Poetry is a mysterious thing to me. Epics I have warmed to, how the minutia works is for better minds than mine. Enter Ritu, an enthusiastic poetess and successful blogger.
Ritu I met on the blogosphere just over a year ago. One of those people you instantly like and feel as if you’ve known them forever. I knew she had a WIP spanning eighteen years and it would be churlish not to mention that this year that project has finally made first draft.
I will say congratulations now, but hold off from speaking about that because it’s featuring on my next #IWSG post due on the first Wednesday in June. The aim there will be to inspire writers with remarkable journey of creation.
For now I shall stick to poetry. Well, I’ll let Ritu talk poetry as I’m no expert. Epics only. I blame being sixteen with Thomas Hardy poetry and “The Trumpet Major” as texts for exams. I’m sure he’s very good, but sixteen and forced reading… stuff of nightmares. It took heavy rock, Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Iron Maiden to bring me back. Even then, epics only. I think I said that. Hardy influence in action.
Introduction by Ritu
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 firstplace 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.
Book Blurb:
Delve into a book of verse exploring different topics and different genres, all with a RITUal twist.
A collection of poetry drawing on the experiences of the writer, ranging from matters of the heart, love for the family, situations in life and some verses written with a humorous twist.

Why Poetry?
Quite simply, I fell into it!
I have always had a bit of a ‘thing’ for making sentences rhyme. And frequently at school, I quickly whip up a rhyme for leaving assemblies and little ditties that will help with learning.
Since starting blogging, I realised that I could pen a poem for all sorts of occasions. They didn’t need to be slushy romantic sonnets all the time! I quickly found inspiration in all sorts, from my kids and family to my husband (obviously a little romance had to feature!) to the cat, printer woes, and pacing bags, to name a few.
Then I learned all about other forms of poetry, thanks to some challenges I encountered. And so my fascination with Haiku, Tanka, Senryu and Cinquains started. I am mastering Haibun too!
But poetry isn’t really my first love.
I am a storyteller at heart.
I enjoy reading stories to my children and class. And I love to write fiction.
I have penned a rhyming story for children, which I haven’t put out there as I need an illustrator, and I am too scared! There are two more which are half written.
I have some short stories which I am considering putting into a small volume, and then the biggie.
This is where I cut this part short. The biggie, as Ritu calls it is going to form the #IWSG post I referred to before. It’s a huge inspiration for any writer thinking it’s easy, whip out a novel in a couple of months no problem. For many this is simply not the case. Time, life and commitments all play a role.
Ritu is an exemplar here.
Available on Amazon UK
Available on Amazon US
Some Tantalising Prose Copyrighted by Ritu Bhathal 2015
“The Thing About Kids”
- I am a teacher by profession with writer/blogger coming in after, though I have managed to rack up a couple of other job titles over the years, including Assistant Manager of a designer clothes boutique in Kingston-Upon Thames, a Bank Cashier and a Telemarketer for Nestle, Kellogs, JusRol and The Craft Guild of Chefs!
- I once won an award for Gymnastics at school and ever graceful, I tripped up the stairs when going to receive it!
- I can wiggle one eyebrow on its own – I was rather impressed with that until my daughter trumped me and is the proud owner of two eyebrows with lives of their own. She can make them go up and down individually and make them both dance to music – quite a feat to be honest!
Further Information About the Poetess
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
Stumbleupon: http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/ritubhathal75
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/ritusmiles
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritu-bhathal-48941648/
Bloglovin: https://www.bloglovin.com/@ritubhathalpadhaal
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet and commented:
Come learn a little more about an outstanding blogger and My Dear Friend Ritu!!! Don’t miss her poems at the end!
Many thanks indeed and yes, a truly fine lady and friend all round!
Thank you so much 😁
Lovely interview with a lovely lady! She sounds fascinating..must go over and have a proper look round… 😺💕xxx
Thank you!
Ritu is fab. Even guest speaking at the bash too. I rather think you’d get on famously with her. Just saying 😂
She knows Marje too, although not certain she knows you lent your black cat for The Curse of Time 🤔 x
Cool!!!!
Lovely to get to know a bit more about the wonderful Ritu.
Thank you Rachael!
Thanks Rachael! It’s one of the joys of doing these 😊
Oh, it’s a superpower all right.
Where’s my cape??!
As Edna Mode says, “No capes!”. Don’t you remember what happened to Syndrome at the end of the Incredible s?
Ritu, I love that you can wiggle one eyebrow while tripping up the stairs to get a gymnastics award. I just trip up the stairs for no reason at all!
Not sure it’s a superpower but hey, it’s Me! Thanks Jen!
What a wonderful author interview. I have read Ritu’s poetry book and really enjoyed her poetic takes of life and love.
Thanks Robbie, rather versatile is the lovely Ritu. Which is good as it made doing her spotlight a breeze 😊
🙂
Thank you so much Robbie!
I landed here via Colleen’s share of this post and happy to connect with you Gary.
Nice to know fun facts you have shared Ritu…Also interesting to note that you consider yourself a story teller, some of your poems demonstrate that. I like the way you change your hats! Stay blessed.
Anyone connected with Colleen is definitely welcome!! Come to that anyone is…. Hmm that nearly came out wrong! Colleens a mutual friend so it’s great to see you!
Ritu is a story teller too. I have a huge amount of information relating to a book she has finished. An 18 year journey that I found so inspiring I’m going to use it for my June #IWSG post.
Many thanks for such a nice comment and I’m sure Ritu will be over later today too.
Thank you Balroop!
I’m jealous…always wanted wiggly eyebrows! 😀 So nice to learn more about you and your poetry, Ritu! Congrats!
Aw thanks Rachael!
I was so proud of mine until my daughter unveiled her double wiggly ones! I have a great video which I’d love to share, but I don’t put them online, so I can’t!!! Maybe when she’s older, and posting her own stupid stuff I Can share it!
😀 There ya go!
Enjoyed the interview, Ritu. I trip up stairs also, lol
Thanks for popping over Jacquie. Thing with moderation is I can actually beat Ritu to replying 😂😂
Cheeky!
But true 😜
I’ll give you that… but then it is your post… so I should!!!
Lol. Have to say the response to this one has been amazing. The WIP one is, my opinion, a way bigger tale lol
Eeek!
Lol, a side benefit 🙂
😁
Hi to a fellow yeipper upper! Thanks Jacquie!
Reblogged this on Colleen Chesebro ~ The Fairy Whisperer and commented:
An amazing interview with Ritu Bhathal! <3
Thank you Colleen. Your support is highly appreciated 😊
Thanks, Gary. What an excellent interview with Ritu. Well done! <3
Thank you Colleen. I class Ritu as a proper friend now too 😊
Aw Gary! 😍 #GaTu
Eek, forgot you would see that 😇 #GaTu
All seeing eyes here!!! 😉🤓
#creepy lol
👀
Absolutely. Her kindness is unsurpassed! <3
C😙😙😙😙
Thank you Colleen! <3
Lovely to see Ritu here. That bit about her tripping to pick up her gymnastics award had me chuckling. Lol.
Thanks Marje. Had to get Ritu here somehow lol. Can I chuck it at your FB group tomorrow?
Of course Gary. No need to ask. 🙂
Thanks Marje. Will do it in the morning 😊
Great. 🙂
It was the pinnacle of my gymnastics career Marje! Lol! Thank you for reading!!
How awesome to see Ritu here. A most worthy scribe!
Thanks Annette! It’s an absolute pleasure to feature Ritu. In fact there’s another in progress to talk about her WIP novel. I’m saving that for my next #IWSG post on the first Wednesday of June 😊
Thank you so much sis for reading and commenting! 😀
Thank you so much Gary for featuring me!!!!
I take it you think it’s acceptable then 😂
Of course, I think it’s ace! It is me that is silly, I managed a spelling error in the first answer! Pacing instead of packing lol!!!!
Thank you, seriously, it is a great one!!!
Lol, I’m pretty good at autocorrect with typos 😂
The next one is going to be up there with IWSG writers too. No pressure lol
Eeeeek!!!!!!!
😈