From Writer's Desk, May 2016!!

Below are the links to my work shortlisted and published.

http://www.bonobology.com/Features/160/Marriage/My-husband-saw-me-exhausted-and-overwhelmed-and-made-it-better

http://gnarledoak.org/issue-8/longest-night/

http://the-otolith.blogspot.in/2016/03/otoliths-issue-forty-one-southern.html?m=1

www.ershik.com

http://creatrix.wapoets.net.au/2016/03/creatrix-haiku-32/#Archana Kapoor Nagpal

http://www.thewritersdrawer.net/device-driven-life.html

https://whispersinthewind333.blogspot.in/2016/05/haiku-by-archana-kapoor-nagpal-india.html Love Archana

Winning Prize Comes To Me!

Few years ago, I asked my mother, and my husband - 'do you think I am just a housewife?'

My husband just told me a statement – ‘I am always proud of you.’

I was like – what does this mean???

My mother just told me a statement - it doesn't matter what others think? What really matters is what you think about yourself. There are two ways for any woman to answer in this world  - sarcasm or success. If you think that you are just one housewife, answer it -with grace and dignity. And, being a housewife is a task of patience, and quite challenging (as my mother was one of them and I am proud of her). Adding to it my mother said - 'you can never be satisfied in being one, Archana. I know you. I have brought you up more like a boy than a girl'. Your astrology is different from others. You are born for a reason. Look for it!

There was a time I used to get bored. Now there is a time when I have no time to think about anything else.

A long journey of almost 6 years with this blog, and almost 900+ posts. Of course, it feels good. A number of winning certificates that I had won in the genre of short story writing, and Japanese poetry. It seems like a dream to me.

Today, if I look back, I smile, I do cry, I hug myself, and I tell myself - 'you did it for yourself'.

Great to share I just got my winning cash voucher in my bank account. I have received 17 certificates in my kitty, after I had left Deloitte.

Above all I am almost set to start my second course from November, once my preliminary tests are accomplished for creative writing. Then I can appear for exams as per my convenience along with the other course (will upload the details).

I just completed my assignments and time to work on my project report for the next two months. I am also submitting my work to journals until then.

Whispers published my work, and here are five haiku for all of you. Thank you for the comments as it inspires to write more and more.

Above all, an email from Karen just makes my day. She sends her messages woven in words of inspiration and encouragement. 

first light …

filling the emptiness

of my new home

_______________

old memories …

still rests on the stem

a dragonfly’s wing

 _______________

waiting

to be taken over …

autumn mushrooms

_______________

in loneliness

reading the epitaph

in reverse

_______________

the only thing

between you and me …

a dandelion flower

https://whispersinthewind333.blogspot.in/2016/05/haiku-by-archana-kapoor-nagpal-india.html

Yet the journey is long, indeed, very long.

 Love

Archana

*** My Story Is A Winning Story - Bonobology Short Story Contest ***

I am quite different from the writer that you read on my blog, or in my stories. I am not a believer in words like love, emotions, weddings, celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries, and so called family. Experience crafted me more like a practical person in real life. 

But as a writer, I am very emotional about my characters, plot and the story line. I love to experiment with my thoughts, emotions, experiences and miseries. I play with my words to portray my characters completely different from me. If I would have been like my characters maybe I would not have been a good writer. Well, the good news is that as I give in too much of efforts in presenting my protagonist - my story gets shortlisted as a winning story out of 100 odd entries for this contest. Please the character Archana in this story is not me as I do not have kids and I am not facing this situation BUT if I was like this character - how my life would have been. Basically, I could not think of a better name than mine. This story is bit edited by the editors as per the magazine's requirements.

To understand the psychology and physiology of a protagonist is the biggest challenge for any short story writer. Not being a mother of two children yet to think like one was quite a challenge for me. This story is inspired by mothers around me who finds it hard to devote time to their interests. They do suffer of identity-crisis, and that’s quite obvious. I wanted to write a short story getting out of my comfort zone.

It gives me immense pleasure to be among the top three winners (in no particular order) out of more than 100 odd entries. I dedicate this story to every woman who thinks that she needs or deserves a day for herself, as well. Thank you to my friends who shared their problems with me from where I created this character Archana, in my story .

Thank you to my editors and the entire team of Bonobology for shortlisting my story as a winning story. You can register and leave your comment at the below link – where you can read my story as well. Hope you will like it. Share and spread the message!

A good start of the week!

http://www.bonobology.com/Features/160/Marriage/My-husband-saw-me-exhausted-and-overwhelmed-and-made-it-better

Happy Monday!

Two Personification Poems....

It feels good to be a part of monthly activity of Whispers.

My editor Michael left a note to my email. Before I share the same - below is the link to read my two personification poems. Hope my readers will like my poems. Also 'you can read other great poems of my port friends.

http://whispersinthewind333.blogspot.in/2016/05/whispers-may-activitythe-art-of.html?m=1

Michael's note for my contribution.

'
A critique of my two 'three line poems' by Michael for Whispers Journsl (May Activity - Personification). I am too overwhelmed....

'
Thank you Arachana
For your wonderful personification poems.

I like them and will forward them to Karen so she can include them in the final format which will appear soon in Whispers.

Your poems will make the project even better.
'

And there is another good news for my readers. Please wait till tomorrow!

APPROVED!!

:)

I have really worked hard for the last few months to prepare my project proposal. To design the outline of the content in the proposal - to write my project report. It is the initial step to start my report. It is APPROVED!!

Now I can start writing my report of almost 20000 words. Phew!

Sharing the picture of my evaluator's comment. I am overwhelmed!

This is for my readers who read me so far. Thank you!

Still long way to go!

Happy Weekend!
Love

Moonlight ...

I am working on my second painting for Amitie series.

Work in progress. Took some time out of my study schedule. Really wanted a break. Working on my second painting for Kala Sutra Volume 2 - 2016. I name it as Moonlight. Let me finish, and then one can relate to the title better.

A day away from full moon. May full moon is called Strawberry moon. Thought to finish by then but too much of work is pending as I need to do Mural. Then paint the mural. I have to give textures to it. So maybe by first week of June - second painting of Amitie series will be up!

A click to share and tell that an artist can have an organised place. It's not important that an artist paint in a mess. Lol...but when I do oil painting I do create mess ...; )

16 Years ..Not Bad!!

Ok – to start, I am almost lost. Too much of pressure of too many things around me!  

I made a nice dinner of my choice (low in calorie) - pita bread spinach, tacos in salad dressing with sprouts et al, and my tomapple soup. I feel so special.

So I am keeping it quite low profile these days – just jumping or indeed hopping from a task to another.  Studies, assignments, workouts, home commitments, bills, dance classes, amitie art series, and writing submissions…am I forgetting something…???

I just checked the date and it’s 17^th May – ‘the pain anniversary’. In 2000, on the same day, I was diagnosed with runner’s knee, and trust me pain never looked back. 16 years have passed – still it seems as if it just started. With will power, mental strength, love for the pain, and what else helped me to survive, and not give up!

People say pregnancy is difficult. IS IT?? 9 months, a C-section and it’s over.

I challenge swap it with my 16 years. I challenge live 16*365 days with pain, can you? It’s not easy, definitely not. But I am living with it – challenging my pain with different activities – gym, belly dancing, swimming, and what not? At times, I wear make up to hide the pain. I wear a fake smile to tell the pain – ‘hey baby, I am too strong to be broken’.  And, I AM PROUD OF IT!!

It is my battle and I will fight.  A battle against my own self!

The only idea is NOT TO GIVE UP IN LIFE. I have met people who left me hurt, judged me, cursed me, and called me names – in all these 16 years. I was not looking for sympathy but was also not looking for all this either. But they made me strong; they made me very strong. I just love them for being so rude to me.

I am breathless…lol

The Atoms of Haiku Volume 2 is about to start, and I am one of the editors for this volume as well. I am just trying to accommodate this project with my current projects, and other commitments. Soon I will be sharing the call for submissions with my readers. Anybody who is interested can submit their haiku for this anthology.

Never Ever Give Up!

Love

Archana

News 9 Youtube Dance Video Link :)

Well this is the link to the YouTube video of News 9 feature. This is the second part just drag till 4 mins and then you view belly dancing and it's benefits.

Though it works well for everyone but it is equally good for the pregnant ladies. If things go good in life - I am planning to go to Egypt next year to learn it from another teacher to improve my skills. I love my teacher; she is the best and an inspiration for many women.

I am sharing this video for my family as they can see how good i am doing in just 4 classes. It is a gift to my mom as I never thought of coming on TV. News 9 just made my mother's day!

Listen n Watch!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5cbUZoZZTs&feature=share

2 AM...

Whispers has shortlisted 5 haiku. 

Today I plan to study till 2 AM. Life is so strange. I got compliments as the day started. Quite interesting start of my day!

But what I really want to share is a great feeling that I experienced. My domestic help Radha maa's son who is almost 10 years younger to me - had send me a gift for 'Mother's Day'. He wrote me a message in the local language on this Mother's Day. 

I always thought when you give love and time to people - they generally forget with time, as their needs change over the period of time. It has happened with me every time. But maybe God has a way to communicate to us the right message at the right time. I feel so special; I feel as if my efforts have not got wasted. Maybe those who could not understand will definitely realise the worth of it one day..but till then it will be TOO LATE!! 

It is not about the gift but the feelings, and thoughts; it is about the respect and love.

:)

Ershik #13 Is Out!

Studying, Writing, ....I am almost indeed completely confused with so much work at my desk.

Phew!

I am just gathering all the links where I am published and putting it under the folders. This post is mainly for my Russian readers.

Here you go as Ershik #13 is out with my three senryu shortlisted! All are my favourite.

There senryu published in Ershik #13. You can read the Russian version as well. The bold ones are English version with the Russian translation. Love to see my work in other langauges!

all I feel to eat
is a Belgian chocolate
first pregnancy

Archana Kapoor Nagpal (India)

тянет лишь
на бельгийский шоколад
первая беременность

Арчана Капур Нагпал (Индия)

we clear
the broken crockery
quarrel ends

(Archana Kapoor Nagpal, India)

убираем
битую посуду
конец ссоры

Арчана Капур Нагпал (Индия)

golden jubilee
in every photograph
we pull our bellies

(Archana Kapoor Nagpal, India)

золотой юбилей
подтягиваем животы
на всех фото

Арчана Капур Нагпал (Индия)

Happy Monday!

Love

Archana

Mother is a Mother!

Biological, Adopted or Sponsored Mother - a Mother is a Mother!

A statement that I think of - on every Mother's Day. Time has changed. People have changed. Situations have changed BUT for me it will be always the same. A woman who once wanted to have four kids - is just away from any commitment towards motherhood. Maybe people changed her. They just made her realise many things too soon. I take it in stride!

Whatever moments of motherly feeling God gifted me - was just enough. But I can never forget the source through which it came to me. Real or virtual, fake or genuine - how does it matter as it took me to Sphoorti, and I experienced another emotional journey.

I look up to the source as much as I love my mother this Mother's Day! Ofcourse, I have left many things behind or shall I write I paid my emotions to the source as my words. Hurts..maybe not anymore. One fine day - maybe someday!

I am sharing a link to the channel News 9 that featured three strong moms! I am definitely not interested in the first two. But I share this link for my teacher who is the third one in this video. So you can drag to see it. And you will get a glimpse of me as well. Also my other dance mates.

http://www.yupptv.in/#!/play/News9/Special-Report/pid/5964637

Take care of your mother - take them for routine scans and regular checkups. They are more significant than the Fb pictures. I fight with my mother to get it done for her. Indeed, I take her appointments on timely basis, Gift your mother a heath checkup package than these red/white...flowers .

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms around the globe!

Love

Archana

Creatix #32 Published My Haiku

Creatix #32 includes two of my haiku. Happy to share it with all of you. Somehow 'snowman' is my lucky charm !!

snow storm –

my child rediscovering

his toys

 **************************

early spring –

snowman mingles

with its shadow

Here is the link -

http://creatrix.wapoets.net.au/2016/03/creatrix-haiku-32/#Archana Kapoor Nagpal

Happy Friday!

Love <3

Otoliths Published My Work!

Otoliths salutes May Day once again with its own Internationale, a multi-country list of contributors in issue forty-one, the southern autumn issue.

Come celebrate the 10th anniversary of the journal with my three visual published in this issue.

http://the-otolith.blogspot.in/?m=1