@reader_ri
Thanks for all the votes on The Trail Killer. I got a couple of encouraging 'near miss' comments from publishing agents but nothing concrete. It's something I might come back to at some point in the future and rework a little. Any suggestions?
Follow on from the message below-
Just a few quick questions. What's a Hindu blasphemy along the lines of 'Dear God' or 'Christ Almighty? I used 'Dear Ganesh!' - is that okay?
Are the names Mandeep, Advika and Prisha reasonably common?
Remember that the novel is set in 1986 and that Mandeep's name will eventually be cleared. Is the repeated use of the insult 'Paki' offensive to you. (The fact that Indians and Pakistanis suffered/still suffer from the same insult just makes it even more ridiculous.)
@bigimp Instead of using "he", you can also use "hey", and even "haye". There isn't any specific spelling of this as it's translated from Hindi and this translation is based on the sound of how the word is pronounced. And as for the use of the word, I don't think it's offensive if it's used to show authenticity. What matters is really the intention behind it and in this case, it's alright.
@bigimp Okay thanks. What about 'Dear Bhagwan!' as a blasphemy? (I think non Indian readers would read He as in He Bhagwan as a subject pronoun.) As for the insult 'Paki', this was the go-to term used by casual (and not so casual) racists back in the 70s and 80s to describe someone from the subcontinent. I've used it 4 or 5 times in my book from the lips of white characters for 2 reasons. A) For authenticity and to show how deep lying racial prejudice was in the UK at the time, and b) to show how thick casual racists were not to understand that India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are separate countries with distinct cultures, just the same as England, France and Germany. As I said, I hope readers will reflect on the following question: have western societies changed all that much over the last 30-40 years in terms of racial prejudice? A little perhaps, but there's still a long way to go.
I tried sending you a couple of excerpts but the limit is 2000 characters, as I said, and I can't see at what point it cuts off. If you tell me what the final words are on the first message I'll send you the next 2000 characters, then you'll tell me what the final words are again etc. Seriously, it would be a lot easier all round if you could just provide me with a work email address or something where I could send the Word manuscript I've prepared in one go. Anyway, thanks for your interest.
Thanks so much fpr your availability, much appreciated.
The working title of my current project is The Trail Killer. It's set in 1986 and apart from the central mystery it also explores two specific themes. Firstly, that of gender equality (the main character is a detective who is a single mother of two young sons, and is forced to battle against the old-school chauvanism of her superiors.) The second is that of racial prejudice (the main plotline is centred around an Indian immigrant who is wrongly accused of double murder). Apart from enjoying my usual twists and turns, I hope readers might reflect on whether society (specifically British but also internationally) has actually changed all that much in the 36 years since when the novel is set.
I'd like to send you a couple of excerpts if possible to have a look over. The first when the wife and daughter of Mandeep Kaur are first introduced, the second when the wife reflects on the fact of their arranged marriage. I'd just like to know if there are any factual inaccuracies or anything that would offend you as an Indian. We're talking around a 1000 words in total. I could break it up over several messages here on wp (2000 characters max per message), but if you were fine with it I could send it to you via email. Let me know what you prefer.
Once again, thanks for your availability
Never had so many votes all at once! Every chapter of 2 different books, thank you so much. You've only got Kill Who You Want left to go now, probably the twistiest and most suspenseful of them all.
Just out of interest, which of the 3 you've read did you enjoy most and who are your favourite published authors?
@bigimp What's interesting here is that one of the first things which I thought when I came across your books is, "This is not the usual kind of books which can be found on wattpad". I was most impressed at how well written your books were. Anyways, I'll look forward to reading more of your work. Thank you for all the wonderful books and best wishes for your future.
@reader_ri Thanks, that was interesting. As an aspiring writer I've been experimenting with slightly different styles and narrative voices. Your comments confirm my own conclusion that I'm probably more suited to measured, slowburn storytelling than fast-paced 'wattpaddy' type things. I've recently started a new project with the working title 'The Trail Killer' set in 1984 before DNA and which other than being a mystery/suspense novel also explores attitudes towards women and immigrants in the UK at the time. I hope to have it finished by Christmas then give it a query round with UK publishing agents. If as always nothing comes if this I'll put it out on Wattpad around spring time. Thanks again for all your support. I hope our paths will cross again
@bigimp I've already read Kill Who You Want, I was voting on it a chapter at a time so you probably didn't notice it.... To answer your questions, I must say that all of your books have very unexpected twists and turns which keeps the reader completely hooked to the story, and as for my favorite, I loved The Painted Altar the most, especially because of the way you so wonderfully described the emotions and life of the characters living in varying times. Although I must mention The Third Shadow too, the way in which you told so many possibilities that could have happened in the same situation, all of them very probable, is amazing. And my favorite authors include Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, O. Henry, Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, Oscar Wilde, etc. Sorry for the long reply xd and all the best for your future!!
Wow, thanks for all those votes on The Third Shadow. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Hiiiiii,
Thank you so much for all your votes on my story “the thirteenth day,” I really appreciate the support I hope you enjoyed reading it.
Thank you for reading and voting on DUSGUISED! xoxo Shelley
@ShelleyBurbank It's my pleasure really...its an awesome story...im loving it...btw your msg made my day..xoxo Ri