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Life has its way of forcing you into what you need.

For the past several days, that’s what it has done to me: given me enforced bed rest. I haven’t been keeping well this year, and this weekend brought another crash. Weather in Singapore being its hot and humid tropical best, I’m trying to stay hydrated, and indoors. Feel like I’ve been through a wringer, as it is.

Things are better now, but I’m still not at 100%, so I’ll keep this short. Two links for you:

Here’s a useful post on Verbs for the writers among you, from editor Kelly hartigan.

And another one with one of my recent stories published in a New Zealand journal. (I’ve added a screenshot of a part of it below, click on the link and scroll  if you’d like to read the rest.)

Life thoughts

I thank you all for the love you’ve continued to show my blog despite my absence. The last post on illiteracy saw such kind and insightful comments. I’ll be visiting back each of your blogs, and sharing your posts on social media. Missed you, my blog family–life hasn’t been the same without you.

How has life been treating you? Any news you’d like to share in the comments? What’s the weather like in your part of the world?

Please join Daily (w)rite on its Facebook Page in case you would like to be heard by this community. If you liked this post, you can have biweekly posts delivered to your inbox: click the SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL button on the sidebar.

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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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102 Comments

  • I hope you are feeling better now. I am way behind with my blogging friends as we have some problems here. Life is like that, but it’s wonderful to have friends all over the world.

  • This story is an moving mixture of vivid language and bleak realities. Thank you.

  • amitmisra says:

    Congratulations Damayanti on your publication! Keep sharing your new works. And get well soon.

  • Rajlakshmi says:

    Your story sent chills down my spine. The style of storytelling is so different, it’s profound and gravitates the reader deeper and deeper into the plot, forcing them to relive the pain of the protagonist. I don’t have any more words to explain how it made me feel. There are few more stories in the link, will check out other writers too.

  • katjapaints says:

    I just fell in love! Thank you for visiting and by doing so, giving me the chance to meet you. Hugs and all best wishes.

  • You write sooooo beautifully….

  • Joel F says:

    Thanks for sharing all your beautiful writings. I enjoy reading your blog. Have a great week ahead. thanks too for all the likes and the follow. Take Care.

  • cathum says:

    Best wishes for a speedy recovery. I’m enjoying your blog, and the feeling of community that you share, and promote. ‘Infanticide’ is chilling. Nicely written.

  • aj vosse says:

    Thank you too for the regular visits to my blog! Yes, life gets a bit messy at times… we’re going through a rather tight squeeze at the moment and it isn’t always apparent where the next ray of light will come from but they usually find a way of appearing from an unexpected crack! Go well… may things get ever better! 😉

  • try some electrolytes; humid weather causes us to lose more sodium (in our sweat); i’ve found that i beat fatigue in humid weather by drinking emergen-c or another electrolyte drink in addition to water. hope you feel better soon!

  • Christy B says:

    Take care ~ I hope you feel better soon!

  • As it’s about a week since you posted this, I hope you are feeling much, much better now, Damyanti. I read your flash fiction, “Infanticide,” and it’s haunting, skillfully rendered, and beautiful despite ‘ugly’ subject matter. Wow; it’s amazingly deft. Keep up the awesome writing, and I hope your health will continue to follow the upward path that I feel your writing is on. Take care of yourself!

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Hi Leigh, thanks, am mush better now. Thanks also for the kind words on the story.

  • mdellert says:

    Keep yourself healthy, slugger. The world needs your work, and you don’t do us any good from your sickbed. Feel better soon!

  • dgkaye says:

    Thanks for sharing links Damyanti. I hope you’re feeling better. It’s always nice to see you pop by my blog. 🙂

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Just visited you, Debbie. All the best with your book, and thanks for stopping by. I’m a lot better now.

  • Thanks for the links. Rest up and I hope you feel better soon, Damyanti.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Diana. Just read the animal limericks on your site, and they made me feel so much better. Needed a laugh this morning.

  • We love the tropics so Singapore is a great place to live. As I recall most places are airconditioned so that does care for humidity in the home and working place or even if you are travelling. I hope you are fully recovered quickly.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Ian, am feeling much better now. Yes, most indoor public spaces are air-conditioned.

  • macjam47 says:

    Oh Damyanti, I am sorry to hear you are ill. Please take it easy and give yourself time to heal.
    I’ve been popping in and out of blogdom all summer as we put our house up for sale. It is a large house, packed to the seams with 47 years of married life. We signed the contract and are very lucky that we will be able to stay here until mid November when our new, much smaller home is complete. I now really need to get down to work and finish sorting out what gets sold and what gets donated. Autumn has arrived and I welcome the change of seasons and especially the cooler weather.
    Take care, my dear friend. Sending you hugs.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks so much, Michelle. I hope the preparations for the move are going well.

  • pjlazos says:

    Oh my gosh, your fiction is so raw and unnerving! I read the rest of the story, horrific as a fictional piece, but even worse knowing that this is actually the fate of some. After reading your entries on Project Hope during the Cherished Blogfest I wouldn’t doubt that this was a true story. I am so sorry for all the suffering in the world and each day am shocked by the absolute indifference to each other that we now seem to have. People can say that it has gotten better for women in general — at least here in the U.S. that is true — but it really will never be better until it’s better for all of us gals and that is still a long way away it seems.

    Do take care of yourself and I wish you a speedy recovery for whatever it is that is dragging you down. 🙂

    • Sha'Tara says:

      Just a brief comment to say that your words struck a chord in my heart… brought tears too, not bad ones, just awareness. Thank you.

  • Shikha Aleya says:

    #life what a lovely question from a blogger. Life has a way, like water. Whether it forces you or not, life just is. Thank you for visiting my blog site and reading the byte.

  • Words so true regarding “life has a way of forcing you into what you need”. Each time I grow in understanding how important us human beings need to rest. To step aside from the fray of life and just plain rest.

  • jmathur says:

    Do take good care of yourself Damayanti Ji. Here at my place (Hyderabad), it’s been raining non-stop for the past 5-6 days.

    Jitendra Mathur

  • Take care and get well soon.

    The story portrays the tawdry rawness of sexual slavery and the ugliness that drives the exploitation of the weak by the more powerful.

  • Ila Varma says:

    May you get well soon. Here in our part, winter is due and we have hot humid days n cooler nights.

  • He leads me besides still water, He restores my soul Psalm 23: 2-3. Wish you well rest that is needed

  • Glynis Jolly says:

    The weather is a little better over here on this side of the Earth. It gets hot during the day but the evenings and nights are cool. It’s still too humid for my liking, but then, I’m a westerner. I’m used to zero humidity.

    Sorry you’re not feeling well. Health plays such havoc on everything else in life, and, personally, I don’t think that’s fair. Take care and get better.

  • Get well soon ma’am. We pray for your quick recovery

  • Sorry to hear you’re unwell. Feel better soon!
    Best,
    Nilanjana.

  • Birgit says:

    Your body is telling you you need rest and you do need to listen to this. The stress…and the heat does not help at all. When I’m ill, I watch a lot of tv so I hope you are able to sit back and read a lot of books. We often push ourselves due to guilt mainly and not wanting to admit that we are as sick as we are. Don’t worry about not writing here as much or visiting our blogs, just get better and listen to what your body is telling you.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Birgit, thankyou for your advice, and that’s the one I’m getting from my family, too, so it resonates. I’m trying to take it easy, but I miss you guys and it is hard to resist the temptation of peeking at blogs now that I’m at the begiining of a writing project, and not it end :). Thanks for always being such a good friend, I appreciate it more than you know.

  • ccyager says:

    Life has been crazy for me as I continue to juggle writing, job, health issues, job interviews, and projects. My social life has disappeared. One good thing, I’m not spending money! Just got a skin biopsy result yesterday — no skin cancer, but still suspicious enough that I must return for a full body exam in 6 months. We’ve had heavy rains and flooding in Minnesota the last few days and more rain in the forecast as we begin autumn. If I can, I’ll take Sunday to sleep in. Hope you have a speedy recovery and back on your feet soon! Heat and humidity is awful on the body and the mood….

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Cinda, cancer-scares can be so draining. Take care of you.

      I hope the weather in Minnesota looks up soon–and you have balmy skies to look forward to! Thanks for always dropping by– I appreciate your visits so much.

  • Life been good for me professionally but it was a very tiring work dabbling between early morning whole day conference, spending the evening with a cousin at hospital for his Dad was seriously ill. Unfortunately, uncle passed away on Thursday. But, I guess that’s life. It’s all about making the most of life.
    A beautiful story you wrote Damyanti. At my end, the weather is quite cold and it’s getting the better of my resilience.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      So sorry for your loss, Vishal. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.

      I hope the weather at your home and outside both return to brightness and cheer with time.Take care, and thanks for the kind words on my story.

  • Jemima Pett says:

    Take it easy, Damyanti. I know it’s hard… I’m supposed to be resting after a minor op. It feels like resting, but they want me to do less! Must just listen to music, I guess 🙂 Sending love. <3

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Hope your op wasn’t anything serious, and you recover soon, Jemima. We shall both listen to music in our different corners of the world! 🙂

  • I’m so sorry you aren’t feeling well. I’d hate to have to stay inside–for me, that would just make everything worse. I’m sending positive thoughts your way.

    Me, I had an implant over two weeks ago and am still struggling with it! Yuck. I think it’s almost calmed. Of course, all the dentist did so far was pull the tooth and screw in the metal. Next, I need the crown.

    This too shall pass.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks Jacqui.
      Dental implants are the very devil. I hope science makes leaps in the field of dentistry and creates some sort of miracle cure that would take care of all those pesky and painful dental procedures. Hate them. Take care– and gulp down some delish ice-cream–that’s what my dentist recommends after I’ve had a gory procedure 🙂

  • Vidya Sury says:

    Infanticide – I shudder when I see/hear the word. It is still so rampant in our society. Kudos to you for choosing this sensitive topic. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Damyanti. Get well soon!

  • lynnefisher says:

    Hope you’re feeling back to normal soon. Thanks for the link on verbs – it indulges my strange fascination with grammar, but best reserved for editing stages.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Lynne. Yep, the article is well worth checking out.

  • Reading ‘Infanticide’ got me misty eyed. Su much truth, and hurt, in those beautiful words.
    Wishing you a speedy recovery. Hope you feel better soon!

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Mayuri, glad that the story resonated with you. Thank you also for stopping by, and your kind wishes. I’m feeling a touch better now.

  • Obsessivemom says:

    I do hope you’re better soon. Our health is something we take for granted till we fall sick and then we realise how precious it is. You take care. Off to read your story now.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Tulika. Yes, I’ve been pushing things a tad too far with my health. You take care, too.

  • Hope you feel better soon, Damyanti! The same thing going on around here as well. Ill health of oneself and one’s loved ones has taken its toll. Blogging can wait while you get better, so do not rush into it. The story is great, by the way 🙂

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Esha–take care of you, too. Flu can feel like the pits.

      Thanks also for your kind word on the story. 🙂

  • Feel better soon – and take care of yourself. The blogs will be here. Great story.

    Cincinnati weather is still hot (and muggy) – but a bit cooler at night. We’ll get a bit of autumn in October before the weather turns wintery in mid(ish) November — with most of the snow and ice after mid-January, lasting through March. Weather here is weird.

    btw – I continue to subscribe here, but it doesn’t “take.”
    xx,
    mgh
    (Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMore dot com)
    – ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder –
    “It takes a village to educate a world!”

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Madelyn. I love autumn, but haven’t seen one in more than a decade. That’s the tropics for you. Thanks for dropping by.

  • Rachna says:

    Hope you are feeling better now, Damyanti. The past week was a bit tough on me too. The weather though has been good. It’s cool but then allergy season. Take care.

  • RamyaRao says:

    Hi Damyanti,
    Get well soon. And the story is so beautiful. Health has taken a back seat in general this year for me as well. Irony is my plan was to focus only on my health this year and never did that I guess..
    And yeah take care! 🙂

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks Ramya, for your wishes, and your kind words on the story. Take care, too.

  • Sha'Tara says:

    Hello Damyanti, nice to hear from you again. I got your “Likes” on my blog but although I’ve subscribed to your (this?) site several times, nothing comes back. Missed your writings. This one seems really harsh, not sure I can handle it at the moment, so much in this world that’s gone crazy, nuts, hurtful, and the only reason I can think is, the world as a whole is panicking unable to face its own inevitable collapse and panic leads to fear, fear to anger, anger to hatred and evil grows. I wish people would begin to grasp the truth that the answer to losing safety and security lies in a compassionate response. Anyway, hello again. Take care o’ you and get well, dear.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      It is always a joy to hear from you. Thanks for your kind wishes.
      In a world gone mad, what can we do but hold our friends close, and spread all the love we can?
      I’m sorry my posts haven’t reached you: I’ve updated after a fortnight, maybe my posts are too scant to show up on your reader? How did you subscribe to this blog: via mail or Feedly?

  • Get well soon Damyanti. Being afflicted is just an irritation, temporary at that. That’s wonderful to be featured in a journal, something everyone aspires for. An update on Hank’s theme for the A to Z ie, the Modern Day Explorer is the link below

    You may wish to see Yusuf Hashim’s pics on his recent PhotoSafari trip to the Arctic Circle!

    http://imagery77.blogspot.my/2016/09/ive-got-antarctica-cruise-coming-up-in.html

    Hank

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thankyou, Hank, and thanks for the link. I feel very lonely and forgotten these days (after-effects of letting go of my first novel, I guess) so it is nice to be remembered by blog-friends like you!

  • Dan Antion says:

    I hope you’re back in the pink soon. I’ll have this site on my list regardless. I’m going to go learn about verbs now – thanks!

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Dan. I’m a little better now. Catch you on BFF. And yep, we all need to know more about those pesky verbs!

  • Atulmaharaj says:

    Get well soon, I wish you a speedy recovery. It has been raining cats and dogs in Hyderabad !

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Atul. Hope the weather in Hyd takes a turn for the better soon.

  • Shailaja V says:

    Get well soon, D. Hate it when you fall sick.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Shy. Sorry I couldn’t meet you on this trip to Bangalore.

  • I feel your pain! Hope you have speedy recovery. Get better soon.

  • Wendy says:

    So sorry to hear that you are poorly. Look after yourself… xxx

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Wendy. Am on the way to recovery.

      • Wendy says:

        Hi Damyanti – Just wondering if you’re feeling ok now? I hope your still on the improve! x

        • Wendy says:

          ps – I’m not sure why this happens and it must be something on my blog site but although I ‘follow’ you, when I next look, the ‘follow’ link needs pressing again. I’m not sure how this shows up at your end and I would hate you to think that I’m ‘unfollowing’ you.. If you know how I can rectify this please let me know.. Much appreciated x

  • Hi Damyanti – oh how frustrating to still be suffering … take care, relax and get fully better – we’re here when and as you feel able to return. Infanticide has a powerful message – a strong story line … congratulations on getting it published. With thoughts – Hilary

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks for your kindness, Hilary. I hope all is well with you, too.
      Thanks for your words on the story: it is violent, but it is the truth for so many women.

  • Arlee Bird says:

    Sorry to hear of your affliction. Drink plenty of liquids and get your rest–but I’m sure I don’t need to tell you this. The weather in Los Angeles has been more of the same that Southern California typically see and the political climate is even worse. But life is essentially good despite the inconveniences and annoyances that the world thrusts upon us.

    At least you’re keeping things going with your writing. Good for you!

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Lee, thanks, am following your advice.
      With the elections nearing, things will continue to heat up in your political climate. Wishing you all good things, and thanks for stopping by–will visit you back soon. Take care.

  • Debbie D. says:

    Best wishes for a speedy recovery! Congratulations on getting this riveting story published. I’m mired in the world of web design at the moment. It’s a love/hate relationship. 🙂 Hope you’re feeling better.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Debbie.
      Web design is beyond me. I have a very capable and kind person helping with the upkeep, or I would have given up a while ago. Kudos to you for doing it on your own.

      Thank you for your kind words on my story– see you on your blog soonish.

  • Damyanti, I’m sending healing energy to you! 🙂
    The story is so heart-wrenching. And, sadly, the reality for so many young women.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Morgaine.
      I’m glad the story resonated with you. All a writer can do is set off conversations about it: wish I had super-powers.

  • I send you healing wishes, Damyanti. Your blog is always a delight to read, so I will be here when you are feeling stronger. Equinox blessings! 🙂 https://spookymrsgreen.com/2016/09/21/my-spiritual-journey-healing-and-cleansing/

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Catherine. I hope to be back in full form by next week, and sending biweekly posts to your inbox.

  • Continue to mend and stay cool and hydrated,
    Congratulations on the story!

  • I hope you recover soon Damyanti. I enjoy your posts. It’s a busy time for me so have not posted anything on my blog for awhile.Most of my reviews are on G+, but hope to change my blog status shortly.

  • Tikeetha T says:

    Not much. Fall is under way which is back to school for my son, science fair projects, book reports, ugh and it’s also the busy season for my job. The weather is a beautiful 82 degrees today. Nice and warm. Fall has arrived.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Wonderful that you get to see the change in seasons. No such luck here in the tropics.

  • Susan Scott says:

    Sooooo sorry you’ve not been well Damyanti. I hope and pray you feel better soon. Rest is best … keeping hydrated essential. Eat lightly, listen to your body. I’ll check out the links in a moment or so … but just wanted to get this off to you stat.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Susan. I’m already following all of your advice :). Hope to visit your blog soonish.

  • simonfalk28 says:

    Look after yourself Damyanti ?