writing | But I Smile Anyway...

#JusJoJan 17th – Free For All

17 Jan 2025 21 Comments

by Ritu in #jusjojan Tags: #jusjojan, Author, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, books, Fiction, Linda G Hill, Publishing, writing

Today, we’re trying something a little different. Basically, there is no prompt. It’s a free-for-all, and all this post is here for is to give you a place to link back to.

So go ahead and jot! And …

Your prompt for JusJoJan January 17th, 2025 is whatever you want it to be. Have fun!

So, I had a conversation with my publisher yesterday…

She has all sorts of ideas and plans for me, lol!

As you may know, I haven’t started writing the next book, yet, as I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do.

So there are some options…

two new Rishtay Series books
a two volume anthology I have been planning…
Another anthology…
A totally different story

Then she mentioned the possibility of some of my side character ideas, that could become a collection of Rishtay Series novelettes in one book, following certain other characters who aren’t the main event, but who have captured readers attention. She made me teary by saying how I have made readers so invested in the Gill family, they want more, and that is both something to be proud of, and as quite scary!

Plus, and this is really exciting, my publisher, alongside some others, are in the throes of arranging their own festival, specifically for Independent Publishers, authors and artists! And they want me to be a big part of this two-day event, next year… eeek! It will be in London around the end of June, I believe.

Then our Zoom call cut off!

Details below:

SpellBound Books are thrilled to bring you 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐒 a brand new, 2 day London based festival coming in Summer 2026, dedicated entirely to the vibrant world of Independent Publishers, Authors & Artists.

Forget stuffy literary gatherings; founded by four women, 2 Indie Publishers & 2 Best Selling Indie authors, IM aims to be a community hub, fostering connections between writers and readers, offering workshops and panels that delve into the intricacies of Indie publishing and providing a platform for unheard voices to finally find their tribe

IM is more than a festival; it is a revolution, a vibrant declaration that the future of storytelling is diverse, innovative, and independent.

Give our Festival Social Media Pages a like to keep updated with all the news on the hottest new festival in town.

Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/37d8ty8j

Instagram. https://tinyurl.com/yuhck3hs

And, this morning, in a message, I mentioned some picture book text that I have written, for two different children’s books, and they are interested in taking a look! Yesterday at school, I read what I had written to one of my experienced colleagues, and she said when I read it, it sounded like the work of an established children’s author, and that made me cry!

So who knows, I could be a children’s author, too!

Daily Prompt – JusJoJan the 17th, 2025

#SoCS & #JusJoJan January 4th, 2025 – In Front/Behind

11 Jan 2025 21 Comments

by Ritu in #jusjojan, #SoCS Tags: #jusjojan, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Cats, Minnie Kaur, Poetry, Socs, Sonu Singh, writing

Linda’s SoCS prompt…

Your prompt for #JusJoJan the 11th and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “it’s the little things.” Take whatever the phrase “it’s the little things” brings to mind and use it in your post. Have fun!

It really is the little things in life that bring you joy.

A smile from a friendly face, a cup of tea brought to you as you are busy working. The sound of a giggle from a child, a pet sitting by you as you stroke its fur.

All these things can really make life a better place.

Currently, one of the little things in our life, Minnie Kaur, causes as much joy as strife, as she builds her relationship with our senior, Sonu Singh.

They fight, they chase after one another, but they also search one another out all the time. It’s a love hate thing, 100%.

He’s intrigued by her, but equally annoyed, but then again, he is nearly 11, now and that is roughly 60 in human years!

She is not 1 until February, so is still young, a kitten who is inquisitive.

He’s definitely getting more exercise now she’s in his life, I tell you!

We get the chase, the fight, the inevitable hissing, then a period of calm, where they sit together, sometimes warily staring at one another, sometimes at peace, sitting almost together, but not quite.

Sonu Singh approaches her more than he used to, now. Before it was always her coming up and tentatively playing with his tail, until he swiped her away!

It’s cute watching their relationship develop, and though the fights can be a bit stressful for them and us, ultimately they do like having each other around.

We do love our kitties!

The Friday Reminder for #SoCS & #JusJoJan 2025 Daily Prompt for Jan. 11th

That’s Not Me: Ritu Bhathal – Miriam Drori, Author

27 Oct 2023 10 Comments

by Ritu in My Writing, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Guest Post, That's Not Me!, writing

Please pop over to Miriam’s blog, where I chat about my stories, and how they can sometimes be perceived as my reality, when they are just fiction!

Source: That’s Not Me: Ritu Bhathal – Miriam Drori, Author

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 254

12 Jan 2020 30 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday, writing

“If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.”
Martin Luther King

Thank you for the pearls of wisdom, Spidey!

I know that a few words from you might not feel like you are changing the world, but they may just change your world.

You see, your words, once published, could lead to followings or sales, that change your life.

And there are plenty of us out there, who want to be best-selling authors, or have posts that go viral, for good reason.

But, in order to even have a chance, you need to actually write those words, and get them out there.

I am nervously excited about the book release, and those who have read it in advance, are already asking if there is any more to come from the characters.

You see, some of the secondary characters have developed quite a personality, and want to be written about too. And I have the ideas, the basic outlines of at least two stories to follow, I just need to put pen to paper and write!

Only then, will I get a chance to change my world, and hopefully, change the world a little too, by bringing smiles on to the faces of my readers.

So… tell me, what would you try and change in this world, or yours, with words?

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 246 – Dreams

17 Nov 2019 45 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Dreams, Marriage Unarranged, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday, writing

“The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.”
Paul Valery

Thank you Spidey for that fantastic quote!

Firstly, I must apologise for the late Spidey entry today. I did indeed need waking from my dreams this morning, to the realisiation that I had not scheduled this post last night!

Too busy making dreams come true, to be honest, and tiring myself out (which, given my current state of health, is not that hard for me to do!) to stay awake long enough to write a post up, last night!

You see, yesterday saw the beginnings of one of my life dreams coming true.

You may have noticed, (and if you hadn’t, where on earth were you?) on my author blog, this blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, that my cover reveal went live yesterday.

Not only is this the beginning of my dream turning to a reality, but it is a poke up my backside too, and a reason for me to not procrastinate any longer.

No more dillydallying, and wishing that one day my book might just get out there, but now I have to do this!

I was overwhelmed by the reaction that the cover got, from both familiar names, and others who have been following me, or who happened to come across the image while checking out their social media.

So many of you, eager to read this precious baby of mine!

So, my next steps are to wait for my final editor check, hopefully with nothing more than a few silly spelling or punctuation issues, (fingers crossed, then format the book, finish writing the blurb, get the paperback dimensions to my fantastic cover designer, upload everything to KDP and set a publication date.

Still a bit of technical work to do, but you guys, my book will be out there soon!!!

And if you missed it, here is the cover for Marriage Unarranged. 😄

Designed by Kirsty McManus – She is awesome!

I’m going to be cheeky, and late to this one too, but since Linda’s prompt for this week’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday was Dreams, this post fits the bill perfectly (even though it’s been posted on a Sunday!)

So… tell me, what is your biggest dream right now?