1. Good luck, lopamudra, with your writing projects. Are you writing literary fiction, perchance? I ask because that’s my genre and it would good to know that a fellow literary author is here on the blogs.

   The first novel which got me started writing seriously (but that I never finished) began when a good first line popped in my head (actually two lines). They were these: “Maria didn’t believe in ghosts. Even though, every morning at 3:40 a.m. her television inexplicably turned on, and she awoke to find it playing snow to an empty room.”

   Those two lines kicked off my serious writing adventures which have finally resulted in a novel. All you need are two good lines. Cheers!

2. Thank you so much Dale for your kind comment. Yes, indeed I am into literary fiction. It is great to meet a fellow writer. I have a finished manuscript. Just waiting for its publication. In the meantime I hope to start working on my second novel. Do keep in touch and I will definitely keep your advice in mind for future reference 🙂
   Good luck to you too…

   1. I’m interested to know: with your first finished manuscript, are you going the traditional path of agent/editor/publishing house or are you self-publishing? I thought at first I would take the traditional path and looked into finding an agent. But I’m too impatient (mainly because I had spent 3 years writing the book and could not think of waiting another 3 to maybe see it published). Also, my book does not fit the recommended 80K word limit for a first time novel. Mine weighs in at 194K—way bigger than most publishers want to gamble on. But I think my novel is worth 194K words so I went the self-published route. I’m not great on self-promotion so we’ll see how things go in terms of sales. But it sure does feel good just knowing that my work is out there and that someone could find it among all of the millions being turned out each year. BTW, I too am working now on my second novel and it seems to be going quite well, so far.

3. I have earlier self published two books on poetry. This time I am going through the traditional mode of publishing through a literary agent. I hope that works out. My manuscript is the standard 90K. Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best. Good luck with your second novel. You could try Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites to promote your first novel. They can do wonders in the long run 🙂

   1. Hi again. I hope everything with your new book goes very well. It is a real advantage to have an agent and publisher promoting your work and pulling what strings they have to open doors such as getting you readings and putting out press releases to news outlets to get the word out. That’s a big deal. I’ve read your recent posts about saying goodbye to social media, btw, and I agree with your reasons for doing so. I’m a semi-luddite actually. I absolutely hate texting. Many years ago, I opened a facebook account to try to stay in touch with my sons but I’d post something and all I’d get back was crickets. I’d read their facebooks and comment but they weren’t responding to anyone who posted comments so it was like I was trying to communicate but it really wasn’t communication at all. I had better things to do with my time. Anyway, didn’t mean to write a letter. I will add this: I’ve recently learned from one of my sons that no one emails anymore; everyone texts instead. I’ve gone back to snail mail when it comes to staying in touch with family. But I wish you the best on your new book and Congratulations! for finishing it. Writing a book is quite an accomplishment, as you know. You’ve now done something probably several of your college professors haven’t! hehe.

      1. Snail mail is a favorite of mine, though in my country (I am from India) everyone is into texting these days. Emails are used only for official purpose and snail mail seems to have died a natural death. The social media from what I gather from Facebook and Twitter is more about advertising about oneself. My husband and I both love old school snail mails, but unfortunately no one uses them these days. However, having said that it is indeed a blessing getting away from social media. I love the silence and the lack of cacophony. Everything that a writer needs.

         1. Yes, indeed! We love our solitude also!

4. I might should have mentioned that in the 1980s I had the wonderful pleasure of getting to visit India: Bangalore, Delhi, and KGF (Kohler Gold Fields). I visited there with my father; we flew into Bombay before embarking for Bangalore. My spouse is Kathryn and we live, joyfully, in North Carolina, USA. Best wishes on the journey of your second novel. I’m sure it will be wonderful.

   1. Good to know that you’ve been to India. I was in the USA in 2014 as a Fulbright Fellow. I was at Amherst in Massachusetts, New York, Boston, Washington DC and California. It is a wonderful and a vast county and I loved every moment of my stay over there 🙂

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