“The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamouring to become visible.”
~Vladimir Nabakov
My dear readers, we have been together these past years. I have known the unwavering love of some of you who have stood by me through the thick and thin of my muse. And I like to think I have humoured you on matters and moments more than few.
I have also known the ire of many miffed visitors, for not playing a note this way or that way. I am afraid I have known the spite too of those who failed. But allow me to assure you, I have served anything but sapless wine. Indeed, that is why you are reading these lines.
The time has come when I wound my strings more and more to the tune of Breeze on the Grass, my incomplete book. There is no way I can live without One Grain Amongst the Storm, my blog, but yes, I may be seen less often around these dunes.
Lest you get me wrong, it is more of an announcement than a farewell. And I take pride in declaring that neither would have been possible without your love and support.
For those of you who have liked any of my tales, it is my prayer that you read the others on the shelf. I promise they don’t come with an expiry date, nor do they become stale.
One Grain Amongst the Storm 
Don’t be a stranger, Uma! I’m looking forward to reading the new stuff you’re working on. Breeze on the Grass sounds very intriguing!
I dare not, Kris! But the time has come to focus more on the longer project. I will write more about it shortly.
Thanks a lot!
Oh no, I was just about to comment on your Cleopatra series, saying how I was becoming addicted to your stories!
It’s great that you’re focusing on your book- after I started blogging I too have ignored fine tuning my book. Hope we get to read your book very soon!
Do keep sharing your thoughts and muse on your blog every once in a while!
Chaitanya, blogging demands its pound of flesh. Keep working on that book of yours too. Don’t worry, I’ll be around here.
Not gonna be around here just as much? 😦 You will be missed. But all the VERY best for the book. I’m very eagerly waiting for it. I’m already excited about it. 🙂
I’ll be around here, Divya. It could be more about the story of the story though! Thank you.
All the very best for your novel, Uma! Needless to say, the desultory nature of your appearances shall be sorely regretted.
Thank you, Suresh. I am merely intending to cut down on the fiction here.
What a wonderful quote US!
I’m sure these readers will wait – as I shall – for your magical offerings whenever you can manage them.
I too, know of what you refer: that manuscript in the cupboard & clouds; a skeleton or two.
Time marches on, & the time is now right to get things in order: to breathe life into those pages & rattling skeletons. As you say, this is not goodbye good friend.
Cheers, ic
“A manuscript in the cupboard & clouds; a skeleton or two.” That is so quotable, Ian! And that is what beckons me at the moment, as time marches on!
Thank you for your unwavering support.
Breeze on the Grass sounds interesting. What is it about?
It’s a pleasure to visit this blog. When you have time do enthrall us with whatever you wish to say.
Alka, there will be a time to tell all that. Thank you for the encouragement.
It would be interesting to read your book. Best of luck on the same. Hope to see some posts from you here on and off though.
Even I am planning to drastically reduce my socializing on blog-o-sphere though for my own reasons different from yours. I plan to focus on nurturing and developing the inherent quality of my writing safe from the prying eyes of the deceptive world. I find over the last couple of years, my focus has been shifting from writing to socializing. Clearly when my writing is not up to the mark, I should not be wasting time getting more readers for the mediocre stuff I write.
First, you don’t write mediocre stuff. If you don’t believe that, have a peep over the alleys of our favourite blogging community. And yes, socializing is a tax on the time with added cess. One must draw the line somewhere.
Thank you for dropping in and being interested in my sighs. Hope to see you again.
Your captions always enchant me…Breeze on the Grass!!! Soothing and curiosity inciting. Lesser presence on the blog is understandable.
Am I glad ? Yes, extremely so…at last I’d like to read a printed version of your thoughts.
Though I am a more recent visitor to your space yet I have always vocalized my enthue in no uncertain term and maintained that you are meant for larger audience.
I wish you all the best. In case I may be of some help do let me know though it is a proven fact that you are a master of your craft.
Undoubtedly frugality of your posts shall be something which will bother the reader in me looking for something intellectually stimulating yet for a greater cause the remiss is acceptable.
Well, your decision encourages me to introspect more on my penning priorities.
Wish I had the time and focus to rearrange my writing schedule.
Do find time to make your esteemed presence felt on my nonsensical musings if, that is to say, you feel up to it !
That title comes from a special source.
I am grateful to you for your confidence in my writing and that you could enjoy it in the larger, printed format. Trust me, that has buttressed my resolve hugely. I will still keep scribbling for my blog though.
Do rearrange your writing schedule too. Thank you, Geetashree.
I am so glad you are setting your priorities in that direction and targeting the larger audience that you deserve to be read by. I hope you continue to provide your thoughts on other matters though, if not fiction. I will look forward to your words hitting the shelves. Here is wishing you all the very best! I hope you continue to find time to amble on twitter and other blogs :).
Richa, but for the belief of my friends in me, I would not be embarking on the rather solitary path of writing a book. But the blogging format has started limiting the flight of my stories.
A million thanks to you for your continued support. Yes, I would be still be found meandering on blogs and social networks.
USP ..I cannot be a selfish fan . its logical to see you meet up your other commitments with life too and a river is bound to meet the sea and for that it has to continue flowing.The World beyond Blogging is technically 79% even till date.
But be around. Your feedback , comments .. your likes everything matters to this man lot more than you may have imagined !! 🙂 And bounce back asap one one grain..!! 🙂
I’ll be around, my friend! Thank you for being there. 🙂
All the very best to you and to your new ventures…!!!
Thank you, Anjan.
Wish you all the best US. The title sounds fascinating. 🙂
Thanks for dropping in and your wishes, SC.
Need I say that the book is eagerly awaited? Do find some time in between for the reality bites here, though
All good wishes come your way, my friend!
I wouldn’t have budged an inch from this blog except that I’d keep a bit silent till I sort it out. A million thanks to you, Bindu.
Uma, what wonderful news! I eagerly await the results as those blank pages turn into letters of gold. Throw us a bit of gold dust from time to time.
Gold and gold dust, NP? I’d be lucky if I leave a scratch in the dust of the world, my friend. However, I’ll remain grateful forever for those sparkling words.
Good luck in your endeavours. I am sure I will be waiting in line to buy your book. I love your blog and will keep visiting as and when it is updated. Breeze on the Grass..sounds intriguing. When do we get a quick preview/ teaser?
Friends like you will keep me chugging on. Thanks for liking the name. I should be able to talk more about it soon.
My best wishes for Breeze on the grass. I look forward to it eagerly. Meanwhile, I will occupy myself with delving deeper into your blog.
Thanks for approving and reading the older stuff, Dagny. Do keep me posted of your precious views.
Best of luck to you. As someone who struggles with the whole novelist/blogger situation, I commiserate. I’ve recently decided to do the same. When I blog more, my novel writing suffers. As much as I love blogging, I love writing more. It’s all about what means most to you, I think.
Thank you, Janene -don’t I know the dilemma! Yet, I may just be able to hold on to the tail of a vanishing magpie. Time flies.
So, it is becoming a reality. Excellent! Go for it, my friend.
May the words warp out of the blue and stir up a storm, nay … a breeze on the grass!
Waiting …
JM, if I don’t do it now I should forget it for good and resign myself to haphazard tinkering in a desolate corner. Thanks to the prodding of friends like you, I have picked up the gauntlet.
I must say that I will miss your short stories as well as your discussions on Blog Catalog. I hope you can pop in once and a while.
Thank you for your support on my new blog. I left two replies to your recent and lovely comment for my last blog (one a recipe request, or at least a suggestion on spices).
You should devote all the time you can to your book. Go for it. We and I wish you well.
I am honoured, Charlene! Your blog is a delightful place. And I don’t think I can shrug off the addiction to Blog Catalog easily. 😉
Thank you for those words. Work is in full swing.
Best wishes. You are not just a writer but a wordsmith so I am sure that book will be well received. I’ll be buying it when it comes out – or borrowing it from my library 😉
Reading your blog has provided inspiration for me to start writing again after maintaining a lazy presence on the blogosphere. So thank you and best wishes once again.
Subroto, if my blog has inspired you to pick up your pen again, I can receive few compliments bigger than that. You are one accomplished writer whom I expect to grow larger and larger. Many thanks to you!
Just about the right thing to do for you. Honestly I have been telling quite a few of my friends about you how no one can stop you from getting published. Made them read some of your posts (all agree!!). Hoping that it happens soon… All the best 🙂
Thank you, Richa, for your confidence in me. Good writing alone is the path to success.
My best wishes for Breeze on the grass!!! I am sure you will not disappoint us and the book will be well accepted…. Thank you in advance for the novel…..
I will try my best not to disappoint you but I am sure I cannot write to everyone’s taste. Thank you, Debopam.
Feels good to know you are finally working on your book. I had always thought you will make a very fine writer. Looking forward to reading your first book. Best Wishes!
It feels great to receive words of encouragement from someone like you, Ramakant. Thank you and wish the best to you too!
Uma, please take time as much as you need for the book. I am so glad we are connected through facebook. Love to know more about your book in future.
Thank you, Yun Yi. The honour is mine!
There can never be an expiry date for what you write..
I missed few posts since my last visit.. I intend to read them soon 🙂
and I wish this breeze of your writing keep going on and on.
Thank you for those soothing words, Jyoti.
Uma, that call from your book is one you cannot ignore…Please send postcards now and then on the journey but don’t steal time from the book too often. Your story and your characters will give you great strength for the trip. Godspeed, my friend!
Sending postcards from the journey -that is a sweet way to put it, Miss Molly. Those words mean a lot. Many thanks to you!
‘More of an announcement than a farewell’ sounds good. I think you should concentrate more on your book and good luck. 🙂
~ Prospective buyer of your book ~
Thank you for approving Saru, and the clink of the coin! 🙂
Uma, I remembered this from my collection of quotations:
“I have spent my days stringing and unstringing my instrument
while the song I came to sing remains unsung.”
~ Rabindranath Tagore
It speaks to me about your journey.
That leaves me speechless, Miss Molly! Thanks for that breathtaking quote, it will keep me from faltering.
Uma, I will miss your writing but totally understand. I bet there are a number of us who grapple with the same issues regarding blogs and other creative endeavors. Not an easy thing to reconcile. Best of luck with your book and I look forward to reading your posts when you have the time, and YOUR COMPLETED MANUSCRIPT!
I am touched by those words, John!
Yes, it is not going to be easy what with the day job that keeps me alive. But the grace and blessings of friends like you will keep me firmly on the track.
And I will never be far off from my blog and those of amazing authors like you. A million thanks to you!
i will look forward to your posts however far flung they may be.
I’ll try not to fling them far. Thank you.
All the best US ! I am sure, it will be a great read just like.. all of what you write always is ! Looking forward to seeing it on the bookshelves soon !
PS: Do delete my previous comment which had some typos..
Thank you for stopping by, Moonstone. See you at the bookstore.
All the very best with your writing adventures!!
Thank you, cousinfrommars.
Umashankar, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your captivating and entertaining stories, and understand the need to spend less time blogging and more time completing your book. As new pieces are posted, I will definitely be back here. All the best with “Breeze on the Grass.” Nice title, I like it already, and look forward to reading it. Btw, love that painting and quote by Viktor Vasnetsov!
Thanks for those reassuring words, Madilyn. I do plan to post at monthly intervals, and maybe oftener. I am glad you like the title of the book already -off to a great start!
That painting is truly wonderful.