I have been writing my novel for a loooong time now, since the past 4 years. And I'm still on the second chapter. Don't get me wrong though, I was almost in the final quarter of the novel before I decided that the whole story was crap and tore the damn thing up. It wasn't anything new, or i the least bit interesting. I am re-writing the whole book now, with a completely new snappy storyline.

I keep looking at photos - of celebrities, movie stars, sports personalities, and also normal, everyday people like me and you. It has become somewhat of an obsession - Why? No, I'm not a voyeur. Because I eventually take inspiration for the physical characteristics of my Novel's characters from the people in those photos. That said, I was looking for such an inspiration for one of my principal characters when I came across this:

All rights for the above photos belong to Ms.Sharanya Rao.
You can view Ms.Sharanya Rao's photography on her flickr photostream,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/enamor/

I couldn't believe it, this woman was perfect for my character, Ramya. In fact, the woman in the above photos is a better fit than I ever imagined. Ramya, the character in question is a headstrong, confident woman in the murky waters of Indian Politics, yet a relative newcomer. She has a very innocent face and demeanor, but possesses a razor sharp, cunning mind and isn't averse to use people and situations to her advantage in whatever way she sees fit. And yeah, she has a not-so-pleasant past (this makes a character much more interesting, don't you think? Ah! the things you can subject the character to...).

yours truly, RA

I never thought it would end this way,
All said and done, I have nothing to say.
The one thing I fear is a part of me,
A part long forgotten, a part none should see.

You were taken away from me,
That is the truth, the one that is known.
But something hid inside, soon to unveil,
Now that I am here, at last, all alone.

yours truly, The RA

This a strange feeling,
One that I've never felt before.
I like it though, since
It fills mine heart with a warm glow.

All these days, all this time,
Just a friend, I thought you were.
But now I know, now I am sure,
I need your smile, I need your care.

Even when we meet, at any place,
You've known that, many a time,
But I did deny it then, that
Seeing you always made my heart chime.

I do not know where this will lead,
All the same, I don't give a damn.
When you get these lines over with, just know
In a storm of emotions, you are my calm.
________________________________

I wrote this short ode a while back, in college. I used to have an overpowering desire for a girl in my class. This poem was penned after a major hormonal load shedding.

yours truly, The RA

What is it with which you are made ?
That exists to this day and age.
'Tis true women are tender and full of love,
Yet a hand of steel in a velvet glove.

yours truly, The RA

Wherever you are, whatever you do,
You have just one thing to do.
Make it happen, make it a fact,
Yes that is it, make an Impact.

yours truly, The RA