THE DIARY OF A HOUSEWIFE

                                          A scenario that might hit close to home for many. Based on true events! God forbid that one day when you are 50 years old, you are forced out of your comfort zone to go hunting for a job. You need to be the breadwinner now. So, you head out into the big bad world, hoping that your experience, qualifications, and winning personality can get you something good, something substantial. But then you apply to multiple jobs in your field, and there comes the shocker. You are judged without being given a chance. You're met with a wave of rejections, and reality smacks you in your face when those who seem less experienced and perhaps less dedicated than you are, are making their mark in your field. It's a tough pill to swallow, isn't it? But here's the truth: the world of work has transform...

They say don't say anything if you have nothing to say. That's true most of the time. But there are times when I do want to raise my voice against the rudeness, the brusqueness, the casualness of the world.  But then I am told to shut up. Its okay they say. Change your perspective. Don't take it so negatively. They didn't mean it.  The world wants me to duct-tape my mouth shut.  We are often told to zip it when we want to speak up against rudeness, brusqueness, and the all too casual vibes around us. And when it comes to speaking up against any kind of injustice, well then, you don't have the right to voice your opinions because you could be harmed.  The consequences of speaking up has always (be it a small issue at the work place, an errant driver, a rude shopkeeper, a friend who wants you to be a yes-man, service providers, or bigger issues such as political opinions) scared me into keeping mum.   Ah, the world's love for silence. It's like they want ...

  I PROMISE TO ... . ... Love myself – all of me and my muddled, topsy-turvy, frenzied emotions;  … Give expression to each of my tumultuous thoughts and say what the world is afraid to say – say what people don't want to hear – say something that's never been said before;  … Love the world as it is – love the harmony of nature while accepting the disorder and cacophony we are surrounded with;  … Accept myself – Be my own sunshine, be my own light, and hold my own hand;  … Bond closely with my flaws – Be in a relationship with them;  … Celebrate myself – make each moment an adventure – write my own adventures;   … Embrace each part of myself – flawed or beautiful;  … Stand tall – not bend my woes – not cower and be thwarted by my worries and doubts;   … Dream big – dream small – dream the impossible – just dream. The most important relationship we can nurture is the one we have with ourselves. Life is a journey filled with ...

  A good friend after reading my novel asked me why I hadn’t written a typical romance novel, instead choosing a psychological drama/thriller with flawed protagonists, tormented people obsessed with vengeance and their traumas. Over the years she has heard me comment (and gripe) about romance novels doing extremely well (even the badly, very badly, horribly badly written ones). “What’s with all the sad and damaged people in your novel? What happened to the billionaire playboys and the beautiful, perfect heroines who breeze through their lives with nary a problem?” I shrugged. “They deserted me, I told her and never came back.” I wanted to write about real people, characters who are flawed just like I am. I recovered from depression and anxiety in my early 40s to become a publisher and writer. Oh, I was damaged. So damaged, it has left its mark on my family and of course, me. When I started writing my novel, it became me. The characters wore my grief. I had managed to...

  Let's be honest, especially to ourselves, that we tend to compare.  We hold ourselves up to the work of successful people or even those we perceive as doing better than us, all the time.  It can be overwhelming and demotivating. It can leave us in the doldrums.                          But sometimes, it can be the kick we need to get out of our comfort zone and do something about achieving our goals.  The most terrible thing you can do is tear yourself down because you feel you aren't getting anywhere in life, and your dreams remain just that - dreams.  Feelings of inadequacy, underconfidence, self-doubt, and uncertainty, are feelings everyone goes through. I have seen this happening to me. I have been my worst enemy many times - I hold myself back and feel inferior, which leads me to doubt myself and my skills. "I can't do this", "I am not good enough", can become a mantra, constantly ...

                                             Not everyone is going to love your story. Not everyone is going to fall in love with your writing style, your perspective, your words, and your characters. You write nonetheless because you love writing and weaving stories and creating characters that speak your language. Writing is not easy, but what is tougher is being vulnerable. Readers are going to judge and make comments or not - you may end up not being read at all. There's always risk in whatever you do in life and writing is no different. You are a writer, not a people-pleaser. Keep going! Remember if you find joy in writing, your reader will read that joy in your words. Do everything you do for the sheer joy of it and the rest will follow. Write if you find it enjoyable. Write i...

  Hey there, fellow dreamers and aspiring authors! Today, I want to take you on a thrilling ride through the depths of my heart as I recount the incredible journey of becoming a published author for the very first time.  Buckle up and get ready to delve into the highs, lows, and invaluable lessons I learned along the way. Picture this: after years of pouring my soul onto countless pages, painstakingly crafting and refining every word, my dream of seeing my novel, "Consumed By Obsession," in print became a reality. The exhilaration that washed over me is something I can hardly put into words. It was as if my heart took flight, soaring with joy and accomplishment. Oh, the elation!  Consumed By Obsession But amidst that whirlwind of emotions, I soon realised that the path of a debut author is not all rainbows and sunshine. No, my friends, it's a wild and winding road with unexpected hurdles and valuable lessons lurking around every corner. The first lesson that struck me li...