Thursday, May 30, 2013

Reading completes Writing.



To be very honest, I haven’t read much of books, except the books authored by friends online and few, which are passed on to me, by my Father. I wasn’t much of a reader. It all started a few years ago and I started to get a hang of reading and loved it. I do not go deep into the genre of the work, but just keep on reading, which enables me to co-relate with the author, closely.

It would make one, wonder – How can a non-reader become a writer? This question makes me wonder too. It all started with a humble poetry, which I wrote three years ago and then, there was no looking back. All I can say is, only reading gave me that extra boost to express in different ways.

Being a poet, I never thought, I could write a love tale, (a novella in two short stories). I don’t know from where they came and struck me. I just kept on scribbling and it turned out to be a love story with a mix of negatives and positives.

I am aware, that a novel needs to have certain number of words, like 10k or more. My love story “Love Connection” has just 3K words. 

Sigh! So less. 

I wonder anyone would like to read it. But, I am glad, that I could at-least reach that many words. All the credit goes to reading. Reading completes writing. Am grateful to all author friends.

Am happy to share an excerpt from “Love Connection” and a link to it.

            “Daniel is 24, a graduate in commerce and he works as an officer with a high profile bank. It’s been almost four years he’s been sweating out day in and day out for his career to grow. He likes his job although he isn’t comfortable with the monotonous work of the bank. Since, he was a salesman for his previous organizations.” 

            “During his peak as a salesman, he fell in love with a fellow colleague, “Jenny”. Jenny was a smart and a beautiful young girl. She lived quite close to Dan’s house. She was a child to a single parent. She had lost her father a few years ago. She used to work in the Direct Marketing division of Dan’s company. Both of them interacted while on duty.”

              “ Jenny, was quite impressed with Dan’s personality, his style of working, the way he talked, the rapport he used to build with one and all, we can say she was impressed with almost everything; while, Dan liked her simplicity, beauty, and her humble nature. They never knew, when and how they fell in love with each other.

            Each others presence made them cheerful and absence turned them gloomy. Days, weeks, months passed and their love grew stronger. Their love was selfless, pure, and strong.

            It was love his for Jenny, which landed him to build a career in banking. Love makes things work. He sacrificed his selling career just for love. He had the ideology to give love first and receive it later.”


Tuesday, May 21, 2013

What makes you happy? A Five Star Rating, A Review, Or Both?



What would or does a "Five Star" mean for a poet or a writer on his/her works?

Aha! May be the first expression. Or A Wow!!! With couple of extra exclamation marks.

Further more, what if the book receives a wonderful review from unknown and unmet friend/s across national borders?

Yes! You got it right!

The poet or writer feels grateful toward the reader friend/s and the review adds encouragement to the pen holder. And that’s what happened with me. Am sure, this must be happening to you too.

I’ve gone speechless not only after reading this wonderful review from lovely friend, Lynn Creager, (Jefferson City, Missouri, US) but every review posted on my work.

Glad to share it here.
 
“Maiden Musings is a touching collection of Haiku poetry. The Author Aniruddha Sastikar takes a soul searching journey. In Maiden Musings you will find yourself on a path of beautiful images of nature, a depth wherein the Author looks closely at life. Complex and uplifting, he soul searches. He finds beauty and hope even in darkness. On a breeze, his musings takes his heart into his faith in God. He shares his love for friends and his dear family, his hopes and dreams, and how nature lights his path each day.... 

Click the link below to read the complete review.


Sunday, May 19, 2013

Cricket.

Cricket.

Cricket – the game with eleven players each side,
umpires ‘two’ and few reserve players too,
with a referee to control,
playing away their natural talent;
to cheers from fully excited,
unbiased crowd;
only wanting the sport,
to win.

Tender strong hands,
may they be of a child or a youth,
at every given opportune;
they would grab a bat
to hit fours and sixes,
or shine the leather ball
to deliver fire and claim wickets,
and the older men and women,
enjoyed every moment played.

Alas!

The game with a willow, a ball, and six wickets;
once used to be a source of living a disciplined life,
for it’s great players and numerous fans,
until the day; it was slapped black and blue,
with it’s rules and playing area, bended –
to make quick bucks,
was thrown to disgrace by few polished gangsters;
hiding –
a gun, in their hind-pocket to spread fear,
international currencies, in their side-pocket to bribe,
hookers, in their expensive cars for adultery.

Ah!

The thrilling sport went more murkier,
when troupers joined hands,
with bloody hoodlums
and stepped on the podium,
not to give away cups or trophies,
but to hypnotize and drag one and all,
in their beautiful rotting Worlds.

Sigh!

That refreshing gentleman’s game
is not the same anymore,
which it used to be,
few decades ago.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Invisible positive vibes.



Life is a mix of struggles and rejoicing. It may be intense and depressing at one and smooth and pleasant at next. I do not have to reinvent the wheel; we all know this.

Everyone needs a moral support; be it tough or celebration times. Isn’t it?

We all need it. Don't we? 

I need it too, especially when times are really delicate and very depressing. Although, I have a strong backing from my family members and friends (in-person and online), it at times is difficult to cope. But, being a poet and artist and living among truly amazing fellow poets, writers, & artists; makes life, livable.

Instead of surrendering myself to the graves of doom, I prefer to let the muse flow, click pictures and write on them. I know every word or verse in my poem/s may not make me positive, but am sure about they, touching others and possibly make them enthusiastic toward life and when that happens, their invisible positive vibes touch and enter me, making me optimistic and hopeful toward life.

Just to quote an example. I have had clicked a picture of a live flame, burning in a lamp kept in the place of worship at home in April this year. I copied it on my PC and pondered for days; on where to use it. It was today, that I decided to use it in the best way I could. I scrolled through hundred odd poems and found “Burning Radiance”, which I wrote in March this year, which exactly matched the picture. It is really magical. You write first and image comes later; conversely, you click first and writing comes later.



So, it was time to share it on facebook, Google+, and others. And when I did, friends liked it and found it inspiring and beautiful, which in turn, inspired me too. Positive vibes, you see.

How does this happen?

I am amazed and have no answer to this invincible and unseen power of GOD.

Very glad to share it with You.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Once upon a time...



On a hot afternoon, couple of days ago, my daughter - Chinmayee and I had a small chat, which reminded me, I've and can write stories for children. I was pleased with her sharp memory, compared to what I have. Here's the conversation, which choked my throat and silently told me, I need to get back to writing for children apart from poetry.

Chinmayee: Come on, Dad, tell me a good story.
Me: I don’t know how to, Dear Child.
She: I know you can.
Me: I am a dumb poet, so how can I tell one.
She: Why do you say so? I remember the one about a parrot flying freely.
Me: Ah! Okay. Listen. "Once upon a time...

Morals help us lead and retain a positive outlook toward life. Children are the ambassadors for a beautiful world; for themselves and others as well. Pleasure sharing link to a short story book for children, published last December http://www.blurb.com/b/3941840-once-upon-a-time