Reeti Kalia is a blogger and author. Her first book, Olive Beans, is a collection of short stories, now available on stores. She’s an alumna of Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies in Pune and holds a German language certificate from Goethe Institute. Truly a multi-talented personality, Reeti spoke to us about writing and blogging.
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Tell us a little about you, Reeti the person and the author.
I am a blogger, teacher, homemaker and now hopefully a writer too. I am a proud Army wife, a harrowed mother of two boys and a pet parent to my fawn Labrador Pumpkin. This collection of “works that I do” definitely fit into the “these are a few of my favourite things” category. I enjoy writing, interacting with children (not my own!), doing up the house and baking. You can read all about that on my blog.
Where do you find your writing inspiration?
I firmly believe that in the end we are all stories. I love people and I love what they have to say about their lives, their opinions, their ideas and their take on various subjects. I find it extremely exciting and interesting. It’s in these interactions that I find my inspiration. When I write, I just weave a story around their story and chronicle it for future reference.
Blogging is also a great way to chronicle one’s thoughts and ideas. It is a canvas to practice and find a way with words .
The fact that I am an army wife only makes it easier for me to write. Frequent moves to new places exposes me to a motley crowd giving me enough scope to ideate and process new information.
About your book ‘Olive Beans’
Olive Beans is a collection of five short stories based on real life events.
It’s a café born out of Maya’s love for coffee and the Olive Greens!
It’s a café like no other! It offers more than a slice of cake; a slice of life may be!
The aroma of its oven delights coupled with the warmth of its charming 30-something owner, Maya, gives the place a happy vibe.
Maya is a connoisseur of stories and lasting memories. She makes an instant connection with people who walk in through the door. She lends her ears and her heart effortlessly. They become the storytellers and she the compassionate listener.
The book is a collection of stories that stayed with her and continue to tug at her heartstrings. They are heart-warming and heart breaking all at the same time. They make a compelling narrative with nuanced emotions.
Your favourite kind of books and authors
I would any day pick a non-fiction over a fiction. Unless it’s a Ruskin Bond or a Sudha Murthy.
Contrary to what one would imagine, I am not a voracious reader. I read in spurts. There are times when I wrap up a book in a week while there have also been instances where I drag around a book for months (currently Era of darkness falls under this category).
Your advice for aspiring writers
Follow your instinct. If a story appeals to you, then give it your best shot. Invest in a good editor. Know the difference between a proof-read document and an edited document. Work on both. I didn’t know this!
Focus on promotion. I never imagined how critical it could be!
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