Crafting Poetry One Syllable at a Time
Posted on October 25, 2018 by Colleen M. Chesebro
Hello everyone! This week I’m thrilled to bring you one of my most favorite people in the blogging world, Ritu Bhathal. Not only is she a successful blogger, but she is also an author and a poet… and that doesn’t include all the other jobs she has. I asked her to pick three or four questions from my huge list HERE. We all aspire to be successful authors and the best way to learn some of the tricks of the trade is to ask questions.
I met Ritu shortly after I started blogging in 2014. I can’t tell you how many times our paths have crossed over the years as we participated in poetry and writing challenges. If I don’t know how to do something concerning social media, Ritu is there to show me how. And that illustrates the kind of person that Ritu is. She’s always there to lend a helping hand.
In fact, last year, Ritu didn’t miss a week in writing a poem for my weekly poetry challenge. That’s pretty impressive in my book. ❤
Please meet my dear friend, Ritu Bhathal:
Author & Poet, Ritu Bhathal
Ritu Bhathal was born in Birmingham in the mid-1970’s to migrant parents, hailing from Kenya but with Indian origin. This colourful background has been a constant source of inspiration to her.
From childhood, she always enjoyed reading. This love of books is mostly credited to her mother. The joy of reading spurred her on to become creative in her own writing, from fiction to poetry. Winning little writing competitions at school and locally gave her the encouragement to continue writing.
As a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and teacher, she has drawn on inspiration from many avenues to create the poems that she writes. A qualified teacher, having studied at Kingston University, she now deals with classes of children as a sideline to her writing!
Ritu also writes a blog, a mixture of life and creativity, thoughts and opinions, which was awarded first place in the Best Overall Blog Category at the 2017 Annual Bloggers Bash Awards.
Ritu is happily married, and living in Kent, with her Hubby Dearest, and two children, not forgetting the furbaby Sonu Singh.
Having published an anthology of poetry, Poetic RITUals, she is currently working on some short stories, and a novel, to be published in the near future.
Hi, Colleen. Thanks so much for this interview. I’m happy to be here with you.
Ideas are aplenty in my brain! But I have one fully written, unedited manuscript, which took me 17 years to write! There is one other series I wrote on my blog, which came to a natural end, that I think could be worked upon to create something too.
I also started another piece, which I think will be a good start for another contemporary fiction piece. Though I know many are aware of my love of poetry, and my anthology, I have also written children’s rhyming fiction. I have one versed story complete and two others that need finishing… oh, to have an illustrator!!!
What inspires me to write, both blog posts and creatively is life. I always jokingly call life, and all experiences within it ‘Blogger Fodder’ but it’s not just a base for a post, but it’s also a great resource to pull from when writing fiction and poetry. Usually, the season we are in will inspire my verses, and the general mood around me will influence the direction of my fictional writing. I feel that we are so lucky to have this opportunity called life, that to use all the gifts it bestows upon us, to create engaging literature, is gratitude.
I do indeed have a day job (besides writing, mothering, and wife-ing) and that is being a teacher. I wanted to teach from a very young age, seven to be precise, and it gave me great pleasure to finally get into a classroom I could call my own!
The life of a teacher is tough, with high expectations put upon us all, causing many to leave the profession. So far, I have taken the challenges on the head; teaching is all-consuming, and during the term, I often suffer from extreme tiredness, (mentally and physically) so this does impact my creativity.
But I love being a teacher. To be the one to influence all those young minds, and help to build a foundation for what I always hope will be a lifelong love for learning, that’s what it is all about. The day it becomes too much, I will step back, or if my second dream of writing was to flourish, then I would maybe stop, but right now, I couldn’t, financially, and to be honest, I don’t want to!
I’ve read and reviewed Ritu’s book, “Poetic Rituals,” whose name is a clever play on words with her first name. Read my review HERE.
Website: http://www.butismileanyway.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhantomGiggler
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phantom_giggler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/butismileanyway/
Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/bhathalpadhaal/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/56854412-ritu-bhathal
Flipboard: https://flipboard.com/@Phantom_Giggler
Mix: https://mix.com/butismileanyway
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/ritusmiles
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritu-bhathal-48941648/
Bloglovin: https://www.bloglovin.com/@ritubhathalpadhaal
And by clicking the following link, you get to my author profile on Amazon, where you can find the link to my poetry book, Poetic RITUals.
Thanks for stopping by to meet Ritu Bhathal. Check out her book. I loved it. ❤
Category: author interviewsTags: #poetry, Author Interviews, blogging, Poetic Rituals, Ritu Bhathal, teaching
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“A good poem is a contribution to reality. The world is never the same once a good poem has been added to it. A good poem helps to change the shape of the universe, helps to extend everyone’s knowledge of himself and the world around him.”
—Dylan Thomas
Click: What is a Rhyme Scheme?
Disclaimer: My book review posts contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I earn a small commission to fund my reading habit if you use the links on my book reviews to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra, and you’ll keep me supplied in books that I can review. It’s a win-win situation for everyone. Thank you.
This website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Colleen M. Chesebro is an American Poet who loves crafting paranormal fantasy and magical realism, cross-genre flash fiction, syllabic poetry, and creative nonfiction. Colleen sponsors a weekly syllabic poetry challenge, called Tanka Tuesday, on wordcraftpoetry.com where participants learn how to write traditional and current forms of haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, gogyohka, tanka prose, renga, solo-renga, haibun, cinquain, Etheree, nonet, and shadorma poetry. Colleen's syllabic poetry has appeared in the Auroras & Blossoms Poetry Journal, and in “Hedgerow, a journal of small poems.” She’s won numerous awards from participating in the Carrot Ranch Rodeo, a yearly flash fiction contest sponsored by carrotranch.com. In 2020, she won first place in the Carrot Ranch Folk Tale or Fable category, with her story called “Why Wolf Howls at the Moon.” Colleen is a Sister of the Fey, where she pursues a pagan path through her writing. When she is not writing, she is reading. She also loves gardening and crocheting old-fashioned doilies into works of art.
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Thank you so much for sharing! 💜
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Thanks for spreading the magic of Ritu. ❤️
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Hugs for sharing. ❤️
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Always love reading about Ritu! She has such a colorful life 💜
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Aw thank you Dorinda! You are too sweet!! 😍
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You’re welcome, my friend 🙂
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😁
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She interesting for sure. I love her because she is always there for everyone. ❤️
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I think she secretly clones herself 😉 ❤
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Shhh! Don’t tell everyone!!!
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LOL! Good possibility! 😀
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Thank you so much for having me over Sis!!! I lived answering your questions!!! 💜💜💜
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It was fun wasn’t it? I love your wedding photo and had to share. You could do an entire post about your wedding customs and dress. Maybe something like that to help promote your new book at some point. 😍❤️
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Oh there is so much to an Indian wedding, it would make for a series of posts!!!
I loved visiting your blog! Thank you for having me 😍
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I thought so. My first serious crush was on an Indian boy in my high school. Sadly, he said we couldn’t date because of our differences. How sad. We had great laughs in the library back then. (I’ve always been a nerd). Many years ago, but I have lovely memories of him and his sister. ❤
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The cultures are so different, yet can marry well, if allowed!!!
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Oh, this was back in the 1970’s and I believe the family was royally connected and had barely escaped with their lives. I’m almost positive the family was from India. I’ve always loved people from all cultures and had a great interest in them. It started that far back! LOL! 😀
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I reckon there’s a story in this recollection 😉
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LOL! I have so many stories. 😀
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Reblogged this on But I Smile Anyway… and commented:
Please pop over to Colleen’s blog where I visited this morning 💜💜💜
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And a grand time we had! ❤️
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A great interview with a wonderful person. That is a fab photo of Ritu and her husband. Her students are so lucky to have her as a teacher and we are lucky to have her as a blogging buddy!
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Aw shucks Darlene! You are too sweet! Thank you for your kind words !
I’m lucky to have all of YOU!!!
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I agree. She is a natural teacher. We’re blessed! ❤️
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Reblogged this on Legends of Windemere.
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Thank you for sharing Charles 💜
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You’re welcome.
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Thanks so much Charles. Lovely of you to share. ❤️
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You’re welcome. Happy to share.
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You’re the best. ❤️
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It’s great to learn more about Ritu, Colleen. What a fabulous job, and I love your wedding picture. You both look amazing!
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Thank.you Olga! 17 years next month!!
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I agree. She is so busy. I don’t know how she does it all. An amazing lady! ❤️
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Lovely to learn more about Ritu and what a beautiful wedding photo! ❤ As an aside, Danielle English did my book illustrations and cover and she's wonderful!
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Ooh! Thanks for that nugget Althea!
And thank you from this blushing not quite a bride anymore but a full on wifey!!!
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You’re welcome 🙂 Here’s Dani’s website just in case http://www.kanizo.co.uk/About.html
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Thank you for that! 😍
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I love that photo too!
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Great interview, ladies. And I love the title of the book. Best wishes!
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Thank you Staci! 😊
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Thanks, Staci. It was great fun. Ritu is so easy to talk with. ❤
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😍
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Thanks again, Staci. I can’t wait for this book! 😀
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Thank you for this lovely and fun feature on my Sister. Love that photo you picked!
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You are so sweet! Thank you Brother 😍
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You’re welcome Sister 😍 you always give me a lift 🙏🏽💜
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😍😍😍
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I second that! ❤
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LOL! I do love that photo, too. You are so welcome. Ritu is a sister to many. We’re blessed to have her. ❤
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And it’s throwback Thursday so it fits today we’ll, lol. She most definitely is and we are ❤️
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LOL! I forgot about Throwback Thursday. That’s perfect. 😀 ❤
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😄😄❤️
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I do love my Blogily 😍
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Hola Ritu, What a fabulous wedding photograph – you’re both such beautiful people!. And so talented too. I think that teaching is a wonderful profession and can understand your passion for writing as I have it too. All good fortune to you. Sincerely Joy x
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Thank you so much for reading and appreciating Joy!!! 😍
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A fantastic interview, Colleen. Ritu your wedding photo is beautiful. xxx
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Aw thank you Adele 💜
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Thanks Adele. ❤
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❤
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I do love that photo, Adele. Hugs for stopping by. ❤
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Always my pleasure, sis. ❤
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Ritu’s photograph is wonderful, she looks so beautiful. I enjoyed the interview ladies.
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Thank you so much Robbie 😍
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Thanks, Robbie. I know… I just had to share that photo. She’s gorgeous! 😀 ❤
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Great to see Ritu here, Colleen.
I heard her speak at the 2018 Blogger Bash, and loved her take on life, and sense of humour. It was also really nice to hear someone say they enjoy teaching, instead of moaning about the difficulties it presents.
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So true, Deborah. Ritu is an inspiration to us all. She is one of those rarities – a born teacher. I’m so glad you enjoyed this interview. I’m booking into February 2019, but you are sure welcome to participate. ❤
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Thanks Colleen – it’s on my ‘to-do’ list!
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Great… I’ll think of some ways to terrorize you too. 😀 ❤
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😀 😀 😀
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Aw shucks sis 💜
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Oh I could moan… And I have on many of my posts! But the essence of teaching, that is what I love, live and breathe 😍
Lovely to connect over here Deborah!
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Haha, I took the easy option – I teach (as a pro sports coach), but only to people who pay for my services, which generally means, they want to be taught!
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I’m currently teaching 3 to 5 year olds!!! 🤪
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Rather you than me!
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🤪🤪🤪
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OMG! I would be insane. I raised five kids and that about did me in! 😀
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I think I’m about their mental age… It helps!!! 🤣🤣
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LOL! That is so cute! 😀
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Lovely interview Ritu and your wedding photo is stunning… looking forward to seeing some of your other projects when you have time.. not sure where you will find it.. hugs ♥
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Hugs to you, Sally. ❤
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Thank you Sally… I’ll get there, one day lol! 💜
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Pingback: Smorgasbord Blogger Daily – Thursday October 25th, 2018 – Carol Taylor #Foodwaste, Colleen Chesebro with Ritu Bhathal, and Mary Smith #Poem | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
Wonderful review! Great questions and answers and I loved the wedding photo! Wishing you all the best, Ritu! Thanks for hosting this lovely interview, Colleen! ❤ xx
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You’re welcome, Vashti. Ritu is such a dear. We are blessed to have her company. ❤
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I agree. 🙂
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Thank you Vashti 💜
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You’re welcome. 🙂
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Ritu is truly a light in this blogosphere and her versatility and energy are breathtaking.
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I’ll say. I met the two of you about the same time. I could say the same about you, Erika. ❤
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Awh, that is a huge compliment since I appreciate my blog sister and you very much. Thank you, Colleen. We are are all soul mates, aren’t we?
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Definitely… and its amazing how we find each other. ❤
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🤗🤗🤗
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Aw sis 😍😍😍 twin spirits 😍😍😍
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Absolutely 👭
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Ritu! you are a true inspiration to ALL of us! Keep up the writing and sharing. Your Spirit shines in all you do and it is most appreciated.
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Aw sis thank you so much 😍😍😍😍
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It’s lovely to learn more about Ritu. I will definitely be checking her anthology out.😊
Ps….really clever play with words there!
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Thank you Aweni! I hope you enjoy it! 😍
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I loved the play on words, Aweni. So, Ritu! ❤
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Thanks for sharing. ❤
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Always my pleasure sharing great works with followers!
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🧡🎃🧡
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Thank you for sharing!!!!
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Love it! Great piece of art too.In need of an illustrator? Maybe you will head over to Rob (robertmgoldstein.com). Best wishes for the weekend. Michael
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Thanks, Michael. That’s a great idea. ❤
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My pleasure, Colleen! ❤ Rob is wonderful!
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Great idea! Thanks. 😀
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🙂 I remembered also Josephine at lemanshots.wordpress.com. I hope sometimes to be able making a “branch list”.
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Thanks Michael! I know Rob! Who knows… if that piece ever shows the light of day,I may indeed to that!!
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My pleasure! Do it! Publish it! You can also head over to Josephine (http://lemanshots.wordpress.com/) She is also in illustrations (i think).
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Wonderful! Thank you xx
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:-))
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“Blogger Fodder.” I like that. So nice to learn more about Ritu and her writing and her love of teaching. The wedding photo is gorgeous! And I loved Poetic Rituals. It was a wonderful read. Thanks, Colleen, for sharing more about this amazing blogger. 🙂
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You are very welcome. I love Ritu’s poetry too. She touches many hearts. ❤
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Thanks Sis 😍
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Thank you so much for your kind words Diana 💜💜
I do love how life is full of Blogger Fodder 😍
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Excellent interview, Colleen! I dearly love Ritu. She is one of the best. 🙂
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Thank you so much Jennie 💜
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You’re welcome, Norah. ❤️
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I’ll be Norah if you want 😜
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Haha! I do that sometimes with my favorite bloggers. 😉
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Omg such an amazing person you deserve this amazing response 💜💜💜💜
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Aw Sis! Thanks 💜💜💜
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Bless 💜💜💜
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Willow, you are a darling! 🎃🧡🎃
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So are you and Ritu too
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I’m sending huge hugs! ❤
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Thank you and I am sending some of mine back 💜💜😀
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Hugs all round 🤗🤗🤗💜💜💜
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Thanks so much for spreading the word about this amazing writer! 🙂
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You’re so welcome. ❤️
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Thank you so much for appreciating 😍
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I’ve met Ritu at several Bloggers’ Bash events. She makes the room shine wherever she is. She also bought along her husband to this year’s Bloggers’ Bash, so it was a pleasure to meet him too.
Keep on shinning, Ritu.
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Hugh, I always feel that lovely presence from Ritu, too. ❤️❤️❤️
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I knew you would, Colleen. You have the gift of the power, too. ☀️💛
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Oh, Hugh. You are so kind. ❤
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Aw thanks Hugh! Making me blush!!!
I always love meeting you and getting my Hugh Hug!!!
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