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This blog is all about writing in general and my writing in particular. I hardly, if ever, talk about personal stuff here. But writing takes from life,  and so here I go about my silence so far this month.

In the first week of April, we lost my sister-in-law to cancer, and the last week of April we lost my mother-in-law too in an unusual, and somewhat unprecedented (in her city and community, at least) way: a snakebite.

We’re all trying to pull together now, cope as a family, as families do.

But inside of me is a wall of silence. I haven’t written much since end of April, which is about 20 days now. Somewhat unnatural for me, because I write (or should I say, used to write) daily. Blogging seems like a burden, but I miss all my friends, the regulars who always visit and comment, and those who dropped by in April for the A to Z Challenge.

April, which was supposed to be a happy blogging month for me, turned into a personal nightmare– a fact that showed in my lack of visits to other blogs, and non-response to comments.

To all those who commented, I plan to visit you back once I get back to myself a little, and get hold of a good internet connection. I won’t have proper internet till the end of May, but come June and I hope to get back to blogging.

In between, I’ll try and post when the muse takes me, or the need to talk is too insistent to ignore, like now. Take care, all, and for those who left me a message on the email and my A to Z Challenge Cohosts, and team, I love you all and I’m very grateful.

Here’s to all of you till I post again, which, hopefully, should be soon.

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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22 Comments

  • Losing two people you love takes its toll – there's no need for apologies. Please take all the time you need to grieve and don't worry about us A-Z bloggers. Now is the time to focus on your healing and that of your family.

  • LinWash says:

    Take care of yourself.

  • So sorry to hear about your loss! What terrible ways in which to lose family.

    You have an amazing blog, by the way. I came here to say thank you for visiting my blog. Take care! I hope you start writing again soon.

  • AJEYA RAO says:

    Sorry for your loss. Just stepped by here. Interesting blog

  • Shallee says:

    I am so, so sorry for so many hard times last month. Take time to heal.

  • Indrani says:

    Looking forward to June and your blogging.
    Thank you very much for your likes. 🙂

  • Mina Lobo says:

    I'm so sorry you experienced such a traumatic and difficult April, D. Hope the rest of 2013 is kinder. ((((((((((Damyanti))))))))))
    Some Dark Romantic

  • DL Hammons says:

    We all understand, Damyanti! You have taken a blow and need time. The words will flow again when you are ready.

  • Al Diaz says:

    My prayers have been with you all the time. Dragon hugs.

  • blessings to you and yours, my heart bleeds for your family

  • Sorry to hear about your losses. You take all the time you need.

  • Jo says:

    We are all behind you and sorry for your losses. Very difficult to cope with at any time.

    JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

  • Take things as slowly as you need. Sending you and your family much love and prayers.

  • Damy, you take all the time you need. You know the A to Z Team is with you.

  • Marian Allen says:

    Sometimes silence isn't a deficit, it's tribute our hearts pay to a pain too deep for words. When the swelling of grief subsides, you'll speak again.

    Till then, we're listening to your silence with understanding and compassion. HUGS

  • Two deaths in so short a period is hard to deal with. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

  • shelly says:

    I hope this comment posts. You have my prayers.

    Hugs and chocolate,
    Shelly

  • Tina says:

    Thanks for sharing so openly. You have my prayers and whatever else you might need. We all love you and want you to take the time you need. We will be here when you get "back" to writing and blogging. Nothing is as important as family.
    Tina @ Life is Good

  • Damyanti- You told us about your sister-in-law but I was shocked to know you lost your mum-in-law too, and in such a terrible way. Your family has really been tested. Each of us has our own way of coping with loss and I'm sure you will find the strength within individually and as a family to heal.
    Sending you all my condolences and prayers. Hugs.

  • I'm so sorry for your losses. I've been thinking of you since your last post. You need to work on healing now. The writing will come later.

  • It's times like this that make you stop and reassess what's really important in our lives. It's not blogging. Blogs will wait. It's family and friends. I know that when my Mum died two years ago I thought I'd never write again. I took time out and that's what you must do too. Take care. Spend time with your family. They're precious and don't forget to look after yourself. My thought are, and have been, with you.

  • Melody says:

    I am so sorry to hear of the difficulties you have experienced, and so close together. Don't feel bad about not blogging or responding – grief has a way of making you ride along with it for a while whether you want to or not. Prayers.