Drona: The Start of the End

The End of Morals In many ways, with the start of Drona’s reign as commander began a lowering a moral ethical standards in the war, not particularly because of him, but nevertheless. But Abhimanyu’s killing marked the start of the real end of morals and ethics in warfare. All that the great teacher had taught … Read more

Notes to Myself: Craft of a Story

Every writer has a bunch of notes to him/herself for ready reference on the craft of story writing that suits that particular writer’s style of writing. For me, it has evolved over the past few years of writing. As I started with blogging to writing articles, and then jumped to humor and slice of life … Read more

Moods and Memories: Short Story

Sixty-Five isn’t quite different from sixty-four, as Devendra discovers soon after his birthday. By the same vein, thirty-five isn’t vastly different from thirty-four. They celebrate both today, his sixty-fifth birthday and their thirty-fifth anniversary. He sips his wine watching his wife and the sunset alternately from the beautiful sands of the ocean. Both the sights … Read more

On Strength

Swami Vivekananda on Strength: The only way to rise is by doing the duty next to us, and thus gathering strength go on until we reach the highest state. The infinite strength of the world is yours. Drive out the superstition that has covered your minds. Let us be brave. Know the Truth and practice … Read more

Writing Advice from Stephen King

I made a bunch of notes on Writing Advice by Stephen King. I like to refer to this list from time to time. Here I reproduce it for your reference and reading pleasure. Stop watching television. Instead, read as much as possible. Prepare for more failure and criticism than you think you can deal with. … Read more

Drona: Promise vs Desperation

The battle of virtue and envy went on for many years and Drona always found himself fighting on the side of envy, though like Bheeshma, his heart was with the carriers of virtue. Battle of Virata The first instance of fighting against his favorite pupil, Arjuna, for Drona, was in the battle of Virata when … Read more

2nd Round Editing

After my first draft, my first round of editing is about getting the story right and sharp. In that round, I focus on getting the character, its conflict and the resolution of that conflict correct and smooth. My second (and usually last) round of editing is more technical and focused on finishing. Here is my … Read more

On Religion

Swami Vivekananda on Religion: We know that all religions alike, from the lowest fetishism to the highest absolutism, are but so many attempts of the human soul to grasp and realise the Infinite. It is an insult to a starving people to offer them religion; it is an insult to a starving man to teach … Read more

Good vs Great Music

When a piece of music is good, it gets a lot of claps. When a piece of music is great, it gets silence. It is easy to compose and deliver music that gets claps. It is the work of a true genius to compose and deliver music that gets silence. No claps, no words, only … Read more

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