. I’m
better than I used to be…I think! :/<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;">10.
This one is out of my control. <span lang="EN-US">I buy books like they're going out of style. I
always have unread piles and now bytes in Kindle but put me in a bookshop and I
can't come out empty handed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #351c75;">11.
</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #351c75;">If kids are
sulking I would do zombie dance or something as silly to cheer them up. </span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i><b><u>The
Questions set for me by </u></b><b><u><span lang="EN-US">Mary Middleton</span></u></b></i></span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #990000;">1. What sort of books do you like to read?</span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #323232;"> I read anything and everything. But my favourite reads are contemporary
romance and murder mysteries. </span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #990000;">2. If you were stuck on a desert island who would
you like as your Man Friday?</span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #323232;"> The cola man? Or the ice-cream man would do too :) </span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #990000;">3. When the coffee runs out, what do you like to
drink?</span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #323232;"> That's easy. Tea! </span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #990000;">4. Are you a cat or a dog person?</span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #323232;"> A dog person. Though I don’t keep one as I feel it constitutes a big
responsibility. </span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #990000;">5. How different is your present partner to your
first love?</span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #323232;"> My mom told me I used to be a big fan of actor Rishi Kapoor when I was
about ten. So I guess not too different if you compared them at the same age.
:)</span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #990000;">6. Do you prefer sad or happy endings?</span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #323232;"> Happy ever after all the way for me!</span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #990000;">7. What did you do all day before the internet was
invented?</span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Reading! Also watched movies. Wrote. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #990000;">8. Have you ever read a book or seen a film that
has heavily influenced your life?</span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Penny Jordan’s books. They made me
want to write.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #990000;">9. What is your ideal holiday destination?</span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Somewhere cool and green and peaceful. A hill station in summer like
Dalhousie or Mussuorie where you can take long walks. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #990000;">10. Do you like wild, over grown gardens or gardens
where the flowers are planted in regimented rows?</span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #323232;"> Wild ones. Colourful ones. Though an ordered garden sounds cool too. </span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #990000;">11. Do you prefer blogs that offer factual
articles, personal information or details of new book releases or giveaways?</span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> All of the above. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><u><span lang="EN-US">Here are my E</span></u></b><b><u>leven Qs for my nomine</u></b><b><u><span lang="EN-US">es: </span></u></b></span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. What's your favourite movie of all time and in that which was your absolutely
favourite scene?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Have you ever said I love you and how did you say it?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. For a sufficient distance would you walk or take the car?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. Who is your favourite singer?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5. What's your favourite dish to eat or make? Share its recipe if you
want to. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6. What motivates you to write? In other words, what stimulates your
muse?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7. Are you a summer person or a winter person?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8. Which sport do you like to play/watch? You can name indoor games as
well. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9. While shopping do you buy the first thing you like or keep looking
till you've seen everything available and then decide?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10. Thing you wouldn't step out of the house without, excepting phone,
credit card and driving license. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">11. What makes you cry?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #351c75;">For the <b>Leibster Blog Award Challenge</b> I nominate:</span><span style="color: #323232;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/aditebanerjie" target="_blank">Adite Banerjie</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/carmen.clavuot" target="_blank">Carmen Clavout</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Ronaldkins" target="_blank">Rohinee Rajagopalan</a>. Nominees, please link
back to me in your post and also leave your blogpost link in the comments
below.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #323232;"><br />
I still require</span><span style="color: #323232;"> more bloggers</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #323232;">.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #323232;">I</span><span style="color: #323232;">f you would like to
join in please let me know </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #323232;">in the comments below. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #323232;">Thanks for tuning in </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #323232;">J</span></span></span></div>
</div>
Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-21471295074156566172013-02-25T22:37:00.000-08:002013-02-25T22:43:25.551-08:00My Call Story<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Call. That great moment in an author's life. Yes, it's happened for me!<br />
I'm a bit late but still want to share the exciting, EXcitng time when my manuscript got an offer. Tuesday, Feb.,19th.<br />
It had been under review of my editor after I got the revisions done. I got her email that she wanted to chat on Skype. At that time, all I prayed for was 'please not more revisions!'. Some nasty inner voice needed to be quietened which kept saying she's looked it over and she doesn't like it after all. Well, time went by in haggling with inner uncertainties and there she was on my laptop screen and there was me getting the jitters. Then she told me my ms has been accepted for publication. The words coming from none other than an HMB editor, it suddenly took me to that magical moment when all I could get out was Oh my God! Not very smart for a writer but definitely expressive :) Then the next bombshell! I was told that they wanted to offer me a two book contract! Wowee! I nearly said I want to hug you for this, forget being professional. Well anyway, after finally reducing me to a blubbering idiot and asking me how did I feel (for which I don't know what incoherent reply I managed), she was nice enough to say she'd leave me to celebrate with my family. But damn, did it feel unreal. While I must have staged the moment a number of times in my mind, at that time, it didn't quite sink in. Finally I realized that the stream of words I'd poured out via qwerty keys had the makings of a book. At least they must have, for the offer to have come from a publisher like that. "Ground to Ruchita, please come back!" Had to give myself this reminder to get functional in daily routine :D<br />
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On the serious side, the time spent in swotting over the ms feels worthwhile now. I set out for this and on the scale of personal achievements this is certainly a step up - to have got where I aimed to be.<br />
<br />
Thanks to everyone who helped me along and the blog readers who've followed my writing journey. Stay tuned for what comes next, I will be sharing my experiences.<br />
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Ciao</div>
Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-60210268257656849492013-02-05T03:25:00.001-08:002013-02-05T03:25:32.404-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here, a little belatedly, are two posts I did for Mills and Boon India blog. I'm talking about what I learnt during the writing of my first ever completed manuscript in them.<br />
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<a href="http://millsandboonsindiaclub.blogspot.in/2013/01/building-character.html" target="_blank">Building a Character</a><br />
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<a href="http://millsandboonsindiaclub.blogspot.in/2013/01/inspirations.html" target="_blank">Inspirations</a><br />
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Hope they'll be helpful to you also, and work to decrease some writing hassles. Do let me know if you find anything useful. Cheerio! :-)<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Claim code : YQF73D96G95M</span></div>
Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-31462538110267502732013-01-21T22:10:00.001-08:002013-01-21T23:32:17.738-08:00Right or Wrong? – my entry to the GetPublished contest’’<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: dotted #CCCCCC 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 4.0pt 0cm;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 4.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">My story <b>Right or Wrong</b> is the story of
Raina Kapoor, a woman who finds herself displaced from her husband's exclusive
attention and is unable to handle being second place in his life. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 4.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 13.5pt;">Six years ago, at her graduation day, two men proposed to her, Siddharth and Arnav. She accepted Arnav because she
loved him and to all appearances he loved her. Attractive and charming as he was, she had eyes only for him. A</span><span style="line-height: 13.5pt;">s time wore on, Arnav became the typical workaholic medico. Now absorbed in his patients, he has no time for her. He even passes onto her the presents he gets as gratitude tokens from his patients, making her feel less like
a loved wife and more like forgotten washing left hanging on the clothesline. </span><span style="line-height: 13.5pt;">Raina, an only child of wealthy parents, was used to being doted upon. All her life she took affection and adulation as a matter of natural reaction from people. Now she begins to feel she's been cheated by the veneer Arnav wore of an </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">attractive</span><span style="line-height: 13.5pt;"> and debonair man. </span><span style="line-height: 13.5pt;">At this point Siddharth comes to stay
with them and shows her what a man's attention feels like. Being a dutiful
wife she doesn't encourage him. But a message on Facebook pierces her armour. </span></span></div>
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senseless temptation that could destroy her marriage?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 13.5pt;">I was inspired to write this story by observing real people like professional couples who find it difficult to give time to </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">their</span><span style="line-height: 13.5pt;"> marriage and their spouse. A fact which creates distance and detachment between them. Being a doctor myself, I know all about being busy in work. Nowadays, couples are finding it harder and harder to find time for each other in marriage</span><span style="line-height: 18px;">.</span><span style="line-height: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="line-height: 13.5pt;">Furthermore, for doctors, it's the patients welfare and their own livelihood tied together. Even other professionals have to face demands of their job in this competitive world. However, </span><span style="line-height: 13.5pt;">I strongly believe, that work, <i>any </i>kind of work, does not provide an excuse for ignoring your family. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Extract<span lang="EN-US"> : The boat wobbled
as it drew to the bank. Siddharth got off and extended a supportive hand. She
placed her own in it and it closed over hers. His clasp felt dry, firm. Not as
warm and big as Arnav's but what it lacked in sensuality it made up in
strength. Closing it tight, he pulled her with a jerk that brought her right up
to him till she found herself looking into his intent dark gaze.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 13.5pt;">Last but not least, there's another angle to the story. </span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 13.5pt;">Society can impose restrictions but when it comes to following her heart, what is right for a woman? That which is right for the mind or that which maybe wrong? When heart is </span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">involved</span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 13.5pt;"> what is right, what is wrong? How hard is it to make the distinction? </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">"This is my
entry for the </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.indiblogger.in/getpublished/" target="_blank"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #ab3e3e; line-height: 115%; padding: 0cm;">HarperCollins–IndiBlogger </span><em><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #ab3e3e; line-height: 115%; padding: 0cm;">Get Published</span></em><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #ab3e3e; line-height: 115%; padding: 0cm;"> contest</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">, which is run with inputs from </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #ab3e3e; line-height: 115%; padding: 0cm;"><a href="http://www.yashodharalal.com/" target="_blank">Yashodhara Lal</a></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.harpercollins.co.in/"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #ab3e3e; line-height: 115%; padding: 0cm;">HarperCollins India</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">."</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">To vote for my contest entry, please go here:</span></span></span><a href="http://www.indiblogger.in/getpublished/idea/519" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #802f2f; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.indiblogger.in/getpublished/idea/519</a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></div>
Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-16603064744226015892013-01-10T23:39:00.001-08:002013-01-10T23:39:54.510-08:00Why New Year resolutions fail <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.”</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> </span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">― </span><span style="color: black;">Samuel Johnson</span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">New Year Resolutions!Oh those (dirty) words again! By now most of us have had enough of of them. In the spirit of the beginning of the year and when it was safe to just 'make' them, they looked quite easy. But once they're on the way to becoming an uncomfortable reality, it's safer to have them slide out of your life. Why? Why can't we stick to those despite our (former) best intentions?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I've heard it said, it takes 21 days to form a habit. Sounds simple, doesn't it? So all you have to do is keep at a undesirable routine for 21 days and there! It becomes an ingrained part of your life. Or does it?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I believe the first thing to do is ask yourself. Do these resolutions feed into my long term goals? Those of staying healthy. Staying fulfilled. Staying productive. If it does, why am I not giving my best shot at it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Here are three most common reasons why resolutions fail. All you have to do is avoid them.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">1)<span style="background-color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Inadequate preparation</b>:</span> Are you
prepared for it? Mostly, we fail to make place for the resolutions in our life. Space. Time. Preparation. All are needed. If it is dieting, have you stocked your fridge beforehand? Have you handy crunchy carrots to tide over the munching impulses? Have you set aside more food preparation time for healthy snacks and soups?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">If, like me, your aim was to get more writing done, have you created space in your day? This might involve something as routine changing as a later bedtime for you (and earlier one for kids if you have them.) Some free minutes around lunch time, tearing yourself away from your gossip hour at work. A "don't disturb me time" few hours at weekend. Shedding tears over missing your favourite sitcom or serial. Also beware of your surfing time. That's where most free time drains. Says one who knows :(<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">2) <span style="background-color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Failure to view repercussions</b> :</span> It was ok to have that workout for a week, but now it starts to feel punishing so you stop pushing yourself. This 7th to 14th day window period is hardest to get through. Most resolutions collapse during this. My previous routine was better, you think. This is the time to ask yourself : why did you have this resolution? </span>Review if your productivity has increased after the new routine? Do you feel better for taking
the time for exercise? Moreover, remember it's part of the plan feeding into your
long-term goal of staying healthy. Instead of a year more, think two more weeks to get through. It will actually become easier because it will become a habit after that. You'll thank yourself and be proud to say, yeah! I did it! </div>
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But do remember to ease up if what you've set is actually hard to keep up or if you find you are ignoring other important tasks. You can't take 5 km morning walk and then if your body isn't accustomed to it, be sleepy at work. Slow down and build it up again.</div>
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3)<b> <span style="background-color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Failure to be accountable</span></b><span style="background-color: #b4a7d6;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> :</span> </span>Have
someone crack the whip and make you do it. Mom, spouse, friend, anyone around to keep a check. Give your expected word count for the week to your writing group and have them nag. Get them to do it and be honest in reporting your progress.</div>
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So to sum up, prepare adequately, review and rev up, and lastly have someone to supervise. Sound simple? It is! Just think I HAVE to do this. </div>
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Hope you have success!</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Do let me know if you found this useful.</span></div>
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I'd also like to know. What kind of resolution are you struggling with this year or did you struggle with last year? How do/did you aim to fix it this time around?</div>
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Happy good-habits-forming weeks!</div>
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Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-75577352487949622452012-12-29T23:56:00.000-08:002012-12-30T19:05:35.584-08:00What 2012 brought<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
At the year end, I'm duly taking a retrospective look at the gone by.<br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Like probably all of you, 2012 has been thick and thin for me too, <o:p></o:p></span>treacly at times, custard-smooth at others. </div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Now
it's near its end - where did the time
go? Maybe that feeling is better than having time sit on your hands :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">It brought me
a lot of things that I'm thankful for. New friends, surprisingly people I haven't yet met in person, only online, and some of them with whom friendship quickly grew till they entered firm friends list. And like firm footing, m</span>y writing group friends, still
there to share things with. And (psst) vent your frustration at when you need it :)</div>
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Growing
closer with my husband, yes, that may sound strange after sixteen years of marriage but is true, along with long morning walks we definitely found new things to learn about each other and appreciate.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Watching
kids grow. Every mom and dad rushes through this. But on occasion you sit back and
reflect and you get a warm mellow glow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Then regarding my own personal growth. Learnt to listen (slightly) more. I learnt to
take criticism better. At times even admitted my weak spot instead of flying
off the handle when anybody pointed out what I had done amiss. But only at
times, mind you ;) I'm not wearing a halo yet. (Don't want to be all
goodness and sparkles.)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Writingwise, my</span> major
leap was winning Mills and Boon Passions III contest. And getting a chance to work with a - whoops - editor! Made my writing make inroads and go into depths I should
never have dreamed of otherwise. Take it from me, an ed can really put their
finger on what thing in the story niggled you but you didn't know what to do about it or shirked from taking that blind bjt spectacular jump. I
learnt to strengthen my characters. Not hang onto scenes which didn't
work for the characters however emotionally attached I was to them (the scenes, not characters) :(<br />
*sigh*
Still not satisfied with my writing and most of the time feel like throwing it all away or
hiding under the blankets BUT for my writing friends' support. Plus my ed is so kind and encouraging enough about
the parts that do work that it gives me enough turbo power to go on.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">And yes the
most important lesson I learnt this year. The lesson of last year's mistakes, now reinforced
that family comes first or even writing doesn't give me satisfaction. Last few days, I took
time off for my visiting relatives and played with my five-year-old nieces and their smiles and chuckles
will stay with me, warming me. Especially, when writing is frustrating and you feel like
throwing wip at the wall, you know you did some good. Gave people joy like bro-in-law and his wife relishing the stuffed <i>paranthas </i>I made. So if you're doing something right, maybe you can make this work too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">So like me
if you suffer from bad writing days or bad days in general, my advice is to
remember and reflect on things you've done well and decide you can tackle this
too, the problem you have in hand. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US">Most of all, take a minute to dwell on past lessons and learn from those mistakes. But never beat yourself up about them, however tempted you are to.</span><br />
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So with this wish you a very Happy New Year. And
hope it won't bring bad days at all for any of you!<br />
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Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-78245467014198457932012-12-22T01:39:00.000-08:002012-12-22T01:39:52.806-08:00Yayyy.....and Merry Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yayy! We're all still here and very glad to be! Having survived the apocalypse (warning), we, I mean all of us, are looking forward to Christmas and spending holidays with family.<br />
All this doomsday prediction stuff made me think of the times such warning have occurred in the past. I was a kid of maybe seven years, when I had first brush with this sort of mortality warning looming overhead, that was Skylab crashing to earth, the debris of which, thankfully went mostly into the Indian Ocean. Later came nuclear threats. Then these predictions began to become popular. The Nostradamus forecasts for the end of the world, and most recently this Mayan Prophecy. I don't deny I do get murky thoughts when I hear them and when children hear of these predictions...well, I do think nowadays they are suave enough not to take them to heart but somewhere they do stick, don't they? My son did show me a YouTube video of the meteor crashing into and burning the Earth and I had to look up and show him the NASA website where they absolutely denied its threat. Suffice to say, can do without kids feeling insecure because of all the widespread propaganda. Had to reassure him with a lot of counter-arguments and hugs.<br />
Anyway, holiday season is here and time to dwell on these things is...well, can't find it! School break has begun, brother-in-law is coming over today with his family, so kids are pretty excited to meet their cousins. Thankfully whatever fears plagued us are done away and we are free to celebrate.<br />
So I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Have fun in the holidays and even after the hols, infuse every day of your life with fun. I say we can permit ourselves, out of the sheer relief of having survived so many dire prophecies! Am sure you'll agree :)<br />
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Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-87406420191112123552012-11-16T21:22:00.001-08:002012-11-20T05:34:21.238-08:00Next Big Thing - Guest post with Jennifer Faye<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; color: purple; line-height: 150%;">Hi folks, today I’m hosting Jennifer Faye, a soon-to-be-published Mills
and Boon writer. Jennifer writes for the Cherish line and she’s here to talk
about her story via Next Big Thing which is a round of ten questions where
writers talk about their wip. If you missed mine you can read about it in my
October blogs.</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: purple; line-height: 150%;">Please welcome Jennifer and let’s learn more about her book.</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: purple; line-height: 150%;">Here she is</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: purple; line-height: 150%;"> :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;">Hi everyone. I’m thrilled to be here.</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;">Ruchita, thank you so much for inviting me to stop by
your blog.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;"> And I must say that I loved your “Next Big
Thing” Q&A. I can’t wait to read the rest of your story. Thank you again
for tagging me.</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;">A little about myself. I am Harlequin Mills &
Boon’s newest Romance/Cherish author. I’ve had a passion for writing all of my
life. When I got “The Call” last month, it was literally a dream come true. I
like to write emotionally stirring romances that will bring a tear to your eye
and a smile to your heart with each happily-ever-after.</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;">If you want to read more about me, you can check
out my website:</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.jenniferfaye.com/"><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">www.jenniferfaye.com</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;">(soon to be updated)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;">****</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1e1030; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">The following answers pertain to my first sale to
Harlequin Romance / M&B Cherish. Squee!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Q. What is
the working title of your next book?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Rancher to
the Rescue”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; line-height: 150%;">Available
July 2013 U.S./U.K.</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Q. From where
did the idea come?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">The story was
something I developed this summer for the Harlequin Romance Fast Track. It was
a wonderful</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">story to write with lots of emotional twists and
turns to keep me riveted to my computer.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Q. Under
which genre does your book fall?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">I write for
Harlequin Romance / Mills & Boon Cherish. I love the emotional depths you
are able to explore within the line—from smiles and laughs to the occasional
damp eye. Talk about an emotional rollercoaster with a happily-ever-after :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0b5394; line-height: 150%;">Q: Which
actors would you choose to play the part of your characters for a movie?</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0b5394; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">I’d picture
Isla Fisher as my heroine Meghan. And Adam Rodriguez from 'CSI Miami' would be just right as her rancher.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="color: #0b5394; line-height: 150%;">Q.
What is a one sentence synopsis of your book?</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0b5394; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">When a big,
splashy wedding goes awry, the runaway bride is aided by a reluctant rancher,
but their adventure has only just begun and as their complications mount,
they’ll find out that their future plans are about to be revised in ways
neither of them could have ever predicted.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0b5394; line-height: 150%;">Q. Will you
self-publish or be represented by an agent?</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">This book
will be traditionally published via Harlequin Mills & Boon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0b5394; line-height: 150%;">Q. How long
did it take to write the first draft?</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Honestly, not
long at all. At the time I was working one-on-one with my now-editor and I had
deadlines to meet. </span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 28px;">I've</span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"> always worked best under pressure.</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;"> :)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">If you’d like to see how it unfolded. You can read
about “The Call” here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><a href="http://community.harlequin.com/showthread.php/757-NEW-SALE!-Jennifer-Faye-SOLD-to-HARLEQUIN-ROMANCE-MILLS-amp-BOON-CHERISH!!!/page2" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: red; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">http://community.harlequin.com/showthread.php/757-NEW-SALE!-Jennifer-Faye-SOLD-to-HARLEQUIN-ROMANCE-MILLS-amp-BOON-CHERISH!!!/page2</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0b5394; line-height: 150%;">Q: With which
books within your genre would your story compare?</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Oh my, I
honestly don’t know. I’m really hoping that it is different and that’s the
reason my editor and Harlequin Mills & Boon has brought me onboard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0b5394; line-height: 150%;">Q: Who or
what inspired you to write this book?</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Boy, these
questions don’t get easier, do they?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;"> :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">The
inspiration behind this book had absolutely nothing to do with my characters. I
was currently working with a fabulous editor at Harlequin Mills & Boon and
I wanted to keep working with her. So I had to come up with a great story,
something that would make her sit up and take notice. So she inspired me to
write a fresh story with a unique twist.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0b5394; line-height: 150%;">Q: What else
about your book might pique the reader’s interest?</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1030; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1e1030; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Although the
story is set in the American Southwest, it has a contemporary feel with a
celebrity cook, who likes to turn up the heat in the kitchen. Things definitely
never get boring for these two.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1e1030; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Ruchita, thank
you so much for inviting me to your blog. </span></span><span style="color: #1e1030; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 28px;">I've</span></span><span style="color: #1e1030; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"> really enjoyed my visit.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: purple; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you,
Jennifer. Oooh a runaway bride, a celebrity </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: purple; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">cook. Sounds intriguing! I'm longing to read it already. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: purple; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: purple; line-height: 150%;">Hope you all
enjoyed Jennifer’s visit. July will be here soon and you can read this exciting
story of runaway bride and her rescuing rancher for yourself. Love to hear from
you, so don’t forget to leave a comment</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: purple; line-height: 150%;"> :)</span></span></div>
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Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-49344320184710813242012-11-07T23:36:00.001-08:002014-06-17T05:27:19.791-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-39531082121419777112012-10-23T23:34:00.000-07:002012-10-23T23:50:10.782-07:00The Next Big Thing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today I'm posting in response to Nikki Goodman's tagging me on Facebook to take part in The Next Big Thing. You can read her post <a href="http://nikkigoodman.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">here</span></a><span style="color: #674ea7;">.</span> In the Next Big Thing, writers answer ten questions about their work in progress and then tag five other writers to do the same the following week.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are my answers. Hope you like getting to know about Zaheer and Vishakha, the characters in my WIP.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
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<strong><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Q. What is the working title of your next
book?</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"> It's the first book and the running title is </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 14.25pt;">Her Dream Date. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Q.
From where did the idea come?</span></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; line-height: 14.25pt;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 14.25pt;">I entered the Mills and Boon India's Passions III contest with this story</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 14.25pt;">. </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">I was one of the three winners in the contest.</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 14.25pt;">Y</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 14.25pt;">ou can read the story</span><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="line-height: 14.25pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.millsandboonindia.com/passion3_winning_story.php?id=2" style="line-height: 14.25pt;" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta;">here</span></a></span><span style="color: magenta; line-height: 14.25pt;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 14.25pt;">. </span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 14.25pt;"> It was only 2k words then. C</span></span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">oincidentally, t</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 14.25pt;">he idea was </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 14.25pt;">that a </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">girl</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 14.25pt;"> wins a contest. The story really took off when
my hero and heroine materialized, and solidified, in my mind. They have great interaction and
are absolute fun to write. In fact, it got to be an effort to limit their ongoing conversation in my head!</span></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Q.
Under which genre does your book fall?</span></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Mostly I like to write contemporary romance though I'm </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfQYYjAo9-tTias5ctlV5Ad4XTNdERdHPi_bQ30pTPAze-zIBkEAL_f0G-NHRqGfXLSLQvk8zeA2-p-fX4rf6EYeV1AXKLPPJFokhjbFstkXpTFVjwYKBcyjrS3P1dJiRZqPpBHjwZyY/s1600/images+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfQYYjAo9-tTias5ctlV5Ad4XTNdERdHPi_bQ30pTPAze-zIBkEAL_f0G-NHRqGfXLSLQvk8zeA2-p-fX4rf6EYeV1AXKLPPJFokhjbFstkXpTFVjwYKBcyjrS3P1dJiRZqPpBHjwZyY/s1600/images+(3).jpg" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 14.25pt;">drawn towards paranormal too. This one is a contemporary, written along the Riva guidelines.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Q:
Which actors would you choose to play the part of your characters for a movie?</span></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67XH-G1ERJiJA9bKT_ZOR6sb-SVSPLCcpyOweGPbNXTZvW9QgW04iYQftSs2hHMEx0EpSGRSR2FA3lU50YxGcfXcLVfyQZQX9SMBgSkZH8TjuKBs_0z-wSsFsFfFbKf0padb8ZGxG83o/s1600/images+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67XH-G1ERJiJA9bKT_ZOR6sb-SVSPLCcpyOweGPbNXTZvW9QgW04iYQftSs2hHMEx0EpSGRSR2FA3lU50YxGcfXcLVfyQZQX9SMBgSkZH8TjuKBs_0z-wSsFsFfFbKf0padb8ZGxG83o/s1600/images+(4).jpg" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Hmm, they'd be from Bollywood. I think Hrithik Roshan because basically I took the idea of Zaheer's colouring from him, those hazel eyes and streaked hair! It could be Ranveer Singh with the careless charismatic manner he had in Ladies vs Ricky Behl. Or Sameer Kocchar because of the height, but he'd have to wear contacts lol! As for heroine, maybe Deepika or Diana Penty. I like the look Diana had in her debut movie. Vishakha has the same kind of vulnerable look, but with more calories to her :)</span></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Q.
What is a one sentence synopsis of your book?</span></span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"> Fitting it all in one sentence is a bit tough, well here goes : A workaholic jilted doctor with no time for fun, finds herself fighting her attraction for a flamboyant Bollywood actor. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Q.
Will you self-publish or be represented by an agent?</span></span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"> Well, I'm cosy where I am now, coming to notice of an editor through the contest. Since my dream publisher
is Harlequin Mills and Boon, working with one of their editors has been a realization of my hopes. Fingers crossed for getting published through this.
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Q.
How long did it take to write the first draft?</span></span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"> I did a bit of rewriting for the first three
chapters. Then I wrote the next three chapters. Wasn't satisfied with them and my editor kindly looked them over and she agreed to what I felt wasn't working. She sent me some suggestions. We
talked over them and then I really got to writing it and finished it in around one month. I'm working on the revisions
now. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Q:
With which books within your genre would your story compare?</span></span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 14.25pt;"> As a story of a girl coming into her own, it has a
very faint resemblance to Jessica Hart's the Secret Princess. But quite far
off in theme and story. Actually I haven't read a Riva like this one. The background setting is Indian and because of that it's a different dish altogether because I wanted it
should carry a </span><span style="line-height: 19px;">flavor</span><span style="line-height: 14.25pt;"> of Indian values. </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333; line-height: 14.25pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Q:
Who or what inspired you to write this book?</span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> My love for Bollywood, I guess,<b> </b>that was what made me give the
hero his profession.</span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 14.25pt;"> Actually it was an observation that struck me about the difference in the way of
the life of different social circles within the society. I had the occasion to attend a get together among professionals, mainly doctors. And then shortly afterwards, I was in a social function of mainly
upper class housewives. I couldn't help comparing that the style of dressing
for the women was so totally different. The doctors wore more muted shades and
less bulky </span><span style="line-height: 19px;">jewelry.</span><span style="line-height: 14.25pt;"> Their hair style and make up was understated. While in
the other event, m</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 14.25pt;">ake up, </span><span style="line-height: 19px;">jewelry,</span><span style="line-height: 14.25pt;"> the apparels, </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 14.25pt;">everything was louder. That was
when I started to carve out the<b> </b>heroine Vishakha's character. She is a busy doc
with no time for fashion dressing. But due to circumstances she starts questioning
her total absorption in her work. Which leads her to a journey deeper in her own<b>
</b>psyche.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Q:
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?</span></span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Well, maybe
the setting. Part of it is in Lucknow and I've tried to capture the old world
charm of the city. As well as aroma of the delectable Lucknavi cuisine. Then a part is
set in Mumbai with, hopefully, a flavor of Bollywood coming through.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Thanks for going through this with me, hope you liked hearing about my (hoping-to-be) book. And now I tag the next five who are</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100004258572174" href="http://www.facebook.com/jennifer.faye.96" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jennifer Faye</span></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100001507217283" href="http://www.facebook.com/xandra.james1" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Xandra James</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=868230382" href="http://www.facebook.com/jennifer.drogell" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Jennifer Drogell</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1101395947" href="http://www.facebook.com/carmen.clavuot" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Carmen Clavuot</a><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span><a aria-controls="uyxghvw1" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="uyxghvw1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=592327399" href="http://www.facebook.com/samantha.woodveerasamy" id="js_19" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Samantha Wood Veerasamy</a><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Really enjoyed this and looking forward to 'hearing' about others soon. :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786408484098512585.post-74096927224760688672012-10-10T05:46:00.002-07:002012-10-10T05:47:05.326-07:00What's important - weather or season?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-US">Follow the season not the weather. Why? Because weather temporary and the season is lasting. Though with the changing climate scenario the above statement is less and less applicable. More properly, what's more important - the mood or the nature of a person? </span>A bit of wind in summer doesn't make you take out your thick woolens. What about the minor irritations which crop up in our day? Maybe the two have nothing in common. But something made me think of this
analogy as a part of everyday circumstance. </div>
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<span lang="EN-US">We were on a holiday and
my son refused to do as he was told, pulling a frown and acting mutinous. While
I felt reactionary anger, my daughter cautioned me, mama let it be. So I
dropped trying to get him to do what I wanted. The next moment I realized he
was probably tired from the journey to high altitude as well as the sightseeing
walk we took. So no wonder he was acting up. Normally a sunny kid, the change in him was just on that occasion. Sure enough next day he was back so I could lay my momentary fear of having a rebellious tween on my hands to rest. *happy smile*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">This did make me think.
There are times like these when our loved ones have a falling out with us. If we exercise
a bit of patience and lot of love, the cloud passes away. But sometimes (read
often for me) we are too rushed and lacking the time to think it through and we
have quite a storm on our hands before things cool down. Heaven forbid, they
not do any lasting negativity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">So next time anyone in my family gets
a frown, I'm going to think it's weather, not a season. At least I'm going to
try to. Would you like to? Love to know what you think of my little analogy.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Ciao! :)</span></div>
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Ruchi Vasudevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720959924101497347noreply@blogger.com4