#BlogchatterA2Z Theme Reveal: The Poet’s Alphabet

26 Secrets for Crafting Beautiful Poetry

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April is one of the months that I look forward to with eagerness as a poet & a writer. It’s a month of writing challenges like NaPoWriMo/GloPoWriMo and A to Z challenges. I have shared my previous experience with NaPoWriMo, here. Last year, I participated in the Blogchatter’s A2Z challenge crafting 26 intuitive poetries using heteronym characters and it was well received to be turned into an E-book. You can find a copy of the book, here.

I recently did #26days26poems on love in February, this year. So I thought, this time, I would refrain from writing poetry and instead, write bite-sized posts on 26 secrets for crafting beautiful poetry. The upcoming 26 posts will be corresponding to each letter of the English alphabet. Each of them will help you with actionable tips to craft/edit your poetry to perfection. These are the tips I have learnt and used in my works and most of them are answers to the questions that I am frequently asked for help with.

I will be updating here with the links to posts corresponding to each letter of the Poet’s Alphabet, for easy accessibility.

The Poet’s Alphabet

A: Avoid clichés and overused phrases

B: Brainstorm Ideas and Write Them Down as Soon as They Come To You

C: Choose Precise and Descriptive Words To Create Strong Imagery

D: Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment With Form and Structure

E: Embrace Vulnerability and Honesty in Your Writing

F: Focus On Creating a Strong Opening and Closing Line

G: Get Feedback From Other Poets or Writing Groups

H: Harness the Power of Metaphors and Similes

I: Invest Time in Reading and Studying Poetry

J: Juxtapose Unexpected Ideas or Images for Added Impact

K: Keep Your Writing Process Flexible

L: Let Your Emotions and Experiences Inspire Your Writing

M: Master the Art of Enjambment To Create Rhythm and Flow

N: Never Settle For Your First Draft – Always Revise and Improve

O: Observe the World Around You and Use Sensory Details To Bring It to Life in Your Poems

P: Play With Sound and Alliteration To Create Music in Your Poetry

Q: Question Everything – Don’t Be Afraid To Challenge Conventions

R: Read Your Poem Aloud

S: Show, Don’t Tell

T: Trust Your Instincts

U: Use Repetition for Emphasis

V: Visualize Your Poems

W: Write From Different Perspectives To Add Depth and Complexity

X: eXperiment With Punctuation To Create New Effects and Rhythms

Y: Yearn for Authenticity

Z: Zero in on the Details-Focus on the Small Moments That Make up a Larger Experience

I will be consciously keeping the content of these posts bite-sized so that you don’t find it overwhelming and help you make progress, one step at a step. Hope you find the posts useful, no matter wherever you are in your poetry writing journey. To make sure not to miss any of my posts, subscribe to my newsletter by filling out the form below:

This post is a part of the #BlogchatterA2Z 2023 challenge.

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Sleepytime Tales with Coco Comma- Book Review

Sleepytime Tales with Coco Comma-Book Review

Book details

Title: Sleepytime Tales with Coco Comma

Author: Sonia Mehta

Illustrator: Sunayana Nair

Cover Design: Quadrum

Genre: Fiction

Recommended Age: 5+

Type: Paperback

Page Count: 78

Price: ₹250

Blurb

Coco Comma is an English language ace. She keeps interrupting and correcting the townsfolk’s English, annoying everyone. With her nose buried deep in a book, she often walks into objects and bangs into people and furniture. Along with her best friend Sunny, Coco creates ridiculous rhymes, alliterates impossible sentences, uses hilarious idioms, and even encounters a magical alphabet tree!

Book Review

We received this book as part of the Blogchatter’s Book Review Program and my 10-year-old just dived into the book and finished it in a matter of minutes. Here’s what my 10-year-old had to say about the book:

This delightful book follows the adventures of a young girl named Coco Comma, who shares my love for reading! While I am a fast reader, Coco is more interested in speaking proper English and correcting those who don’t. She’s confident in her abilities and considers herself the town’s English expert. However, her love for books sometimes causes her to bump into things and people.

This book is comprised of four engaging stories that explore the use of rhyming words, alliterations, and idioms. Each story presents these language tools in an entertaining and accessible way, making it easy for readers to learn and understand them.

The stories in this book take place in a charming town filled with unique characters such as the comical twins Tilly and Trixie, the quirky Mr Tuktuk, and the funny Mrs Tippytoe. The names of these characters are just as amusing as their personalities, making the book a joy to read.

Coco’s loyal best friend, Sunny, stands out in the book as he is always there to support Coco. My favourite part of the book is when Coco and Sunny catch a rhyming bug, and they spread the fun and excitement to everyone they meet.  It’s a fun and engaging read that I’m sure many young readers will enjoy.

The book’s illustrations, done by Sunayana Nair, are vivid, colourful, and comical, bringing the characters and town to life. The expressive illustrations perfectly capture the unique personalities of each character, and I especially loved the cleverly crafted facial expressions. Overall, the illustrations added an extra layer of enjoyment to an already delightful book.

In my opinion, this book is very relatable, especially for bookworms like myself. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good story and wants to learn more about the importance of proper language usage, rhyming words, alliterations and idioms with a dose of fun.

Here are a few points from my side:

  • This book brilliantly blends bewitching tales and beneficial knowledge, making it a beguiling read for budding brains.
  • The stories tenderly touch upon timeless truths without being tiresome or trite.
  • The author’s clever wordplay captivates children and doesn’t miss a beat.
  • The colourful illustrations are a cornucopia of creativity for curious kids.
  • The typesetting is top-notch and tailored to tiny tots taking their first steps in reading.

Did you notice what just happened? The book’s essence has rubbed off on my writing as well!

Wrap up words

Overall, this book strikes the perfect balance between entertainment and education. It would make a great addition to any language teacher’s suggested reading list, particularly for introducing children to idioms, alliteration, and rhyming words.

If there’s one suggestion I could make, it would be to lower the price of this 78-page illustrated chapter book, or offer it at a discounted rate for libraries and schools, so that more children can access this wonderful book.

Buy here

“This review is powered by Blogchatter’s Book Review Program

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This Kind Of Child: The ‘Disability’ Story- Book Review

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Book details

Title: This Kind Of Child: The ‘Disability’ Story

Author: K. Srilata

Genre: Non-fiction

Publisher: Westland Publications

Blurb

‘I am the mother of a child who did not fit the school system, a child who was disabled by it. She was a child who made “errors”, “mistakes” that the school system was unforgiving of. We were told by the principal of an alternative school that they could not possibly admit “this kind of child”. My daughter went from being a child to “this kind of child” in that one moment.’

When she started working on the book, it was Srilata’s daughter who was its protagonist. But soon, she realised that there was no way she could stop with her daughter’s story. With each step ahead (or back), she became acutely aware of the larger story of the things we frame as ‘disability’.

‘I have learnt that disability is profoundly political, that it is heartbreakingly social.’

In This Kind of Child Srilata brings together first-person accounts, interviews and short fiction which open up for us the experiential worlds of persons with disabilities and those who love them. The book offers a multi-perspectival understanding of the disability experience its emotional as well as imagined truth, both to the disabled themselves as well as to those closely associated with them.

‘1 have learnt that stories are always bigger than they seem at first—bigger, wider and deeper.’

At the heart of this book is inter-being and the question: What does it mean to love and accept yourself or someone else fully?

Book Review

“This Kind of Child: The ‘Disability’ Story” by K. Srilata is a book that weaves together various perspectives on the disability experience through the voices of individuals with disabilities, their caregivers, families, and institutions that work with people with disabilities. The format of the book is fluid, incorporating first-person accounts, interviews, and short stories, which aptly capture the diversity of the disability narrative that cannot be summarized by a “one size fits all” approach.

As I began reading this book, I was immediately impressed by the author’s conscious decision to include a “note on terms used” that highlights their preference for people-first language. This gave me confidence in the book’s authenticity. As I continued to the Preface, I empathised with the author. A few pages into the narrative, I, as someone living with an autoimmune condition, felt truly seen when the author mentioned the invisible disability that often comes with chronic illnesses. I couldn’t agree more with the author’s assertion that self-representation is crucial to shaping the disability narrative.

The book initially began as a manuscript that focused on capturing the learning difficulties of Srilata’s daughter, who was rejected by a school due to the lack of provisions for “this kind of child.” However, the book organically evolved into a format that incorporates multiple perspectives and facets of the disability story, making it a comprehensive and inclusive representation.

The book is divided into 7 sections, each of which reflects on various aspects of the disability experience. The first section discusses how schools and colleges often disable our youth, while the second highlights the need to move away from the “charity” model towards recognizing disability as a legitimate right. The third section explores the concept of “seeing” and what sighted individuals may overlook, while the fourth section delves into the often-invisible care work associated with disability and its gendered nature. The fifth section features narratives from siblings of individuals with disabilities, providing an additional perspective. The sixth section focuses on creating roadmaps and spaces for individuals with a disability, and the final section includes interleaved stories, all of which come together to provide a 360-degree view of the disability narrative.

Wrap up words

Whether it’s Srilata’s personal experiences as a caregiver, her daughter’s story in her own words, or the other first-person narratives and interviews featured in the book, each one allows the reader to see the disability experience through an empathetic lens, helping us to be less judgemental. Through these narratives, the book allows us to unlearn any preconceived notions we may have had and teaches us to approach disability and individuals with disabilities with an open, non-judgmental attitude. This ability to foster greater understanding and empathy is the true victory of this book.

Also, the beauty of the book lies in its open-ended stories, which serve as a metaphor for the possibility of change and growth over time, both as individuals and as a community. ‘This kind of child’ is certain to be an important part of history and has the potential to create history by initiating larger, kinder, and more inclusive conversations about the disability experience.

Whether abled or disabled, Srilata’s writing leaves readers with a compelling question to contemplate: what does it truly mean to live in our bodies and minds, and to navigate the world?

Buy here

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HAPPIMESS-BOOK REVIEW

A collection of Tickling Humour and Prickling Satire

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Book Details

Title: Happimess

Author: Biswajit Banerji

Cover Design: The Book Bakers

Genre: Humour

Type: Paperback

Page Count: 151

Price: ₹299

Blurb

Happimess is a collection of naughty stories that make us laugh while constantly poking fun at social peculiarities. Narrated mostly in the first person, the stories center around everyday situations that get oddly tangled up.

Once frantic efforts are made to wriggle out, things only get more messy. Flippant and irreverent, the net of satire is cast wide, spanning conspiring home-appliances, outlandish diseases, nosy insurance agents, die-hard hagglers, a botched farewell speech and the like.

It is the constant undercurrent of funny disorderliness that serves to spice-up and unite the stories.

Book Review

Warning: This book may cause laughter, which may be disruptive in certain public places such as hospitals, public meetings, prayer halls, etc. Please consider reading in a more appropriate setting to avoid causing discomfort to those around you. As a personal anecdote, I read this book in a hospital and my uncontrollable laughter garnered some disapproving looks.

Happimess is a collection of humorous short stories drawn from familiar everyday life anecdotes. What makes these stories so appealing is their relatability and the sardonic tone of the author, capturing experiences that we all share but often don’t express.

The author, Biswajit Banerji’s wit is evident from the Dedication and Introduction all the way to the Author’s Bio at the end.

“What’s remarkable about Happimess is how the stories take experiences that we might find irritating or frustrating and turn them into the lifeline of the book. From electrical appliances going haywire to haggling gone wrong, or pestering insurance agents or pesky neighbours, we’ve all experienced these things. However, the author’s exaggerated expressions brimming with satire and humour will make us take these experiences in a lighter vein next time, finding amusement in what once caused us annoyance.”

The narrative is in the first person, and the character sketches are spot on, reminding us of someone from our own circle. In addition, the author presents some brilliant ideas for common problems, such as the ‘Marriage Tolerance Test’ or the trick of inflicting insult without injury that the author learned from a friend and generously shares with us.

One story in particular that is sure to crack you up is the ‘Haggler’s Manual,’ which is full of typos. (Note: If you’re not familiar with the term ‘haggling,’ it means bargaining, which is something we, as Indians, are experts at.) Here’s a sample:”

  • Haggling is the king of fart-forms that ultimately leaves no bad taste in the behind, both for the buyers as well as the sellers. Price negotiations continue till both parties are mutually frustrated and one of them passes out to seal the deal.
  • Hagglers must leave their shelf-respect and pride outside when they enter any shop for haggling. Only then can they come out victoriass with smiling faeces and be successpool.

Overall, this debut book of the author Biswajit Banerji delivers the promised laughter, though, in some places, the writing can feel a little verbose. However, the exaggerations make up for it, and it’s definitely a worthwhile read.

I highly recommend this book for an effective dose of laughter, making it an ideal travel companion.

P.S. Meanwhile, I am just trying to unsee/unread the following lines from the book, especially the last verse that takes its inspiration from one of my favourite poems, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost.

The lines from the book:

Mr. Rao is pained by the general apathy to haggling. But he is not one to give up easily and further reiterates in a handout, “A true haggler never throws in his bowel and he has promises to keep and piles to go before he slips.”

Buy here

“This review is powered by Blogchatter’s Book Review Program

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Thou Art Love- A Poem

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I sought love, I believed
& you happened to me
I brimmed with love, I believed
& you happened to me
I was deserted by love, I believed
& you happened to me
I was out of love, I believed,
& you happened to me
I was in & out of love, I believed
& you happened to me
I believed in the transient tales of love
that tricked me to believe love 
to be a guest at my door
welcomed and discarded at will
That love can happen
& unhappen
That love can be felt
& unfelt
That love can be confined
& unconfined
I believed in the transient tales of love
& you happened to me
only to realize the promise
of an eternal embrace by Thou-
love that’s transcendent...
Thou art love!
22910cookie-checkThou Art Love- A Poem

எங்கு எழுகிறது காதல்- ஓர் கவிதை

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எங்கு எழுகிறது காதல்?

புல்  நுனி பனித்துளிகள் படும் 
பட்டு பாதங்களிலா ?

தொட்டும் தொடாமலும் 
பட்டும் படாமலும் 
தென்றல் முத்தமிட்டுச்செல்லும் 
மலர் மேனியிலா ?

கார்மேகமும் கதிரவனும் ஆடும் 
கண்ணாம்பூச்சி  ஆட்டத்தை 
காணும் கண்களிலா ?

ருதுவான அன்பின் மொழி 
அமைதியின்  அரவணைப்பில் 
ரீங்காரமாய் ஒலிக்கும் செவிகளிலா ?

முத்தமிட்டு ஒப்பந்தம் செய்த 
விண்ணுக்கும் -மண்ணுக்குமான 
காதலை மண்வாசனையில் 
நுகரும் நாசிகளிலா ?

உன்னோடு உறவாடும் வேளையில் 
நேசக்கடல் நீர்வீழ்ச்சியாய் எழும் 
நெஞ்ச குழியிலா? 

தென்றலிலா?
தொடுதலிலா ?

காற்றிலா?
காரணத்திலா ?

உறவிலா?
ஊடலிலா ?

மயக்கத்திலா ?
மதியிலா ?

மௌனத்திலா?
மரணத்திலா ?

உன்னிலா?
 என்னிலா?

எங்கு எழுகிறது காதல்?
தெரிந்தால் எனக்குச் சொல் 

எங்கிருந்து எழுகிறதோ 
கட்டுக்கடங்காத காதல் 
அங்கேயே  நான் 
உடன் கட்டை ஏறிவிடுவேன் 

எங்கு எழுகிறது காதல்?
தெரிந்தால் எனக்குச் சொல்!
22850cookie-checkஎங்கு எழுகிறது காதல்- ஓர் கவிதை

காதலின் ஏக்கம்- ஹைக்கூ கவிதை

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காதலின் ஏக்கம்

காதலில் விளையும் 
காத்திருப்புகளுக்கு 
கானல் நீரும் காகிதமாகிறது
22260cookie-checkகாதலின் ஏக்கம்- ஹைக்கூ கவிதை

Goodbyes Can Be Hellos Too- A Poem

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In the hidden depths of the womb's cocoon,
A soft bundle of pink begins to bloom,
Nurtured in darkness, yet longing for light,
Crying for that first breath, held close to mother's sight.

An uninvited intruder, a pearl in a shell,
Nourished in confinement, in solitude to dwell,
Emerging polished, shining with glee,
A treasure for all, in a jeweller's gallery to be.

A wanderer caterpillar, seeking to transform,
Digesting self, in a cocoon it will conform,
Hanging upside down, a colourful shroud,
Emerging winged, a bewitching butterfly, proud.

Uncertain of a start anew,
Journey of transformation, through and through
A fresh avenue, sought out by few,
For goodbyes can be hellos too.
22420cookie-checkGoodbyes Can Be Hellos Too- A Poem

Redemption by the Coast- A love poem

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Redemption by the Coast- A love poem

Being a single mother by the day, 
A stripper by night, with no other way, 
My life felt mechanical and cold, 
With no room to let my emotions unfold.

The ticking of the clock kept me on track, 
But my heart's song I failed to keep in track. 
The stripping tore me apart every day, 
I felt like a machine with nothing to say.

Then came a man who proved me wrong, 
Listening to my stories all along. 
He didn't care about my past or my tears, 
Only that he could father my little dear.

He held my hand firmly but with a gentle touch, 
Making me feel like I deserved love this much.
 For once, my heart sang a different tune, 
And I forgot the tick-tock rhythm so soon.

We walked along the coast, away from the night, 
And for the first time, everything felt just right. 
Behind a wrecked catamaran, we took our rest, 
My skin felt his touch, and my heart felt blessed.

My eyes sparkled with tears of pure joy, 
As I looked into his eyes, like a starry sky.
 I wanted to whisper a secret to his lips, 
To let him know of my passionate grips.

As the wind blew against his face,
 I yearned for his kisses, with an intense pace. 
And when I looked at him again, 
His lips were tinted with fuchsia, like mine then.

22390cookie-checkRedemption by the Coast- A love poem