Poet, Author, Editor, Creative Writing Consultant

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Another recommendation: Gargi Mehra writes


Thanks very much to Abha for reviewing and providing quick and quality feedback on my flash fiction stories. Abha pointed out exactly where the stories were not working and gave detailed suggestions as well as line edits. I’m very pleased to see the improvements in both pieces and I’m excited to send them out after working on the given comments.
Warm Regards,
Gargi Mehra

Sunday, August 4, 2019

Another Endorsement

Vrinda Baliga, author of the short-story collection 'Name, Place, Animal, Thing' (2017), writes of my recent editing of her stories:
"Abha edited my short stories with a keen eye for detail, and I am very happy with the results. She is prompt and professional, and a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend her services."
Thanks so much, Vrinda, for your endorsement.

Friday, June 28, 2019

More Praise for my Editing

Dr. Ameya Bodre, Head, Clinical R&D, SINE lab, IIT-Mumbai writes:


'I got an opportunity to share one of the stories of my debut collection with Abha and I am more than happy with her edits. I think this story was a bit different from the others I'd written, and I felt I experimented with the style and narrative. She provided useful feedback without outrightly asking me to make any major structural changes. She didn't remove any chunk of text but finely edited it to retain its essence and yet sound crisp and effective. She introduced important transitions in the plot that changed my reading experience of this story. I would surely recommend her edits for all budding and established short story and fiction writers!'

Monday, June 17, 2019

TEA WITHOUT SUGAR by Anonymous



These days I take my tea without sugar,
And I like the music turned down low.
I have less appetite for small talk, 

And I like books that are short but truthful. 
I love you but I don’t want to own you. 
When you’re gone, I will miss you
But not too much; I have my writing. 
I start shows on Netflix and abandon them. 
I look up at the sky and am transfixed. 
I look also at the banyan tree’s roots 
On some nights while going home; 
The roots hanging long and still, 
Like a sleeping woman’s hair 
Hanging off of the edge of the bed. 
I have less and less to say to people. 
I tune into silence with alacrity, 
Like it’s a preferred radio station. 
I am casting off old darlings 
One by one; sugar, sound, drama. 
“Well, dear, life is a casting off. 
It was always that way.” 
I remember those lines 
From an Arthur Miller play. 
Am I getting older and wiser, 
Or merely older and colder? 
How to be sure? 
Maybe I don’t want to be sure;
I’ll cast off that darling too; 
The need to feel sure.
What was that?
Do I need anything?
No, my dear.
Well, maybe a cup of tea,
If you’re having some too.
Warm, not piping hot.
And no sugar.


Sunday, May 26, 2019

Further Praise for My Editing Skills


Ma'am,

            You were referred to me by a common friend of ours who gave very good review about your style of working and editing. So I decided to avail your services and true to the review I got about you I too had a wonderful experience working under your guidance. Your schedule for editing was very time bound. The clarification asked for was duly addressed and the editing of the novel was good. Moreover I got to learn quite a few things about presentation, Grammar, structuring of sentences and paragraphs. Thank you ma'am for all your patient help and guidance and all the insight into editing. It was a wonderful learning experience for me. I admire your professional and friendly approach to work. I hope I get an opportunity to work under your guidance in near future again.

Piyush Rohankar