Considered to be one among the best-selling writers in India, Preeti Shenoy is an extremely talented author who specializes in pencil portraits, loves yoga, blogs, is a Ted X speaker and a mother. Various publications have showered praise on her by describing her as a “keenly observant mind” and her writing as “excellent story telling skills.” Her writings have appeared in Times of India, Reader’s Digest and many more publications. She loves to work with under-privileged children and has even conducted creative workshops. She has written the following books: The One You Cannot Have, The Secret Wish List, Tea For Two And A Piece Of Cake, Life Is What You Make It, 34 Bubblegums And Candies, and her most recent one entitled It Happens For a Reason now also available. What writing lessons can you learn from Preeti Shenoy?
1. Simplicity
Preeti Shenoy’s The Secret Wish List explores the life of the 16-year-old Diksha whose life revolves around her school, boys and fun times with her pals. Her innocent crush evolves into something that is beyond her control. Preeti develops the story in a simple language filled with an easygoing narrative style. Her style holds you and keeps you captive. In the end, she manages to tug heartstrings as she explores matters close to the heart. A simple writing style makes it easier for readers to understand.
2. Lucid narration
Life Is What You Make It traces the rollercoaster life of Ankita Sharma. Preeti Shenoy’s lucid narrative style makes the novel an easy read. She narrates the story in first person; this makes it easy for readers to identify with the character Ankita. How do you use this style in your writing? Ensure that when you are writing, you narrate your story in the first person. This makes the readers feel as if they are undergoing what is being narrated.
3. Philosophy
Preeti Shenoy’s works seem to reflect her thought that “life is to be lived and destiny is to be created.” Her book Life Is What You Make It exudes positive vibes. Through this book, she shows that life may throw obstacles at you but if you have an indomitable spirit and a never-give-up attitude then you can overcome all your obstacles. Using some philosophy in your writing lets your readers reflect about life and also makes them happy.
4. Realistic style
In her Tea For Two And A Piece Of Cake, Preeti Shenoy takes her readers through a whirlwind of varied emotions. It tells the story of Nisha who falls and grows in love. Preeti provides the readers with a slice of real life in her book. Written in a realistic style, it is a story that any woman can connect to. The journal entry writing style makes the book even more endearing and personal.
These lines from Tea For Two And A Piece Of Cake capture reality and truth in a strikingly real and profound manner: “Sometimes it is those that we accept as our own that become our family. It does not matter if the bond is not sanctioned by law or society and not given a name like ‘husband and wife.” Why should writers use a realistic style of writing? A realistic style of writing shows that your writing is true to life’s experiences in a social and physical environment. You are depicting life as people live it.
5. Thought-provoking elements
Preeti Shenoy’s first book 34 Bubblegums And Candies portrays all the incidents that we face in life in a thought-provoking manner. Narrated in the second person, the 34 stories are humorous and stimulating. Each story carries a message but does not necessarily end with a fixed conclusion. She leaves it to our imagination. If you are writing in a thought-provoking style, then that stimulates your readers’ imagination. This is a good way to keep readers glued to what you have written and at the same time let them imagine a certain incomplete part of your story, so that they come up with a conclusion of their own.
Image credit: Nityapraksh on Wikimedia Commons and reproduced under Creative Commons 3.0