Shikha Patel's Blog
December 15, 2020
6 Things I learnt about writing Short Stories
1) Not every story needs a moral at the end. This mostly applies if your target audiences are adults. Readers are not fond of idealistic narratives. They literally spent their whole childhood listening to those. Readers need more realistic perspective. The world these days is offering so much to individuals in terms of variety in what we eat, watch, wear and think that the pool of emotions, readers these days connect to, is huge. Write a real(istic) story, fictionalizing it shall be just the topping!
2) Make your characters good, not right. There is an illustrious difference between good and right. It pleases and connects to a reader when you make your characters do the good; and it annoys your readers if your characters do the right. Again, it usually not realistic.
3) Define your own length. I have asked and many have asked me, "what is the ideal length of a short story?" After researching, I realize there is no ideal length. Just convey your story in the best possible way you can. I have read amazing short stories of 50 words and even 5000 words. Don't consider length as a criterion to write your short story (unless you are appearing for rules bounded competitions).
4) It is not always necessary to give names and genders to your character. You must realize that the commitment from a reader is already less when they pick up your story. When a reader picks up 300 or 600 pages novel, she/ he is mentally committed to a few days. But short stories (especially the ones published online), have only a few minutes of commitment from the reader. Adding too many characters confuses and hence makes the reader loose interest. When possible, leave it to the reader to interpret the gender of your character (this might be only possible if you are writing in first person). This helps the reader connect well to your character.
5) Keep the language very simple. Understand that the person reading your 5-minute short story does not want to google the meaning of some words you have written. If you want to use heavy words, better go for a longer script.
6) Make their hearts pump fast. In case of a novel, there are enough pages for the writer to make the reader feel happy/ sad/ excited/ curious etc. But in case of a short story, you have only few words to make them feel all that. Of course, it’s challenging but try to convene emotions in a few sentences. However, this point is subjective as stories with one plain emotion have also worked wonders.
2) Make your characters good, not right. There is an illustrious difference between good and right. It pleases and connects to a reader when you make your characters do the good; and it annoys your readers if your characters do the right. Again, it usually not realistic.
3) Define your own length. I have asked and many have asked me, "what is the ideal length of a short story?" After researching, I realize there is no ideal length. Just convey your story in the best possible way you can. I have read amazing short stories of 50 words and even 5000 words. Don't consider length as a criterion to write your short story (unless you are appearing for rules bounded competitions).
4) It is not always necessary to give names and genders to your character. You must realize that the commitment from a reader is already less when they pick up your story. When a reader picks up 300 or 600 pages novel, she/ he is mentally committed to a few days. But short stories (especially the ones published online), have only a few minutes of commitment from the reader. Adding too many characters confuses and hence makes the reader loose interest. When possible, leave it to the reader to interpret the gender of your character (this might be only possible if you are writing in first person). This helps the reader connect well to your character.
5) Keep the language very simple. Understand that the person reading your 5-minute short story does not want to google the meaning of some words you have written. If you want to use heavy words, better go for a longer script.
6) Make their hearts pump fast. In case of a novel, there are enough pages for the writer to make the reader feel happy/ sad/ excited/ curious etc. But in case of a short story, you have only few words to make them feel all that. Of course, it’s challenging but try to convene emotions in a few sentences. However, this point is subjective as stories with one plain emotion have also worked wonders.
November 29, 2020
And why are we still lonely?
Do you recall the time when you were a 5-year-old and used to hang out with your grandmother listening to her stories? Did she tell you that she phones her school friend once in a month for 5 minutes, because phoning is an expensive affair? Do you recall your mother telling that she lost touch with her childhood best friend because they married in different cities? Do you wonder how much the world has changed in past 20 years? Oh! I once thought about a long-lost childhood friend, searched him on Facebook, pinged him and talked with him in just two hours. Whether it’s your friend, or a cousin or your parents or a celebrity you look up to, they are just a phone call or a tweet away. Do you wonder, with such luxuries how did we manage to get lonelier with every passing generation?
Well, loneliness gets cured with the feeling of belonging. In this age of freethinking and feminism, who are we tied to? I am a woman and dare not tell me that I can't be independent! I am a man and dare not tell me that I am not self-standing! We are all the time surrounded by people or devices which can connect us with anyone we want, yet we usually find ourselves feeling lonely. Health insurer Cigna's 2018 U.S states that 46% of Americans feeling lonely sometimes or always and 47% report feeling left out sometimes or always. Are we doing something wrong? Where are we going wrong?
The absence of a feeling of owning and feeling of belonging is the answer. I realize now, how my grandparents were completely dependent on each other till the day they died. They were not fighting to be independent. Today, in this age where love is more based on the "idea of love", how do we belong to someone or how do we own someone? Try telling your girlfriend that you own her and expect nothing less than a slap! This is the reason, people these days kill loneliness by getting a pet (popularly a dog!). A pet gives us a feeling that you own them (and you belong to them). It makes us feel secure and hence, not lonely. After all the poor animal can't even argue on that!
The point to write this blog is not to cure your loneliness but to inspire you to take step to allow. Allow yourself to be owned by someone. Allow yourself to be belonged to someone. It is surely going to be a slippery slope but those moments when you didn't feel lonely would be worth it. Mean it more when you say that you are always there for a friend. Too many words kill the essence of your emotions, do more and speak less.
- Shikha
Well, loneliness gets cured with the feeling of belonging. In this age of freethinking and feminism, who are we tied to? I am a woman and dare not tell me that I can't be independent! I am a man and dare not tell me that I am not self-standing! We are all the time surrounded by people or devices which can connect us with anyone we want, yet we usually find ourselves feeling lonely. Health insurer Cigna's 2018 U.S states that 46% of Americans feeling lonely sometimes or always and 47% report feeling left out sometimes or always. Are we doing something wrong? Where are we going wrong?
The absence of a feeling of owning and feeling of belonging is the answer. I realize now, how my grandparents were completely dependent on each other till the day they died. They were not fighting to be independent. Today, in this age where love is more based on the "idea of love", how do we belong to someone or how do we own someone? Try telling your girlfriend that you own her and expect nothing less than a slap! This is the reason, people these days kill loneliness by getting a pet (popularly a dog!). A pet gives us a feeling that you own them (and you belong to them). It makes us feel secure and hence, not lonely. After all the poor animal can't even argue on that!
The point to write this blog is not to cure your loneliness but to inspire you to take step to allow. Allow yourself to be owned by someone. Allow yourself to be belonged to someone. It is surely going to be a slippery slope but those moments when you didn't feel lonely would be worth it. Mean it more when you say that you are always there for a friend. Too many words kill the essence of your emotions, do more and speak less.
- Shikha
Come Back...To Me!!
And just like that she could suddenly see something,
Something she'd never seen before,
He was still in love with his late-love.
And she knew right then, that she wouldn't be laying claim to his heart anytime soon.
So she decided for now,
She could settle for just being his friend.
But yet another day, there he was,
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes.
And just like that, she was happy again.
Life was suddenly full of possibilities,
Not to mention a few unexpected surprises!
Something she'd never seen before,
He was still in love with his late-love.
And she knew right then, that she wouldn't be laying claim to his heart anytime soon.
So she decided for now,
She could settle for just being his friend.
But yet another day, there he was,
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes.
And just like that, she was happy again.
Life was suddenly full of possibilities,
Not to mention a few unexpected surprises!
November 20, 2020
HAMPI....Running To Stand Still!
This essay documents my recent visit to the rocky land of ruins, whose history goes back to the Stone and Iron Ages. It was mid March -the onset of summer in India. This is when, us, Indians realize the importance of water, coconut water, sugarcane juice and lime soda.
I reached Virupaksha Temple (in Hampi) early in the morning to start exploring the place for next 3 days. There is always something exceptional about these historic places. Walking through the streets with the scorching sun smiling at me throughout the day, I felt a strong urge to unfurl the history, beautifully carved in the hefty stone walls. As you try and read the stories on the walls, you feel the history crawling through you. I wonder how the Kings and their Queens would have ruled the place and what message would they want to leave for the future while carving those stories.
There is warmth in the crude landscape.
There is lightness in watching the heavy Mantapas.
There is beauty in imagining how this place would have been when functional.
As I walk on the barren land, I wonder how many more civilizations have been buried beneath. The stone slabs standing since centuries look so fresh as if arranged just yesterday. It is overwhelming to watch the vast serene environment with farm lands interspersed with royal palaces, exemplary temples, long bazaars, huge rocks and those beautiful Ankanas as I sit on the hill waiting for the sun to set. Soaking this beauty in, I toast to the glorious empire of Vijayanagar whose aura could still be felt.
I reached Virupaksha Temple (in Hampi) early in the morning to start exploring the place for next 3 days. There is always something exceptional about these historic places. Walking through the streets with the scorching sun smiling at me throughout the day, I felt a strong urge to unfurl the history, beautifully carved in the hefty stone walls. As you try and read the stories on the walls, you feel the history crawling through you. I wonder how the Kings and their Queens would have ruled the place and what message would they want to leave for the future while carving those stories.
There is warmth in the crude landscape.
There is lightness in watching the heavy Mantapas.
There is beauty in imagining how this place would have been when functional.
As I walk on the barren land, I wonder how many more civilizations have been buried beneath. The stone slabs standing since centuries look so fresh as if arranged just yesterday. It is overwhelming to watch the vast serene environment with farm lands interspersed with royal palaces, exemplary temples, long bazaars, huge rocks and those beautiful Ankanas as I sit on the hill waiting for the sun to set. Soaking this beauty in, I toast to the glorious empire of Vijayanagar whose aura could still be felt.
November 18, 2020
Come In, Stranger!
(admiring the moonlight, while she was burning)
She let him in her life.
She was sure to get hurt.
Yet, she let him in.
He promised to love forever.
Along with the promise, he broke her too.
He promised to place her before everything else.
Yet, one more lie she found.
And yet, she believed in all so blindly.
She beat herself every day,
Cried to sleep every night.
She believed,
The pain of the wounds would make her heart pain less.
It, still was hurting enough.
Enough to not give up,
Enough to fall and rise again,
Enough to be determined and not to fall apart
AGAIN.
She let him in her life.
She was sure to get hurt.
Yet, she let him in.
He promised to love forever.
Along with the promise, he broke her too.
He promised to place her before everything else.
Yet, one more lie she found.
And yet, she believed in all so blindly.
She beat herself every day,
Cried to sleep every night.
She believed,
The pain of the wounds would make her heart pain less.
It, still was hurting enough.
Enough to not give up,
Enough to fall and rise again,
Enough to be determined and not to fall apart
AGAIN.
November 15, 2020
Lived.....Forever!
(from a wife to the man on celebrating 7 years of togetherness)
In that moment,
I lived,
And lived,
Forever.
That moment we saw,
It clicked.
You felt it, me too!
We were,
Happy - to be,
Scared - not to be,
Scarred - from the past,
Lost in time.
When the sky, and the stars, and the breeze,
Were not the same.
In that moment,
I lived.
Those coffee evenings,
When we talked and talked and talked.
My stupid ideas,
With your logic.
My crazy dreams,
Which you take for real.
My annoying habits,
With your twee ways.
So opposite, yet the same.
In that moment,
I lived.
Staring at the setting sun,
For hours.
In those silent hours,
We spoke volumes.
You understood, I did too!
And in that moment,
I lived.
The calmness on your bearded face,
When you look at me.
The care which you embrace for me,
With your sweaty palms, holding tight.
In that moment,
I lived.
Lying in your arms,
Tight,
Warm,
Safe,
On our warm bed.
Feeling never to wake up.
In that moment,
I lived.
Several years ago,
Few years ahead.
I still see us the same.
We plan,
Like never to be away.
In that moment,
I lived.
Every time you hold me tight,
I know you want to hold tighter.
Every time you care,
You want to care more.
Every time I cry,
I know your heart bleeds.
Every time I am not around,
You feel lost.
I know, you never want it to end.
In these moments,
I lived.
Living with,
Broken,
Scared,
Insecure,
Must not be easy.
Still you are graceful each time.
In these moments,
I live.
Our love is common,
Its usual.
I give my love for free to anyone,
I like.
The special in us, is you.
You heal me.
Things have come and gone,
And gone forever.
We survived.
And we will.
We lived and shall live,
FOREVER.
In that moment,
I lived,
And lived,
Forever.
That moment we saw,
It clicked.
You felt it, me too!
We were,
Happy - to be,
Scared - not to be,
Scarred - from the past,
Lost in time.
When the sky, and the stars, and the breeze,
Were not the same.
In that moment,
I lived.
Those coffee evenings,
When we talked and talked and talked.
My stupid ideas,
With your logic.
My crazy dreams,
Which you take for real.
My annoying habits,
With your twee ways.
So opposite, yet the same.
In that moment,
I lived.
Staring at the setting sun,
For hours.
In those silent hours,
We spoke volumes.
You understood, I did too!
And in that moment,
I lived.
The calmness on your bearded face,
When you look at me.
The care which you embrace for me,
With your sweaty palms, holding tight.
In that moment,
I lived.
Lying in your arms,
Tight,
Warm,
Safe,
On our warm bed.
Feeling never to wake up.
In that moment,
I lived.
Several years ago,
Few years ahead.
I still see us the same.
We plan,
Like never to be away.
In that moment,
I lived.
Every time you hold me tight,
I know you want to hold tighter.
Every time you care,
You want to care more.
Every time I cry,
I know your heart bleeds.
Every time I am not around,
You feel lost.
I know, you never want it to end.
In these moments,
I lived.
Living with,
Broken,
Scared,
Insecure,
Must not be easy.
Still you are graceful each time.
In these moments,
I live.
Our love is common,
Its usual.
I give my love for free to anyone,
I like.
The special in us, is you.
You heal me.
Things have come and gone,
And gone forever.
We survived.
And we will.
We lived and shall live,
FOREVER.
November 13, 2020
Bang-a-luru..!!
As I believe “Cities can’t win, we win over them". Bangalore, I am not sure since when Bangalore has become my city. Coming from a small city traditional family I never thought I will adapt to a metro city lifestyle so easily. My journey in this city started when I was dating the man of my life. It was neither a well thought decision nor I thought of staying here this long. But here I am. 5 years and still counting. Loving this city is not a decision or a conscious effort. It just happened and it happens every time all over again. The city grew within me and I grew with it.
Most of my professional life has progressed here. So definitely I have seen the real side of the city more than the romantic part. I have my complains as anyone else would have, but it is ironical that I have fallen for those moments itself - the traffic, the lights, the markets, liveliness of streets, the never-ending flyovers, the language, the fashion and of course the pleasant weather. The traffic I hated, is now a part of my life. In fact it spoils my mood if the roads are clear someday! The people I didn’t understand initially, makes more sense to me today. I hated the food….well that hasn’t changed much but I have figured out good places to eat. The best part of this city is, something is always happening here. It is always active and vibrant. Recently, I have read articles where they discuss about Bangalore being saturated. But honestly, I don’t feel so. This city has a capacity to suffice one and all, it is just a matter to realize it.
Every city has its own challenges but it is sublime to blend in and feel the city. Feel the change in you. Bangalore is my city. And I belong to the city. It has evolved me since the time I am here and I am ready to explore it more! I hear people complaining (most of them outsiders) and yes! I feel offended. Dear non-Bangalorians, please don’t complain about the crowd, traffic, culture and pollution because you are very much a part of it. :)
Most of my professional life has progressed here. So definitely I have seen the real side of the city more than the romantic part. I have my complains as anyone else would have, but it is ironical that I have fallen for those moments itself - the traffic, the lights, the markets, liveliness of streets, the never-ending flyovers, the language, the fashion and of course the pleasant weather. The traffic I hated, is now a part of my life. In fact it spoils my mood if the roads are clear someday! The people I didn’t understand initially, makes more sense to me today. I hated the food….well that hasn’t changed much but I have figured out good places to eat. The best part of this city is, something is always happening here. It is always active and vibrant. Recently, I have read articles where they discuss about Bangalore being saturated. But honestly, I don’t feel so. This city has a capacity to suffice one and all, it is just a matter to realize it.
Every city has its own challenges but it is sublime to blend in and feel the city. Feel the change in you. Bangalore is my city. And I belong to the city. It has evolved me since the time I am here and I am ready to explore it more! I hear people complaining (most of them outsiders) and yes! I feel offended. Dear non-Bangalorians, please don’t complain about the crowd, traffic, culture and pollution because you are very much a part of it. :)
November 10, 2020
In her voice....
Since ages she was awake,
And she slept in peace in his arms - that day,
To the world she is - bold,
But a fragile one to him,
He would give away the world for her,
And all she could offer was a broken heart.
And she slept in peace in his arms - that day,
To the world she is - bold,
But a fragile one to him,
He would give away the world for her,
And all she could offer was a broken heart.
November 9, 2020
Are you Adventurous?
How would you define adventures? When do you feel adventurous? Does it take your heart to pump really fast to make you feel adventurous? Or is it just that proud moment when you feel that you nailed a challenge, that you feel adventurous?
The first thing that comes to most of our minds when we hear "adventure" is sports. But how often do we indulge in adventure sports? Well, I believe being adventurous is a trait a person can possess, more than just doing a thrilling sport or strenuous activity. To cognize yourself completely is an adventure in itself. What does that mean? I am sure it won't be surprising when I tell you that many of us stay in denial (of reality), many of us truly believe in things which are not our own creations (mentally) and many of us don't really know ourselves, even though we believe we do!
Let me tell you a story. One of my friends recently went through a rough break up. She just couldn't move on (picture Monica when she broke up with Richard!). Whatever I say, however I tried to rationalize the situation, all in vain. I told her, "you are stupid, wasting your precious time behind someone who doesn't care. If I were at your place, I would be much cooler and I would have taken it so differently". After few weeks I am in the middle of a heated fight with my partner when I realized I was acting stupider than my friend ever did. The thing is, its easy to say "I would be cooler, if I were in your place". But when you actually are, you might do exactly the same thing, you thought, you would never do! I learnt an important lesson that day. I don't know myself. Period. The more I try to know myself, the more I surprise myself. Adventurous enough?
We all react differently in different situation. We can never really define how would we react in a particular situation until we are in the situation.
We were an empty box when came to this world. People filled us up with ideas they thought were right or which were convenient to them at that time. Our personality is formed over the time with these notions embedded in our head. Let's be uncertain of what would we love or hate in future. We will never know if we love heights until we sky dive. We will never know if we love dogs until we pet one. Let's give ourselves a chance, a chance to know. A chance to change what we already believe in so strongly. I bet, we will feel adventurous every day. Let's perceive little things differently every day and feel the thrill!
"I can choose either to be a victim of the world or an adventurer in search of treasure. It's all a question of how I view my life" by Paulo Coehlo
Try it!
Happy adventures!
The first thing that comes to most of our minds when we hear "adventure" is sports. But how often do we indulge in adventure sports? Well, I believe being adventurous is a trait a person can possess, more than just doing a thrilling sport or strenuous activity. To cognize yourself completely is an adventure in itself. What does that mean? I am sure it won't be surprising when I tell you that many of us stay in denial (of reality), many of us truly believe in things which are not our own creations (mentally) and many of us don't really know ourselves, even though we believe we do!
Let me tell you a story. One of my friends recently went through a rough break up. She just couldn't move on (picture Monica when she broke up with Richard!). Whatever I say, however I tried to rationalize the situation, all in vain. I told her, "you are stupid, wasting your precious time behind someone who doesn't care. If I were at your place, I would be much cooler and I would have taken it so differently". After few weeks I am in the middle of a heated fight with my partner when I realized I was acting stupider than my friend ever did. The thing is, its easy to say "I would be cooler, if I were in your place". But when you actually are, you might do exactly the same thing, you thought, you would never do! I learnt an important lesson that day. I don't know myself. Period. The more I try to know myself, the more I surprise myself. Adventurous enough?
We all react differently in different situation. We can never really define how would we react in a particular situation until we are in the situation.
We were an empty box when came to this world. People filled us up with ideas they thought were right or which were convenient to them at that time. Our personality is formed over the time with these notions embedded in our head. Let's be uncertain of what would we love or hate in future. We will never know if we love heights until we sky dive. We will never know if we love dogs until we pet one. Let's give ourselves a chance, a chance to know. A chance to change what we already believe in so strongly. I bet, we will feel adventurous every day. Let's perceive little things differently every day and feel the thrill!
"I can choose either to be a victim of the world or an adventurer in search of treasure. It's all a question of how I view my life" by Paulo Coehlo
Try it!
Happy adventures!
November 6, 2020
the poem of "Ache"
Do you feel as I do?
Let there be noise,
Let there be screaming,
Let the world burn,
Let everyone do what they have to,
I need to be with you now,
I want to talk to you forever,
I wish time stops when we talk,
I want to be the only voice you hear,
Perhaps, you are the only voice I need to hear,
Do you feel as I do?
I, too want to burn with you,
I want to get lost and never be found,
I never thought I would love you so much as I do today,
I am a better person when I am with you,
Do you also feel as I do?
Let there be noise,
Let there be screaming,
Let the world burn,
Let everyone do what they have to,
I need to be with you now,
I want to talk to you forever,
I wish time stops when we talk,
I want to be the only voice you hear,
Perhaps, you are the only voice I need to hear,
Do you feel as I do?
I, too want to burn with you,
I want to get lost and never be found,
I never thought I would love you so much as I do today,
I am a better person when I am with you,
Do you also feel as I do?
