Latest news with #TheHawkIsDead
Mint
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
6 creative minds share their secrets on how to keep the ideas flowing
Defining creativity is tough. A seed of an idea can emerge as a painting as ethereal as Van Gogh's The Starry Night, a utilitarian safety pin or an ingenious self-driven car. But whether it is creating art or engineering a device, is being creative a talent ingrained in a few lucky ones? The good news is, creativity is a skill that can be developed. Another point to be made here is that having a creative bent of mind is not essential just to enrich your job or pursue a side hustle. Research, in fact, links creativity to happiness and well-being making it an invaluable asset to possess for the sake of it. Dr Elizabeth Gaufberg, an associate professor of medicine and psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, suggests that practicing or even just interacting with creativity can make us more empathetic, open-minded and sharpen our problem-solving skills. She suggests something as simple as engaging with art to help us tolerate ambiguity and listen to other perspectives. Lounge spoke to six creative minds who know a thing or two about what it takes to keep your brain stimulated and dream up ideas or solutions almost every day. 'BE ABSORBED IN WHAT YOU DO' Who: Peter James is a British bestselling crime author and the creator of the fictional detective superintendent Roy Grace. The book series (of which Queen Camilla is a fan) was eventually made into the British television crime drama series, Grace. With over 30 fast-paced books and a handful of films to his credit, James views creativity differently. How I stay creative: From the day I write the first line of a novel to the day I write that last line, I rigidly write a minimum of 1,000 words per day, six days a week, taking Sundays off. It doesn't matter where in the world I am, I get those words done. The moment I open my screen, find where I am at in the novel I'm writing, and begin typing, I become totally absorbed, to the exclusion of all else. What always helps me in so many different ways is research. In my new novel, The Hawk Is Dead, Queen Camilla is aboard the Royal Train when it derails near Brighton. A key scene is seen through the eyes of the train driver. To write it, I spent a day with Network Rail, learning to drive a train and riding from Brighton to London and back. That experience allowed me to write with authenticity, emotion and vivid detail. Takeaway: Creativity needs discipline, focus, research and commitment. 'DO NEW THINGS THAT SEEM SCARY' Who: Anuja Chauhan, bestselling author of Zoya Factor (2008), writes across genres from romance to mystery. Some of her books –Those Pricey Thakur Girls and Club You to Death – have been adapted for television and movies. How I stay creative: I try to do new things, especially things that scare me a little or are a bit ambitious. One scary thing I did was to swim in the open sea. You get to swim there without waves, sand or grit – just really deep, bobbing water all around. It was exhilarating. I try to learn a new thing, perhaps a musical instrument or a new skill like knitting, painting, baking, salsa dance or Photoshop. Also, being fit is important too. When your body is working hard, your mind goes blank in a wonderful way, which helps you recharge it. By the way, I recently got my Zumba instructor license! Takeaway: New experiences fuel creativity in you, more so when you are mentally and physically fit. 'KEEP YOUR SENSE OF WONDER ALIVE' Who: BS Shivaraju, better known as Cop Shiva. A former Karnataka policeman, Shiva is a fine art photographer known for iconic photo series like Being Gandhi that features photographs of a rural school teacher impersonating Gandhi and No Longer a Memory – a Hong Kong Asian Art Public Vote Prize 2023- winning personal narrative featuring staged self-portraits of his mother Gowramma and himself against Andy Warhol-esque wallpaper backgrounds. How I stay creative: Travelling and meeting all kinds of people has been a huge influence. I am always drawn to the extraordinary stories of ordinary people. Their stories teach me so much. Also, the places I have lived in and the cultures I have grown up with constantly shape my perspective. I observe everything with an open mind and a sense of wonder which keeps my creative energy alive. Takeaway: Creativity can spark when you meet people from different backgrounds. It comes alive when you nurture a sense of wonder in you. 'APPLY YOUR MIND WITHOUT FEAR' Who: Raghava KK is a multi-disciplinary artist – cartoonist, painter, sculptor, performance artist; has pioneered digital and interactive media – his children's iPad book Pop-it (2011) changes storylines on shaking it, his EEG-driven art Mona Lisa 2.0 alters according to the EEG headset wearer's brainwaves; is a co-collaborator of technology-art hybrids along with his brother Karthik Kalyanaraman; an early pioneer of NFT art in India; and TED speaker. How I stay creative: When facing a dilemma, conflict or hurdle in life, the answer often lies in applying your mind to get to a unique solution. For that, I suggest turning any 'WTF' moment into a 'How interesting' situation. Only if you are curious and not fearful, can you solve the issue. Look at the problem you face without any kind of judgment and respond to it. Reframe problems into questions and ask yourself 'What if I do this?" By shutting down all voices we can be as creative as we want. Takeaway: Respond with curiosity rather than fear or judgment. Quiet your inner critic. 'MAKE SPACE FOR CREATIVITY' Who: US-based chef Meherwan Irani's flagship restaurant Chai Pani (2009) revolutionized Indian cuisine in America by introducing authentic spice-forward street food. The restaurant was named the James Beard Foundation's Outstanding Restaurant in 2022 and Irani himself is a five-time James Beard-nominated chef. He has since opened other restaurants across the south (USA) and a spice brand (Spicewalla) as well. How I stay creative: Creativity is not an individual exercise. I try to surround myself with creative people. Nothing amps me up more than seeing an old problem in a new light and brainstorming with a group of creative people on how to solve it. You have to make space for creativity. It has to be a structured part of your work day or week. I don't wait for ideas — I schedule creative sessions with others. Our mantra – 'Ideas first, practicality later – is my way of not letting anything get in the way of the creative process. I don't let the 'how' get in the way of the idea. Takeaway: Make space for creativity by consistently making time for brainstorming sessions with other creative people. Get the idea first, think of the 'how' later. 'IDEAS FLOW WITH YOGA & NATURE' Who: Ira Trivedi is an author and trained yoga practitioner-teacher. Her books explore topics of sexuality, gender, women issues and yoga. How I stay creative: A steady practice of yoga has helped me throughout my writing career. It does not just work on the body but also on the mind. After doing yoga, your mind gets clear. This is important especially when we are constantly on our phones and social media where so much stuff is always happening. Also, engaging with nature by going on long walks or observing the gentle flow of the river, for instance, helps nurture the creative spark in us. Takeaway: A holistic practice like yoga or communing with nature can sharpen your ability to see things with a different perspective. These activities also calm you down and enhance your physical and mental wellbeing. Jayanthi Madhukar is a Bengaluru-based freelance journalist.
AsiaOne
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Queen Camilla 'excited' to have starring role in new crime novel , World News
Queen Camilla is "excited" to have a starring role in a new crime novel. The 77-year-old royal is an avid reader and a particular fan of Peter James' Detective Superintendent Roy Grace thrillers. His latest book, The Hawk is Dead, takes his investigation into Buckingham Palace when the royal train which Camilla is travelling on derails and a key member of her staff is shot by a sniper. A source told MailOnline: "Opening with a cinematic derailment of the royal train, The Hawk Is Dead takes Roy Grace deep into the heart of Buckingham Palace, where he is called upon to solve a murder and what looks to be a royal assassination attempt. "Queen Camilla, a well-known book-lover and reading champion through her charity, The Queen's Reading Room, has always been one of the first people to receive each Grace novel and is excited to have a starring role, alongside His Majesty King Charles, in Peter's latest thriller." According to the outlet, Camilla has received a preview of the novel, and Peter has had the opportunity for some "extensive behind-the-scenes" research at Buckingham Palace, including "insights" from members of the Royal Household, including the queen herself. Publisher Pan Macmillan wrote of the plot: "A tragic accident or a planned attack?... Despite all the evidence, Roy Grace is not convinced the Queen was the intended target... Failure at this level is not an option. But time is running out before a killer in the palace will strike again." In 2021, Camilla visited the set of Grace, an ITV adaptation of the novels starring John Simm as the detective and it was her conversation with the author that sparked the seed for his new book. Peter said: "The Queen asked me when I might set a Roy Grace novel in London… and the seed was sown. Where better in London than Buckingham Palace? "I came up with an idea, which I ran by Her Majesty — and she loved it." The Hawk is Dead will be released on Oct 21. [[nid:717772]]
Perth Now
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Queen Camilla to feature in new crime novel
Queen Camilla is "excited" to have a starring role in a new crime novel. The 77-year-old royal is an avid reader and a particular fan of Peter James' Detective Superintendent Roy Grace thrillers, and his latest book, 'The Hawk is Dead', takes his investigation into Buckingham Palace when the royal train which Camilla is travelling on derails and a key member of her staff is shot by a sniper. A source told MailOnline: 'Opening with a cinematic derailment of the royal train, 'The Hawk Is Dead' takes Roy Grace deep into the heart of Buckingham Palace, where he is called upon to solve a murder and what looks to be a royal assassination attempt. 'Queen Camilla, a well-known book-lover and reading champion through her charity, The Queen's Reading Room, has always been one of the first people to receive each Grace novel and is excited to have a starring role, alongside His Majesty King Charles, in Peter's latest thriller.' According to the outlet, Camilla has received a preview of the novel, and Peter has had the opportunity for some "extensive behind-the-scenes" research at Buckingham Palace, including "insights" from members of the Royal Household, including the queen herself. Publisher Pan Macmillan wrote of the plot: 'A tragic accident or a planned attack?... Despite all the evidence, Roy Grace is not convinced the Queen was the intended target ... Failure at this level is not an option. But time is running out before a killer in the palace will strike again.' In 2021, Camilla visited the set of 'Grace', an ITV adaptation of the novels starring John Simm as the detective and it was her conversation with the author that sparked the seed for his new book. Peter said: 'The Queen asked me when I might set a Roy Grace novel in London … and the seed was sown. Where better in London than Buckingham Palace? 'I came up with an idea, which I ran by Her Majesty – and she loved it.' 'The Hawk is Dead' will be released on 21 October.
Daily Mirror
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Queen Camilla has leading role in her favourite author's latest murder mystery
Both Queen Camilla and King Charles are featured in the new royal whodunnit, written by Peter James, whom Her Majesty has openly named as her favourite crime author Queen Camilla is to star in her favourite author's latest murder mystery - and has even helped with the plot. Her Majesty, 77, has a central role in The Hawk Is Dead: A Killer In The Palace, which sees a detective investigate a murder at Buckingham Palace. Camilla has openly named the author, Peter James, as her top crime writer and forged a friendship with him in the past 10 years. It is said Camilla is "thrilled" to have a leading role in the book, due for release in October, written some time after the Queen Consort had suggested her friend set his legendary Brighton-based detective's latest case in London. His books have been made into an ITV drama series Grace, staring John Simm as the eponymous detective superintendent. "Fortunately, no one is likely to be more thrilled to find themselves taking a leading role in their own royal whodunnit than Her Majesty," writes Daily Mail's royal editor, Rebecca English, in today's publication. King Charles also features in the book, which tells the tale of a detective exploring what they believe to be a assassination attempt at Buckingham Palace. Publishers Pan Macmillan said: "Opening with a cinematic derailment of the Royal Train, The Hawk Is Dead takes Roy Grace deep into the heart of Buckingham Palace, where he is called upon to solve a murder and what looks to be a royal assassination attempt." "Queen Camilla, a well-known book lover and reading champion through her charity The Queen's Reading Room, has always been one of the first people to receive each Grace novel and is excited to have a starring role, alongside King Charles, in Peter's latest thriller." Her Majesty has already had a sneak peakat the novel, it is understood. Peter, 76 and who has several Sunday Times No 1 bestsellers to his name, was "moved to tears" by Camilla's recent nomination of Grace as her favourite detective. Speaking in a recent interview, Peter, who was raised in East Sussex, said: "I came up with an idea, which I ran by Her Majesty and she loved it. Throughout writing, during which I've done extensive behind-the-scenes research at the Palace, I have received invaluable insights from the Royal Household, including Her Majesty." The pair have developed a firm but unlikely friendship and, in 2021, Her Majesty visited the set of Grace, the fifth series of which has just aired on ITV. A sixth series of the drama is already in production. Insiders told the Daily Mail "any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental" when asked about Peter's new book. Buckingham Palace declined to comment to the publication.
