The Blogchatter Book of Love

It’s often said that a writer’s life is lonely. I guess only those who haven’t had the good fortune of being part of a writing community would agree to that. I am blessed to belong to several writing groups, and each one is like an extended family, where we all share a love for the written word. One of those wonderful communities is Blogchatter.

I first stumbled upon Blogchatter in 2021 while innocently stalking (okay, maybe not so innocently!) a writer friend. She was proudly showing off her collection of stickers, and my curiosity got the better of me. I started digging around, and before I knew it, I had submitted my first blogroll. I didn’t put much thought into it at the time, but as they say, the rest is history!

Over the years, Blogchatter has been more than just a platform—it’s been a place of growth and connection. I’ve earned my fair share of rewards as a Blogchatterite (yes, I’m making that word official), but the true rewards have been the friendships I’ve made and the incredible writers I’ve met. Each one has enriched my journey in ways I never anticipated.

The Story Behind My Story-

When Blogchatter announced a call for anthology submission in 2023, I was bummed! The theme was THRILLERS! I love watching thrillers, but writing one… well, that’s not my forte. The powers above must have seen me feeling left out and decided to do their thing!

Guess what, the theme for 2024 was “LOVE.” Aha! That was something I could write about :)

What is love, really? Is there a single definition?

Love can mean so many things to so many people. I am a mother to two amazing daughters, so my first idea was to pen a story revolving around a mom and her children. The idea felt right, but the story wasn’t progressing as I had envisioned it. I shelved it halfway.

It was a week before the deadline, and we were out strolling on the beach. This particular beach is a home to stray cats, and as I watched one of them lovingly lick her newborn kittens, a spark ignited in me. Love isn’t confined to humans—it’s universal. That’s when I decided to revisit my earlier draft.

I retained the mother but swapped the daughters for a cat. And no, I don’t plan on swapping my daughters for pets in real life! (On most days, at least.)

And just like that, “A Pawsome Love Story” was born—a tale that captures the same essence of maternal love, but in a new, unexpected way.

I submitted my story, but life took an unexpected turn, and soon I found myself overwhelmed with personal struggles. In the whirlwind of dealing with those challenges, the anthology call and timelines slipped from my mind entirely. During one of the darkest times, when I felt like I was barely holding on, my dear friends Lalitha and Harshita reached out with incredible news: I had made it to the final list of chosen writers for The Blogchatter Book of Love. It was a moment of pure, unexpected joy—like a ray of light breaking through the clouds. This bit of good news was exactly what I needed to keep going!

Ready for a sneak peek from my story? Here’s a little something for you—

Varuna is dying. Although no one has explicitly told me, I can sense it in every twitch of my whiskers. I can even smell it in the air around me. It stinks of medicine and despair.

 

To others she may appear to be an ordinary woman; but to me, she is everything. My friend, my companion, my Amma. So, what if she isn’t my birth mom? Our bond is much stronger than mere shared strands. Amma opened her heart and her home to me when I had hit rock bottom.

 

I know I’m not the easiest to live with, and I’m grateful she never gave up on me.

Looking back, I realize that love, in all its forms, is what binds us—whether it’s the love for a child, a pet, or even the love for storytelling. It’s what unites writers in communities like BlogChatter and keeps us going through the highs and lows of creativity. Writing may be a solitary act, but being part of a community turns it into something shared and celebrated.

So, here’s to Blogchatter, the place where I’ve found more than just inspiration and stickers. I’ve found a home.

About the collection-

This vibrant collection of 18 stories from Blogchatter’s community writers explores love in its many forms—across borders, beyond societal norms, and through the lens of time and technology. From a grandmother’s enduring legacy to star-crossed lovers, a sister’s brave mission to save her kingdom, and a mother navigating AI-driven realities, these tales transcend traditional boundaries of love and life.

Journey through these diverse worlds where love defies expectations and flourishes in unexpected ways.

Buy your copy of The Blogchatter Book Of Love on Readomania or Amazon.