it's been a while since i posted here - i've been a tad distracted (for obvious reasons). so here i am popping in to say hello, and update you on what's been happening lately.
the writers' festival went very well; it was quite a buzz to be able to participate at all, so i think i can be forgiven for coming across somewhat starry-eyed and 'i'm not worthy' a few times on stage. but i regret nothing, as i knew from the beginning that actually being in the writers' festival is not necessarily something one can prepare ones' self for... and here is where i will stop with the queen's english. i went in to the festival with the attitude that i would not be nervous, and would just enjoy it all, and i did. so i'm quite happy with the way things turned out.
before and during the festival i did some media stuff, mainly for print and radio. that was an interesting experience. i enjoyed the radio stuff more, especially the interviews that took me inside the abc southbank offices (*drool*), but the ones i did over the phone from home were good, too - it helps to be comfortable. print interviews are somewhat different - it's amazing how easy it is to get carried away when chatting with someone who wants to know all about *you* before you remember that they've stuck a running tape recorder on the table. i almost felt like asking for copies of the tapes. but, like a wise man once told me, these people are not out to get me, because what would be the use of making a first-time-author sound stupid? it's not like it'd be some grand scoop or anything... they have no reason to. anyway, one of the print interviews i did has been released already, and you can have a look at a pdf copy of it on the clippings page. over the next few whenevers, i will be putting scans of other media mentions on the clippings page, so keep an eye on it (actually, i can safely say they'll be up there after the weekend, as we are going to purchase a scanner on saturday).
i have taken a break from uni for this semester and am seriously considering moving to a different uni (again). i want to do a masters via coursework, and it seems odd that i live so close to the city yet go to uni in burwood. i know it should be more about quality than proximity, but the hour and a half on a tram each way is killing me. i'll think about it more, do some more research, and see what i decide come semester one, 2006.
and to top it all off rather sweetly, join me in welcoming the newest member of the extended clan - my tiny niece charlotte jemima, born on september 2nd. welcome to the family!
the writers' festival went very well; it was quite a buzz to be able to participate at all, so i think i can be forgiven for coming across somewhat starry-eyed and 'i'm not worthy' a few times on stage. but i regret nothing, as i knew from the beginning that actually being in the writers' festival is not necessarily something one can prepare ones' self for... and here is where i will stop with the queen's english. i went in to the festival with the attitude that i would not be nervous, and would just enjoy it all, and i did. so i'm quite happy with the way things turned out.
before and during the festival i did some media stuff, mainly for print and radio. that was an interesting experience. i enjoyed the radio stuff more, especially the interviews that took me inside the abc southbank offices (*drool*), but the ones i did over the phone from home were good, too - it helps to be comfortable. print interviews are somewhat different - it's amazing how easy it is to get carried away when chatting with someone who wants to know all about *you* before you remember that they've stuck a running tape recorder on the table. i almost felt like asking for copies of the tapes. but, like a wise man once told me, these people are not out to get me, because what would be the use of making a first-time-author sound stupid? it's not like it'd be some grand scoop or anything... they have no reason to. anyway, one of the print interviews i did has been released already, and you can have a look at a pdf copy of it on the clippings page. over the next few whenevers, i will be putting scans of other media mentions on the clippings page, so keep an eye on it (actually, i can safely say they'll be up there after the weekend, as we are going to purchase a scanner on saturday).
i have taken a break from uni for this semester and am seriously considering moving to a different uni (again). i want to do a masters via coursework, and it seems odd that i live so close to the city yet go to uni in burwood. i know it should be more about quality than proximity, but the hour and a half on a tram each way is killing me. i'll think about it more, do some more research, and see what i decide come semester one, 2006.
and to top it all off rather sweetly, join me in welcoming the newest member of the extended clan - my tiny niece charlotte jemima, born on september 2nd. welcome to the family!
Labels: general
posted by shalini akhil at
9:04 AM
5 Comments:
Hi Shalini
Last Friday while scanning the Dymocks bookshelves I discovered your Bollywood Beauty. Being a Bollywood junky I picked it up more out of curiosity than anything else, but after reading the first two pages I was completely hooked and had to buy it. I finished it the same night (1:09am)!
I was born in Fiji and I have truckloads of family there- I could relate to so many things in your book. It made me laugh and appreciate my background even more...meddling aunties, protective parents, annoying cousins and all.
You have a wonderful style of writing and I hope you'll have more books out shortly...can't wait
Latika
latika - thanks for your comments. i'm really glad you enjoyed the book! it's great to hear you identified with it. i'm getting a lot of similar feedback from other people from all around the world, and i'm really blown away. i'm planning a second novel, so keep visiting this site (and my other writer blog) for updates!
nikki - i remember you! man, it's so great to hear from you - but why didn't you leave your email address?? drop me a line - there's an email link at the bottom of the page - it would be great to catch up with you. ah, the memories of 'that special place in burwood'... and do you remember the party at my house in east malvern where you freaked out all the serious law students? haha! looking forward to hearing fom you, mate!
Hey shalini! Could hardly believe it when I opened the herald sun mag and saw ya gorgeous mug staring back at me this weekend. Who would have thunk that back in highschool when we were dreaming about were we would end up you'd turn out all famous!! Bought ya book today and gotta say I'm so proud of ya. I really have missed you and think back on our days at Malvern Girls with smiles. Would really like to catch up so drop me a line at erap@dodo.com.au soon! Erin
hey nik - my email address is (broken up, you have to put it together!) shalini dot akhil at gmail dot com. if you click on my name at the bottom of the page, that's the email link...
looking forward to hearing from you!
OMG Shalini
First and foremost a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS, its awesome to read all about you. I am looking forward to reading your novel on my way to US to do the big deed. Again a Huge Congrats wishing you the best of the BEST for the future hope to talk to you soon.
TSC
Avi :o)
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