Meeting Ms Shenoy

As a part of my job I'm required to do interviews with people and I meet interesting people because of it! This time around I was scheduled for an interview with Preeti Shenoy. I was thoroughly excited about the meet because she's a writer and she's amazing! every review I read of her books said only one thing "her books are real"; they are direct, they make sense.

I chanced upon a book "Life is what you make it" as my friend had picked it up. I didn't have the chance to read it as I moved cities. But going by the reviews, looks like I must.

Today, I met Preeti and wow. What a woman! I loved her story. I've always wanted to be a writer and here I was standing with Preeti and doing this interview and I could identify with her. Her love for animals, her home, for books and writing were so visible.

I can't say it enough, Preeti's house is a thing of beauty. Manicured lawns and a tastefully done villa in the middle of Bangalore. You will have to be reminded that you are in Bangalore. It gets even better when you realise that all of the beautiful little pieces you see are collected by her. Each item in the house has a beautiful story and as cliched as it sounds, her house screams "creative space". An artist herself, her sensibilities show in her space. It's a stereotypical writer house, with every wall having conversation pieces. She also had a few friendly visitors, a bunch of cats that seemed to love her house. (Cats and writers, right?) She also has a beautiful dog. Ah! Animal lover through and through.

Off camera, I got talking to her about writing and how she got to where she is, I loved her answers. She is witty, insightful and definitely knows her job. She speaks very passionately about her writing and more importantly her blogging. I told her about getting back to my blog, she seemed so encouraging and supportive. she loves her blog too and I love the fact that she's kept her blog alive for so long.

A few things that she did tell me and I know this is something I knew deep down, but now that I have it on record, I'll be a little more diligent in applying these rules! May be tape this on my cupboard!

1. You need discipline. You cannot become better over night. You need to write and you need to write often.
2.  TV and the internet are time killers they draw away from the job. 
3. It is important that you find passions and develop them so you have something to turn too apart from your job.
4. You need your family, but you need your quiet time. It's a process and it is okay to want to shut yourself from the world. 
5. You have to get involved with things and if you like something, invest in it. (She picked up paper quelling from the internet) 
6. It's okay to be proud of your work. But so much more important to be humble.
7. Read a lot! (Her bookshelves we're overflowing with books!)
8. Quality, Quality, Quality -There is no scope to be shoddy. You have to deliver the best!
9. Go see the world. You need to see the world!

I won't kill all the joy by telling you everything about the interview. You have to watch it to know more. But I'll tell you this. I was going through a reader's block, where I couldn't find anything that moved me or made me want to sit still  read, I think I've found a book that'll get me there.

"The One You Cannot Have"