Writing a novel? Just tweet it

When Matt Stewart's agent submitted his debut novel to publishing houses, he didn't quite get the response he wanted.

"Many of them loved it, but none were willing to buy what they viewed as a 'risky' novel — vivid language, elements of fantasy and farce, raunchy humor," the San Francisco resident wrote on his website.

But Stewart didn't lose heart. On July 14, he started posting "The French Revolution" on Twitter.

More here

India Blog Mela - June 2009

YOnEarthNot is experiencing some Sunday morning drama.

Alaphia was souvenir shopping in Alaska. Or not.

Silverine knows how to make a Chinese film in four easy steps.

Banno has written a memo to old people.

MamaSaysSo is telling Ayaan about the baby.

The Daily Tamasha finds Mayawati has woken up as a statue.

Krish Ashok was spending time on a plane.

Whatay is having fun with Beeblotra Ji.

18,000 RPM is going through Terms and Conditions.

Mudra is ready with The Dummies' Guide to Driving.

That's all for now. The July 2009 Blog Mela returns early next month. But before leaving, do please vote for the best post in the June 2009 Blog Mela.



Did you just come across a quirky, interesting or something-that-tugs-at-your-heartstrings blog? If yes, feel free to nominate it for the July 2009 Blog Mela being hosted here on August 2.

How to Nominate
- Leave a comment on this post OR better still - Mail me at toeknee (at) gmail (dot) com


RULES
- Posts must have been written by Indians or have an Indian angle
- Only posts published between 1-31 July 2009 would be accepted
- If possible, please nominate individual posts, not the whole blog
- Feel free to nominate something you have written. Immodesty appreciated
- You can nominate as many blog posts as you like - provided you really like them
- Only nominations received before midnight on August 2 stand a chance to be featured in the Top 10 list
- No, you don't get any moolah for nominating or getting featured in the Blog Mela. That could change once I am a millionaire but for now you'll just have to bear with me
- Yours truly reserves the right to nominate good posts which you ignore

PREVIOUS BLOG MELAS
2007
March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2008
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2009
January, February, March, April, May

Which is your favourite Michael Jackson song?

I took a trip down memory lane on the day Michael Jackson died and listened to songs by the 'King of Pop'. I have had favourites over the years but now if I had to choose one song that exemplifies Michael -- it has to be 'We Are the World'.

But I can't seem to choose my favourite among his solo hits. Each song has its unique appeal. What about you?

Shiney shining no more -- and the media too

Okay, I get it. Bollywood star Shiney Ahuja has been charged with raping his maid. And wife Anupam is saying he's innocent.

What I don't get is how the media is already assuming Ahuja is guilty.

I was shocked to hear a Delhi radio station use the news for a call-in contest.

"Anupam is defending her husband and has forgiven him," the RJ said. "We women keep forgiving our husband's mistakes and defend them. Tell us about when you covered up your husband's mistakes."

Even assuming Ahuja is guilty, the media is more obsessed with the celebrity scandal rather than the rape victim.

Author and blogger Amit Varma spoke to his friends and finds many of them surprised not because Ahuja allegedly raped someone, but because the victim was his maid.

So I guess it would have been less of a surprise for them if Ahuja had raped someone better looking and befitting his status -- a Bollywood actress perhaps.

What do you think?

India Blog Mela - May 2009

Twisted DNA is at the receiver's end.

Silverine is Hindicapped.

Nikhil is dealing in lost soles.

The Daily Tamasha finds multiplex popcorn sellers have gone on strike.

Suchitra is talking about the ying yang balance.

Whatay goes to the UK - Part II.

That's all for now. The June 2009 Blog Mela returns early next month. But before leaving, do please vote for the best post in the May 2009 Blog Mela.



Did you just come across a quirky, interesting or something-that-tugs-at-your-heartstrings blog? If yes, feel free to nominate it for the June 2009 Blog Mela being hosted here on July 2.

How to Nominate
- Leave a comment on this post OR better still - Mail me at toeknee (at) gmail (dot) com


RULES
- Posts must have been written by Indians or have an Indian angle
- Only posts published between 1-30 June 2009 would be accepted
- If possible, please nominate individual posts, not the whole blog
- Feel free to nominate something you have written. Immodesty appreciated
- You can nominate as many blog posts as you like - provided you really like them
- Only nominations received before midnight on July 2 stand a chance to be featured in the Top 10 list
- No, you don't get any moolah for nominating or getting featured in the Blog Mela. That could change once I am a millionaire but for now you'll just have to bear with me
- Yours truly reserves the right to nominate good posts which you ignore

PREVIOUS BLOG MELAS
2007
March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2008
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2009
January, February, March, April

Snapshots from Ahmedabad

Here are photos from my trip to Ahmedabad last week. I keep going to the "city of my birth" every year to drop in on my cousins still living there -- and somehow the place seems hotter each time.

I am used to the summer in New Delhi but the Ahmedabad sun drains you of all energy and all I ever want to do there is lie down and sleep. There's nothing much to do any way -- for all of Modi's achievements being trumpeted, it's still a drab little place where memories of communal tensions abound.

There was little election fever actually -- except posters and Gujarati jingles on the radio. The most striking polling day image was a group of women dancing on the road apparently celebrating 'Akkha Teej'.

And the sweetest memory? A malnourished cat and her newborn kitten sought refuge in our garden. I spent most of my time feeding them milk and curd.

For the record, New Delhi does have its flaws but I wouldn't want to shift anywhere else.

The 2008 trip: A trip to Modi-land

India Blog Mela - April 2009

Sidhu is offering diplomas in shoe flinging.

Silverine thinks her boss needs therapy.

Niranjana is misplacing letters from Indian classics.

HawkEye is an expert on desi mating patterns.

Suvrat Kher has evidence that females entered India before males.



Whatay goes to the UK.

18,000 RPM finds it weird to go shopping in Indian stores in the U.S..

The Purple Cow remembers her Scottish tragedy.

Bikerdude is having Peer Sahib for lunch.

Banno is going through testing times.

That's all for now. The May 2009 Blog Mela returns early next month. But before leaving, do please vote for the best post in the April 2009 Blog Mela.



Did you just come across a quirky, interesting or something-that-tugs-at-your-heartstrings blog? If yes, feel free to nominate it for the May 2009 Blog Mela being hosted here on June 2.

How to Nominate
- Leave a comment on this post OR better still - Mail me at toeknee (at) gmail (dot) com


RULES
- Posts must have been written by Indians or have an Indian angle
- Only posts published between 1-31 May 2009 would be accepted
- If possible, please nominate individual posts, not the whole blog
- Feel free to nominate something you have written. Immodesty appreciated
- You can nominate as many blog posts as you like - provided you really like them
- Only nominations received before midnight on June 2 stand a chance to be featured in the Top 10 list
- No, you don't get any moolah for nominating or getting featured in the Blog Mela. That could change once I am a millionaire but for now you'll just have to bear with me
- Yours truly reserves the right to nominate good posts which you ignore

PREVIOUS BLOG MELAS
2007
March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2008
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2009
January, February, March

Mean Little Kitty

Happy Good Friday!

K: Happy Good Friday, Tony
Me: What?
K: I said Happy Good Friday
Me: Dude, Good Friday is not Happy Good Friday
K: But it's good, right?
Me: Ya, Jesus saved us from sin so it was kinda good for the world. But he was crucified too, remember?
K: But you call it Good Friday. And confuse the heck out of people
Me: Well, it's good because Christians believe Jesus died for people's sins. And when we remember his death more than 2000 years ago, we are inspired to lead better, sin-free lives
K: But he still died. That's a sad thing, isn't it?
Me: Ya, but sometimes good stuff can come from sad things
K: So why isn't Good Friday happy too?
Me: Are you ever happy when people die? The fact that Jesus died is sad but then Christians believe that good came out of it. But people are happy on Easter, when Jesus rose from the dead
K: So you are saying I can wish you Happy Easter but not Happy Good Friday
Me: Exactly
K: Does it offend Christians if I wish them Happy Good Friday
Me: Not really. It sounds weird though. But I guess you took the trouble to remember it's an important day for us, so I should be happy
K: So you can be happy on Good Friday?
Me: Well, not really. I am fasting today and you are eating icecream. How can that make me happy?

(This post was first published on this blog on 'Good Friday' April 7, 2007)