What the first quarter of 2023 looked like
An update on the small joys I've experienced this year
Hey folks,
Hope all of you are well, and keeping yourselves hydrated in this heat!
It’s been a while since my last newsletter; I wanted to keep you updated on stuff happening in my creative life. I’d love to hear about how you have spent the first quarter of the year.
I’ve started noting down the small joys of life in my gratitude journal, and here are some I’d like to share with you:
Writing & Travel
I wanted to visit a new place in India this year, and I’m so glad it happened in the first quarter itself. I was selected for the Kolam Writers’ Workshop this year. Based out of Pondicherry, it was a breath of fresh air for my writing routine. Writing can be very solitary, and I’ve been an autodidact.
With a wonderful cohort, I got to work on selected short stories. A residency setup ensures you spend time with your cohort outside of workshops as well, and get to know the individuals behind the writing. I’ve been a mentor at Bound’s retreats, but getting to be in a residency as a writer is a whole different feeling because you’re being vulnerable with your own writing. Being at Kolam took me to my college days when I spend time away from home in hostels and PGs.
The Adishakti theatre premises turned out to be a paradise for nature lovers. Amidst kolams on the earth, trees of all sizes stretching towards the sky, and creative conversations orbiting us, I have returned to Bombay with lots of new ideas.
Anil Menon (fiction) and Pervin Saket (poetry), the mentors at Kolam are warm, and intelligent. They also head the editorial team at The Bombay Literary Magazine (it pays contributors, so submit now!).
Being an ardent fan of literary magazines, I’m always on the lookout for interesting places to submit to. By the end of the workshop, I ended up writing a new spec fic story in response to a call for submissions. The story features a cat from another world, and ends on a happy note! It’s rare for me to write feel-good stories, this was incredibly fun to write because I don’t have a pet of my own. Through the story, I lived the life of a character who has one. I’m yet to hear from the magazine I submitted to. Will let you know what happens!
Post the workshop, I’ve been working on short and longer manuscripts, each at different stages. I find it interesting to work on multiple projects at once. It builds momentum, instead of dragging a particular piece.
Also, April was Napowrimo. If you participated in it, would love to hear how it worked out for you! I admire those who can write every day!
Publications
Online
My second-person short story ‘Can Mangy mutton curry save your marriage?’ is now published online in the food journal ‘On Eating’. It has been translated into Konkani and Hindi, two of my favourite regional languages! Please read it and let me know what you think! It’s one of the few Indian magazines that pays contributors, so do consider submitting your best food writing to them :)
It’s been a good start to the year. A short story, essay, and poem of mine have been selected to appear in anthologies!
My story ‘Your father has caught you watching—’ was published in the Fall Anthology of Four Palaces Publishing, US.
My poem ‘The exploitative art of collecting shells’ is forthcoming in ‘Count Every Breath’ by Hawakal in late May 2023.
My essay ‘Taste of home as a migrant’ is going to appear in ‘Memories on a plate’ by Nivaala x The Alipore Post.
A couple of more creative pieces are going to appear in print soon, will share the details when they are out!
Do you like reading anthologies? What’s your view on anthologies? Would love to hear from you!
Reading
I picked this book at 'The Lil Flea' this year. I love second-hand books because of the little notes you might find scribbled throughout the book. The notes in this book seem a lot like a lit student's observations.
The plot kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved the twists and turns throughout. Some of the dialogues felt a little forced and unconvincing at places, but what they do is make you keep reading as it's one long conversation. In novels/ short stories, sometimes a character's thoughts or description can go on for pages. This was refreshing because you focus on the dialogues. I enjoy spec fic/ dystopian stories which explore class and privilege in nuanced ways.
In this play, family drama is what will pull you in, and the AI/social media ruling over your life, dictating what you can do, and can't do will make you stay. It's over twenty years since it was written. How much of it is relevant today? You'll know when you experience it through the book .
Jaya without doubt is my favourite character. Whats interesting to note is in this edition, the author has also published a gender reversed version which I intend to read after a break as the story is fresh in my head now.
Those who liked Never Let me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, and Under the skin by Michel Faber will like this.
I’m eager to speak to those who have seen this play performed on stage. Spec fic is expensive to produce on screen, and I'm guessing on stage as well. And without good production quality, how does it translate on stage?
Podcast
One of the most exciting things I do at Bound, is co-host the podcast Books and Beyond with Bound. Whenever I end up recording with a dream author, it often feels like a dream. Here are three dream authors I got to record with this quarter! If you haven’t read any of these, please do and let me know what you think! You can listen to the episodes on the podcast to know what I thought of them, and what the authors themselves have to say about their work!
Who are your dream authors? Do you have any recommendations for Books and Beyond? Feel free to send them!
Teaching/ Mentoring
Another exciting part of my role at work is to mentor/teach writers. I’m currently working with a few writers who have very interesting projects in progress.
Priyanka Pradhan- Fiction
Priyanka’s first book was published by Rupa. I’m working with her on her second book, which is a YA novel. Since it’s a work-in-progress, it’s exciting to dissect the idea from scratch and build it together. Can’t wait to see how the book shapes up!
Kivleen Sahni- Poetry
Kivleen was my mentee at Bound’s Virtual Writing Retreat in November last year. We worked on a bunch of poems, and of the strongest of the lot is now published in Eclectica. A recent mentoring session with her made me happy to see the way she has grown as a poet. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for her in the future!
I also conducted by fiction class last month where I got to discuss some of my favourite classic and contemporary work.
What do you think of writing workshops and classes? Can writing really be taught? Would love to hear your thoughts!
Films
Babadook ( 2014)
One of the spookiest horror films I’ve ever seen. It has layers and layers of meaning. As we watch, we spiral along with the mother’s insanity. It’s a nuanced look at grief, single parenthood, motherhood, and depression. Since I closely follow performances of child actors, I can tell you that this film has one of the most phenomenal acting by a child.
Hunger (2023)
This Thai film is a nuanced look at the Food & Beverage industry. I was hooked to it because of its female protagonist and how she navigated her ambitions as a chef in a man’s world. It also offers an insight into class, and capitalism. Must watch. What I found odd throughout though, was the absence of chef hats. I kept thinking of hair getting into the food on a rich person’s plate but it never happened!
Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway (2023)
I really liked this film for its deglamorisation of life abroad. Not every immigrant story is a rosy one and this brought out the ugliest sides of immigration through the lens of an Indian mother.
Oh btw, my review of the French horror film Titane was published by High on Films here.
What have you seen that has stayed with you?
Do you take note of the small joys in your life too? I’ve tried my best to stop dwelling on setbacks and rejections. Appreciating the good boosts my confidence and keeps me going.
Hope you have a great upcoming quarter!