Milan by Simi K. Rao

About the Book:

Milan (A Wedding Story)

When a daughter turns marriageable age, what should a responsible father do? Easy--wed her to the most suitable boy who comes knocking on the door. Jai Bharadwaj, Mili's father and owner of The Serenity Tea Estate in the idyllic Nilgiris would've probably liked to do the same, but being who he was, he had to ask her first. What would she say?






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‘Behind the scenes at an Indian Wedding’

Indians in general are deeply rooted in tradition. Our culture gives us our identity. Most of us especially those living away from the homeland) cling to it, even though several aspects in these particularly modern times, make no sense at all. Why do we do so? Perhaps because it brings us together as a community and provides us comfort in a foreign environment. The same I think applies to immigrants from all over the globe.

Marriages in India, in particular Hindu marriages are long drawn intricate affairs fraught with age old tradition. Little has changed over the centuries except for certain embellishments due to modernization. To non-Indians these ceremonies appear just that—elaborate colorful rituals flavored with plenty of pomp and show. In the following story I take my readers on a ‘behind the scenes' tour at a traditional Indian wedding. I’ve tried to illustrate the proceedings from engagement to the wedding ceremony with “generalized” Indians---my characters, and have also made

an attempt to expound on the emotional upheavals that occur in the background and often aren’t spoken out loud. Milan is more of a ‘short story’ concept where it shows the before/during and after of an event than it is a ‘long novel’ about characters with hopes and dreams and goals. And its purpose is exactly that, to show the emotions Indian couples go through during the process of a wedding. This story may help the reader get a better insight into the culture of marriage in
India. 

The Setting of MILAN

Whenever I travel back to my homeland, I prepare for a culture shock. The crowds, the noise, the
pollution have all increased several fold as the country races forward at breakneck speed to catch up with the rest of the world. There are very places left where it still seems like life goes on as it did a few decades ago, where people are laid back and nature is not at war with mankind.

MILAN is set in one such place; Coonoor-- a hill town located in the Nilgiri Hills, about 56 kms from the Coimbatore Airport, in the southern Indian State of Tamil Nadu. 

 

It is part way from its more well-known cousin Ooty. I spent some time there during my last trip and was so enchanted that I chose to use it as a setting for my story. Known for its tea plantations, Coonoor is a lovely, rustic little town. With its abundance of greenery and quaint architecture it is a throwback to India as it used to be. The temperate climate and serene environment help the restless soul to relax and take a few breaths of peace. When you are there, don't forget to take a ride on the Nilgiris meter gauge train, as well as a personalized tour of the tea estates.

I want to thank Debdatta for giving me this opportunity to express myself and for hosting this blog tour. I also want to thank all the bloggers who are participating in this tour and have made space for
my book on their blog. Your time and generosity is much appreciated.

Happy Reading! 

- Simi K. Rao

About the Author:

Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in both northern and southern India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years. She is the author of multicultural contemporary romantic fiction.
The inspiration for her books and other creative projects comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.
Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.
Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world.
A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver with her family. Her published works include Inconvenient Relations and The Accidental Wife. She is currently at work on her next release.

Contact the Author:
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Release Day Blitz - The First Life of Vikram Roy by Laxmi Hariharan

About the Book:

His family is being held to ransom by a deadly mastermind. 

Vikram never should have left his family, but when Vikram's father brings his half-brother Vishal home, life will never be the same. Vikram thinks things will be better now that he's gone. He's met the love of his life, his future looks bright and then everything is shattered. Now, his family's life is hanging in the balance, and only Vikram can do what needs to be done to save them. From the bestselling dystopian fiction author with over 200 reviews and ratings of her dystopia books across Goodreads, Amazon and other retailers. 

If you’re looking for books like Hunger Games, then this dystopia romance series, The Ruby Iyer Series is it.





Book Links:

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An exclusive excerpt and GIVEAWAY from The First Life of Vikram Roy

The Ruby Iyer Series—by Laxmi Hariharan

I hear the staccato of shots being fired, followed by yells and howls of pain. Then, the sound of something being smashed and everything goes quiet. The TV no longer chatters. I look to the open door. The recreation room is down at the end of the corridor. The sounds of shots get closer. Without giving myself a chance to think I make a run for the door slam it shut, lock it and it’s as if that’s a signal to the rest of the men to jump to their feet. Without a word, the ten of us scram to our bunks, pull on trousers and shoes.We get our hands on whatever weapon we can find. No guns, none of us have guns. So I grab my cricket bat. (As if that’s going to make a difference?)

 Around me the others too are grabbing cricket bats and hockey sticks. Neil grabs an iron rod. An iron rod? Where did he get that from?  We drop to the floor, crouch and wait.

Should I hide under the bed? Nope, no way. Like, that is going to help.

And then a crash as the door is broken down, hacked by what looks like an axe till it’s in pieces on the floor and through it step through two men. One holding a machine gun, the other wielding an axe which he drops to the floor and instead grabs the the gun slung over his back. They are both wearing balaclavas, so we can’t see their features. Of medium height, they are muscular and dressed all in black: Black jeans and sweatshirts, their hair covered by the hoods. Their backs are to the door. They point their guns at us, signalling to us to put our hands up. I hesitate, not looking around but sense that the others too are not sure what to do. The first gunman points his gun at the nearest recruit … a boy just out of his teens and shoots him in the head.

There is a collective gasp from the room. A chill runs through me. Who are they? How did they break through the security measures of the force base? And then they are foolish enough to barge right into the heart of the training facilities of the force and shoot its cadets? Why? Why would they do that? The gunmen gesture to us and this time we follow their orders. We walk to the wall at the back of the bunkhouse and line up, hands on our heads, staring ahead.

An alarm rings out then. Finally! It’s been almost ten minutes since the shooting started. Still, the reinforcements should be here soon. Now all we need to do is keep these gun men distracted enough so they don’t kill us. As if reading my mind, the guy who’d shot the young recruit moves forward, his gun trained on us. I draw in a breath and hold it. The sweat trickles down my back. My heart is racing so fast I am sure if I look down I can see it leaping out of my chest. The gunman passes me, walks to the end of the line; then back to the middle where I am.

"You have no idea what this is about do you?" He asks.

He sounds young, as if he is barely a man himself. And something in his voice … muffled as it is, it sounds familiar. A faint recollection  grabs the edge of my mind, And then I forget everything because he leans close to Neil who is next to me, and smashes the butt of his gun into his stomach. Neil falls to the ground, moaning, holding his middle. I firm up my stomach muscles. I know I am next, I must be. I want to squeeze my eyes shut, but don’t. The gunman leans to the other side, and shoots another man in the head.

This chap collapses without a cry. What the fuck? I want to jump him right then, but that would be really stupid of me. I am not going to help anyone if I get killed will I? There are six of us left in the room now. One of the younger recruits lets out a sob, at which gunman no 2 holds his gun at him, so he shuts up immediately.

The gunman asks me, "Where are the plans?’

"What are you talking about?" I reply, trying to stay calm, struggling not to show how scared I am inside.

He only grins and in response, and without taking his eyes off me, holds his gun up and I know what what he is going to do and I scream. "No!" But it’s too late. This time he’s shot two more guys in succession. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. These guys are desperate, or crazy or both.

Besides me Neil stirs on the ground.

The gunman takes a deep breathe, as if trying to calm himself and says, "Don’t pretend to be dumb. If you don’t get me the blue prints of the security arrangements being planned by the force for Bombay; the one that you and your team mates are being trained for, then all the rest of you die too."

Only six of us left now. Four young lives, gone just like that. I feel sick. What the fuck are these guys upto? And … and how do they know about the plans? This is top secret. The only reason I know about it, is because I’ve overheard the training officer speaking with the ACP about it on the phone last week. And only because I happened to be waiting outside his room then. And how does this gunman even know that I know the details?

Want to find out what happens next? Click here

About the origins of Ruby Iyer:

Growing up in Bombay, my daily commute to university was inevitably nightmarish. It's 

just how public transport is here. The man behind you on the bus will brush up 

against you. You know you are going to be felt up on a crowded train platform. 

All you can do is accept it and get on. Or so you think. I did too, until, a 

young photojournalist was raped in the centre of Bombay in broad daylight.  It made me furious. Nothing had changed in 

this city in all these years. Then, I had a vision of this young girl who would

not back down; who would follow her instincts, stand up for herself regardless 

of consequences.  Thus Ruby Iyer was 

born. Make no mistake, Ruby’s her own person. She leads. I follow. You can

download the RUBY IYER DIARIES, the prequel novelette in the series free HERE

About The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer

2015 Readers' Favorite (Bronze) YA Action 

YA Finalist 2015 IAN Book of the Year Award

Finalist 9th Annual Indie Excellence Awards

When her best friend is kidnapped, Ruby will stop at nothing to rescue him. 

Criminals run the streets of Bombay. Jam-packed with the worst degenerates. The city is a shell of the pride and joy it used to be. Ruby knows something must be done, but it isn’t until her best friend is kidnapped by the despotic Dr Braganza that she knows that she and she alone must save city, save her best

friend, save the world from total destruction. Armed only with Vikram, a cop-turned-rogue they are about to embark on a road they may never return from. If you’re looking for fast-paced books

like Hunger Games or dystopia fiction like Angelfall, the Ruby Iyer series is perfect for you. 

DOING MY BIT

All SEPTEMBER earnings from the RUBY IYER SERIES will be donated to SAVE THE CHILDREN: SUPPORT CHILD REFUGEES OF SYRIA. All the RUBY IYER books with their brand new covers, are on SALE all this month at 99p/c & Rs 69/49. Click HERE to buy them. 

YOU can also donate to SAVE THE CHILDREN directly HERE 

About the Author:

She almost died. But when dystopia romance author Laxmi Hariharan had a near death experience, she was told to write. Laxmi is the creator of dystopian romance series, RUBY IYER SERIES (The MANY LIVES OF VIKRAM ROY - FINALIST Indie Excellence Awards, the bestselling The RUBY IYER DIARIES , The FIRST LIFE OF VIKRAM ROY, The SECOND LIFE OF RUBY IYER & VIKRAM ROY, PANKY's FIRST LIFE), and the Amazon bestselling, eLit Gold winner, The Destiny of Shaitan (Bombay Chronicles, 1). If you're looking for books like Divergent and Angelfall, you'll love the RUBY IYER SERIES.

Laxmi writes books similar to Hunger Games while listening to electronica & progressive rock, and downing innumerable cups of extra sweet ginger-chai. She is also an avid photographer of street art and believes she was a tree -- a redwood -- in her past life. London is where she creates. Bombay is what fires her imagination. 

Receive a free copy of THE RUBY IYER DIARIES when you sign up to her Newsletter 

GIVEAWAY

The First Life of Vikram Roy, The THIRD book in the RUBY IYER Series, launches this month. To celebrate the launch of the FIRST LIFE OF VIKRAM ROY I am giving away a $30 gift card. Winner will be drawn, Oct 1, 2015, and announced in my next newsletter.

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Harmony Run Series by Sarah Elle Emm

About the Book:

After two members of The Freedom Front are arrested and interrogated by the UZTA’s tyrannical President Nicks, Rain Hawkins and her friends face the alarming reality that their plans to liberate the mixed zones across the United Zones of The Authority might not come to fruition. While the resistance movement is growing outside the walls of the zones, the president’s forces are strengthening and putting citizens everywhere in more peril than ever. When Rain receives warnings that her cousin, Calista, has agreed to support plans to kill the mixed zones, and that her life could be on the line at the upcoming pure zone initiation ceremony, she must decide where her loyalties lie and if all of her allies can be trusted. As The Freedom Front use their abilities to unravel the mystery of the ceremony, The Authority captures some of their friends, forcing TFF to either go into hiding, or plan a rescue mission that could jeopardize everything they’ve been fighting for.

Previous Books in the Series:

  

(Click on the Cover to know more)

The series will be on Kindle sale for the duration of the tour. Each book from the series will be available at $1.99 for the duration. GRAB THEM NOW!

Why do I write Dystopian Fiction

People occasionally ask me why I write dystopian fiction. I like writing dystopian because it is a release of all of the crazy things running through my mind. Dystopian allows you to explore questions like…What if the government became a dictatorship? What if people weren’t allowed to go to school? What if teenagers could save the world because their parents have lost hope? What if? 

I admit I have an overactive imagination. (I’ve seen every episode of The Walking Dead, and even though I know zombies aren’t real, I still check my closets and look under the bed for zombies after each and every episode). Anyhow, I think my parents had a lot to do with how I write today. One of their favorite dinner table conversations growing up was deciding which of their children, (there are three of us), they’d pick to be stranded on the infamous deserted island with, if they had to be stuck there with only one. They usually chose my sister because of her internal GPS system and leadership skills. They often decided on my brother because he has MacGyver-like qualities, and they were sure he could build a hut out of sand or something. And they never chose me. Though they often laughed and said they’d take me if they were interested in being entertained.  

Another usual at our dinner table was Dad asking if the “bad guys” were to enter our house at that exact moment, what item in the room around us could be turned into a weapon. My siblings were very talented at this. Surprise, surprise. Me, not so much. I usually panicked. (I’d think of a hiding place so they could do the fighting). 

Another family favorite? Dad’s strategy talks about how when you enter a room, you should look around immediately, assessing the situation and room for possible exits, windows included, were any emergency to occur. 

I think my parents came by it honestly. My mom’s dad was a WWII vet who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He’d rush his family to the basement when it thunder stormed, never having recovered from the war or the memories of bombs and explosions. My dad’s parents took us on a family vacation to the Caribbean every year, and they’d try to split up flights between my aunt and my dad’s side, just in case there was a crash. They wanted some of the family to survive to take care of the family business. That always freaked me out. I’d worry the entire flight. (About not only crashing, but trying to figure out what was wrong with my family). :) 

My family always had movie night growing up. Every Sunday. We would either go see one at the theater or rent one and watch it in our basement. The genre of choice was always action, usually a thriller. I remember watching scenes where someone would go outside to investigate the “strange noise” in the night, and my family would be yelling at the screen. (If we were home. They were well behaved in theaters. Mostly). They’d yell for the character to go back inside. Of course, the character never would. My brother would always be the first to point out the girl character who was going to get killed by not reacting rationally. He’d yell at the screen as she tried to start her car but couldn’t even get the keys into the ignition because her hands couldn’t stop shaking from fear. 

I was sitting in my driveway last week, trying to start my car. I couldn’t get the key in properly, and I started to panic. The more I panicked, the more my fingers fumbled and I couldn’t get my key in. I could hear my brother’s voice in my head saying, “Hurry up, Sarah. You’re gonna die. The bad guys are going to get you. Start the car!” After a moment, I started laughing at myself. Eventually, I pulled it together and managed to insert the key properly to start the car.

Anyhow…Why do I write dystopian? I think you get the point. I guess never getting chosen for Survival Island, never quite figuring out what to make a weapon out of, and just those what if conversations in general really stayed with me. I promise you right now, that if you were to go to either one of my parents’ houses or my siblings’, you’d find emergency supplies in their basements complete with water, food, and back up power supplies in case of an emergency. I barely have my fridge stocked right now by the way. My plan is to head to one of their houses when the world ends. I just hope I make it there in time…I guess it makes sense that I never was picked for that island. 

I smile affectionately when I think of my childhood and when I think of my family. True, they may have scarred this introvert for life, ha, ha, ha, but they have to be credited for inspiring me to write some of the dystopian stories I write today. Thanks so much for stopping by the blog tour. If you’d like to risk getting inside of this head a little bit, all four books are on sale right now for only $1.99 each on Kindle. If you read any of the books, I’d be flattered if you left a review and connected with my page on Facebook, where I’ll keep you updated on future books. You just never know what this dystopian writer will come up with next. :)

 ~Sarah

About the Author:

Sarah Elle Emm is the author of the HARMONY RUN SERIES, a young-adult fantasy and dystopian series, released in May 2012 by Winter Goose Publishing. (PRISMATIC, May 2012, OPALESCENT, February 2013, CHATOYANT, September 2014, NACREOUS, August 2015) Her debut fiction novel, MARRYING MISSY, was published by Bird Brain Publishing in October 2011. Sarah is a graduate of The University of Evansville, she has lived and worked in Mexico, Germany, England, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and has traveled extensively beyond. Sarah lives in Naples, Florida with her family. When she’s not walking the plank of her daughters’ imaginary pirate ship or snapping photos of Southwest Florida scenery, she is writing.









Stalk the Author:

Website I Facebook I Twitter I Goodreads I Amazon Author Page

Giveaway:

- 1 Winner will get a $10 Amazon GC

- 1 Winner will get Signed Copies of all the 4 Books in the Harmony Run Series

- 3 Winners will get One Signed Copy of a book of their choice from the Harmony Run Series

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Normal Days #57

You Belong To Me

This song is of Bryan Adams, not the normal classic of the 88. I usually don't mention the artist with my post but I'd do that, well, coz this is Bryan Adams's.

So after the preamble what I want to write is this feeling, this craving to be held and to hold you. To feel your warm soft body snuggling to me as I kiss you all across your shoulder blades. I know I'm kind of kinky and I lust after you too but this time I want to have this innocent moment, your scent engulfing me, sounds you make in your throat while you're asleep, I wanna remember 'em all. I want to feel you smiling up to me and finding me always with love. And I'll love you, like no one has loved you before, like I've never loved anyone before. I want to hide in you, to live in you, to breathe you and look up to you always when I'm lost.

My darling, my sweet beautiful love, let us imagine the world where we are together and I'm coming home to you, our own galaxy, own universe, just you and I falling in love every moment, every time.
You whisper my name and we go around the world exploring everything, every magic together, every dream together. I've always loved you. We've know each other for so long and yet this bond grows stronger with every passing second. I'll always need you.

And after all this there will be times also when I'd need you in an animalistic way. From making love to fuck. To be in so much need that I'd want to ingrain myself in you. To take you on such a high that it'd be heaven. So, feel me in your every pore, feel me tracing my name with yours on your skin. Feel me healing with your love and loving you with more purity, more soulfully, more lovingly.

Love me with all that you're too. Take my hand and take me away from everyone to our secret place and never come back.

Make me dream of you, my love. Let me hold you.

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #56

Wildest Dreams

Today around midnight I rode up to the railway station of my city for a cup of tea. I've not done that in a while and when I went to station earlier today I had this craving to do just that. They say journey is better than the destination and I'd felt the same while I was riding my bike. The cool wind, the silent roads, and lil humdrum at the station. It was soothing. And I was talking to one of my friend. We recently met and came very close too. It was a very innocent moment.

I sat there on the bench smiling in to the night with paper cup in my hand, scent of tea reaching to me and I started wondering about so many things. Life sometimes gives you so much to appreciate, so much to be thankful for, so much to believe in and so much love. God does work in mysterious ways. He never lets you down and does what is best for you. No matter at that time you'd think it as unfair but He knows better, He always does. But no, I was not thinking about Gods and all the philosophies or any of the deeper things which gives new perspective to life. I was just happy. Content.

Sadness is just lurking right beside me as I recently lost my grandmother (my mum's mums) and we all are coping with it though being together with family does help. The grief isn't too much and all of a sudden. It doesn't hit you like wall of bricks. And here I'd take this opportunity to express my sincerest gratitude to my friend from States. She really gave me strength and just being here for me was more than enough I could ever have asked for. Thank you so much pretty girl. I'm praying for you too, always.

I'm dreaming, I'm writing, I'm reading, I'm smiling, I'm hoping.

I'm in love with life. Or thats what I keep telling myself.

Well I can always fly up to you, to hold your hand in mine and never let go. What do you say?

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #55

Go Rest High On That Mountain

Well, this is not about me, or about the love, or about any of those things of which I write about constantly. And no this isn't about my weirdness or all the stupid thing I do. This is about those harsh realities of life which when befall on you, wind gets sucked out from your lungs. I can't say that this won't happen coz it is the ultimate truth, all I can pray is that God gives you strength and belief to bear in those time of doubt & uncertainty.

This post is about losing someone close to you. This post is for my dear, dearest sweetheart who recently lost one of her virtual friend and one of her family member. This is for the remembrance of those whom I never had the pleasure to meet and yet the stories, the pics I've seen tell me that they were are larger than life. Now, ppl say these terms like that for each other all the time but for me words don't come easy or cheap. I mean what all I say, well unless you gave me a reason to go back on my words.

Life is a very fragile thing, very delicate. It is attached with so many emotions, so many hopes, so many promises. And death, death is the finality, that truth we all know. We all are living, we have our own circle, own set of ppl we interact with, we grow close to someone who are not our immediate family, we share their laughter, we bask in their joy and we feel the same sadness with 'em too. And the stories I've heard about the person, the depth of emotion which ran through her when she related all those memories with me, I knew I'm lucky to witness such purity.

Memories will start fading away, you'll grow out of the mask of sadness, you'll laugh again too but there are some scars which will always be there. Some emptiness which will never be filled, you'll never be the same coz the loss you just had it will be void, like space. You'll only feel it. So, let it hurt, let it cry you out. Call God all the names, tell Him what He did was wrong. He had no right to uproot the pillar of the family, leaving everyone hurt and broken inside.

And then find me in that hour of darkness, I'll comfort you. I won't say I'll take away the pain but yes I'll share it. I'll listen to all your stories, I'll provide my coverall for you too clean that snot (I told you the reason over phn for that, didn't I), I'll be with you every step. You're never alone, you'll never be alone. If I couldn't make you smile through your tears, I'll just make you a cup of hot chocolate. How's that for some comfort?

I've got you girl, I've got you.

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #54

When Can I Kiss You Again

There were many ways how I thought this to start this post. I deleted the lines a couple of times also. I was not sure how to begin then I thought I'd write about the love I've for you, so this is going to be all about love, pretty girl.

First of all let me thank you for finding me again, for loving me with all that love and making we wish if I'd wings. You said I did have 'em, remind me the next time when we talk over phn and I'd be drowned in the husky and beautiful voice of yours. No, actually that's an excuse I just want to listen to you over and over again. You've an amazing voice. And of course you've to call me the name you've given me, I need to listen it. It sounded so good when you texted that, so don't think I'd just read it and won't hear it in that voice of yours.

I know lots is happening, and I'll write about that too. Just know I'm always there for you and I mean it. Every sense of the word. And when I'd kiss you, you'd know what I mean. The kiss which starts from the lips and spreads right into your soul, the kiss which will take all your pain away, the kiss which will take us to our private galaxy and we'd never come down.

I hope to hold your hand at this time, our fingers intertwined as we gaze in distance and cherish the memories of those years. The love which never dies even when the person goes to another realm. I'll write more about that kind of love, or explain to you in person when we'd meet. These topics are better discussed in person.

So, tell me when can I kiss you again,
I've to take you to another realm
Another space where there is no one
Just you & I and of course, lots of kissing is to be done ;)

You know me, I love the way you kiss. So, take my hand, whisper my name, close your eyes and feel the God, feel the love. It is enough for tonight, we will talk more. I promise.

(To be Contd..)

Nacreous (Harmony Run #4) by Sarah Elle Emm

~ Release Day Blitz ~

About the Book:

After two members of The Freedom Front are arrested and interrogated by the UZTA’s tyrannical President Nicks, Rain Hawkins and her friends face the alarming reality that their plans to liberate the mixed zones across the United Zones of The Authority might not come to fruition. While the resistance movement is growing outside the walls of the zones, the president’s forces are strengthening and putting citizens everywhere in more peril than ever. When Rain receives warnings that her cousin, Calista, has agreed to support plans to kill the mixed zones, and that her life could be on the line at the upcoming pure zone initiation ceremony, she must decide where her loyalties lie and if all of her allies can be trusted. As The Freedom Front use their abilities to unravel the mystery of the ceremony, The Authority captures some of their friends, forcing TFF to either go into hiding, or plan a rescue mission that could jeopardize everything they’ve been fighting for.

Buy NOW from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle

Hooray, it is finally release day for Nacreous! Thanks for stopping by the fabulous Release Day Blitz, organized by b00k r3vi3w Tours. To kick off the blitz, here are a couple of “Fun Facts” about my writing process… I hope you enjoy!


Writing Playlist:


So…Music. Some authors swear by it. They have their playlist set in the background while they pen their latest manuscript. Me? Not exactly. Music is very important to me. I believe in dance parties, and by dance parties I mean cranking up my I-pod to the music fitting my mood, be this salsa, classic rock, blues, country, classical, whatever, and dancing alone in my room or kitchen. (Yes, I said classical and country in the same list). My kids may or may not be in attendance. They like to watch and laugh. Sometimes, they join in. But as far as my writing process goes, the music is sort of my warm up. So I might turn on some music that fits my mood for parts of the story and listen to it in my car or at my desk before I write, but not while I am actually writing. I need it to be quiet in the room, so I can tell the story…(Ahem, hear what my characters are trying to tell me). ;) While I wrote Nacreous, and the other books in the Harmony Run Series, my favorite music warm-up to set the mood was Lorde. Specifically, the songs Team and A World Alone. In fact, if any of the books from my series could be made for film, I would beg producers to include one of those songs in the movies.


My Writing Process:


I can’t sit down and force myself to write everyday because it begins to feel too mechanical, but I am definitely one of those people who thinks about writing, story ideas, characters, scenarios all of the time, awake or asleep. I love using my dreams in my writing and have written a few of them into scenes in the Harmony Run Series. Back in college, the good ol’ stone ages, I had one of the most terrifying dreams of my life about a man with a triangular-shaped eye chasing me down a corridor, one door after the other, with this woman’s voice echoing all around us, telling him to kill me. When I got to the end of the corridor, I opened the last door, and he was standing there facing me. I woke up sobbing…About a year later, a psychology professor at my university asked some of us to share dreams with him so he could demonstrate dream analysis. I bravely raised my hand, (this was huge for me, since I am very shy in person), and shared my dream in vivid detail. After I finished talking, the entire class got eerily quiet and the professor told me I was dealing with issues beyond his realm of help, and went on to the next student’s dream. That student shared a dream about not being able to make a goal in a soccer match, and the professor dissected his dream in depth for fifteen minutes. Years later, I incorporated that dream, adding on some twists and turns of course, into book one from the Harmony Run Series, Prismatic. 


I also come up with ideas when I’m looking out of the kitchen window, when I’m walking, driving, cooking, gardening, taking my kids to martial arts, helping with their homework, basically, every waking moment. I take heaps of notes. I jot notes down for days. And when I’m ready, I sit down and type everything I can. I woke up the other night, and grabbed the notebook and pen beside my bed and wrote down an idea for another story. So my writing process is sort of a twenty-four hour thing. Oh, and probably the most important part of the process…How could I forget? My dog, Shorty, has to harass me to sit in my lap throughout the day. She eventually gives up and sleeps at my feet or nearby. She spares me the occasional glance or sighs every so often when I talk too much. Yes, I like to talk aloud to myself more often than not. If that dog could talk…Well, thankfully that’s not an issue. Here’s a photo of my writing pal…

Isn’t she cute? I hope you stick around to read about Nacreous. I’m going to look up that old psychology professor to see if he wants to read my latest book… ;)


Previous Books in the Series:

  

(Click on the Cover to know more)

About the Author:

Sarah Elle Emm is the author of the HARMONY RUN SERIES, a young-adult fantasy and dystopian series, released in May 2012 by Winter Goose Publishing. (PRISMATIC, May 2012, OPALESCENT, February 2013, CHATOYANT, September 2014, NACREOUS, August 2015) Her debut fiction novel, MARRYING MISSY, was published by Bird Brain Publishing in October 2011. Sarah is a graduate of The University of Evansville, she has lived and worked in Mexico, Germany, England, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and has traveled extensively beyond. Sarah lives in Naples, Florida with her family. When she’s not walking the plank of her daughters’ imaginary pirate ship or snapping photos of Southwest Florida scenery, she is writing.





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Normal Days #53

Feeling Good

For the first time in a very long time this whole month I was very happy. May be this is coz of the holy month we observe known as Shravan or may be it is coz I've left the toxic, the negative ppl out of my life, I've no idea how & when did it happen, but I'm smiling and loving every second of it.

They say when you're feeling low surround yourself with ppl who care for you, who were there for you, who you know will always be there for you. But trust me, it is my personal experience, one bad person makes you do all wrong choices. I know you just can't stand up and start blaming someone else for all your actions but it happened for me and I truly regret it.

Though let me not dwell on the negatives. This auspicious month brought me all smiles. I've built the bridges which were once burnt by me. I'm at peace and happy again, all thanks to the almighty. I've also deleted few of my posts and I didn't bother to change the posts titles, coz I need to be reminded the time I wasted on a wrong person. In the end those who were not "real" are standing by me and didn't I tell you, I've always felt better with imaginary ppl ;)

So, all you guys out there, no matter if we talk, if we don't but pls know I'm grateful to know you all. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to share the same space, even if it was virtual coz you are still beside me, smiling with me and I'm praying for you all. I only hope that we come back together more fiercely after that hiatus. And I appreciate all those who have forgiven and moved on. Pls know I'm truly grateful.

So, let's move on together, create some smiles, live, laugh and be together for always. We are back together and I'm here to make you smile, make you feel beautiful, make you laugh and feel the bliss radiating in my chest.

Let's create magic.

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #52

If You See Her, Say Hello

I was thinking to make this a dark one, as this might shadow around the topic like death. I know it is considered a bit spacey for normal dinner talk but tonight I wanna dwell on that road.

Today my friend told me that one of her friend passed away. I won't go in details how it happened as she is at a happy place now. She told me may be she was trying for the ultimate rescue. Then it got me thinking how lonely she must have been to take that step? How alone she must have felt to drown her pain in all other things and how strong she once has been that she chose to forget even herself? Some ppl might call it selfish but then what choices do we have but not to hide in our make believe world and tell ourselves that yes!, we have love.

The finality of the situation, the truth about the inevitable, in our religion it is believed soul never dies. It merely changes bodies and start fresh. And yet it is also believed that if you want to escape this cycle of life & death you should attain moksha or Nirvana. So, you see you are still here, quite alive, breathing and if you're listening to me pls don't forget that you're loved. I didn't have the pleasure to know you but I do love you. Same broken hearts in search of love and all. Letting ppl walk all over us just in hope that we will be loved. Trust me I know the feeling. I've hidden myself in that façade more often than not. So, I know when the other person is doing that. When you're fighting your hardest to care and wishing someone would just hug you and let you know how much they need you.

Strange how ppl think we need love, actually we love taking care of others. When someone says "We need you", we go beyond all measures to make 'em feel comfortable, happy and loved. This is what love is for us. But then we ask so much from ppl that they tend to forget that. No point in blaming. Ppl do that, and hence we are drawn to animals, non living things coz they don't desert us.

Damn I didn't want to be that open, that vulnerable about the innermost emotions. Though a piece of advise, we can be the cruelest too. No matter how much it breaks us once we are gone, we are gone.

So girl, I know you are up there, pls know you are remembered, loved and missed. I'll pray for you, always.

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #51

Fix You

I don't know how to write this here. I've left this post in draft for 3 days, no clue from where to start or if I should start writing it for that matter. I'm doing it more as a therapeutic way to deal with the situations around me. I want to be honest about it and I could've but this isn't about me. I mean it is in a way that's why I'm writing it but I can only point out my flaws in front of everyone, not of ppl who matter in my life.

You can call it a venting kind of thing & this time I'm fixing myself as I've no one who will do that for me.

Melancholy and loneliness are the two things I'm getting familiar with now a days and trust me it is my choice all alone. I have no idea what I want. I just want to get lost in the nothingness. I'm waking up everyday, remembering all that was promised, all the sweet talks of the relationship, there is an ache in my heart, a constant jabbing, which I try to drown in work but whenever I've a lil moment it creeps upon me stealthily plunging the knife of betrayal a lil more deeper, making me wince, making me bleed. I thought it'd stop hurting after sometime  but boy was I wrong! Not a moment passes by when I do not think of every moment, every single second wondering what was the truth? What is the truth?

Is what I led to believe till this day is truth or what is happening now is the truth? The line is blurry, everything else is out of focus. The damn thing that I'm worried about is I'm not being able to read coz those novels destroyed me. I thought love was all about being in so much love that you forget your own self but practically if you do that ppl would walk all over you and blame you for that too.

Music is said to be ultimate reprieve, a safe haven but damn if it is not hard to listen to some songs even.

I'm taking it a day by day or rather I've divided my day into pieces as per my job breaks. One segment at a time.

Pray for me, coz I need too much love to survive. More than normal human being do, actually.

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #50

Only A Dream

Today I think is the day of remembrance. A day to travel back in time and think of that one person whom I kept close to my heart and in some way I still do. Someway she is still with me, still in my head are her voices when we discussed politics, foreign policies, movies, songs, earth, environment, sex, sports, weather and what not. We covered every topic under the sun though I was advised not to do that. But when do I listen to what am I told?

I miss all those innocent moments, all those talks and all those discussions, all those times when there was this closeness, this feeling of oneness and I dream of this when I'm alone and wish if we both were in different times. We are actually in different times but you know what I mean. I hope she still feels the same, still there is something which was there before or may be we can let it all just what it was before, Only A Dream.

Reach out to me, a hand, a whisper, sing my name when you go to sleep as a lullaby, visit me when I go to sleep and sing all those lullabies and rhymes you used to sing for me. Make me feel like I still live in you coz it is the sense of being alone which gnaws at my soul and makes me feel like I'm fading away.

Reach Out to Me

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #49

Drive Me Wild

This write is about that part of my life which has been a constant pain and more like a negligence on my part. The avoidance of this art or the way I avoided it all these years of my life is no longer hiding behind the excuses I gave to myself and others when I was asked about it.

So, here I'm proudly saying that after all these years on earth finally I'll be in the line of carbon emission personnel. Yes! You guessed it right I'm learning how to drive. Started with the lessons and everything this Friday. One thing before I proceed further to write about the experience I want to say that it was a scary experience. I was hoping to have some class or something beforehand, you know like notes or something but the guy who was giving me classes just told me within a second this is steering, this is clutch, this is brake, this is accelerator and this is gear and said go ahead! drive up.

There was a near death experience in that lesson also all coz it was my fault. But the one thing that keeps bugging me is that why my right shoulder was aching while I just held the steering that's all. I've no clue why is that even when the hold was light as feather. And even after 4 lessons I've no idea how to steer a car in right direction or how to keep it in a straight line. It might improve by time but as of now let me learn and practice and hope one day I might not crash it into something coz I'm driving on the highways.

And yes it reminds me of something, all this driving and highways.

**sighs**

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #48

Why Does This Always Happen To Me

OK, so I'm a lil confused here, no not a lil actually, I'm more like confusion has become me. I need to figure out who is at the fault here as this has been going for quite sometime now. The only kind of ppl I'm scared of are sweet ppl. They are so sweet that they don't hesitate in stabbing you in the back and keep on smiling sweetly in your face.

And trust me there are plenty of that kind. And I always find my share of sweet ppl every time and at every step. Always there is someone with whom I've this tussle which I leave after we are done arguing but they hold on to it like life line and as soon as some opportunity arrives don't hesitate to push a knife through my back. I know 'em, like they work with me know but you know there are some faces around you whom you instantly want to punch, someone whom you look at and feel wherever God find material for his soul.

I know I'm not perfect. In fact if you ask these guys any opinion about myself they might paint me in such gory details that I'd try to kill myself let alone you but I know my faults. I own 'em. That doesn't mean I'm proud of this, ashamed would be a much fitting emotion.

Hence here I'm trying to figure out a way to live in civilized world, to behave but after 28 years of existence I can't figure it out and I'm not hopeful either. So, let everyone else be damned. I'll live like I love to. Carelessly.

What did Ms. Nelly Furtado has to say about that, what was that song

I'm Like A Bird

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #47

That's How Strong My Love Is

One day you are living a life, you may call it awesome or whatever, you're high on what you think is love, but God has some other plans. God decides to bless you with His best creation just coz you still had some prayers left, some good deeds you did and she, my dear friend is answer to all those prayers.

Once I don't remember now whether I read it or watched in some movie or what but it got stuck with me since then

Marriage is the best thing that can happen to a guy.

I never thought that it could be this true, this to the mark. I've this perfect girl, an angel, my beautiful, hot & sexy wife and all her love. And by some miracle she loves me true & deep. I always thought myself as a helpless romantic but she is just great. We've our own moments as ours was an arranged marriage the adjustment period is still going on and given that she has to adjust with me, well, do I need to say more ;)

Anyway this is about my love for my wife, for all the moments we want to have for us and us alone and of course as it involves me there has to be love making, no doubt about it. I'm gonna make love, make her heart, body, mind & soul sing for me as I'm hers and hers alone. From now on no regrets, no looking back only ahead and moving together. No matter what I'll try to adjust and give up some of the stubborn streak in me, give up the aggression, and try to listen what am I saying and to cherish her every second of my life.

My beautiful darling, that's how strong my love is, I'd do anything just to see you smile and pardon me but I'm a selfish guy I want all your smiles for me my wife, my sexy, hot, smart, funny and beautiful wife. See you soon baby. I'm dying to be there in your arms.

It had to be you

(To be Contd..)

Sometimes When I CLose My Eyes

I've done all the things wrong in my life, every relation, doesn't matter what, be it friendship, relatives, love, I've screwed up 'em all. One by one, all of my life. I don't know what good I did must be something from my past coz I'm sure in this life I only hurt ppl, all around me.

Anyway this is not a sorry tale neither do I want to taint this with all what I'm. This is about the purest, the most beautiful, the most sensitive person in my life, my wife. I love you darling. And if I knew you'd be coming along after all these years I'd have saved this all for you. I want to. But I'll do it always till my life. very single moment of my life will be for you. After all I've to make up for all the years lost.

And one more thing before I proceed further, next life meet me a lil early baby. I'd really appreciate it. Save me from me. Save us from all the pains I've caused you, all the dreams I've crushed. You're the only person whom I was supposed to make happy, only person that matters in my life. You're my everything my Pari. I love you and only you. And I'm gonna prove that you every single day all of our lives.

So this one is for you my beautiful, sexy and hot wife, my Pari, here it goes..

Sometimes
When I close my eyes
I remember the times
when we were together
You & I

I reach out to those dreams
You'd wings and were trying to fly
Smile playing on your lips
Lovely & a lil shy
Just the way I like it
~& I dreamt of you all night

Sometimes
When I close my eyes

Love flows in us, through us
Our hearts same as our bodies,
intertwined
I trace your curves, longingly
feeling you on me, heavens inside
Let me love you my Pari
Today, tomorrow, all my life

Sometimes
When I close my eyes