After some hectic months of working on the book in the pre-publication stage and the kid’s first semester exams, I finally had an evening for myself. Here’s a picture of the absolute sukoon(peace) I felt while reading a thriller, savoring home-made snacks and drinking tea last evening.
I hope you have a wonderful day full of happiness and peace.
The last couple of weeks have been way too hectic. My second book is getting ready for launch, and I’m excited about the cover image that landed in my inbox this week (I can’t wait to share it with the world now). As the book goes for printing in another couple of weeks, I’ve started proofreading my third book, which should be ready in a few months. Hopefully, the third book will be released in the first quarter of 2025.
Amidst all the chaos and my son’s upcoming first-semester exams this month, I’m worried about how I’ll deal with everything happening together. But that didn’t deter us from celebrating my birthday last month on the twenty-ninth.
With the cake-cutting at midnight followed by opening the gifts from my in-laws, Baba, the husband, and my darling son, I had a lot of fun throughout the day.
Continue reading “Celebrating my birthday on the 29th of May”I have been missing from the blogging world for over a few weeks. When I started this blog, it was my conscious choice to never let a month pass without any post. I’m glad I could do it though the frequency of posts has been on the lower side.
However, it’s not like I have not been writing. In fact, I have been only writing and editing chasing a crazy deadline. So, the second book of Detective Raya Ray has been polished well enough by the editor and last evening, I sent the last of the final drafts (fingers crossed!) to my publisher.
Hopefully, the book will be out soon in the world for everyone to read and relish. But today, I decided to keep everything away, put up a personal post here, and spend the day listening to music and reading the latest thriller from one of my favorite authors. Relax, until the kid returns from school in the afternoon.
The boy has been unbelievably supportive and understanding during this stressful period. I’ll surprise him with some homemade cheese burst pizza this evening. Let’s see how it turns out to be. But that is a post for another day.
Sending some good music and positive vibes to everyone reading this post. Hope you have a wonderful week!
Now that IPL 2024 began today, here are a couple of pictures that gives an idea about why I should start practicing meditation seriously.
Pic 1 – the eternal dilemma of a kid when his favorites Virat and Dhoni play against each other. Who do I support – he wonders!
Pic 2 – the boy refuses to sit just in case he’s needed in the field.
Pic 3 – the indomitable child picks up the bat stating what if I’m needed by CSK soon. On the verge of starting his practice at 11 while I’m at my wits end.
And that’s how I know this is just the beginning of my patience testing time.
The kid started his session break after his final exams got over last week. We’ve been driving through the city, exploring new places for books and food, and playing both indoor and outdoor sports like cricket.
It’s been a hectic period for both of us. I was dealing with my writing as well as helping him prepare for his exams, while he was focusing on his studies.
I’m glad we are getting to spend a lot of time this month, traveling for a beach vacation soon, and discovering new books and restaurants.
“Calcutta is like a work of modern art that neither makes sense nor has utility, but exists for some esoteric aesthetic reason.” – Amit Chaudhuri
Somewhere between living and dreaming, there’s Kolkata.
My father and son carrying on the annual rituals of Saraswati Puja at home as the husband and I lurk around, waiting for pushpanjali and the bhog after puja.
Hoping the year is full of knowledge, wisdom, and books for all of us.
Continue reading “Happy Saraswati Puja 2024”A couple of years have passed since I released my debut thriller introducing Detective Raya Ray. While I started writing the next in the series soon after and was signed on by one of India’s leading literary agencies, The Book Bakers, I wanted to create a puzzle to challenge Raya and also the reader’s crime-solving skills. Dissatisfied with two manuscripts, I decided to move away from the book and enrolled for my third master’s, MFA in creative writing, in Nov 2019. Post-completion of the course, I had a fresh perspective of looking at a new Raya Ray story.
‘Diary, Deceit, and Death – Raya Ray Returns’ took shape in the form of a manuscript, which The Book Bakers successfully placed to one of the country’s top publishers Vishwakarma Publications.
Continue reading “The official announcement of my upcoming book in the Detective Raya Ray series”I have always been an enthu-cutlet when it comes to birthdays, be it mine, or my close friends’ or family members. Of late, I celebrate it with the same enthusiasm as my son. It wasn’t supposed to be any different this year but like every thriller story that I write, there’s a twist in the tale.
Last Thursday, it started with a fever which led to a sore throat, nasal infection, breathing problems, and many more complications. The husband diagnosed it as a viral infection and medicines were prescribed accordingly. Sunday seemed a little better and I was almost sure that I would rock it as a birthday girl on Monday. I forgot God writes better thrilling stories than humans. The right lower side of my face started swelling on Sunday night and I woke up on my birthday morning with a face that looked stung by bees. Needless to say, I was devastated.
It’s in moments like this that one realizes the importance of close friends and family. It began with one of my son’s closest friends and his mother turning up with a cake to surprise me. They brought unusual happiness to my gloomy mind.
The husband returned with my favorite cake and a bunch of gifts that he and my son had been planning for a week now behind my back. My father was the only one aware of their plan. By then, my face was so swollen that I refused to let them click me while cutting the cake.
With a change of medicines, the swelling was in control by evening, though the face still looked disproportionate. However, when my husband’s colleague and our dear friend surprised me with another cake, I decided to dress up and cut the cake with them.
While most planned outings and adventures had to be postponed, I’m sure they will happen once I recover. Who says birthdays should be celebrated only on the special day? To everyone who wished me here, on any other social media platform, on WhatsApp, through calls, messages, and in person, THANK YOU for making my day extra special.
I could wrap up 2022 with joy and satisfaction as I hit the send button for book no. 2 (the second in the Detective Raya Ray series) to my publisher. Unfortunately, 2023 began with a shock as my father-in-law had a nasty fall. He underwent surgery for a broken bone. By God’s grace, he’s better now and recovering well. In January, we celebrated Saraswati puja and explored some delectable cuisines at different restaurants.
A month into 2023, I was chasing the deadline for book no. 3, my first commissioned project for a true crime story from the past. It was also the month my seven-and-a-half-year-old was due for his final assessment. Kolkata was under the grip of a deadly virus, and almost everyone I know, including me, was grappling with a weird kind of flu that just refused to go away.
By the beginning of March, things started looking better as I delivered the manuscript within the deadline, and we showed signs of recovery from the flu. The son finished his exams on the 6th of March, and we took off for a mini vacation to Mandarmani the next day.
Since the 7th of March was Holi, we played with colors before diving into the Mandarmani sea. Three days of a beach holiday rejuvenated our minds and bodies as we explored Tajpur Beach and Mohana near Digha Beach, experimented with local cuisine, and spent hours at Mandarmani beach. Of course, we didn’t want to return as the break got over.
The kid has his session break; I have taken another week off to spend time and play various indoor games with him. After three years of working non-stop on both books, writing and editing them, I decided to take time off before getting involved in the prepublication stages of my upcoming books. So, here we are, watching children’s movies like Sonar Kella, reading story books, playing puzzles and brain games, and squeezing out every minute to enjoy to the fullest.
I hope you had a great start to 2023 and that the year is treating you kindly so far.
soniasmusings 