Sorry, I'm a terrible juggler

I wish I was good at juggling, but I'm not. I'm terrible at it. No, I don't mean juggling balls or other objects (though I'm terrible at that, too) -- I mean juggling tasks. I don't know what it is about me, but I just can't seem to easily switch from one task to another. That's why this blog has been dormant for the last few weeks; that's why I didn't produce any columns in that period; and that's why I have to apologize to all of you.

What was I doing? Putting the finishing touches to a humorous novel (tentative title: "Bala takes the plunge") that I hope will get published in 2010. The novel is under consideration by a publisher in India. I hope to have it published there first, then in North America and elsewhere. We'll see how it goes, but the important thing is, I've finally completed the novel (I started it in 2005 but let it sit for long periods) and am pretty happy with it, though after reading it hundreds of times, I'm also pretty sick of it.

What's the book about? Well, the main character is a guy named Bala from Chennai who becomes an engineer, though his dream is to direct Tamil  movies and work with his favorite actor, Rajnikanth. He lands a job in America, working for a company that makes exercise machines, and, with his 30th birthday fast approaching, begins searching for a bride, a journey that eventually puts him in position to achieve his dream. Most of the material in the book is new, though I've also incorporated humor from some of my columns.

I got so obsessed with the book over the last few weeks that I didn't have the interest or mental energy to blog or write columns. I hope to make up for it over the next month.

I really wish I could be a better juggler. Then perhaps I wouldn't feel like such a clown.

Comments

[viswapraneet]

That's great Melvin!

Good Luck with the book.Will definitely buy a copy once it hits the stands. Am not saying it bcos its a nice thing to say. Its bcos I like your style of writing.
Its simple & unassuming, which is v.very rare. And very funny. I am a regular at your site here & frankly I feel you have been entertaining us with your witty columns for free for toooo long :-D (but oh pls don't stop)

So here's a big cheer for Melvin & his 'plunge' (pun very much intended) into the world of books & publishing.

Good Luck & God bless.
-viswa

[Vaidy Subbaraman]

Gald to read your post after a break! All the best on your book. I know you must have put in a lot of hard work and wish you all the rewards for it.
Vaidy

[Melvin]

Loved the pun, Viswa. It's definitely a "plunge" for me.

Thanks, Vaidy. I hope the book does well, but whatever happens, I'm going to work on more books. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time, but was never quite ready. Now I finally feel that I am.

[Di]

Finally a post! It was getting to be redundant - me searching your blog for a new post only to find the same picture of Obama in baseball gear.

Great to hear about your book. Going by the story outline, I can already imagine it being turned into a Tamil movie- and remade into a Bollywood masala movie! All the best for the release.

[Legal Alien]

Look forward to reading your book... and more posts.

[Melvin]

Sorry, Di, you must have been pretty tired of seeing the Obama pic. Next time I take a break, I'll do it after a post about Shahrukh!

Thanks, Legal Alien. I hope my book will be available in Australia! I'll try not to be too envious of the great weather there (it's almost winter here).

[jigruksh]

Melvin, welcome back to blogging! and thanks for satisfying my eagerness to see what was happening at your end that you were not posting anything of late. Health care, cash for clinkers, and a few silly things crossed my mind, but juggling was the least of it...

now that you have written your book, my best wishes to you, and since you love the pun, here is something i had written a year back or so, on being a best selling author... not that you need any idea, but.. http://bit.ly/Z42h7

[sajanmani]

Wishign you all the best on your new book, and looking forward eagerly to read it.

[Prathi]

Hi Melvin,

Wish you all the very best for your book. I will definitely get a copy since I like your style of writing. Why release it in India first and not the country of your residence? Just curious!