Epics of India

More advice to writers! I really love this website and all their quotes. Give Them What They're not Expecting "The advice wasn’t to me personally, but I recall hearing Jay-Z say something along the lines of, don’t give people what they want, give them what they’re not expecting. It’s what I’ve always believed and it’s powerful to have your philosophy endorsed. I never want to deliver a novel that I think people are expecting, I love the challenge of creating something unique and surprising. It’s so important to write with freedom." - CECELIA AHERN I think this is an important milestone in writing - the ability to subvert expectations. It's why some of the most beloved stories of all time are beloved. Yes, they are well-written, but they're also unique from their generic contemporaries. Who doesn't love a good plot twist? Or a story that causes you to go back and read it again and again to pick up the clues that were there the whole time? If the reader...

Notes taken from " The Iliad of the East " by Frederika Richardson. How Valmiki Received the Gift of Poesy I always wondered why Valmiki was credited with writing the Ramayana, and I'm glad someone was able to provide a bit of background. Valmiki decided to leave society and go into isolation in the forest, not because of dissatisfaction, but to obtain an unbiased, clear vision. It reminds me of the Biblical stories of Jesus, where when he was surrounded by the crowds, would always withdraw from the crowds to spend time with the Father and pray. While in isolation, he contemplates the state of man; specifically, on if there's anyone who displays an unblemished virtue of heroism that will elevate mankind. Narada, the messenger of the gods appears and joins the discussion, and tests him a bit, trying to cause him to doubt mankind but Valmiki remains resolute (yet meek) in his belief. So Narada reveals that there is in fact a human that exists such as this - Rama, s...