A Girl With a Fountain Pen

Image source: Pinterest

The crisp November breeze waltzes inside the dimly lit room, as I watch you from the corner. You stare at a blank screen, the faint blue light falling on your face. Your arched eyebrows join into a frown, as you struggle with your story ideas bubbling inside your head. Did I ever tell you that too many ideas bursting at once can hurt as much as having none? No I haven't —we haven't talked in a very very long time.

‘One idea at a time?’ I whisper but you don't pay attention.  

‘What’s wrong with me?’ You blurt out in frustration. ‘My imagination has conveniently set off for a long vacation, I guess.’ You heave a deep sigh.

I skip a beat when your hand moves towards me, but you pass me by and reach for your phone instead.

I watch you in desperation as you scroll the screen. 

‘It’s been more than 40 minutes, my lady, and you haven't written anything. Switch off the laptop maybe?’ I chime but you ignore me, yet again. 

Why did you even bring me to your writing room if you won't even look at me? Don't you smell the metallic scent of ink drying inside me?

Remember your school days? We were so close. I used to smile giddily as you filled me with royal blue ink, not caring about the blue stain on your soft fingers. I’d gulp down the ink, sighing in satisfaction, as I moved on your notebook.

‘Try me, maybe? I might help unlock your imagination.’ I offer again, but all in vain. 

You put the phone back. Right beside me. I yearn for attention, you know that? But you don't touch me. 

Getting back to the blank document, you type a few lines. I feel good, it's okay as long as you're writing. Suddenly, the room darkens, just a patch of light landing on your face from your dearest laptop. The electricity has gone. After a while, you groan, and the room has plunged into complete darkness. You’ve switched off the laptop as well. 

I am about to doze off when a yellow glow blooms. You have lit a pale blue, scented candle. Is it lavender or rosemary? I wouldn't know. You put the candle on the side table, and it warms my body. And right then, our eyes meet and lock for a moment. A smile flickers on your lips as you pick me up. Your erstwhile favourite fountain pen! Can't tell you how giddy I feel, my heart warmer than the glow of the candle light. 

You settle in the chair and open a notebook. And just like that, you are writing again! My flow is scratchy in the beginning. It hurts a bit but I absolutely don't mind. You shake me a few times, sloshing the ink back to life. I chuckle. And, this time when my tip touches the surface of the notebook, I glide gracefully across the page. 

‘Oh, the joy of writing with a fountain pen!’ You murmur, and I swell with pride. 

I can feel you smile, as you fill the page after page. Ink might dry again, someday, but tonight it flows, and so do we. 

This post is part of Blogchatter Half Marathon. 

The Write Path: Reading Like a Writer

(I love this quotation. Found it on Pinterest)

I remember co-writing a short story with my cousin for a story competition conducted by Nandan (a children's magazine we used to read) and then discussing a suitable title for that story. The stories published in Nandan used to have funny titles so we, two little girls, were thinking on similar lines. It was a silly story, I am sure of that. And obviously, we didn't get any prize for our writing skills.

It does not mean that I have always wanted to be a writer. Writing (or translation) was never on my mind as a career. One thing that has been constant in my life that I have always loved to read. And I never thought that I was doing something special. I just enjoyed reading. I remember once someone said, ‘Kuchh aur na mile to ye baithkar advertisements bhi padh legi.’ 

But one thing that I realized later was that reading voraciously can steer you toward the path of writing.

I read for pleasure, to be honest. The book has to be entertaining, however, I have evolved as a reader over time. I have learnt to experiment with the genres. While I enjoy the book as a reader, the writer in me cannot help but think about the craft of writing or analyze it critically. And sometimes I read a book for the sheer beauty and crispness of the writing, even if the story is not very entertaining. 

Recently I was reading a book called ‘Night and its Longings’ by Philip Cioffari. It's a mystery with a hint of romance: about the disappearance of a woman, Vera. And her husband, feeling helpless, reaches out to the woman’s ex-lover seeking help.

It was 82 chapters long, painfully slow for this genre. An impatient reader that I am, I began to lose interest after 42 chapters. But I managed up to 42 chapters because the writing was so beautiful —the imagery, thoughts, emotions…

So basically, now I read like a writer. Beautiful writing makes me feel so good. It inspires me to work hard as a writer. It tells me not to fall in love with my own writing; I have a long way to go. I need to learn and grow. 

Reading a well written book is kind of studying the craft of writing. And it took me a long time to understand that. I've come to realise that no creative writing course can teach you what reading a good book can. 

2023 was very enriching for me as a reader, writer and as a translator. I feel thrilled and thankful for my latest translation, which is ‘Ramrajya’ by Ashutosh Rana. It's an amazing book and translating it was such a wonderful, fulfilling and enlightening experience. 

I did a Bookish Q & A Post last year.

There was a question: Favourite new author 2023

And my prompt response was: Arunava Sinha, Madhulika Liddle and Jerry Pinto. Mainly because of their writing ― neat and crisp sentences, engaging writing style that flows so smoothly.

Now that I am a translator, I naturally feel drawn towards translations. Interestingly, Cobalt Blue by Sachin Kundalkar, translated by Jerry Pinto and Simsim by Geet Chaturvedi, translated by Anita Gopalan were my favourite translations and books last year.

Not that translations are new to me. Saratchandra Chattopadhyay is one of my favourite writers, and I grew up reading his books and stories in Hindi. Of course they were translations. But I didn't realize that at that time. Now I feel bad that those books never mentioned the translator, and I didn't care.

So, now my reading pattern and choices are slightly different. I want to read, rather study, all those books on my TBR, for reading good books is one of the most effective ways to grow as a writer and translator.

Would like to quote Arunava Sinha from his recent insightful interview (on the website of Himalayan Retreat): 

‘You won't always find a word to word equivalent. But translators read. Writers need to read maybe a thousand books for each book they write. Translators probably need to read five thousand. Just read hugely. Both in the language from which and into which you’re translating. You will find words, expressions, and phrases popping and jumping out at you. If you don't read (almost maniacally), it's not going to work.’

Written for: The Write Path Blog Hop, hosted by Swarnali Nath

Sharing with Blogchatter 

Being an Intuitive Writer/Painter

Recently, I came across a word called paracosm.

A paracosm is a detailed imaginary world created inside one's mind. This fantasy world may involve humans, animals, and things that exist in reality; or it may also contain entities that are entirely imaginary, alien, and otherworldly.

So, basically our mind is a paracosm. And it reminds me of another word called 'Jouska', which means 'a hypothetical conversation that you compulsively play out in your head.'

If you are a writer or artist, then you'd find it familiar. We have an always-occupied mind. 

Sometimes these scene plays and conversations are so vivid that they feel like complete stories that you write inside your head. I have written many stories like this and that's probably the reason that I have turned into an intuitive writer. Some scene or photo flashes in my mind and I just start writing. Sometimes it's microfiction, sometimes a flash piece. 

And then, one day, when I was reading Flatshare, I suddenly felt like writing an epistolary story, and then I did (in Hindi). And then one night, a strange thought came to my mind, and my fingers itched to write that implausible story, and I did (Hindi). 

And it has kind of become my tendency. No matter how much I (try to) plan the plot, I eventually end up doing my own thing. And it's fun! And I'm writing too many 'ands'.

The same goes for my painting. I begin painting without any planning or image in mind. 

In fact, all my posts for Blogchatter's Half Marathon (This post is the 10th and last post for Half Marathon) are intuitive. I didn't plan my posts. 

Thus, I completed the Half Marathon. :)

Storytelling in Nonfiction: BlogchatterWritFest

If you want to engage someone, tell them stories. 

Nonfiction is not really my favourite genre, but I believe including real life experiences and anecdotes makes them more interesting and engaging. There are very few nonfiction books that I like, and I liked them for their storytelling. I always feel, storytelling is more important than the story. 

Blogchatter is conducting its 7th season of WritFest, a wonderful writing festival. So, when they announced their session on Storytelling in Nonfiction, I felt intrigued to watch it. It was a fun, insightful and engaging conversation, wonderfully moderated by Sonia Dogra. She was in conversation with Ashdin Doctor (author of Change Your Habits, Change Your Life : Your Guide to an Awesome Life, published by Harper Collins India) and Reema Ahmad (author of Unparenting: Sharing Awkward Truths with Curious Kids, published by Penguin India).

One of Reema Ahmad's statements stayed with me.

'One story is not just one story but multiple threads of different stories.'

As I feel ki, 'कहानियां कभी खत्म नहीं होतीं।'

When you're writing nonfiction, it's very important to write it in a creative way. So, how can you make nonfiction creative and more relatable?

By including real life/personal experiences: Here's an important and thoughtful point by Ashdin, 'Creativity is connecting various unrelated ideas. Getting a variety of streams of information and experiences in your life helps. The more ideas you have; the more experiences you have; the more things you're constantly learning, the more ways in which you can connect them and bring them to the forefront.'

Including real life stories and ideas makes your writing more authentic and relatable.

One more advice that I found insightful was, again by Ashdin: 'Read the competing books later (after completing the book/article) because things you read stay in your mind, which might affect your writing subconsciously.'

You can watch the full video HERE.

वो चिट्ठियाँ जो लिखी ही नहीं...

Photo: My watercolour painting

अच्छा, सुनो!

उस दिन क्या कहा था तुमने? जब हम गंगा के तट पर मिले थे। पीली साड़ी में तुम ऐसी लग रही थी मानो तुमपर सुबह का सुनहरा रंग उतर आया हो। और जब तुम बातें कर रही थी... तो जैसे तुम्हारी आँखों में नदी की लहरों की चंचलता थिरकने लगी। और फिर...तुमने मेरी आँखों में देखा तो मुझे ऐसा लगा मानो मेरे मन के अंधेरे कोने रौशन हो उठे हों। मैंने नज़रें हटा लीं, और मेरे अंदर एक अजीब सा मीठा शोर उमड़ने लगा। 

मैं जब तुम्हें देखता हूँ तो कुछ सुन नहीं पाता। जानता हूँ कि ये आदत अच्छी नहीं। पर क्या करूँ? 

अगली बार जब तुमसे मिलने आऊंगा तो ये ख़त जो मैंने लिखा है, मेरी जेब में होगा पर वो तुम्हें दे नहीं पाऊँगा। ऐसे कितने ही ख़त हैं जो मेरी स्टडी टेबल की दराज में रखे हैं, और कुछ मेरी अलमारी में, मेरे कपड़ों की तहों के बीच। और जाने कितनी चिट्ठियाँ हैं जो मैंने लिखी ही नहीं, वो जो मैंने अपने दिल में सहेज कर रखी हैं।

तुम्हें अपने मन के कोनों में,
छुपाकर रखना अच्छा लगता है
इक राज़ की तरह...

―तरंग सिन्हा

―――――――――――――――――――

Happy to share my recently published works:

My short story in The Hindu

My new Hindi story for Neelesh Misra's show, Yaadon Ka Idiot Box

My article on including Time and Senses in your writing for Blogchatter

―――――――――――――――――――

Kahaniyan Sunaati Hain...

Image link

Storytelling is more important than the story.

I strongly believe that. 

A good storyteller can make any story, irrespective of the (clichéd) plot, interesting. Recently, I left a book unfinished (actually many) because I didn't find it interesting, and enjoyed another book in the same genre; similar story, well almost.

Pick a genre and you would realize that stories are more or less similar; it's the storytelling that makes a (big) difference. 

So, how to tell a story effectively? How to develop a style that grips your reader right from the beginning? Let me share, as a reader, a few things that work for me.

When I think of good storytelling, I think of one of my aunts. She used to tell stories, real life stories (mostly eerie), in such a captivating way. And she is not even a writer. 

To be a good storyteller, you don't have to use poetic language. Lyrical language has its value, of course, however the more important thing is that the reading experience should be entertaining and joyful. 

If the story isn't entertaining, lyrical language ka hum kya karenge? 

Sometimes, the essence of the story gets lost in the shadow of purple prose. Keep your voice reader friendly, and tell the story without really telling. 'Show, don't tell'; the only rule I follow. 

Here comes the role of dialogues: pleasant, endearing dialogues that tell a lot about the characters and their bonding, without really telling. Also, they help the story pick a pace and move in an interesting manner. Adding unnecessary dialogues (or any sequence, for that matter) ―something that doesn't add anything to the story ―is not a good idea.

And then, of course, the characters! For me, as a reader, the protagonists are the strength of the story. I cannot enjoy reading (or writing) a story if I don't like the protagonists; if I don't connect with them, if I don't feel for them. No matter how unique the story is. Create relatable and likeable characters. They don't have to be too good to be true, but they have to be real. They have to react in a realistic/plausible way. 

Also, no matter what genre you're writing in, a delicious touch of romance and humour always work. It just enhances the flavour of the story. 

The greatest power of a story is that it takes you to another world. Sometimes in the moments when you are looking for an escape. So, tell me a good story. 

क्योंकि कभी-कभी सिर्फ कहानियां होती है जो आपसे बातें करती हैं; कभी-कभी सिर्फ कहानियां ही होती हैं जिससे आप बातें करना चाहते हैं।

This post is a part of Blogchatter Blog Hop

 

E: Epistolary Stories (#BlogchatterA2Z)

 

When I read my first epistolary novel (Love Virtually), I had no idea about this format. And I didn't know that the entire novel was written in the form of emails. 

I read, loved and ordered the sequel (Every Seventh Wave: another epistolary novel). And I couldn't believe I enjoyed reading emails, just emails!

I love reading books that carry texts/chats. Two novels, The Flatshare and The Meeting Point, that I read and loved recently were all about exchanging texts (not epistolary). When I was reading The Flatshare, I suddenly wanted to write an epistolary short story (novel would be difficult) or at least a story with lots of texts. 

The challenge was to keep the texts/chats interesting. Throughout the story. But I started. I carry so many love stories inside my head. There are ongoing conversations. So I thought of channelising it. And I was so hooked that I completed it within hours. And I could not believe it.

I published (have removed for some reason. May republish later) and thankfully those who read that found it interesting. 

So, I experimented with a new format. Enjoyed working on it immensely. Might try again. 

Do you enjoy reading epistolary novels? Any favourites? And have you ever tried writing an epistolary story?

I'm participating in #BlogchatterA2Z

D: Dialogues (#BlogchatterA2Z)

Photo by Harli Marten, Unsplash

Pleasant conversations…isn't it endearing when you interact with someone with whom you can make a smooth conversation?

Fiction is no different. I'm not a very talkative person, but my mind is constantly buzzing with made up dialogues and conversations. In real life, I'm not good at making conversation (or talking for that matter) but, despite these conversation troubles, endearing/witty dialogues is one of the main reasons why I like any book/movie. Most of my favourite books have interesting dialogues. 

Why do we need good dialogues?

There could be so many reasons, however in this post, I'm going to mention two simple reasons:

Dialogues tell a lot about the characters. Other than dialogues, characters are the the backbone of a story. No matter how poetic the writing is, I don't like a book if I don't connect with the characters. 

They play a pivotal role in building the bond between the protagonists. The sparkling chemistry? That comes from the dialogues. 

Things to keep in mind when writing dialogues:

There could be so many things but, again, in this post, I'm going to mention three simple things. 1. Keep it real. Like we speak? 2. Keep it short. Two paragraphs/one page long dialogues are tiring and unreal. 3. Don't forget the activities and body language.

That's all for now. What do you think?

I'm participating in #BlogchatterA2Z

B: Beta Reading (#BlogchatterA2Z)

 

Photo: Nick Morrison, Unsplash

Have faith in your writing but do not fall in love with it. Not too soon at least.

When I wrote my first novel I was pretty pleased. Writing a novel is a big deal, yes it is. I sent it to several publishers and it obviously got rejected. It broke my heart.

Then one day I found a website where they were reviewing the first 800 words of the manuscript. I submitted, very hopeful. Publishing industry is difficult to crack, right, so maybe they rejected my work just like that? But no, my manuscript actually had problems as I got bad reviews. I decided to not touch that manuscript. Not for a while at least. 

After a year or so, I started working on it again. I changed my voice and made major changes. In fact I rewrote it. Again submitted and got positive responses from renowned publishing houses. 

What I mean is, get your manuscript beta read even if you feel it's good. Especially if you are writing your first book.

In simple words, beta reading means reviewing a manuscript. A beta reader checks your manuscript for plot holes, readability and plausibility, which is very important. It would enhance your chances when you are going for traditional publishing.

Two important things to keep in mind:

You can seek professional help, of course, however you can ask your close ones, who enjoy reading and understand the craft, to read. In my case, my sister, my husband and my brother (plus some family friends) shared some valuable points. 

Choose someone who is brutally honest. A few years ago, a friend sent her book to me to review. I am not a very straightforward person but when it comes to reading, I am very honest. Sometimes honesty lands you into trouble. The friend told me that my input was affecting her writing in a negative way. I apologised but we are not friends anymore. 

The thing is, if you like praises then you must have the heart to accept criticism. It's for your own good. You don't have to agree with your beta reader every time she/he makes a point but consider it, think carefully. There's nothing to feel bad about. 

What do you think about it?

I'm participating in #BlogchatterA2Z

4 Ways Writing With Pen/Pencil Helps Me

‘You still use pen and paper?'

'Haven't heard anyone 'writing in notebooks' in a long time.'

Some people react like this when I say that I still write, quite often, with pen/pencil.

A large part of the first draft of my second book is written in my diary/notebook. If I try to write on a Word document without any rough draft, I find myself staring at the document or wasting time on Social Media. I always create a rough draft, making some basic points in my notebook before I sit down to type. Like I wrote this post, roughly (in 7-8 minutes) in my diary before writing it on Blogger.

And, I believe some writers still do that.

Yes, I like to write with a pen, sometimes pencil (As I feel that my handwriting looks better when I use a pencil. It's a writing quirk of mine. I feel uncomfortable when, sometimes, I do not like my handwriting), but, I also find it helpful in many ways.

Here, I am listing 4 ways writing with pen helps me as a writer ---

1. It's distraction-free 

When I sit down to write in my notebook, I usually have a scene or conversation running in my mind, so I don't feel tempted to do anything else (like checking twitter updates), especially because I am away from my computer or phone when I am writing.

2. I don't need to open my computer every time any scene or idea flashes. I just open my notebook. Even if I know that I won't be able to write peacefully, as I have to stop after 10 minutes for some other chore (I need at least 2-3 hours of uninterrupted time when I work on my computer or else I get annoyed or don't feel like working), it doesn't annoy or discourage me. I just open my notebook and write.

If you practice even 7-10 minutes of distraction-free, but meaningful writing (using a timer is even more effective), you can easily manage 350-400 words.

3. I don't bother about continuity. When I work on Word documents, I seek continuity. What I wrote last time, and where to start? I have a weird writing pattern. There are so many files in my 'My Second Novel (I've already decided the title though)' folder, scenes scattered here and there.

Of course, I write easily when I have the next scene in my mind, but it really bothers me when I want to write any random scene from --- say 10th chapter (I wrote the last chapter of my second book even before I completed my first draft). In this case, writing in my notebook really helps.

4. The flow of writing is better, my imagination is more vivid when I sit down to type these hand-written scenes. When typing my rough drafts, it's like re-thinking. New scenes, new ideas, various emotions or expressions or any interesting dialogues pop up when I type and then I quickly insert them appropriately.

What about you? Do you write (like writing) with a pen? Or are you a keyboard writer? Do you have any writing quirks? Share your thoughts in the comment section. Would love to know!

(You can read my post, 'Tricks For Distraction-Free Writing)

Newbie Writers! 5 Things You Must Do.

'I am a writer. An author.'

Yes, I am. But, it took me long to tell that (unapologetically) to people when they asked, 'What do you do? or Do you work?' People don't really consider writing as a proper job especially when you work from home, but now I don't really care. In fact, I feel good when I say, 'I'm a writer.' These days, some people look impressed and ask what do I write.

So, first of all, let me tell you what do I write. I am a freelance writer and author of We Will Meet Again, a mature love story. I write for magazines and my writings have appeared in magazines like Woman's Era, New Woman, Good Housekeeping India, Child India and Alive.

Being a writer is exciting because you constantly play with beautiful thoughts and vivid imagination. But, it's tough at the same time because it's a constant learning process (but, learning is beautiful, isn't it?) and you will have to work hard, face rejections and criticism.

So, if you are still reading this post, I assume you're a new writer. You love to write. Want to get published. So, here, I am offering you a few writing suggestions. Something that I have learned in these years. However, I strongly believe that there's only One rule for anything you want to do --- Rule that works for you! 

So here it goes ---

Write. Your prime job is to write. Writer's block is a myth. Try to write daily even if it's just 300 words. However, it's perfectly normal if you don't feel like writing at times. You can do these writing related things instead. 

Read. Read extensively. Not just for entertainment but to study. For a writer, reading good books is vital. It can be a learning experience. However, don't regret reading not-so-good books for they teach you 'what not to do.'

Do Not Rush To Get Published. I understand that getting published is every writer's dream. But being published means bringing yourself to the public domain. So, before you do that, polish your writing. Learn. Practice. Recently, someone asked me on Twitter that 'Will it be right to just write with writing/editing errors. Do publications/editors go through rectifications to make it interesting?'

Yes, they do! But, it's certainly not a good idea to send a piece full of errors. Editors don't like it. So work on your writing and writing style first.

Also, never hit send before revising 2-3 times. Revising and careful editing are the essence of writing. I re-wrote my manuscript (made major changes and re-worked on my writing style) after I realized it was not good enough to be published.

Do not try to make your writing impressive by using complicated and flowery language. Writing lyrical prose doesn't mean you should ruin the readability and relatability of your writing. Simple (and error-free) is beautiful!

Do Not Give Up! This would be the most significant part of your writing journey. Don't let discouraging people diminish your enthusiasm. Don't get disheartened by the rejections (Sometimes, series of rejections). Believe in yourself. 'You' know your craft better. Don't hesitate to experiment. People may laugh at you in the beginning but if you work hard, polish your writing, you will have the last laugh.

That's all from my side. Now, it's your turn. Share what you have learned/what worked for you.

Writing this post for Blog Chatter Weekly Blogging Exercise

Prompt for this week – Advice you’d give a newbie blogger / writer / entrepreneur

What Ruins A Story? What Authors/Readers Have To Say

The world of story is a wonderland. If told well, you can live them. But, not all stories are wonderful. Why? What ruins a story?

In this post, I'll be sharing some expert views on this topic.  Before I start, I'd like to clarify that when it comes to my opinion, I'm talking as a reader.

So, let's get straight to the points.

Boring Writing Style:

Writing style is not just about lyrical prose, it's also about execution and the voice that connects the writer to the readers, and this connection is crucial. Once I was reading a Literary fiction by an acclaimed author. While the writing was flawless, I did not enjoy reading the book as it was too descriptive, without any what next factor.

Beautiful storytelling is about interesting writing style and smart execution. No matter how interesting the plot is, a story does not interest me if I don't like the writing style or if the story isn't executed well.

Lack of Research:

Madhuri Banerjee, one of the most popular Indian authors (of 8 books), says, 'Lack of research kills the charm of the story.'

When we think about research, we tend to believe that it is needed only for heavy or some specific genres. The truth is - research (however, different kinds of) is important and essential for even a common story. It makes the story authentic.

Recently, I read 'Empire by Devi Yesodharan', a historical fiction. Even though I was not fond of this genre, I liked this book for it's a very well researched book.

Too Many OR Minimal Dialogues:

Dialogues are important but too many, unnecessary dialogues are boring and immature. Characters don't have to say something about every single thing. Dialogues should be interesting and witty; must indicate or reveal something about the characters and situations, plus they should move the story forward.

When it comes to witty, interesting dialogues, I'd like to mention dialogues of Will Traynor from Me Before You by Jojo Moyes and Jugnu by Ruchi Singh (that I read recently, and loved! If you enjoy reading romances, read this book).

Poorly Fleshed Characters:

When you read a story, the characters are your companion. So, it's very important the you feel that special connection with the characters. 

Kavita Devgan, author of Don't Diet and an avid reader says, 'As a reader, if you don't feel for them or even against them are a kill joy. You should feel invested in the protagonist and even the sidekicks. Like in The Spy by Paulo Coelho, one lives the life of Mata Hari along with her. That's good story telling.'

Overdose of Information:

A Writer is telling the story, right. (Most of) The readers are not writers, right. But, readers are intelligent enough to grasp what the writer is saying. Trust your readers. Also, sometimes overdose of information acts as spoilers.

'When authors giveaway too much information for a reader to process and then proceed with the story; it takes away the joy of reading' says Namrata, author of Metro Diaries, editor and popular book reviewer.

Slow Pace:

Slow reads are not my cup of tea.There are many unfinished books on my bookshelf, mainly because most of them were painfully slow, and I couldn't manage.

'In my very personal opinion, lack of pace or slow actions, and lack of intrigue ruin a story,' says Saiswaroopa Iyer, author of mythological/historical fiction Abhaya and recently released Avishi.

Predictability:

When asked on Twitter, Swati Rai, popular book blogger said, 'Predictable endings ruins the joy of reading.'

Unpredictability is one of the most important ingredients of a story. However if told well, I can enjoy certain genres like love stories, even though predictable but unpredictability, of course, enhances the pleasure of reading.

When it comes to unpredictability, I'd like to mention Sriramana author of Frankly Spooking for the 'what next' factor in his stories.

Lack of Coherence:

Clarity of voice is important. And, even though it's fiction, it has to be plausible. 'With coherent narration, everything just snuggles in place,' says Deepa Govind, a reader and blogger.

That's all for now. What's your take? Share your views.