Tag: fiction
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What’s the Similarity Between Riding a Taxi and Writing?
A comedy of detours, questionable directions, and existential fare meters. I can write just about anytime, anywhere. The second I’m out observing the world — checking out buildings and soaking up nature — my ideas start jumping around like they’ve had too much coffee. In classic Abracadabra (title of my log and podcast) fashion — where my brain pulls random ideas…
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Why my inbox thinks I’m a literary genius… but my sales don’t
Let’s be honest: every indie author — no matter how proudly “independent” we claim to be — has, at some point, fantasized about that magical email.You know the one. Subject: Congratulations! We want to represent you! Most of us wake up expecting this life-changing message from a publisher or literary agent… and what do we actually find in our…
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What Snow and Ice Can Teach You as an Author
Every now and then, the coach and facilitator in me takes over the author in me, and I start finding lessons hidden in everyday moments. Last night, as I went out for a walk after dinner, I noticed the snow slowly melting away. What remained were small, frozen smudges—patches that no longer softened under each…
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The Bestseller Myth
Why “Bestselling Author” Doesn’t Always Mean “Great Book” Even before a book sees the light of day, most authors have already begun to dream — of glowing reviews, loyal readers, and that coveted title: “Bestselling Author.” It’s a dream that feels almost synonymous with success. But in today’s publishing landscape, where algorithms can be gamed and reviews can…
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Historical Fiction — My Latest Passion
I have never been a particularly disciplined writer — and that’s probably because I never needed a specific setting to write. I could (and still can) write anywhere, anytime. I often talk about The Metromanic Chronicles, my shortest book, which I wrote while traveling in Delhi’s transit system — the Delhi Metro. That book, like much of my work,…
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Lost in the ‘Good Morning’ Epidemic
When Forwards Replace Real Conversations Have you ever received that fabled “Good Morning” message from an uncle, aunt, or that one enthusiastic friend? You know the kind — a glittery sunrise, a motivational quote in a floral frame, and sometimes even an animated bird chirping wisdom at you. And what do most of us do? We hit…
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When Praise Feels Like Spam
How I Almost Ignored a Real Reader… In today’s digital world, authors face a strange and exhausting reality — fake admiration. Every morning, my inbox lights up with 10–15 emails praising my books. At first, it felt flattering. Then I noticed a pattern. The compliments were always followed by the same sales pitch: “Promote your book in our…
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The Art of Serving the Same Wine in a New Bottle: Why clichés continue to rule our hearts, and minds
Pic Source – Pixabay Every few months, critics resurrect the same complaint: Bollywood lacks originality. That every second film is just a remix of star-crossed lovers, revenge dramas, family sagas, over-the-top action, or the eternal “rich boy meets poor girl” story — just dressed in new designer clothes. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: if these…
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Not All Writers Were Born Writers — And That’s Okay
Not every writer was born with a pen in hand, nor did every writer sit in a classroom to study writing theory. Some of us learned by living, by observing, by failing, and by writing messy first drafts that eventually became something worth sharing. I recently came across a literary agent’s post lamenting how “incompetent”…
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Chasing Shadows stands out…
Saw this on Goodreads and I cant stop raving about it, love it!!! Thank you “Gary Reads” on Goodreads for this amazing review for Chasing Shadows – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231659039-chasing-shadows I tend to gravitate toward books by indie authors, and I picked this one up by Jasveer Dangi after listening to the audiobook version of one of…