How a book got written

 

Sometime back, when we were living in the U.K, a very good friend, who also happens to be a single mother to two lovely children, visited us. Her ex-husband (with whom she is on very friendly terms) is an Artist and a very accomplished one at that.Over glasses of wine, soft music and a lovely hot dinner, conversation turned to art,creativity and other related things.

"Creative people, be they artists or writers should never be allowed to marry or have children.They are so hard to live with!" exclaimed my friend with all gusto and complete sincerity. My friend has the highest regards for artists/writers and she does appreciate and admire them a lot. She is also a great book-lover and a delightful conversationalist. She also has a lot of artists as friends because of the nature of her work.(She works as a life model).  Satish (my husband--somehow I hate the word 'husband'.He is more my friend and confidante) chuckled and completely agreed with her. They went on to discuss the eccentricities  and oddities of creative people in general. I squirmed a bit inwardly, amused, tickled and at the same time slightly bewildered. By Jove, they were right! Whatever traits my friend described of her ex-husband were the very that were present in me! Satish and she had a hearty nudge-nudge-giggle-guffaw insiders laugh and I joined in too.

Later, I wondered how much of it would be supported by scientific evidence. Was it really true that creative people are difficult to live with and difficult to have as a close friend or have a close relationship with? Dr.Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi an eminent psychologist, and an author of many books and more than 120 scientific papers, has written a superb analysis about the ten paradoxes of creative people. (click on coloured words to read it). When i read it, i found myself identifying with nearly all the traits mentioned there. Perhaps those who know me well will agree.

Many a time I find that I simply have to paint that picture. If I don't, it goes round and round in my head and bothers me. If my family interrupts me at that time (I will not answer the phone if I am painting or making a portrait, so friends cannot disturb me) I get quite annoyed and I snap at them. If I am thinking deeply about something (most often it is about the character in my book) I absent-mindedly answer 'uh-uh' to whatever my family asks. By now, my children know me so well, that if it is important, my daughter will nudge my arm and say "Mummy, did you really hear me or are you simply doing uh-uh? " (yeah, she is a sharp little thing.)

The last three months, I have been living inside my new book completely.(and oh it is so hard! You really feel each character's emotions as you live their life) Today, I finally okayed the final layout, before it goes into print. I heaved a sigh of relief, but  at the same time I feel so emotionally drained.

It has taken me about two years to write this book. I have poured my heart and soul into it. My family has been so supportive, as have been my closest friends. They have listened to me complain, discuss, rant, vent, pour out emotions, be a general wreck and they have done it so sweetly and smilingly. I have picked up fights with them, (yes, even with my closest friends), argued , brain stormed, deliberated,trashed out and talked. They have all been really rock-solid and so sincere and understanding.(I feel fortunate to have them)

My biggest strength  and biggest fans have perhaps been my children. Today I told my son "Next month, mummy's SECOND book will be in  all the book-stores in India, can you believe it?"

"Wow Mummy." he replied. "I am so proud of you." And he gave me a big hug.

It was all that I wanted to hear.

This post is specially to thank those people who have totally stood by me in the writing and creation of this book. They know how difficult a journey it has been for me. I would not be exaggerating if I say that the book would never have got written without them.

Words truly do not suffice to express what I feel (maybe I should paint a picture) but I simply have to say :

A big hug and a thank you to

Satish Shenoy

He has put up with my countless moods and irritated out-bursts. On top of that comforted me too! :P :)

Ajay Chauhan

He hates even being mentioned but I simply have to. He was the one who read each chapter as soon as it was written and who would keep asking "When are you writing the next one? What is the progress?" Sometimes, just because he asked I'd push myself and write even when it was really hard and I felt like giving up.

 

Cherissa Castellino

She is one sharp and intelligent woman and works as an HR consultant. She is one of my closest friends and I am so glad to have her in my life. She was so honest with her feedback and she helped a lot in early drafts.

Mayank Mittal

When I was in U.K and whenever the phone rang, it would usually be Mayank. He has called me up countless times (and still continues to call me). Whenever he called, I would take a break from my writing and would pick up the toys and make beds an do the general cleaning of the house as I talked with him on the phone. On the days that Mayank called, the house would be sparkling clean!

Dr.Anubhav Naresh deserves all the credit for a superb cover that my book will sport. (It got finalised today and I will soon post a picture here.) He is a multi-talented person who is into many things including running adventure camps, soft-skill workshops apart from being a Dentist. Click here to get the links to all his sites.

And the final thanks of course is to YOU, even the silent readers and subscribers, apart from the ones who regularly comment. It is your words that truly propelled the first book and it is your encouragement that goaded me on, to write my second.

Thank you so much!

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And for those of you who cannot wait to know the title, the title of the book is

Life is what you make it.

         ---a story of  love,hope and how determination can overcome even destiny

More details soon (including a chance to win signed copies of the book) :-)

Watch this space  or 'like' this page.

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