We had both lost track of time going back and forth. I realised I was hungry, Shreya realised the need for coffee was a disguise for something else. "The cashew nut kheer you love", she asked. Oh yes I said with anticipation. Thinking of the outstanding kheer (rice pudding) she had at the café, alongside her coffee. The bitter and sweet combo, was delightful. My mouth was watering.
Read this book, its an Italian translation of a book on the life of a young women in Italy, look at how she portrays language so beautifully, the graphic tale from finger tips to feet illustrating somehow to the reader the weather and her whereabouts. Wickedly said Ileana. as Shreya picks her pad back up, and picks out the book from Illeana book shelf, her spirits a little dampened.
Ileana laughed as Shreya gasped with eyebrows raised as she turned to see Hemen at the door with two bowls full and coffee in a tray. Could you not smell the kheer wafting in here, you put kheer lovers to shame. Teased Illeana. Before I could protest, Illeana quickly added, I still want the book, but I am not telling you to forego eating.
One final thing, said Illeana, wagging her finger at me. Put on Rachmaninov-Piano Concerto No2 dear and Let us take a break.
Illeana and my sometimes heated discussions continued throughout the several months going forward. It's probably why we got on so well. We always had stuff to chat about. We finished what felt like the 99th draft of the novel.
It was Illeana, who had finally excepted it was complete. We were sitting in my garden sipping tea. Illeana had said "your own means of creative writing are testament to the fact that the novel has come to fruition". "What's so special about my writing, its you who tell the story so vividly" said Shreya. "No silly", Illeana had admonished me. "you are amazing". "amazing? really" I asked. Yes Really!, and according to legend, when a talent such as yours and a talent such as I meet, make great things that will spread across the world east to west.
I tried to look unimpressed, but Illeana knew that she had me smiling. "Your birthday is coming up soon. "I think we should aim to get it signed with a publisher and have our first book out, into the world by then" proclaimed Illeana Enthusiastically. Something in me wanted to disbelieve everything she was telling me. But I could not shrug off the fact that we have a finished novel in hand.
Sensing the conflict in my head. She struggled to convince me of her own certitude. Our story stem from our hearts calling and the divine blessing that has travelled through you into paper and through my vocals to the very same.
Look how we started, as we scrapped together words, plots and ideas. go forward in time and how our character develop immensely with the world around it. Think about the ease and the fun we had doing that.
"Ease?" the query naturally followed. "how could you say that" "The ease at which we were able to colour the world my dear, think back, could you picture our characters and the world at the start, no right, but as we got through the book, the bigger picture just flowed and grew on its own even. Shreya remembered in surprise at the stark difference. Illeana's every revelation chipped away at the construct in my head. "Both of our talent come from the same source of genius and can be converted into confidence in our Novel". She reaffirmed.
She poured on the evidence till I found my self floundering in it. I thought to my self, why is it stopping me from being convinced. Am I too much of an egotistical perfectionist, that cannot see, what this beautiful patient women sees with her unseeing eye's. The fact that I cannot see the finished product is showing of my inexperience.
Illeana continued "You know what's really interesting?" "now what" asked Shreya not for the first time. "You have a gift Shreya, and the world needs your stories" Remember why you started writing in the first place.
I finally relented. Thus the decision was made, we were to set free our story to the public. Sheepishly looking at Illeana, whilst she just confidently looked into the distance with determination. What a wonderful lady she is.
It was testament to our work that I will have to craft a Strong query letter. A whole new side to learning this profession of mine. I sighed internally feeling a constant sense of being behind.
Impatient to let it come out, before it was interrupted by life. Let's start on the query letter my dear Illeana. making sure we highlight its marketability and appeal.
Shreya!, come on, we will be great just you wait. Winked Illeana.
Thank you my darling Illeana, you have given me a lot to think about, watching you gives me the confidence in its self. Both smiling, a hearty smile, going head long into another heated debate.
This is my first novel, though my pen has long been my companion in exploring the human spirit and its yearnings. I humbly hope that readers will find in Shreya a reflection of their own search for meaning and connection amidst the complexities of modern life, my writing is not as a perfect thing, but as a creation born of love, patience, and a desire to tell a story that may touch the hearts of others.
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The Letters Written
RomanceAll is well for Shreya until her past is revealed... Shreya a young woman unhappily arrange married, as her father was against her marrying her love interest at the time. Although content with her married family, she feels like she is drowning on ju...
