"On days that I have to edit, I miss my corporate job" - lol-ed in real life xP
I don't usually stick with long posts but this one had me hooked! Towards the end, I was actually invested in knowing more about your slow cooked makke ki roti and saag xP Can't wait to see what you'll do on the 31st!
This was a surprising read for me--and aha! moment of sorts for several reasons.
The write-up mentioned, 'Bahut Dur . . .' by Manav Kaul brought me back the time I was editing the English translation of his other travelogue (called Bird on My Windowsill in English), which is also about his time in Prague. It was hard for me to place this book's narrative in my mind--I often wondered who faced this nomadic, romantic existential-ness. How does one locate themselves on roads far away form home. And then, I come across your write-up, which responds to these questions; which locates a person on roads far away from home--in discoveries, in food, in their own thoughts.
This is brilliant.
. . . and I wonder how a book like Bahut Dur . . . landed on that hill and yet it would seem like the book that would land there.
Yash, I have read your comment a dozen times! What a crazy coincidence that this naive attempt to share my editing frustration ended up at your doorstep, an editor who edited Manav's book. The internet sure has ways to surprise and how.
To further respond to your curiosity, for the 100 days that I was on the road, I was mostly alone actively unschooling myself of taught narratives and perspectives. The idea was to unlearn and forget to be able to create space for newness and life to flow through me. The intention was also to surrender and let whatever happen to me happen for that seemed like the best situation to be in.
I couldn't stop thinking about my time on the road once I was back, it was so powerful almost pulling me in every day. I had to get it out of me and that's how the book was born.
Anyway, so lovely that it reached you. If you allow me, I would love to speak to you and learn more about your work as an editor. Perhaps, you can help me with a tip or two.
Regardless, thank you for reading and responding. I will remember this chance encounter.
Please, after reading this I just hope you have let that book continue its course towards coming to life.
What feels 'not-enough', to you might be a life changing experience to your readers.
And, anyway, it is your first novel; better good than nothing because of waiting for the 'perfect' one - Yes, I took this from your first post on Writer's block :) -
this is such a vulnerable and honest post. as someone who has been trying to write a book as well, i am stuck with the feeling that whatever I write is not good enough. everything that we feel is a part of the process and i wish you the best of luck for it. i am sure you have and will continue to do a BRILLIANT job at it
"On days that I have to edit, I miss my corporate job" - lol-ed in real life xP
I don't usually stick with long posts but this one had me hooked! Towards the end, I was actually invested in knowing more about your slow cooked makke ki roti and saag xP Can't wait to see what you'll do on the 31st!
Haha, editing is super painful. I hate it. Wish there was an AI to help me with it.
thank you, I know that you're quite a reader so its a huge compliment for me that you decided to read this entire long post. genuinely thanks!
Oh, the slow-cooked makke ki roti and saag have to be experienced not written/read about. trust me, it was the bestest meal I have had.
and about 31st, well thanks perhaps this building-up pressure is what will make me move my butt and get to actual work!
speak to you soon
This was a surprising read for me--and aha! moment of sorts for several reasons.
The write-up mentioned, 'Bahut Dur . . .' by Manav Kaul brought me back the time I was editing the English translation of his other travelogue (called Bird on My Windowsill in English), which is also about his time in Prague. It was hard for me to place this book's narrative in my mind--I often wondered who faced this nomadic, romantic existential-ness. How does one locate themselves on roads far away form home. And then, I come across your write-up, which responds to these questions; which locates a person on roads far away from home--in discoveries, in food, in their own thoughts.
This is brilliant.
. . . and I wonder how a book like Bahut Dur . . . landed on that hill and yet it would seem like the book that would land there.
And oh btw, I was volunteering at a cafe in Spiti when a kind gentleman left his copy of Bahut dur at the cafe.
I picked it up and left it at a cafe in Leh when I was done reading.
Yash, I have read your comment a dozen times! What a crazy coincidence that this naive attempt to share my editing frustration ended up at your doorstep, an editor who edited Manav's book. The internet sure has ways to surprise and how.
To further respond to your curiosity, for the 100 days that I was on the road, I was mostly alone actively unschooling myself of taught narratives and perspectives. The idea was to unlearn and forget to be able to create space for newness and life to flow through me. The intention was also to surrender and let whatever happen to me happen for that seemed like the best situation to be in.
I couldn't stop thinking about my time on the road once I was back, it was so powerful almost pulling me in every day. I had to get it out of me and that's how the book was born.
Anyway, so lovely that it reached you. If you allow me, I would love to speak to you and learn more about your work as an editor. Perhaps, you can help me with a tip or two.
Regardless, thank you for reading and responding. I will remember this chance encounter.
Not even once do I stop reading your newsletter. The words flow like they were meant to be perfectly placed there. Badhiya Job there.
thank you Shweta!
This was such a real post, loved it, wish you best of luck for getting done with the task before the dead line!!
thank you so much Aryan!
Please, after reading this I just hope you have let that book continue its course towards coming to life.
What feels 'not-enough', to you might be a life changing experience to your readers.
And, anyway, it is your first novel; better good than nothing because of waiting for the 'perfect' one - Yes, I took this from your first post on Writer's block :) -
All the best!
can’t wait to read your book really!
this is such a vulnerable and honest post. as someone who has been trying to write a book as well, i am stuck with the feeling that whatever I write is not good enough. everything that we feel is a part of the process and i wish you the best of luck for it. i am sure you have and will continue to do a BRILLIANT job at it
Good luck bringing these first three chapters to light! Also, that meal looked delicious.