How is it that I'm busier than ever?
I used to work 60+ hours at a day job, then write, market, read. But without my day job, I'm...busier??
It’s week three of full time writing, and WOW have I learned a lot. First of all, where has the time gone? Check out what I’ve accomplished!
I finished the first draft of TASTES LIKE SHAKKAR, the second book in my Shakespeare auntie series. (Cover reveal coming soon!)
I finished last pass pages for THE KARMA MAP, my next YA coming out on March 1, 2023. (Pre-order link)
I started a YouTube channel to hold myself accountable.
I began writing my holiday novella in The Singh Family trilogy world. (Cover reveal coming soon!)
I started my semester as a faculty advisor to four amazing students at Wilkes University in the graduate creative writing program.
I feel like my to-do list has been out of this world, but at the same time, I’m really grateful for all of the opportunities that have come my way.
The next three months are going to be ridiculous because I’m traveling to a bunch of places (and I’m going to try to vlog my journey because I like working with cameras and I want to practice that skill). I also have 2 novellas due, and I have to start on my paranormal fantasy YA novel ILLUSIONS OF FIRE.
So how can all of you get on the early access train? Well, I have a premium SubStack subscription plan now where I’ll post special stuff in advance of its release, along with snippets from future projects and scenes revisiting old characters. (I’ll be continuing my Taylor Swift inspired story I started a couple months ago over on the premium channel) You’ll still get a lot of value here too, but the premium SubStack subscription is for readers who want some extra juice. This winter, it will include lifestyle content as well including my Diwali and Thanksgiving dinner menus, my vacation packing lists, and my annual career planning process.
My website is getting a refresh, too! I’ve had the same design thanks to Biondo Studio since 2014, and it’s time to upgrade my author brand beyond MY SO-CALLED BOLLYWOOD LIFE. 2023 will mark the five year anniversary since my debut, and I’m ready for a change. Biondo will be rolling it out for me to share with all of you before the holidays.
Don’t worry, though: my old website will still be live while we’re working on the refresh. In fact, you should check out this event that’s happening in a few weeks. I included the information on my site, but here is the registration link.
Okay, so it hasn’t been all work and no play. If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I’ve tried to take some time to explore Philadelphia, and enjoy the last vestiges of summer with my spouse and dogs. I live in Bucks County which has some of the worst book banning in the country, so I’ve also started to use my library regularly to support their efforts in fighting back. I talk about the books that I’ve checked out here.
That’s a LOT right!? I mean, it feels like a lot. But also, I feel more creative and fulfilled than I have in years, so it’s a lot of a good thing. To celebrate week 3, and in honor of completing TASTES LIKE SHAKKAR, here is a snippet from the draft of the book. I can’t promise this will make it into the final version of the novel since the story hasn’t been edited yet, but hopefully, it gives you a TASTE of what’s to come.
Thanks, besties for hanging for following along!
TASTES LIKE SHAKKAR (DRAFT) © Nisha Sharma
BUNTY: The venue chef called me directly. Apparently, we have a mutual connection.
BOBBI: What did he say?
BUNTY: They liked some of our meal substitutions from their regular menu. But they want us to come in, walk them through my ideas before Prem and Kareena do the taste testing.
BOBBI: That’s extremely unusual.
BUNTY: I have a reputation. They probably want to impress me.
BOBBI: Gross, Bunty. Your ego is suffocating. Fine. Just tell me the date and time. I’ll squeeze it in.
BUNTY: We should probably go over some of the ideas again. Try them out for ourselves. Right now, they are just suggested notes. I’d like to be able to provide direction.
BOBBI: Is this all really necessary?
BUNTY: I can’t believe you asked me that question.
BOBBI: Fine. You’ll have to figure out what works and what doesn’t on your own. I don’t know how to cook. Let me know if you make any changes to the menu.
Seconds after she sent the last text message her phone vibrated in her hand. Bunty’s name flashed across the screen. What in the world?
She hesitated for a moment before answering. “Yes?”
There was a roar of noise in the background. The sound of a honking car. “What do you mean you don’t know how to cook?”
“Do I need to say it in Punjabi,” she replied.