Tangles & Ties

Thank You

Hello everyone,

Thank you each and every one of you who responded to my desperate tweet of hopelessness, sent heartwarming messages, reached out to me and kept me going strong. 

Thank you to each one of you... all of you... I'm deeply indebted.  

Apologies for keeping all of you waiting and not informing you about my whereabouts, whether I am updating or not. Apologies to all those who sent messages to me but I couldn't reply to them. 

I didn't post this note before because I didn't feel like writing anything. Not an update...not even a note... I was hopeful that I will get over this phase soon and will update like before. I didn't want to sound like an attention-seeker who keeps posting frequent notes. I know that no one likes these notes. 

Most of all, I didn't want to write anything in a disturbed state of mind. I wanted to be stable before I post something.

Finally, I decided to post this note today to tell you that I am fine. Please don't worry about me.

Plagiarism again: 

Last week, a user started a new story at another website holding fiction and posted first few chapters. One of my regular readers immediately noticed the copied content from Tangles & Ties. The account was reported. The id deleted.

Initially, I tried to accept it as just another case of plagiarism but to be honest, I was deeply saddened. 

It has happened with me 4 times before. One of my stories was stolen from india-forums, parts of my other story from an open blog were lifted and then, what happened with both Fire & Ice and Spark & Spice is known to my readers.

All those times, I was shocked and disheartened but picked myself up and moved on. 

But this is not all. 

I am not a negative or bitter person but I fear that such things will make me one. I don't want that to happen to me. It does affect your general state of mind. 

Such incidents bring about mistrust, sense of being on the guard at all times and unnecessary stress that beats the entire purpose of writing. 

Then, you stop trusting even genuine people and it is difficult to break this trap.

Another Confusion : 

An incidence happened on last Sunday - It is a bit complicated and I wouldn't want to discuss it here as it will be unfair to the other writer. 

In short, certain parts in her Manan story are similar to mine.

Again, to be fair to her - It is possible for two creatives to come up with similar scenes or dialogues. I don't want to name or bash someone, without any concrete proof.
On her part, she assured me that the similarity was a co-incidence and limited to one scene. On my part, I'm a case of once-bitten-twice-shy. I just couldn't trust her. 

It is disturbing to accept that past experiences take away your innocence... your ability to trust people, which I used to do once, easily and blindly...  It was painful for me that I was not able to trust another fellow writer.

I didn't know that all this will pile up to form a trigger for a low, sad phase. I decided to give it some time. Time is the greatest healer which eventually subdues every issue and makes you gravitate towards your natural state. 

And... I am stronger than ever... I hope to write regularly, once again. But I don't have the strength to post it, right now. 

Time and again, I was advised not to write on a public platform but I was addicted to the connection I have with my readers. Your comments, messages, advice, questions and random chats kept me moving. 

So, I know that I might be back someday. 

And that day, I might find some of you who still remember me. 

Till then, I just want you to know that I remember each username who has ever appeared on my stories, was commenting, messaging, was in touch with me. I love you all.

Lots of love to silent readers too. For increasing the number of reads and votes. Thanks for liking my work. 

Thank you to each one of you who has ever been in touch with me... for being there ... just for being there... You have no idea what you mean to me... 

You have become a part of my extended family in such less time. I will always cherish these bonds that I made here.

It is for your love that this place will always remain special to me.  

I will miss you all.

..................................................

I stand by my promise to be by your side -- ALWAYS!!!

Should you need me, at any point of time in life/ if you want to talk to someone... you should know that I'm just a message or email away... 

Website - www.manitav.com 

My Instagram id - @ manita.vb   

Twitter - @ DrManita

email - manita.vb @ gmail.com

Facebook page - Manita V

Take care .... lots of love...