Thirteen years of blogging friends
In 2021, I completed thirteen years of blogging. More than a decade of writing blog posts, of visiting blogs, of blogging friends. Friends have been my one place of support and refuge in the past year, and in this one, which seems in so many ways like an extension of the last year. I’ll not speak of trials, because no matter where we are today, we have had a trying time. My blog friends have been my cheerleaders throughout my publication journey–they’ve read and reviewed You Beneath Your Skin, commiserated on my times of loss, and cheered me on as I struggled.
It gives me pause–I’ve known some of you for almost ten years ! We visit each other, keep up with each other’s life and publication woes, and I’ve met some of you in real life. The meetups have felt natural, a continuation of our online lives and interactions. Some of us keep in touch via social media, others via calls and emails, and in these times of isolation, that’s been a lifeline.
I wouldn’t mention names, because there are so many of you, and in my current scatterbrained state I might miss someone, and that would be gutting. I want to say to each one of you that your comments often light up my day, that when some of you call, it makes me feel heard, and that I long to meet and hug some of you, though who knows when that will be. I hope, soon. In the meanwhile, I have questions for you:
If you’ve been here before, what year did we meet? Are we blog friends? Would you like to share one of your posts in the comments that you’d like more reads on? What do you think I should improve upon on Daily (w)rite?
Other points:
An IWSG blog friend, Kalpana, has posted an interview today, and it would be lovely if you could add to her hit counter! I speak about failing at writing, how not to over-burden the reader, and many other writerly concerns.
From the bloggers who comment on this post, I’ll choose 10 blog friends at random, and if you give me an address I can send a parcel to, pass you a book. I still hold strong in my faith: books make (almost) everything better.
Today is the first Wednesday of the month for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.
Founded by the Ninja 
Cap’n Alex J. Cavanaugh, the purpose of the group is to offer a safe space where writers can share their fears and insecurities without being judged. The wonderful co-hosts this time are Louise – Fundy Blue , Jennifer Lane, Mary Aalgaard, Patsy Collins at Womagwriter, and Nancy Gideon!
My debut literary crime novel,”You Beneath Your Skin,” published by the fab team at Simon and Schuster IN is optioned to be a TV series by Endemol Shine.
It is available in India here.
Worldwide, here.
Reviews are appreciated–please get in touch if you’d like a review copy.
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I’ve been blogging for a long time too. I’d say we probably got to know each other because of the A to Z Challenge. Or other blog hops. I know I’m one of the people who read and loves your book! It really stuck with me.
I’m getting ready for the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge. And hoping to honor the wonderful women in my life on March 8 for International Women’s Day.
J Lenni Dorner~ Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge, Debut Author Interviewer, Reference& Speculative Fiction Author
Congrats on 13 years of blogging! I think I’m coming up on ten years in a few months. I hadn’t even thought about it!
I believe we met in 2011, when I found you through the A to Z April blogging challenge. You wrote a story a day, and every one was a gem. We ARE blogging friends, and I’m a huge, huge fan of your work. HUGS!
Congratulations on the 13 years of blogging, Damyanti. I’ve known you for the past 4 years now and I still recall the very first post of yours that I had read was about the ‘one cherished thing’ wherein you’d mentioned about the gift you had received from your late mother-in-law! It was a moving piece of writing and I instantly felt that I had to read more from you. So glad we got to meet in Bangalore. Hopefully, again, someday soon. My best wishes for all your future projects, Damyanti. Stay well and stay safe, my friend. <3
13 – lucky for some. I’m sure you’ve seen many changes in the blogging world but I think what endures is the friendships it creates. I’d be honoured to call you a friend.
I’m not going to count how long I’ve been blogging, but my previous blog ended with a review of the movie The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. I don’t know when we started posting on each other’s blogs, or why I found yours. It’s just so normal to blog.
I loved our meet-up in Bangalore, Damyanti. Such a fun afternoon that was! Loved your book and also the great cause that you introduced me to. I like it that we connect over food and writing. Good luck to you, my friend.
Congratulations for the thirteen years, D. Wish you many more!
I first came to know you through FB and IG. I became a secret admirer and then an online friend. FInally, three years ago, we met in the real world, and since then it’s been wonderful knowing you, the person. 🙂
Lots of love and best wishes, D. I don’t know if and when we will meet again, but we are just a phone call away, right? <3
Belated congratulations on your thirteenth year blogging! I think we first connected during 2016, when I was blogging my daily progress on a novel while juggling a two year old. I remember smiling everytime you liked a post, and it made me feel so supported. ❤️ Here’s to another thirteen years! (And the book sounds fantastic—I could use a good crime novel on my bedside table!) All the best!
Congratulations on your blogging longevity and all of your publishing accomplishments, Damyanti! Your online following is a testament to your charm and good nature. ☺ We met online some years ago, but I can’t recall if it was through the A to Z Challenge or one of the Facebook blogging groups. Best wishes for your continued success and many thanks for your support as well.
That’s a lot of years of blogging! Congratulations, Damyanti. Blogging friends are awesome. Perhaps due to the like-mindedness. I think we met somewhere in 2014 or 2015. I had participated in AtoZ in 2015, so definitely before April.
Wishing you many more years of blogging success! 🙂
Who knows how long we’ve been bloggy friends, Damyanti. I adore your writing and your perspective on life. Time is irrelevant. ;0)
Hahahah yes, time IS irrelevant. Seems like we’ve been friends forever!
Hi Damyanti – I’m sure we’re friends … and I loved your book – an excellent read. Like you I’ve been blogging 13 years … and life goes – I’ve really enjoyed being around the blogosphere and learning so much – though I only blog and am not writing a book … but it’s a fascinating world to be in and a very positive experience – all the best – Hilary
Hilary, you’re a fantastic blogger, and an even better blog friend. Thanks for reading the book and loving it. Love to stay in touch via your blog and FB! I think we know each other since nine years now–we met in 2012. Time flies!
Thank you for sharing (don’t need the book 🙂 )!.. I started blogging around the year 2000 and were fortunate to be able to share thoughts with many folks the world over.. and I considered anyone visiting a friend (although few were not all that friendly 🙂 )… wonderful folks like you visited often and with that “Life gives us brief moments with another, but sometimes in those brief moments we get memories that last a lifetime, So live that your memories will be part of your happiness.” (Author Unknown)…. it is always a pleasure to read you blogs, books, etc and please continue.. 🙂
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.
May the sun shine all day long
Everything go right, nothing go wrong
May those you love bring love back to you
And may all the wishes you wish come true
(Irish Saying)
Thanks so much for always being such a wonderful blog friend. You’ve read and reviewed the book, and I couldn’t be more grateful. This is my one achievement over the years, having bloggers like you to call my friends.
It’s always a pleasure interacting with you. I think we first e-met in 2019 when your book released. I was so gonna make it for your book launch, but regrettably couldn’t although I was only 3.5 km away attending an event there in Bangalore. Since then, I’ve read and reviewed your book, read your articles and stories that you’ve shared on Facebook, attended your flash fiction class conducted by Bound… So often, your posts have inspired me ..
It was wonderful to catch you at the Bound workshop. Hope we can meet IRL some day soon. So pleased that my posts have been helpful, thanks for letting me know.
That’s quite a while, but here’s to the next thirteen!
Thanks so much, Mick.
And thank you for your support through the years.
Thirteen years – that’s a long time. I know we got to know each other when I was one of your minions on the A2Z, but I’d visited you before that – the previous year’s A2Z or earlier! And yes, I think we’re friends. 🙂
Congratulations on 13 years! Wow. I started blogging in 2005 (I was paid to write a parenting blog), but didn’t get involved in the writing community and my current blog until years after that. (BTW, this is Shannon from thewarriormuse [dot] com. It auto-signs me in to my podcast account when I’m on WordPress, and I don’t have the time or patience to switch back and forth).
(I already have a copy of the book!)
I started blogging in 2012. So, if you did the A to Z Challenge that year, then that’s possibly when we met. I honestly don’t know for sure. But we’ve certainly interacted for a very long time. I’d like to think that makes us friends.
Congratulations! We e-met in 2019 when your book launched. I wanted to make it for your launch in Bangalore, but I was away elsewhere and regrettably missed it. Since then, I’ve read the work that you’ve shared on Facebook, read your newsletter, attended your flash fiction class conducted by Bound, and also read, reviewed, and enjoyed your book. I’ve also interacted with you on Twitter and found your posts inspiring. I’d like to share with you a post of mine that I’d like more reads on – https://aishwariyalaxmi.com/2021/01/31/a-beautiful-mind/
I don’t know how many years we have been blogging pals Damyanti, all I know is that being part of the great Bharat Mata diaspora I feel we are part of that family together. Your work has inspired me both in your professional writing and your great love and concern for humanity. You have been a blessing to me personally 🙂
Perhaps I am meeting you for the first time? Nice to see your success!
It’s been a pleasure to know you Damyanti. I’ve learnt/am learning so much from you. I don’t remember though how we met but I love your reading and writing gazettes.
Books do indeed make everything better. I turn to them for education, for comfort, for escape – and sometimes find all three of those things in the one volume.
I have read your interview at Kalpana’s site this morning already. And loved it.
I am also blown away by the friendships I have found, made, treasure here in the blogosphere.
Wow! 13 years…Congratulations! We met in 2019, when I started blogging. Although, I don’t think you would remember me (and I don’t blame you for that, I am an introvert), but I’ve read your almost every post since then and you’re someone I look up to as a writer. Best wishes.
We met through IWSG!
I think I’ve followed you for over five years, Damyanti. I know more about you (good stuff of course) than most people in my physical neighborhood. Thanks for your thoughtful posts and comments.
It’s been a while since I’ve been active in the blogging world. I read Kalpanawrites earlier this morning and recognized your name. I’d seen your handle on my Pinterest page and when I saw her post. Yeah, I recognized it. Don’t know why I didn’t just Google search your name. I did read occasionally and now am getting back into things. I bookmarked your book on the Amazon link. Was so glad to see it cause I checked out the one on Kalpana’s site.
I’m not sure where we originally met! It’s been a while!!
Blogging has brought me so much – with good friends being at the top of the list!
Thirteen years is certainly a long time to be blogging. Congratulations! I hope to be able to blog consistently like that.
I bought your book last year when I heard about you on Twitter, although I haven’t finished reading it. (Sorry!)
Hi Damyanti, we met online through Blogging from A to Z in April, probably in 2013 not long after I started blogging. Here’s a link to my latest post. One of the words in the title was new to me. I learn a lot online! https://suestrifles.wordpress.com/2021/01/29/ekphrastic-poetry-paint-chip-prompt/
Yes, I think it was 2012 or 2013, when I had my other blog on blogger–so nearly 10 years :). I’ve enjoyed following your blog, and will visit your link now–thanks for sharing it here.
Hi Damyanti! I don’t remember the exact year we became blogging friends, but it’s been a number of years. Perhaps 5 or 6? It’s been an honor getting to know you through this blog and your kind heart, enjoying your novel and writing, and being part of #WATWB and FB groups. I appreciate your support, but even more so, I enjoy giving you mine. I hope and pray this year proves to be less stressful than the last, that we are all able to get out and seek out our friends’ hugs and companionship, and that by year’s end we are still both part of this wonderful blogging community. Love and hugs to you!
I think it was during the Cherished Bligfest that we connected, Mary, and mabe we met on Dan’s blog? That should be 2015, I think?
You’ve been a pillar of support: for me, for my blog, and my writing.
Sending to love and hugs, and a heartfelt amen to your hope and prayer. The world is so fragile, and I’m so blessed to have friends like you.
I followed your blog because I love the way you write and b3cause you are always authentic about your writing struggles.
Thanks for the kind words and the follow, Mary. We’ve been in touch since 2018, at least, from what I recall.
I began in 2009 and I think we met during the second year of the Challenge. We certainly became good friends during our time as admins. You were one of my champions and I appreciated that.
Yes, we met in 2011. I’m so glad we’ve kept in touch over decade. I treasure your friendship, Alex.
I can relate to this post a lot, Damyanti. Having started blogging back in 2013, I am still in touch with many of them via social media and WhatsApp. I think I got to know you through Debby Gies, and it is a pleasure bumping into you, Damyanti. You are an inspiration to many!
You’ve been blogging a long while as well. Yes, we met through Debby :). I like to think I’m inspired by many–personally, I muddle along best I can.
Thirteen years! That is a major commitment and a milestone worthy of many congratulations!!! I wish you every success for the next 13 years …. and beyond! Stay safe!
Thank you so much.
As a confirmed introvert, some of my online friends are as dear to me as some who live in my city. It’s strange, the relationships we make, and how important they are to us. Happy Anniversary!
It is so true–online friends are some of my dearest friends. I’ve known you since 2017, I think. Thank you for your support over the years.