Published! in Sept '10

I had my essay "Guilt Free Diet" published in the September 2010 issue of CityMasala.  Here is the link.
I have been writing monthly for the magazine but I am happy to have a non-recipe published there.  I feel more like a writer/contributor now.

Published! in Khabar Magazine

I am happy to report that my latest published article is available in the May 2010 issue of Khabar Magazine (circulation 27,000 + online), a monthly magazine for the Indian community in Georgia and surrounding areas.
 Click here for the online article.

I wrote this article as a Mother's Day gift for my mom.  I re-purposed  an old business school essay and re-wrote it before submitting.  The magazine edited it, also.  My only gripe is that one of the magazine edits changed the meaning of an event from my mom's story.  Otherwise, I was very happy that the edits sharpened my essay.  The magazine version includes a photo of my mom and me taken in 2003 at my cousin's wedding in England.  I can't wait to get my print copy so I can give it to my mom.

Published! (in Mar '10)

I'm excited to have a story from my Indian Mother's Soul series published in the March 2010 print issue of City Masala magazine (circulation about 15,000, based in Tampa, FL).  Here is an online link to page 24 and below is a screen shot of the page with my story, recipe, and photo of the dish.

I like the typeface and font. They faded the photo edges, which looks great.  Also, they italicized Sheero and the other Indian words - another good idea that I will keep in mind.  I'm glad they kept my title because now I can submit my other recipes to them and have it tie together as an"Indian Mother's Soul" regular column.  Hey, there's something for my query letter when I submit my writing and for my resume when I look for jobs.  I know it's bit dubious, but it counts.

Part of my Project Write On resolution was to work on essays/articles/short stories/features to submit to magazines and such for publication.  Step 1.  Now, I need to get back to my children's books.

Fiction Writing and Gujarati Proverbs

Thanks to my finely honed Internet surfing skills, I found a Desi fiction contest at a Bay Area magazine called India Currents.  In two weeks, I've written (and re-written and edited) a 2000 word story, which will be ready to submit by the March 20th deadline.  Just a few more edits to go and I will be ready.  It is excruciatingly difficult to relinquish the editing process.  You could edit and edit forever.

Short Story Synopsis:  A woman reflects on her life, moving from India to the U.S. after getting married.  Her life takes a drastic turn from the life of privilege she had expected.  Despite the unexpected course, she persevered and worked hard to give her family a better life.  Her husband passed away and now she has an estranged relationship with her son.

In doing research for the story, I found these terrific Gujarati proverbs.

Bhens aagal bhaagvat

• Literal: Reading Bhagvat Geeta to a buffalo (is a waste)
• Tailor your speech to your audience.

Chapti dhul ni jaroor pad

• Interpretation 1-Sometimes only a pinch of sand is all you need.
• Interpretation 2-Sometimes you do need a pinch of sand, too.
• Even insignifcant people have their importance at times.

Khakhra ni Khiskoli Sakar no swaad su jaane

• Literal: A squirel who eats dried chapatis would not know the taste of sugar.
• Good things in life cannot be appreciated by someone who has never experienced the good things. 

Laxmi chaandlo karva aave tyaarey mo dhova na javay

• Literal: When the goddess of wealth comes to give you a blessing, you should not go to wash your face.
• When opportunity knocks on one's door, one should grab it.

Mor na inda chitarva na pade

• Literal: You don't have to go and paint the eggs of peacocks.
• It suggests that great art,culture,skills comes in blood.  As peacock is beautiful, so are its eggs, you need not to paint them separately to make them beautiful.

 Na maamo karta kano maamo saaro

• Literal: Having an uncle with one eye is better than having no uncle.
• Something is better than nothing.

Jhajha hath ra Liyama Na

• Literal: Unity is strength.
• More the merrier