I have been completely left-brained in terms of formal training but have always had a strong penchant for words. I’m happiest when writing, be it technical or literary.
Though I currently live in the US, I grew up in India to bed-time tales involving its fascinating history; I draw inspiration for my writing from my rich and diverse cultural heritage.
Musings of some of my favorite wordsmiths:
When tumultuous work raises its din on all sides shutting me out from beyond,
come to me, my lord of silence, with thy peace and rest.
— Rabindranath Tagore, Beggarly Heart
There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
— Emily Dickinson, Life
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
— Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken
Wading Through Words 
I just happened upon this blog as I was wading through the blogosphere this morning!
You really have a way with words girl. Cannot wait for your future musings and your first novel. Keep ’em coming!!
Buzzy Bee !!!
This is sooo cool!!! I loved reading this.I felt like I was little again and reading the Secret Seven or something I cant wait to read your next post! Its gonna be fun having something like this to keep up with; especially on those days when I feel like burning my homework and screaming. Cant wait!!
Always your fan,
Vanilla
Hema,
I am so proud of your new enterprise! I am very excited about your blog and have subscribed under my personal email addy.
You have given me library fodder for about a year!
Your writing style is so lovely. Thank you for inviting me to read.
Hema,
This is just beautiful. I love your description; it draws me in and makes me a partner in your telling. You are a natural writer and I can hardly wait to read your manuscript.
~ Yaya
Yaya’s Home
Thank you, Yaya! And I look forward to reading one of yours (manuscripts) very soon! :)
Hema, can I have your e-mail? I have a couple of questions… or if you can post here some Indian words for “thank you” (I know you speak a couple of Indian languages) or any other language you know… thank you! :-)
(my e-mail creativebarbwire (at) gmail (dot) com…)
Excellent, you are doing something which I dream to one day – a book.
I would love to hear more of your journey as you go through this.
Thanks!
p.s – RSS feeding you!
At last! I’ve found another children’s writer on the web! (I thought they didn’t exist, or, if they did, they were all part of a secret society I was not invited to join.) How’s your novel coming? It sounds promising :)
Thanks, Tiana! I am currently drowning in revisions and more revisions of my ms. :)
How far has this novel reached? hope it is in publishing now.
On bed time tales, have you read the tales of Shiva and Gauri? Every now and then they get bored with their daily/ Godly chores, get out of the Kailash, ride their Nandi to a different place every trip and the story starts unfolding.
Not yet, Rajeev! Slow and steady wins the race, I keep telling myself. You see, life interrupts, and I can’t seem to find the switch with which to mute it (life, I mean) :).
Thanks so much for the recommendation of the tales of Shiva and Gauri! No, I haven’t read it, but it sounds lovely. I’m definitely going to look for it!
I just found out I could link to your blog from the comments on mine. I am delighted to find it. Someday I will be much more tech savvy. I like your style.
Hi Hema,
A lovely blog out there. Keep reading and writing. And also giving your readers a good time as you seem to be already doing…
Thank you, Shail!
Hello Hema,
I’ve just discovered your blog through your terrific story on Shashi Desphande and the Bal Bhavan of your childhood, and am looking forward to reading more. I too write about books and childhood on my personal blog, Tell Me Another, but I haven’t yet taken the step of actually writing a novel for children. Good for you! I look forward to reading your novel when it comes out.
I’d like to share with you the links to a few of my stories that are particularly focused on childhood reading:
The Comic Shed:
Sick in Bed:
Tunneling:
I once was lost (and wish I still were):
I’ll be back!
Best wishes,
Josna
Yes its so important to keep in balance both the right & the left brain ~ to enjoy the wonders of the world. The wisdom in the quotes is so true!
Good wishes for your children’s book project.
Regards!
Thank you for your encouraging words!