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Surprising Ways The Muse Escapes The Trappings of Everyday

I’ve been traveling often these days, but a part of me has decided it is time to hunker down and write. That part is already scribbling notes on new stories even as I figure out the book on contract and work on certain tweaks that my agent has suggested on You Beneath Your Skin.

When I see people in shops, I want to take pictures, or make up stories about them, put them together with other people on the streets. Yesterday when I drew up at a mall for a meet (don’t ask) and the security checked the car boot, I wondered what it would be like if they found a dead body in there.

On a weekend trip, I began thinking of what I’d do if I were left behind, marooned in a jungle, an isolated spot when I was trying to take a picture. Lots of places without phone signals.

At a stunning lookout spot over a valley in the mist, standing under an umbrella in the driving rain, I imagined someone pushing an unwary person down the hill.

Clearly, my crimey-muse is working non-stop. As is my love for words you can taste, swirl around in your mouth, and last night I indulged it by scribbling some purple prose late into the night because I was too exhausted to edit.

I’d do more of that today, but here I am on the blog instead because I realize I need to keep showing up here or I would just scribble around on random notebooks.

What about you? For non-writers, do you ever sit and do things you like instead of the tasks on your calendar? As writers does the muse ever play with you at times? Do you miss writing when you can’t settle down to write?


My own crime novel, The Blue Bar will be out soon with Thomas & Mercer. It is already available for preorders. Add it to Goodreads or pre-order it to make my day.
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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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22 Comments

  • chika2b says:

    I believe that is called ADHD, but characters have that too I feel like so much stimuli for a sensitive give way to so many pathways to a story.

  • Dan Antion says:

    I am finding more things (tasks) in retirement than when I was working, but I still try to find time to write. I also notice people, make notes about what they are doing and add them to a list of things I might write someday.

    PS: I signed up to get notifications again. WP keeps dropping me. I hope you’re having a great week.

  • Sandra Cox says:

    Your muse is rocking it.

  • DutchIl says:

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts and lovely photo!!.. perhaps your travels is a way for you to gather memories for your writings?.. as for me, every day is a new day with new adventures, so I wake up and follow my heart.. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Until we meet again..
    May the sun shine all day long
    Everything go right, nothing go wrong
    May those you love bring love back to you
    May all the wishes you wish come true
    May peace be within you
    May your heart be strong
    May you find whatever youโ€™re seeking
    Wherever you may roam
    ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  (Irish Saying)

  • Jemima Pett says:

    I know what you mean, looking at a scene and imagining it in your creative world. I’m currently looking at things I want to do, but not sumoning up enough creative energy to start. I blame the heat. I wonder what next month’s excuse will be?

  • bikerchick57 says:

    I haven’t been on my blog much this summer and that’s because of the things on my calendar. That’s okay because my writing tank felt a little empty and I was enjoying the rest of my life. I’ll be back at it soon as I’ve filled my tank a little and ready to move on from these busy days.

  • Beautiful picture illustration. When the writing bug hits you need to obey as there are times when inspiration is a blank so go get that new story started. ๐Ÿ™‚

    • DamyantiB says:

      Absolutely Ian. I’d like to think that these ideas are like a coal mine, you dig deeper and you just might land on the biggest find ever.

  • I’ll indulge myself in writing poetry when marketing tasks are on the to-do list.

  • Vinitha says:

    My muse is constantly talking to me when I am too busy to write. But when I sit to write there comes the silence I hate. I can relate to your constant writing mind, Damyanti. I love these stories of random strangers I come up with in my mind. Your crimey muse is fascinating. ๐Ÿ™‚

    • DamyantiB says:

      Hahaha, thanks Vinitha. I feel it’s best to at least scribble the thoughts when I’m too busy to write them down.

  • In the mist, I would see a dragon. (Probably flaming someone down the hill.)

  • It sounds as if your writing muse is integral to who you are. Which is wonderful. Truly wonderful. Long may that muse survive and thrive.

  • I love how serene you sound here. So reflective!

    Inspiration hits at the oddest of times, provoked by completely unrelated objects or events. I love being a writer with the ability to let stories bloom to life!

    • DamyantiB says:

      Exactly! Following those train of thought is really rewarding at times ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you for visiting Elizabeth.

  • Absolutely! I have been thrilled to finish edits, start on my flexible marketing list and other ‘stuff’. It feels so good to be somewhat untethered.