Posted on by Sonia Dogra

IWSG JULY, 2023 – STORY HUNTING!

Dear Reader

It’s pouring in Delhi. Although rains bring the much-needed respite from torrid heat, they also bring along their share of sultriness and swarms of insects, not to forget the clogged Delhi roads. Every day when heavy, silver-black clouds gather in the open skies above my tenth-floor balcony, I make sure the plants are huddled together to brave the deluge of rain that’s ready to hit and topple them over. Here’s a little video of my green babies rustling on a breezy evening.

Monsoon is a good time to read though. I am presently reading the stories of Saadat Hasan Manto (Hindi version served with a gracious dose of Urdu). Needless to say, my reading is slow and I have to deliberate on several words and look them up. But each story is worthy of my time. This book was picked up by me after reading Jhumpa Lahiri’s In Other Words translated from Italian. I am very impressed by Lahiri’s courage to read and write in a new language after receiving great applause for her writing in English. To give yourself completely to learning something new, to move out of your comfort zone and to embrace a stranger when you know life can be perfectly fine without doing so, requires a different sort of tenacity. So yes, reading Manto is dedicated to my reading of Jhumpa Lahiri. I am also reading Tomb of Sand, translated from Hindi and written by Geetanjali Shree. Translated by Daisy Rockwell, the beginning is unique and intriguing. More on these two books next month.

On the writing front, as some of you already know, I was working towards a submission for a fellowship in writing for children. I am happy to share that I was able to turn in the required documents along with a few chapters of the manuscript before the due date. The results will be out in October. Whatever the outcome, reaching the finish line has been very gratifying. I am also glad to share that I have a poem in Usawa Literary Review, titled Growing a Callus. You can read it here.

And now for this month’s IWSG question. For the new followers, the IWSG is a writers support group, with the purpose of sharing and encouraging. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Are you an insecure writer just like me? Well then, join us here.

Now for the July 5 question – 99% of my story ideas come from dreams. Where do yours predominantly come from?

Most of my stories come from experiences, either personal or those of people I know. Human emotions, relationships, characters fascinate me most and so, that’s what I like to talk about. But I’ve also turned some of my dreams into poems and one of my dreams is also an important part of a work in progress. But I’ve never got up in the middle of the night to write a dream of mine.

How about you? Where do you go story hunting?

The awesome co-hosts for the July 5 posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, Kim Lajevardi, Gwen Gardner, Pat Garcia, and Natalie Aguirre!

I would love to hear from you. Please leave your comments for me in the comment box and I will visit back.

The WEP June winners have been announced. Please check the post on the website here. There’s more exciting news too … shhh … I am not disclosing about an anthology. Go, find out for ypourself!

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29 Replies to “IWSG JULY, 2023 – STORY HUNTING!”

  1. I read Manto’s stories a couple of years ago and I had the same trouble, my reading was too slow for my liking, however, it was definitely a delight. I finished reading IN other words by Lahiri this year too and I cannot express the joy I felt after turning the last page. Italy, Italian, her writing style, her emotions, they all work for me. These books made me get hold of more from the same style of writing, which is why next in my reading list is Ismat Chugtai and Lahiri’s other short works. If you get a chance, she has also edited, translated and compiled a short story collection from Italian writers which is yet again a delight.

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  2. Hi Sonia, I hope Delhi gets some respite from the rains. Was watching the news. I get my stories from my experiences and sometimes dreams.
    Congratulations on the publication and finishing your submission for the assignment. Your poem is beautiful.
    It is truly amazing that Jhumpa Lahiri wrote a story in Italian. I love her writing. Happy Reading and Writing to you!

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  3. Hello Sonia. I, too, didn’t know this is monsoon season in your part of the planet. Phew. That wind! I recognize some of my plants, so hot climate greenery.
    Congratulations on getting your submission in on time. I hope you are selected. Don’t forget to let us know~
    Congrats on having your poem publish. You have been busy. Like Pat said, you have a lot to be thankful for.

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  4. I remember the monsoon season in SE Asia when I lived there. So exciting at first, then when the walkways turned to mud, I thought maybe I’d had enough water from above. 🙂 Wherever you get your ideas from, the sources are solid! Good luck with that fellowship.

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  6. Hi,
    I didn’t know this time of the year is monsoon season in your part of the planet. I must read up on it.
    Congratulations on getting your paperwork in for your fellowship and I hope you are selected.
    Also congrats on having your poem publish. You have a lot to be thankful for, and I know you are.
    Shalom shalom

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  7. Good luck with your submission, Sonia.
    And, I agree. Rains are a good time to read. But I have been travelling and finishing errands, constantly on the move last month. I hit a reading slump. Just getting into routine now as I manage without my house-help for a few weeks. Yesterday, I squeezed in some reading before bedtime. Two short travel pieces. Felt so accomplished! Haha!

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  9. I’ve written two poems that were inspired by dreams. For other ideas, they tend to pop into my head unbidden, and I write them down in case they stop popping. Congratulations on the publication of your poem! It left me with mixed emotions.

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  10. Good luck with your submission. Sorry about the downside of the rain.
    My dreams are my hunting ground. I don’t get up in the middle of the night but lucky me I do remember most of my dreams and write it down before I forget when I wake up.

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