10 years of blogging!! The Celebrations have begun!! :)






Ten years. A decade. A long long time. It was on his day in 2006, that I wrote my first blog post. 
 A hesitant step. Born from extreme pain.  I had no idea what I was getting into then. I was writing mostly for myself.  I was devastated. I had no one to turn to. The  anguish from losing my dad engulfed me day in and day out.  It felt like a noose around my neck. There was anger that he was taken away so quickly, resentment, shock. But mostly grief.
Mind numbing grief. I never knew there could be so much pain.
There was no escaping from the fact that life, as I knew it was over. My days were dark.

I remember I happened to be reading  The Economic Times that morning, and there was a small article buried somewhere in the last pages which talked about a new trend called blogging. I had no idea what a blog even meant till then. (This was a decade back—remember? ) I decided to go online and see for myself.  And then I decided to start one anonymously. That first post I wrote is full of typos and errors which I have left untouched till date, as it reflects my state of mind at that time.

My blog was my constant companion throughout my dark days. I met so many people because of my blog.
You can read my 500th post  HERE.

My blog grew as I grew. I made friends with people from many parts of the world, and later I met them in real life too.

My blog really catapulted me into a different realm, and my life changed in way I never even thought possible even in my wildest dreams.

Imagine going from an anonymous unknown somebody to where I am today. (An author of 8 books that too all bestsellers) . One of the big moments for me was being invited to be a keynote speaker along with Bruce Dickinson ( yes yes, The Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden)
I spoke to him in the green room and he wanted a copy of my book, which he made sure that I signed. Here is a picture:





I was also the keynote speaker and a guest of honour along with Shruti Hassan at an event organised by Madras Management association.  Here is a pic from my Instagram:










Have met and interacted with people like, Prahalad Kakkar, Nandan Nilekani, Shekhar Gupta, Priya Ramani, Vikram Sampath, Amy Chua, Kiran Nagarkar etc. So many writers, editors and publishers are my good friends now.

I have spoken at Ted x events, spoken at IITs, IIMs, and many corporates like Accenture, KPMG, Infosys etc. Have been invited and been a panelist at so many many literary festivals too.

I have also now lost count of the number of times I have been featured in Cosmopolitan, The Hindu, The India Express, Times of India, Femina and many may more publications.  In 2008, When my first media mentions came out, I was super excited. You can read the post HERE.


More than anything, the amount of personal connections that I have been able to make because of my blog (and subsequently my books) is something I feel so good  and grateful about.

One of the most treasured moments was when I got a  beautiful beautiful gift from Brazil.  You can read the post by going here.


Over the years, I have been asked why I don’t monetise my blog ( I refuse to even put google ad sense) . Lots of corporates have offered me lakhs of rupees for a mention of their products on my blog. I have turned each one down.

A blog is where I express myself . It is my own space.
At the moment, I am doing  an international course on  Illustrated journaling, and as a part of my coursework, I had to make a little book, about myself.
 

What better occasion than this to share it with you? Here it is!


You can see the pages better here:










To me, my blog is the most authentic part of me, that I share with genuine readers. It is my go-to place when I need comforting. It is my blessing. It is my sacred spot.

And I thank you for being with me on my journey so far.  
(The celebrations continue over the next one week. There will be a new post every day. So see you tomorrow! and don't forget to leave me a comment here, for a chance to win this BEAUTIFUL mug that my team designed.)


Comments

  1. One thing to be learnt from this blog is that keep doing ur work. U'll be rewarded. Happy Writing Ma'am.
    Confession: Yet to read ur arts.

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  2. Congratulations ma'm !! Happy blogiversary :) your books turned me into a bibliophile so did this blog . Got to learn so much from blog! Wishing you much more success and I am sure your blog has inspired many people and will continue to do so.

    -- your biiiig fan
    Sachin :)

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  3. A blogger,writer,artist,yoga buff,nature lover,animal lover and a human to the core. These are some of the facets of your multifarious personality. The best part about you is the love that fans shower on you and the way you reciprocate it. Seeing the way you lead your life one can say "Life is What you make it".

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  4. Mam,just read this,i thought that whatever is or has happening to you is something you care a little about like some very big celebs,but after reading this and seeing the above pictures ,I think you are cherishing each moment,each book,each reader,each fan of yours as your own..you ought to ..

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  5. Mam,just read this,i thought that whatever is or has happening to you is something you care a little about like some very big celebs,but after reading this and seeing the above pictures ,I think you are cherishing each moment,each book,each reader,each fan of yours as your own..you ought to ..

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  7. 10 years ago
    A girl started typing...
    And stil typing...
    The thing is nothing has changed except for the growth she witnessed
    ~ natarajan

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  8. 10 years ago
    A girl started typing...
    And stil typing...
    The thing is nothing has changed except for the growth she witnessed
    ~ natarajan

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  9. Journey of the your life and what makes you reason for the writing the fiction .memory still remember...every particular writing books had a different meaning and themes .hurdle and successful to a happy life ....life is what you makes it....it's all in the planet both books extraordinary and awesome ,amazing...I'm really so proud to leave the comment on your blog...your a so enthusiastic and hopefull

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  10. Wow ma'am. I didn't know that much about you. You are really an inspiration for me. I recently bought your book "It's all in the planet". It's my first book written by you. And guess what, I got a signed copy ;) because I pre-ordered the book. I am looking forward to read all your books. And I want to say All the best for your future work.

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  11. Wow ma'am. I didn't know that much about you. You are really an inspiration for me. I recently bought your book "It's all in the planet". It's my first book written by you. And guess what, I got a signed copy ;) because I pre-ordered the book. I am looking forward to read all your books. And I want to say All the best for your future work.

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  12.  Dear Maam your “Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip awesome that way.”.
    I Really enjoyed your novels...congrats Maam keep going on.

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  13. Preeti... Accidentally happened to lay my hands on Secret wish list & literally mesmerized to go hunting for all of yours & up to date now....Simply luv the way you write...Let the Almighty bless you to enthrall more & more people with your writings... Good luck

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  14. Epic!!! Passionate works will never be unseen!!..
    Perfect example for, when you give your best ..
    you will surely get it back in unlimited ways!! Do your best��
    Best wishes n lots of Love ..Kavitha

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  15. Hi Ma'am, i am a greatfan of your writing. I am following you from your first book & 'a mother of two'. You happen to be a friend of my brother-in-law(Mr.Prateek Gupta) and since i am all into your books and i cant tell you,how inspired m i from your work. I am just looking to meet you in person. I just love your books .a big thanks to you. Looking forward for more books from you :)

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  16. Hi Ma'am, i am a greatfan of your writing. I am following you from your first book & 'a mother of two'. You happen to be a friend of my brother-in-law(Mr.Prateek Gupta) and since i am all into your books and i cant tell you,how inspired m i from your work. I am just looking to meet you in person. I just love your books .a big thanks to you. Looking forward for more books from you :)

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  17. To choose one's passion over a lucrative career is the step that takes a lot of effort. And people think once that step is taken life will be all blissfull and no effort is needed, not a bit. In reality this is not so. We need to realise that choosing passion does not end the effort but makes every step and every effort(invisible to others) worth it (visible to all). Also, we need to embrace the uncertainity that life thrusts upon us, because the beauty of life is uncertainity itself. When you embrace it, your true potential is revealed to yourself and to world outside. And ma'am, this is the essence of your life story. I wish you more prosperity in your future endeavours :) :)

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  18. Truly very inspiring!! You symbolize the proverb " The journey of 100 miles begins with a single step". The greatest pride is growing in one's own eyes.You have just grown fabulously before your own eyes. Not to mention your supportive family who has been of immense support and help to you to have reached where ever you are. Your true passion for writing and your unconditional involvement too.

    Kudos Preeti!! Take a bow!

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  19. Hello Mam. Greetings of the day!
    I just want to share this little incident with you. My mother is a Hindi teacher and her interest has always been in the works of Premchand. So one day she found me reading "The Secret Wish List”. I had completed the book and was smiling reading the last page which said "What is your wish list? Go on, write it down. You never know how it can change your life!” I showed her the blank wish list and saw her interest developing. Days later, I found her reading your book.
    That is how she started reading English novels. That is how we found one more thing common between us. I just wanted to thank you for all the hard work that you put in. Every sentence that comes out of your pen changes the lives of many. Also, Happy blog-anniversary! What started out as a paragraph full of typos has now converted into a book of quotes. You deserve it, you deserve it all. :)
    I am currently reading "It's All in the Planets" and I am loving it. Keep writing. Thank you.
    - ARCHITA BATRA

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  20. The pain inside us always finds a way to come out. It is upto us how we allow it to express to outer world. You took a positive step and started writing for youself. Your every book show how a person in pain and transform herself/himself into a better one and maybe this example you take from your life everytime that how we can handle our pain and depression in a positive way. I am a lover of art and that made me intrested to your artwork and books. Have a wonderful journey ahead mam.

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  21. It's been six years since I first heard of your book "life's what you make it" n I've been following your blog ever since I finished reading it. Since then I've pre-ordered n read every book n every blog post you wrote n you always seem to inspire me ma'am. Your books always tell a msg that no matter what life goes on n we have to live it with a smile.

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  22. Anonymous3:45 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  23. I read the book... All in planets ...As expected..! It touched my heart!! I love urs work... Where its pottery ,articles, painting,dressing sense, way of presenting..,!!

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  24. Preeti

    I just want to say one thing you inspire me to write......AND writing helps me to sustain in tough times............. :-) Keep writing & Keep inspiring :-)

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  25. Yeah as a writer you have to face many criticism but if you are being trolling on social sites it means you are famous among the people

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  26. I also started bogging on Friday and i am so happy by using this my experience is just started.

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  27. Ma'am the one thing that I have understood through your blog is that a person's present status is an outcome of his/her hardwork.... No body is born with a silver spoon in their mouth... It's no luck, no fortune. It is sheer hardwork and passion that can keep a person going to achieve his/her goals.... Your a true gem.. Your novels have been a delightful treat tonics readers and your paintings are simply amazing.... You are one kind hearted person I have acquainted...

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    1. Your novels have been a delightful treat to the readers

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  28. I am writing this not because I want to win the coffee mug but because I really admire your work. The fact that you put in a lot of research to bring out the best. I know for a fact that It's all in the planets took almost 8 months and it's worth the effort and it's definitely by far the best novels I have read. I also should give the credit to you because my vocabulary improved because of reading novels by you and other Indian Authors. I just wanted to congratulate you for the success and would definitely wish to read more from you. All the very best. Take care.

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  29. Hi Preeti,
    I got to know about you after I landed on 'Life is what you make it'..I started reading the book on the bus while coming back from office in Chennai. I didn't wanted to waste time cooking dinner and had dosa with egg poach. It was the first book I read at a stretch and then I started looking for the creater and came to your blog.
    I have read all your post and even commented on the first one while the count was 600 and your thoughts and ideas expressed year are so real and it surely comes from heart. I love how you speak about many topics and not just your books on the blogs.

    I sometime wonder how difficult it must be to come up with new and interesting thing everytime you sit to write a post.Not to mention you amazes me everytime.

    I have been your fan since then, read all your books and all my friends knows that.I feel lucky to have met you personally and also a mention in this virtual hone of yours. Thank you so much for being there and huge Congratulations on 10 years of blogging. Way to go !!!

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  30. Hi Preeti,
    I got to know about you after I landed on 'Life is what you make it'..I started reading the book on the bus while coming back from office in Chennai. I didn't wanted to waste time cooking dinner and had dosa with egg poach. It was the first book I read at a stretch and then I started looking for the creater and came to your blog.
    I have read all your post and even commented on the first one while the count was 600 and your thoughts and ideas expressed year are so real and it surely comes from heart. I love how you speak about many topics and not just your books on the blogs.

    I sometime wonder how difficult it must be to come up with new and interesting thing everytime you sit to write a post.Not to mention you amazes me everytime.

    I have been your fan since then, read all your books and all my friends knows that.I feel lucky to have met you personally and also a mention in this virtual hone of yours. Thank you so much for being there and huge Congratulations on 10 years of blogging. Way to go !!!

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  31. HellO maam.. I can better relate to u in this post as a few days back I updated my 100th post.. 10 years is a long time.. My blog is just 1 n half year old still I treat it as my baby so ur connection can be felt.. This blog was der in all the times be it gud or bad.. I feel connected to your works be it over blog, Fb, insta it your books.. But ur blog is ur soul which gave birth to The Preeti Shenoy and trust me maam, it has brought smiles on millions hearts.. I have read some of your posts and they are just so Co- relatable.. :)
    Kuddos to you for keeping this blog for 10 long years.. :D

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  32. Much love to you too Preeti Mam. For me, inspiration always came from you. Your deft and shrewd way of weaving words is just spellbound. When I m down, When words don't hit, I come to only one place. No other than blog.preetishenoy.com. That arouses the wordsmith in me.

    For that ground to mess with words, you deserve lot more than the 2-letter Thank You.
    A heartfelt Thank You Mam.

    Lately, I have started blogging too. I've been excited by your blog marathon idea. And someday thinking to steal it and experiment for a week's time. (I hope you won't mind, because stealing a good habit is no crime :)

    I wish you a great blogiversary. May you have infinite more, and inspire us more.
    10 years is a big time. Cheers to the decade!

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  33. Hi Preeti,

    Congratulations to this feat. I wish you more and more success and many amazing writing years ahead. May you continue to inspire people and touch their lives in innumerable ways as you always do. I love your blogs and you are the reason even I started blogging 4 years back. All of us have our own special way with words but you are gifted that words from your pen make an instant connect with your readers. May God Bless you in all your future endevours. Here's an ode to you on my web space as well.

    http://oops-om.blogspot.in/2016/10/day-23-happy-blogiversary-preeti-shenoy.html

    Love

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  34. Congratulations Ma'am!! 10 years is a big thing.Your blogs are always refreshing and most of the times inspiring.You are a multi talented personality and your way of looking at and living life is truly unique.I adore your way of writing(not just blog but books too! ).Your happy place(your blog) is our happy place too.

    Keep writing :)(You are so good at it!)

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  35. Congratulations Ma'am!! 10 years is a big thing.Your blogs are always refreshing and most of the times inspiring.You are a multi talented personality and your way of looking at and living life is truly unique.I adore your way of writing(not just blog but books too! ).Your happy place(your blog) is our happy place too.

    Keep writing :)(You are so good at it!)

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  36. Congratulations for a long one decade successful journey.There are a few person in the world who follow their passion.You are very committed personality that makes you different from others.

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  37. Congratulations for a long one decade successful journey.There are a few person in the world who follow their passion.You are very committed personality that makes you different from others.

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  38. Mam you are such a great inspiration... I read your book the one you cannot have...and its awesome..and ya I want to read your book the seceret Wishlist..I read about you very first in the newspaper..u gave an interview.. and then I search about you and your work...and then I connect with u..with Facebook n Instagram mam u r so swt..ur smile is very preety nd ya..I inspired a lot from you..and very soon I also start my own blog..hope I too have a vry beautiful blog journey.. like yours..keep writing mam..keep inspiring us..:)

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  39. You're the first Indian woman writer that I started reading abd following since I started reading books. I love your books and have learnt a lot of lessons from them. Your life is what you make it is my all time favourite. It's like an infinite source of inspiration. It's very motivating to read your articles and interviews. You're a real big inspiration to all the female writers specially in India. Keep writing and inspiring your readers. Stay blessed. Much love ❤😍💕 xoxo

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  40. It's very nice n lucky to read your life story. I got inspired from your book "Life is what you make it". It's a very good story n got inspired very much in your readings after that. Would like to have more bestselling novels from you. Keep going. All the very best.

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  41. Hey Preeti!
    I'm Aparna Prabhu residing in Mangalore. I'm an avid reader of your books from past couple of years. Whenever I see your interviews/mentions in newspapers/magazines, I read them in one go. You apply beautiful strokes on the paper as well as on the canvas. Nobody understands relationships as you do. The way you connect with your readers in your books and social networking handles is quite commendable. When I read your book '34 Bubblegums And Candies', I thought you were a master conversationalist. I would love to meet you in person. My request to you, is to visit Mangalore for your next book launch.You are the only woman whose name is a constant feature in the best-sellers list. Many women are inspired by you.

    Hearty congratulations for your achievements.
    I wish you all the best for your future endeavours.
    With lots of love,
    Aparna Prabhu

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  42. Hey Preeti!
    I'm Aparna Prabhu residing in Mangalore. I'm an avid reader of your books from past couple of years. Whenever I see your interviews/mentions in newspapers/magazines, I read them in one go. You apply beautiful strokes on the paper as well as on the canvas. Nobody understands relationships as you do. The way you connect with your readers in your books and social networking handles is quite commendable. When I read your book '34 Bubblegums And Candies', I thought you were a master conversationalist. I would love to meet you in person. My request to you, is to visit Mangalore for your next book launch.You are the only woman whose name is a constant feature in the best-sellers list. Many women are inspired by you.

    Hearty congratulations for your achievements.
    I wish you all the best for your future endeavours.
    With lots of love,
    Aparna Prabhu

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  43. Congratulations. ..I can imagine what an overwhelming feeling this must be....

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  44. Congratulations. ..I can imagine what an overwhelming feeling this must be....

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  45. Hearty congratulations for your hard work & for your unstoppable success.. Like to read you anytime.. Always waiting for your new posts & new books..
    Love you..

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  47. First of all a very hearty congratulations ma'am for completing joureny of 10 years.
    I just read all your books from the first till the latest 8 book which is it's all in the planets you have just written the books in amazing way nd we are eager to read more books written by you. Nd your posts nd blogs are also amazing.u inspire a lot to everyone through your novels and blogs. Keep writting and inspiring everyone . and congrats once again

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  48. Ma'am I was inspired by ur buks bt nw by ur blog n lyf....bcz nce I felt bad for being a girl. Bt wen I read life is wt u make it, my world has been changed since then. Keep going ma'am bcz u hav long way to go... Miles to go bfr u slp miles to go bfr u slp...

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  49. Hi Preeti. Firstly, a hearty congratulations to you on your 10th Blog Anniversary! It is indeed a great honor to be a huge fan of a dedicated writer who has written so many best sellers and will continue to do so in the future as well :-) Once I read your first book, I got 'hooked' onto your style of writing, because I could relate to most of the characters. I was not aware of your blog at first. Then one day, I happened to come across it while browsing the Internet. Ever since that day, I have following your blog religiously. Sometimes I may visit it just before my day starts, or at the end of the day, right before I go to sleep. It is a type of relaxation for me to read your blogs after the end of a long tiring day at work. My wish to you is to continue what you love to do, because we your fans just LOVE it! I really admire you for all your achievements - whether it is your writing, illustrations, book launches, presentations, talks, etc. You are a super woman and I am sure you will 'fly' to greater heights as the days go by. I have that much of confidence! Congratulations on the BIG 10 and wishing you many many more wonderful years of blogging and writing ahead.

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