You plan life, but life has other plans. I’m here, eleven days later than I’d hoped, and with very little of what I’d wanted to accomplish.
I’d expected to finish drafting the sequel to The Blue Bar, but life decided otherwise. Instead, I’m 1/4th done, and have managed to drag the copyedits of The Blue Bar, kicking and screaming, to their last deadline today.
Major swelling of the arms and wrists, and a possible carpal tunnel diagnosis is partly to blame for my lack of productivity, and the rest, as it is for all of us, is down to the pandemic.
This book has been three years in the making, and I’ve shared some of the journey here on Daily (w)rite.
I changed agents with this book, and it will now be published as part of a 2-book deal with Thomas & Mercer. And so it goes.
Cover concepts and the back cover text are in process, and hopefully, they will be out in the world soon.
This 8th January was the 14-year anniversary for Daily (w)rite, and since I let it pass without comment, here’s a little something to celebrate. I’ll give away a copy each of these two books, both used as comparison titles for The Blue Bar:
These Women, by Ivy Pochoda
Ivy Pochoda creates a kaleidoscope of loss, power, and hope featuring five very different women whose lives are steeped in danger and anguish. They’re connected by one man and his deadly obsession, though not all of them know that yet.
The Boy from the Woods, by Harlan Coben
Thirty years ago, Wilde was found as a boy living feral in the woods, with no memory of his past. Now an adult, he still doesn’t know where he comes from, and another child has gone missing.
The entry is open wherever Book Depository ships out, from today till the 30th January, 11.55pm EST.
To win,
* Comment below.
* CLICK this link.
* If you’re not on Twitter, subscribe to One-Shot instead.
Thanks to each one of you who has been part of my journey.
I know a whole lot of you for more than a decade–visiting your blogs, sharing your joys and sorrows on social media, and benefiting from your wisdom on this blog.
Here’s to many more years of our friendship, and in this one long year of loneliness and isolation that is 2020-22–here’s to community, human warmth, and solidarity.
May we triumph together.
How have you been? How’s the pandemic treating you? What would you recommend I read now that I’m done with one deadline and prepping for another? For the writers among you–what writing deadlines have you met lately?
If you’d like to challenge me with more Writing Prompts for my new One-Shot Gazette where I’ll be sending out flash fiction, CLICK HERE. You can also subscribe to the Publishing Resources (I send out one with writing resources, another with reading hacks and book sales, and recommendations, and the latest with short fiction) using the links below.
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Congratulations on 14 years blogging, Damyanti! I can’t believe how the time has passed so quickly. You have certainly made the most of that time with both your writing and your outreach to help other authors and would-be book authors. Also I have enjoyed your posts that reflect a social message–e.g., women’s rights worldwide and the evils of poverty. Many bravos to you–keep on keeping on!
So happy for your Damyanti on your 14 years and your your exciting publishing journey <3
Thanks so much, Debby! How’s Mexico? Pictures awaited!
Hi Damyanti – congratulations on 14 years of blogging … but more importantly on your publishing career – and here’s to more success in the coming years. I do hope things heal for you … and especially for us all that covid recedes into the background of life … I’m just glad the longer days are here – cheers Hilary
Thanks so much, Hilary. Your unrelenting support over the years has meant so much for me.
Sending virtual hugs and prayers for your health. Hope you achieve your goals with passing colours. It’s good to see your postings. Take care and be safe
Thank you, Vishnupria. Much appreciated. Take care, too.
Hope you tide over your health troubles soon Damyanti. And loads of good luck for your book/s.
Thanks so much!
I hope your health issues can be resolved quickly so you can finish your sequel Damyanti.
Thanks, Ian. began work on it again now.
Congratulations on 14 years of blogging! Sending healing energy!
Thanks so much! Sending hugs–thanks for your unwavering support down the years!
Sounds like you’ve been dealing with a lot. I have been rewriting a book that was published years ago … I’m embarrassed to admit that it is full of rookie errors but I do like the story and am committed to it (or perhaps I should be committed). I don’t believe in deadlines but then I am not with a publishing house! Good luck.
Thanks, Jan. It is not a lot–I just need to find better ways of coping :). All the best with your book!
hope the carpal tunnel eases, the book meets its deadlines, and you have another few decades of blogging ahead, Damyanti!
Oooh,thanks Pam, those are all the wishes I need. I appreciate your support down the years.
I’m sorry to hear about the possible carpal tunnel (and everything else). I have several exercises to contra CT, thanks to my mum’s experiences and several friends. So far, so good, for me. Take it steady, do as much as you can, and reexamine your deadlines – if you set them, you can change them!
Sending hugs and congrats for your 14 years!
I do exercise but I think I need to reduce my typing hours. Hugs right back, and thanks so much for your support!
Thank you for sharing!!… congratulations on 14 years, time does seem to fly and sometimes one needs to stop the world and get off briefly to “reboot”!!.. sorry about the health issues, we all have issues of one kind or the other, but as the saying goes “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain”. (Author Unknown) and I am sure you will find a way… 🙂
Hope you are on the mend and feeling much better and until we meet again..
May flowers always line your path
and sunshine light your way,
May songbirds serenade your
every step along the way,
May a rainbow run beside you
in a sky that’s always blue,
And may happiness fill your heart
each day your whole life through.
(Irish Saying)
Thanks so much, Larry. Time does fly. I’m feeling better, for sure–will start off with exercise routines soon.
Congratulations Damyanti. Good to have you back. You’ve worked hard and I am so sorry for your troubles. Hope you are better now. The big C finally caught up with us and we had our big share of the pandemic. So, writing majorly took a back seat. Trying to get back on track. Wish you a great writing year and looking forward to the book.
Thanks very much, Sonia. So sorry you had to face covid–hope you and your family are back to absolute normal real soon.
Congratulations on fourteen years! I hit twelve last year and completely missed it, so at least you remembered.
Thanks so much, Alex. My blog make sme feel my age now–it is like having a teenaged child.
I am sorry for your bodily woes. Very sorry. And unsurprised that the writing muse/demon still demands attention.
Thanks so much, Sue. Hope to stop by your blog soon.
Damyanti I can relate somewhat to the life has other plans. I hope you find some relief for your carpal tunnel syndrome issues. There are voice interfaces though I don’t have any idea how efficient or clunky that software might be. The pandemic is keeping me isolating. We are vaccinated. However the hospitals are at capacity and beyond. And the simple answer is why test the statistics trying to spread the new variant ? Not to mention pushing the burden on long overworked medical staffs. On the chance that anyone of us is in that small mathematical exception to virus protection why in the heck would any of us want to compete for overtaxed medical services ? Why add to the burden of the medical system just so my life is close to what used to be normal ? That I think is selfish. Stay safe. Stay sane. Take it one day at a time. The plan may shift. The journey may take longer than you or others desire. Still you, we can get there if we simply persist.
Thanks, John. I’m trying to learn to write via dictation–let’s hope I can succeed soon.
I’m of the same mind about the pandemic. I’m privileged enough to be able to isolate as much as possible–I stay masked if I step out, and only visit open spaces.
Of course, I’m taking it one day at a time–There really is no way around it.
I’ll play along! Harlan’s book sounds excellent. Best of luck with Thomas Mercer. I’ve always liked the books they published.
Thanks, Jacqui! You’re always so supportive, and I really appreciate that.