Pop over to my Blog Sis, Willow’s place to read about our chat over tea and scones!
Source: Ritu’s Book Release and Chickpea Curry Lit Series. | willowdot21
Ritu’s Book Release and Chickpea Curry Lit Series. | willowdot21
Marriage Unarranged by Ritu Bhathal #new #release #review The Rishtay Series@RituBhathal @SpellBoundBKs – M J Mallon YA Author and Poet
The lovely Marje has published her review of Marriage Unarranged in readiness for the release, tomorrow! Thank you. Marje!
Word Craft Poetry – Ritu Bhathal
Reblog: Staying in with Ritu Bhathal | Linda’s Book Bag
Thank you for having me over, Linda!
Source: Reblog: Staying in with Ritu Bhathal | Linda’s Book Bag
When You Can’t Quite Believe It’s Happening! (AGAIN!)
Hello, my dear Peeps!
Can I start by apologising profusely?
I have not been as active as I wanted on this blog, due to so many reasons. Mainly it was work-related. School has been quite mad, and with a bout of Covid in March that really set me back, and us fast approaching the end of the school year, things have been a bit manic! The last four days which are in my half term have seen me up extra early to get the bulk of my end of year reports written!
However, the big news is that Marriage Unarranged is officially re-released on Monday 6th June! That is 4 sleeps away!
It has been very different this time around, as I now have a publisher who is doing all sorts of wonderful stuff, such as tweaking the cover for the paperback which will be out a week or so after the ebook release, to the fantastic ZooLoos Book Tours arranging an official book/blog tour!
I’ve even been interviewed by none other than my favourite author, Amanda Prowse, on her Facebook My Book Friends group! (And there is a ‘call to buy’ quote on the new cover from her, too! (#Blessed!)
And just yesterday I attended my first ever author gathering, meeting my local chapter of Society of Authors members in Tunbridge Wells. It was so lovely to chat all things words and publishing with them. They were extremely encouraging about the release, and I hope to see them again in September with news of how the release and reception has been!
We tweaked the blurb just slightly, from before to ensure all readers are aware that this book is not set now, but in 2000, when many things were different. It is almost a historical novel now!
It all s̶t̶a̶r̶t̶e̶d̶ ended with that box…
The year 2000 and Aashi’s life was all set.
New Millennium ,exciting beginnings, new life.
Or so she thought.
Like in the Bollywood films, Ravi would woo her, charm her family and they’d get married and live happily ever after.
But then Aashi found the empty condom box…
Putting her ex-fiancé and her innocence behind her, Aashi embarks upon an enlightening journey, to another country, where vibrant memories are created, and unforgettable friendships forged.
Old images erased, new beginnings to explore.
And how can she forget the handsome stranger she meets?
A stranger who’s hiding something…
Coming Summer 2023 , book 2 in The Rishtay Series
And if you saw that little comment at the end, it is now officially part of a series, of which I am in the throes of writing the ending for Book 2!
The Rishtay Series – Rishtay means relationships from romantic, to friendship to familial ones. Quite an apt name, since my writing hinges around relationships of all sorts!
And, so we have it.
Monday, it is out, again! If you have had your interest piqued, please pop over to Amazon to preorder it!
Writing PG-Rated Scenes (As in your parents might be shocked!)
Have you done this, yet?
Today, as I got into the flow of my words, I realised that I might have to write something a little risquè.
A little man-on-man action.
Not that I have a whole lot of experience in that!
However, it is critical to my story.
Then I remembered that my parents have both read Marriage Unarranged, and there was a tiny scene in there, which Pops questioned, before glossing over…
How on earth will he react to this?
I am wondering if I need to have a little sticker on the front of the book, “Rated PG – Parents might need Guidance!”
Okay, so it isn’t written graphically. I’m no erotica writer, but there is still some need for the words arousal and hardness, and phrases like lips trailing over bodies…
See what I mean?
Pops, you can’t read it! 🙈 I am already imagining Mum’s comments, though she is aware of the topics that are going to be covered in book two.
But… has it piqued your interest, yet?
Dreams Do Come True – Exciting News!
I’ve been at this writing game for a while now.
And, somewhere in my mind, it’s always been a dream for me to write a book, and see it, out there; a real book with my name on the cover.
I achieved that, all by myself, in February of 2020, when I independently published Marriage Unarranged.
But, deep down, I have always yearned for an opportunity to be traditionally published.
Little did I know, that a couple of years later, I would get approached by someone… a publisher, like, a real one, who wanted to sign me.
And that is exactly what has happened!
You are reading, officially, about me signing my first ever THREE BOOK DEAL with Spellbound Books!
Oh, my, what a rush!
I am so, so excited at the prospect of working with this woman-centric publishing house, who have my stories at the heart of their interest.
Marriage Unarranged will officially be re-released by them, in June of this year, and books two and three will follow over the next two years!
There is even a brand, spanking new series name.
The Rishtay Series.
Rishtay means relationships, and they are at the heart of every story I write.
What a blast!
Of course, I had to get my new notebook for this brand spanking, new adventure! It’s already sectioned off, and jotted in, with all manner of dates, etc. I am nervously excited, now…
So, you’ll have to follow, and stay tuned for all the latest updates!
I am well on the way with book two, too, so this will give me the kick to get the first draft finished, too!
Please, won’t you join me in a little celebration?
After all, I wouldn’t be where I am, without you all behind me!
And for that, I thank you!
Words – They Don’t Always Come Easy (+ A Birthday Sale!
Well, it’s been a little while since I posted on here, and I apologise for that, to start off with.
Life, over the last eighteen months has been kinda surreal, for us all, and I know it has taken its toll on me, in so many ways.
I’ve been battling through the understanding of remote teaching and learning in school, what with the closures.
I’ve become a master at organising mass covid testing in the house, what with two teens and me needing twice-weekly tests.
I got promoted, which, though is a wonderful boost to the ego, comes with its own fair share of ‘AAAARGH! 😱’ moments. So now, on top of being the class teacher, I am responsible for the whoe EYFS unit, meaning two nursery classes, two reception classes, three other teachers, 8 Teaching Assistants, and four lunchtime supervisors. And we are in the midst of change within the department, due to a new Government Framework change Oh, and the Ofsted threat looms heavily, this year, because we are due!
And my son had his GCSEs this summer, which was a stress in itself.
Then we moved house. You know the score.
What’s this got to do with words?
So much.
Because since I have had all the above to deal with, it has been nigh on impossible to have the energy and time to write what I want to be writing. And, to be honest, the last few months, I didn’t want to.
I seemed to have fallen out of love with my story.
And with reading.
And that was a biggie. Here is me, usually reading 5-10 books a month, barely finishing them because I couldn’t even get into these wonderful fictional worlds.
However, reading was the thing I needed to get my head round. Reading books gives me the inspiration I need, to get back to writing. And the last month has seen me read just shy of twenty books!
One was a book with some content similar to the theme I am writing about, and as I read it, I began to ruminate. Through my mind, thoughts ran, along the lines of “I think I can do better than this. No, I KNOW I can do better than this.”
And I did open my manuscript.
I didn’t write much, but I tweaked, and I also found a whole new sub plot to add to the story.
Then I reread the beginnings of another story I had begun to write in the first lockdown. And a skeleton plan of a third.
And I looked at the cover for this one I am writing now, to spur me on.
Words want to come out now. That’s a feeling I haven’t had for a long while.
Now, it’s just finding that balance, betweem, the new commute (we moved a little further away from my work, and the kids school), work itself, and the kids after school commitments.
I have no excuses. I am even blessed to have a whole writing room now, in the new house, complete with reading nook! Here’s some photos of my special space.
Wish me luck. I hope many more words flow in here!
And on to the sale…
As it’s my birthday week, Marriage Unarranged is discounted for the next five days on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk!
Birthday week Sale!
#MarriageUnarranged is 99p/c for the next five days!
Monday 30th August, until Friday 3rd September.
If you fancy a little spice in the end of your summer reading, because, let’s be honest,it’s getting a tad cold out there, be sure to download it, and I’ll consider it a birthday wish from you, to me, too!
‘Chickpea Curry’ Lit — Chick Lit with an Indian twist!
It all started/ended with that box…
Aashi’s life was all set.
Or so she thought.
Like in the Bollywood films, Ravi would woo her, charm her family and they’d get married and live happily ever after.
But then Aashi found the empty condom box…
Putting her ex-fiancé and her innocence behind her, Aashi embarks upon an enlightening journey, to another country, where vibrant memories are created, and unforgettable friendships forged.
Old images erased, new beginnings to explore.
And how can she forget the handsome stranger she meets?
A stranger who’s hiding something…
8 Steps to Side Characters by @sacha_black #BookReview #PubDay
Today, I have the pleasure of being a part of a very special release day!
Our very own, Sacha Black, has done it again with another cracker of a non fiction release, following on from her gems, 13 Steps To Evil, 10 Steps to Hero, and an absolute favourite of mine, The Anatomy of Prose.
This time we welcome 8 Steps to Side Characters!
Now, Sacha has guided us, in her inimitable way, through how to create the most evil kind of villains and those flawed, yet strong heroes, so it stands to reason that we need some guidance about how to handle all those other characters that make up the bones of our books… so here we have it!
Wanna know more about what it’s all about? Here’s the blurb:
Do your characters fail to bring your story to life? Are they flat, boring or have no depth? Is your story lacking a little cohesion or sparkle?
In 8 Steps to Side Characters, you’ll discover:
+ A step-by-step guide for creating side characters that bring your story alive
+ The main types of side characters and what you should do with them
+ The key to crafting character depth that hooks readers
+ How to harness your character’s voice to deepen your reader’s experience
+ Tips and tricks for using details to enhance characterization
+ Methods for killing characters that will help deepen plot, theme and story
+ Dozens of ideas for creating conflict with your side characters
+ Tactics for differentiating characters and making them feel real to your reader
+ Character archetypes and functions
+ The most common pitfalls and mistakes to avoid
8 Steps to Side Characters is a comprehensive writing guide that will help you create the side characters your story needs. This book is packed with tips and tricks for polishing characters for writers at any level.
If you want to power up your characters, eliminate dull and lifeless archetypes, and perfect your characterization, this is the book for you. By the end of this book, you’ll know how to strengthen your characters to give your story, prose and plot the extra something special it needs to capture a readers and fans for life.
If you like dark humor, learning through examples and want to create better side characters, then you’ll love Sacha Black’s guide to crafting supporting roles with intention, purpose, and power. Read 8 Steps to Side Characters today and start creating kick-ass stories.
After I read my ebook arc, I was quick to get in there with my request for a signed hard copy of this beaut, too and it will be well thumbed, I can promise you!
My Review
8 steps to Side Characters: How to Craft Supporting Roles with Intention, Purpose, and Power by Sacha Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Some authors, you just know you are going to read and enjoy.
And one of those, for me, Sacha Black, has done it again with her next writing craft special, 8 Steps To Side Characters. I’ve loved her previous guides to writing Villains, and Heroes, and the Anatomy of Prose was just ENLIGHTENING!
You know you’re reading a real (Sacha) Black beauty when the first chapter in the book is called F*ck The Rules! Her colourful language embodies all that is Sacha, ensuring a read full of laughs, snorts, and ‘A-ha!’ moments!
There is so much in the book to help you craft your side characters into solid people that readers will understand, and how to use them to push the story forward.
Side characters are fantastic literary devices, but you really do need to know the nuances of how to use them, and also, it’s important to know what kind of side character you are writing… yup, there are several types. Sacha has it all covered!
What a fantastic resource that had me questioning all my side characters, past and present – in a good way. You can always count on Sacha for a dose of ‘Real-talk’ writing advice.
And one of my favourite lines, which I can just hear her saying… (I listen to Sacha’s podcast, so her wonderful British lilt is ingrained in my mind!) “Don’t be an @sshole – they’re full of sh!t rather than words”.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
And… she doesn’t just have the Textbook available, as always there is an acompanying Workbook, too. She’s a whip-wielding task master, that Sacha…! But, honestly, if you want to hone your craft, what better way than to work through the exercises designed to strengthen your craft?
Universal purchase link textbook: books2read.com/sidecharacters
Universal purchase link workbook: books2read.com/sideworkbook
What are you waiting for? Get yourselves out there!
Oh, and if you want more, check out Sacha’s Social Media. There are a whole host of mini tip videos that have been posted over the last few days, and for the next few days, Sacha has some fantastic interviews lined up.
As part of the launch week, I’ll be interviewing nine authors all about their side characters, their favorite side characters from books and films as well as their tips for creating better characters. And I’ll be doing that all LIVE on instagram every night at 8pm from the 30th July to the 8th August.
Sacha Black
- Friday 30th July – Mark Lefebvre from Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing Podcast
- Saturday 31st July Jeff Adams from Big Gay Fiction podcast
- Sunday 1st August Katlyn Duncan YouTuber and author
- Monday 2nd August Daniel Willcocks, my Next Level Authors cohost, book coach and horror authors
- Tuesday 3rd August Crys Cain, host of Write Away, cohost of TASM and author
- Wednesday 4th August Kristina Stanley, CEO of Fictionary.co
- Thursday 5th Helen Scheuerer author of fantasy
- Friday 6th Miranda Bridges romance author
- Saturday 7th Elaine Bateman urban fantasy author and staff writer at Indie Author Magazine
- Sunday 8th August – if I haven’t collapsed, will be a solo show from me.
Find Sacha on the following channels:
Facebook: @sachablackauthor
Instagram: @sachablackauthor
Website: http://www.sachablack.co.uk
Bookapalooza 2020 with #MyBookTribe & a #BookSale!
Hey there, Peeps!
I’m really excited to announce that I will be a part of a huge event taking place on Facebook, in one of my favourite reader groups, My Book Tribe.
My Book Tribe is run by twelve founding authors, and usually, it is a place to appreciate books of all sorts, share reviews, memes, etc, and get a chance to get to know the founding authors and their work.
This weekend, however, the authors have invited a selection of different authors to take part in Bookapalooza, a huge 24 hour window of giveaways, and a chance to get to know new to you writer, and guess who has been asked to take part?
Me!
So, if you fancy joining a group of readers, and wonderful authors, and get a chance to win new books, head over to My Book Tribe and request to join. Click the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MyBookTribe
I’ve got my book up as a giveaway, and as an additional bonus, Marriage Unarranged is on offer from today to next Thursday, for 99p/c at Amazon for the Kindle version!
https://getbook.at/MarriageUnarranged
Go one, you know you want to!
Ritu Bhathal 