For Readers & Writers 📝

This post is for for all those who either read or write online... and especially those readers who still check my page every day, either reading old posts or checking for new ones.

I have been writing online for more than 15 years now. Off and on, of course.
On different platforms, different forums, blogspot, wattpad, wordpress... for all the times, readers poured in, joined my journey and the numbers increased when I was consistently posting. Interestingly, they left when I wasn't regular with posting stories. That's the norm. That's expected. And I always know it will happen. But can we do something about it? I guess, the answer is - no. If you have to take a break, you can do nothing otherwise; or else you, your emotions and your mental peace will be hijacked by algorithms and public sentiments.

The case is same with social media and algorithms. If you are there regularly, your reach shoots up. Or else, you are shadow-banned.  That is how the business or the system works.

When you are a busy professional and love creative work, it's usually the most difficult with writing, unlike painting or cooking. Writing takes long hours beyond regular day work, just to have 1 product ready. It demands patience and an undistracted mind for one piece of writing takes ages to complete. Yet, we keep doing it purely for the love of it, and for the way it makes everyone feel... authors and readers alike. It does get exhausting at times, to try to juggle and fit multiple things in a box. Taking a break is not only natural, it is much needed. At least for some of us.

However, the plot twist thickens when you take a break and return. It is never, ever, easy to bounce back after a long sabbatical. I can vouch for this, first-hand, because I have been in this shaky ship for several times. Both your creativity and audience go away for a long walk once you take a break. Audience leaves, barring a few. Creativity leaves faster and is harder to get back. It is said that creativity is like a running tap. When it flows, it flows. When I used to post an update every single day, it was overflowing for me. I still don’t know how I did it. But when it stops, you need extra efforts to unblock the plug you put on it.

I started writing online around 2010, took a few breaks here and there to attend to personal stuff. As you all know, by now, that I am a doctor and a very hands-on mother. I love to cook and read. Sometimes, I paint as well. So, my plates are more than full at all times. However, writing has been my all-time love. My audience connected with me and kept increasing as I posted new books and disappeared when there were no books. It is justified, though. Especially when I remove the ongoing stories due to any reason. I understand that readers will drift away when there are no books for them to read? And sometimes, I feel responsible for people who were invested in the story. They deserve closure and it is not fair to take the story away, especially when it is not completed. It stays in my mind to compensate it. some day.

Before I took a long sabbatical in 2014, during my second pregnancy, I had thousands of readers on blogspot. However, the number gradually dropped to 5-7, as I stopped posting regularly. A few stayed in touch with me through emails. But this time, the gap was 2 years. When I returned, I started posting again in 2016 and later joined wattpad in 2017. Like always, I started writing for the handful of readers I could count on my fingers but I owe it to them for constantly asking me to write and post new stories. Once again, the number quickly rose to thousands. As a lot of you already know, I had to remove my books from wattpad in 2019 because they were being plagiarised. Not one but over 3 times. This time, I decided to publish my books and remove them from all online sites.

My first 2 books - The Masquerade and Spark & Spice 1 were published in quick succession, with a promise of a sequel for Spark & Spice. But then, life caught up. I was not even trying to edit. I dreaded picking up Book 2. Or any other form of writing. I was not being lazy or complacent. I took some giant leaps in my professional and personal life. I moved to Germany, added a new degree to my résumé, learned a new language, joined courses, joined new work. But that is not an excuse. That is life 😊

I finally picked up editing Book 2 in the last few months. But the lack of flow is troubling me. To maintain a flow, I even started writing part 3 here, so that I can get the grasp of the story smoothly.  Initially, it was difficult to be honest. Then, I started getting emails and messages to not continue it because readers were tempted to read. Then, at one point in time, I couldn’t go ahead too without giving spoilers from Book 2. So, I stopped part 3 temporarily. Whenever, I resume Book 3, it will be completed here initially because you started reading it here.

I had previously posted the stages of editing process of my books in my writing journal (Read here). I have now edited the third draft of Book 2 of Spark & Spice which is pretty loose but more structured than the first one. The first draft was written in 2018, and I feel I was very new to writing then, so I used to repeat a lot of stuff (I still do) and made a ton of mistakes (I do that too). I now appreciate my readers more than ever that they ignored my silly mistakes and allowed the story to shine for them.

In the new book, I think my readers deserve more. And I also feel the characters need more content than what was given to them. Hence, I am writing 6 chapters new for this book... fresh from the scratch. Once this stage is done, all other edits are pretty faster and smoother. So, I will soon ask for beta readers to raise their hands. After that, it takes a few months for the book to be published and that’s it. Phewww!!!

Apart from this, as I had mentioned in my previous post, I need advice from all of you about the title of Book 2. As it goes a step ahead of Book 1 in quirkiness and style, I had initially planned to name it More Spark Extra Spice. But one night of sleeplessness and overthinking sowed a nagging seed in my mind that ‘spice’ hints at something else. I don’t want to give an image that it is a smutty book. So, I am not sure anymore.

Can you pleeeaaaasseeee give it a thought and send me a yay or nay about the title of Book 2 ? Should I continue with the one planned (yay), or write nay, if you think it's not good and I should change it. It will really help me and my wandering mind.

You can write me an email, a message using the contact box on the top of the page or even reply on my Instagram story. It would mean a lot to me.

To writers, do take that break if you need it. Love flows out of a full heart. Creativity flows out of a relaxed mind and a free spirit. Do not tie yourself to the desk in the fear that readers will go away. They do. And they come back too. That's my personal experience. This is not taking your readership for granted. Never!! This is about taking care of you and your audience by giving them time and quality content.

A shoutout to the readers - everyone who reads stories and books online. You are amazing! I would request you to please wait for your favourite authors to get done with their personal lives, professional milestones, busy homes, naughty children and hundreds of nagging pursuits they simply take up. Writers are creative people. Writing is always on the back of their minds. They will return after a break. And return stronger.

And last but not the least, those who are still in touch with me, watching this space, sending messages and emails to me, asking me when I will write to post, and waiting for my books - from the bottom of my heart - a huge ... thank you!!!

I am here because of you. I value every single reader who has been with me in my journey and continues to do so. My love and best wishes for you.
May you achieve the best in life 💕

Take care 💗