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Insecure Writer's Support Group

Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for organizing and hosting this event every month for the past few years! Go to his blog to see the other participants: each insecure writer, trying to feel secure, from across the blogiverse!

This month’s awesome co-hosts are: Yolanda Renee, Tyrean Martinson, Madeline Mora-Summonte , LK Hill, Rachna Chhabria, and JA Scott!

—I’ve been an insecure person all of this week.

To feel secure in this increasingly insecure world

Feel Secure, Feel loved

All this Brexit and bombings and more bombings and butcherings have shaken me up. Frankly, it felt as if something was closing up my throat, hard. It feels so puny and useless, this business of writing.

Idiots, loudmouths, neo-fascists, religious bigots get to be heard in today’s world.

Where’s the voice of reason, of kindness, of respect, of wisdom? Of love?

To feel secure in this increasingly insecure world, where anyone can be attacked with impunity at any time by men who have neither reason, nor a shred of compassion, brainwashed for political ends, I need hugs, I think.

I need also to remember that there’s hope and goodness in this world, in the shape of this young man who refused to leave his friends behind.

This week, as I try to get back to health and work, I cling to books and writing and family and cooking. The small things keep you sane, make you feel secure, I’ve discovered.

Blogging for BlogfestSo, dear writer friends, how do you stay cosy, feel secure?  Anyone else attacked by the blues? Want to talk about it? Do we do a mushy group-hug thing to make us all feel better?

SIGN UP for the Cherished Blogfest if you love blogging and want love: it’s easy and you’ll make tons of good friends.

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Damyanti Biswas

Damyanti Biswas is the author of You Beneath Your Skin and numerous short stories that have been published in magazines and anthologies in the US, the UK, and Asia. She has been shortlisted for Best Small Fictions and Bath Novel Awards and is co-editor of the Forge Literary Magazine. Her literary crime thriller series, the Blue Mumbai, is represented by Lucienne Diver from The Knight Agency. Both The Blue Bar and The Blue Monsoon were published in 2023.

I appreciate comments, and I always visit back. If you're having trouble commenting, let me know via the contact form, or tweet me up @damyantig !

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63 Comments

  • cheriereich says:

    I tend to stay indoors. I jest, somewhat. Really what I try to remember most is that most people are good people. They want to live and let live.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Yes, I need to keep reminding myself that they form the majority.

  • We need to remember that what we read about what’s happening in the world, even as terrifying as it is, is only a small portion of humanity. They get the media attention. All the good people in our communities, our countries are doing so many positive things. They are there, quietly helping the elderly, rescuing a lost dog, building homes for the homeless (Habitat), searching for a cancer cure, etc. It’s important to be aware of global events, but we need to keep it all in perspective. Blessings

  • I have a picture of a person giving an internet hug – I tried to figure out how to upload it into comments – couldn’t. So sorry. With the fears and violence – I think the whole world needs a hug. Great timely post.

  • dolorah says:

    Seems all the news can report on is devastation these days. It is hard to remember how many good people are around, if staying hidden for safety.

  • cleemckenzie says:

    I have to turn off the world every once in a while. There’s so much horror and so much mayhem that my brain starts to stutter and I can’t think. When I reenter, I at least have a shot at sanity for a while.

  • mlouisebarbourfundyblue says:

    Hi, Damyanti! Thanks for visiting my blog for IWSG Day! Wow, I can certainly relate to how you are feeling about the general state of the world. I manage to get on top of my feelings by remembering all the good people I know and have known. There truly are a lot of amazing people the world over.

    I don’t personally feel in danger, but I do recognize that horrible things can happen anywhere and there is no reason they couldn’t happen to me. I live in Aurora, Colorado which experienced a mass shooting in a theatre in 2012, and I was returned from a field trip with my elementary students during the Columbine High School shootings in 1999 to find our school in lockdown. But I refuse to let these incidents make me live scared. That said, I need lots of big hugs from my wonderful husband.

    Here’s hoping you regain your health very soon! I believe in the power of words, and we writers can put good and powerful words out into the world.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks for the long and heartfelt comment, Louise. It is a powerful reminder t what humanity has come to when we realize we can’t protect defenseless kids.

      I think hugs from the husband should be on prescription…life savers, really. I hope I have my health and my words back soon, too. Enough of the doldrums, already!

      Hugs to you, and thanks for stopping by. Hope to hear from you often.

  • Parul Thakur says:

    I do exactly what you do. Shut myself off from all the negativity and just be grateful for what I have been blessed with. Hugs!

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Hugs, Parul. We all need to shut down on some days, I guess.

  • Rachna says:

    Feel better soon, Damyanti! I hear you. There are days when l just switch off social media and news channels and concentrate on my small world to stay sane.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Yep. On some days, social media makes it worse. Thanks for stopping by, Rachna, and the follow on Twitter!

  • doreenb8 says:

    I stay sane by reminding myself there are SO many more kind, loving folks in this world than there are hateful, evil and mentally ill people.
    We do need lots of group hugs!

  • pythoroshan says:

    I’m all for the mushy group hug thing. have definitely been suffering from the blues lately… combination of real life impasses and just doubts about what i need to say on the blog make a very bad combination that I need to break through, I guess.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Huge bear HUG to you! I know exactly how you feel, because I’m feeling the same. The blog voice is a hard one: I intend to stay honest and vulnerable, but am always worrying how much is too much.

  • Mushy group-hug!

    The world news hits hard some days. I, too, search for that story of hope. If there is one, there is more, and that is good.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      And to you. I search for positive stories too, but mostly am hit with news on how people are shooting at each other.

  • Loni Townsend says:

    I turn to my husband when the moments of blues or panic hit. It’s nice to find refuge in someone else to hold you up in times you feel brittle.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Your husband sounds like a fantastic person. Sending you hugs, too.

  • It’s quite scary out there, and some days, I feel exactly like you do. It’s the little things that can bring comfort, though. A hug from my son, seeing a baby deer play in a field, flowers. 🙂

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      I’ll take kids, baby deer and flowers. Your flower pics yesterday cheered me right up!

  • It’s hard to feel secure, and even harder to feel that humanity is worth anything anymore. In time of crisis, our true natures come out. I hope I am never tested in that way.

  • Anmol Rawat says:

    The world has become a scary place. However, one must remember that the goodness is still out there. Maybe we will embrace love instead of war one day!

  • Shilpa Gupte says:

    Ah, yes, it has been a terrible time – these past days, weeks and months. But there is hope and goodness and love in some corner of our world which makes its presence felt through little acts like the one by this brave young man and by some very loving and kind people who may not be written about but who prove that all’s not over.
    Sending you a big hug, Damayanti! This is my first visit to your blog and I liked what I read!
    Esp happy about finding about this Cherished Blog fest. I am definitely going to participate in it!
    Love and hugs! ♡♡♡

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Shilpa, and welcome! Hugs back at you, and am looking forward to your Cherished post!

  • Terry Lewis says:

    Yes, things do seem to be upended lately. I can understand why you would feel your writing is puny and useless. But it all adds up. Your thoughts, my thoughts, the thoughts of others. If we don’t say what we believe, if we don’t try to add our thoughts to the milieu, then who will counter the irrational and emotional claims that so many out there are intent on forcing upon us. Often there is not much we can do by ourselves. But we can’t afford not to make our point. And I don’t necessarily mean that we must therefore post political arguments (though I’m not opposed to that at all). It may be that even our literature speaks reason or peace or another way out.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      I hope something I do makes a positive difference, Terry. Maybe it is because I’m unwell that everything seems worse than it is. I do try to believe that every tiny positive acts makes a difference, but the frequency of attacks makes it crazy: I might be suffering from sympathy fatigue as well, and that is a dangerous thing. We can never stop condemning these inhuman acts, nor standing in solidarity with those who suffer from them.

  • The world can seem really scary sometimes but we must always remember that there are good people out there.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Oh, absolutely, Sheena. You and others commenting on this post are those good people– good people form the majority, bad ones get the majority of sound bytes.

  • It is an insecure world and you have good reason to feel apprehensive. While the media prefer to feed us with negatives as bad news sells for a reason I can’t comprehend, there is still goodness in the world and we can find it around us if we choose to look. What is more important is for us to be a beacon of light to those around us bringing them courage in these uncertain times.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Yes, to be that beacon of light. Lately, Ian, I just find that the harsh, cruel, bigoted voices are heard louder than wise, sane ones.I could be wrong.

  • Big hugs to you. I can relate to how you ate feeling. Sometimes the world feels uglier every day and it’s hard not to obsess over it. I find myself ignoring the news now because it’s simply too depressing 99% of the time. Take care!

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      I ignore the news too, but some days, I feel like an ostrich with my head in the sand. Thanks for stopping by, and hugs right back!

  • Arlee Bird says:

    I try not to worry too much about the world. I’ve got enough in my own personal little world of the ailments of getting older to think about. What is is and what will be will be and there’s not a whole lot I can do about what everyone else is doing in the world. I praise God for the protection and blessings my family and I are given in abundance and I’m happy I live where I live with the freedoms that I have.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      I know, Lee. We must appreciate the blessings we’re given. Thanks for stopping by.

  • Sending you virtual hugs. I too am greatly influenced by world events, we all are. Some more deeply than others. We want to make a difference. We want our love to be felt and yet in this crazy world it seems only hate is surviving.Via this simple monthly blog hop we reach out to touch, to hug, and to spread the word that each of us counts. These small seemingly quiet voices are what will stifle the hate and overcome the violence. I have to believe this, I have to trust this, or all is lost. Words of love, of support, of hope – they are our only weapons and yet they truly hold mastery over the weapons of the haters!

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Hugs back at you, Yolanda! And I love the positive energy IWSG spreads each month. Some months, I miss the dates, but when I do participate, it is lovely! We have to keep on with the seemingly quiet voices–peace will return–thanks for reminding me.

  • Candy says:

    One thing I remind myself of is that news is only news if it rarely happens and is shocking. We get a distorted picture of what is going on if we read the news. Most of what goes on every day is people helping each other, caring for the sick, teaching children, etc. We don’t read about that because it happens all the time. I try to limit myself to reading news about science, technology, the arts. Remember — the rule for news is “If it bleeds, it leads.” Stay away from it and stick with reality.

  • Murees Dupé says:

    I know what you mean. I don’t feel safe most of the time. I always hope and pray that the future will get better. I have to believe things will get better, eventually. Sending you lots of hugs.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks for the hugs, and sending them right back to you. My friends and family travel a lot, and it leaves me very insecure. We have to hope for a better, safer future.

  • Erika Beebe says:

    It’s hard for stay upbeat and fight the blues when it seems like the world around you or certain people and places don’t have an agenda for kindness. I hope. That’s all I’ve got. And I trust people with hearts in the right places can somehow balance the tougher stuff. Have a good week and good luck in all your endeavors.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      You have a good week, too, Erika. We all have to hope for the best. (SOmething me says– and prepare for the worst, but I shall ignore that.

  • It’s a bad world where human lives are becoming cheap. I have decided to focus only on positive things and time to ignore such negative news.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Focus on positivity– that’s what I’m telling myself too, Vishal.

  • There are definitely an abundance of haters in the world these days. I think the advent of the internet has made it all the more easy to be heard, even when people shouldn’t be heard. I’m slowly down on my blogging, but I look forward to seeing what everyone has to say throughout the hop!

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      I’ve slowed down my blogging too, because of health reasons, but I joined in the hop this time, because I needed to hear a few familiar, positive voices in the din surrounding me on the media.

  • ccyager says:

    Big hugs from America, Damyanti! You are not alone. I’ve stopped watching the news as much as I used to. The media tends to talk endlessly about events that have passed when nothing new has been revealed about them. It adds to the stress and fear. I don’t need that. And every time there’s an attack or a mass shooting, the media goes into a frenzy (as does Donald Trump). I want to know the facts, not speculation. That’s one way I stay sane in this crazy world. I have good friends who watch out for me as I do them, And I do my best to take care of all aspects of myself, including the spiritual. I cannot control the world, but I can control myself. I hope you’re feeling better! More hugs! Cinda

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks Cinda. That’s what we can do, watch out for each other, and spread positivity, as far and wide as we can.

  • Kalpanaa says:

    It has certainly been a very dark week with the state of the world. One tragedy after another vying for our attention and sorrow. Your sense of security is shot to pieces and it’s hard to write a sane line, if you can write at all. Very apt post Damyanti. Feel better soon.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Kalpanaa. It has been nerve-wracking, but I’m trying my best to stay positive, and focus on what I Can do, instead of what I can’t.

  • I agree–every day there seems to be another horrific disaster. I remember reading Yeats “Second Coming” in the late 90’s, when everything seemed rosy and full of hope. His premise was that every 2000 years, the scales switch from good to bad, and the Year 2000 allowed evil to reign. I laughed. I’m not laughing anymore.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Yes, it is getting harder to laugh at such premises now. Hugs, Jacqui.

  • Shailaja V says:

    I agree with Alex. Despite everything there’s a silver lining. Our words matter and yours, especially so. Don’t forget the lovely Project Why series you did during April. That’s a testament to how much love is there in the world.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Shy, yes, Project Why is Love. I hope to do more posts on them soon.

  • Despite the insanity, there is still a lot of good in the world.
    I keep it all together by making my home my safe haven from the world.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Yep, we have to make islands of peace wherever we can. Peace is built in increments.