This month I will complete four years of active blogging. Rather than celebratory, the mood is sombre and introspective. That the journey was enjoyable is a given. But is this where I wanted to go? What did I expect when I boarded the blogging train? Where am I headed? Above all, what did I learn? As I rewind the reel, I remember enjoying solitary activities like writing and reading. Acutely aware of my thoughts and feelings, I was in search of a platform to voice opinions and share experiences. As it happens, people used to ask, “So what do you do?” “I read and I write,” is what I would simply say. Incredulously they would state, “We all read and write. What do you do?” I had no answers. Those days, people did not take me seriously just because I was not a ‘working woman’. No one had the time to appreciate the fact that I devoured four newspapers and two magazines every day, apart from reading books. No one had the perspective to understand that I had written more than a hundred ‘letters to the editor’, which were published in many national dailies. I used to wonder whether having grey cells was an exclusive preserve of women – and especially those who had taken leave of (office) work! Nonetheless, I continued writing and I read even more. With a Master’s in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, I did not fancy myself as a writer of any (literary) substance. My knowledge of English Literature was limited to my Class Twelve English, with grammar being the weakest link. A writer’s grammar, they say, like Caesar's wife should not only be pure but above suspicion of impurity. But then they also say something about opportunities being disguised as hard work.
A decade ago, publications had no interest in me. They discouraged me, by restraining my pen with prescribed word lengths and deadlines. That is when the world of blogging opened a door. Blogging provided wings for me to soar as a free bird. The desire to do so was so strong that I named my blog ‘Freebird’. It was my own little space, where I was able to rant, rave, reflect, review, reminisce and rejoice. Each time I wrote a post I felt lighter and happier. One thing led to another and generic writing paved the way for media critique, political commentary and focused analysis. My articles appeared in national dailies and I was presented with an opportunity to write a story for an anthology called Mango Chutney. Today, just after four years into serious blogging, people finally recognise me as a writer. “So what do you do? Don’t you get bored?” questions have been replaced by “So, how’s the Writer doing?” Apart from social recognition, I have felt a phenomenal personal growth. I am of course more informed, but also more confident, sociable and focused. A study by Clive Thompson, a Canadian blogger who writes for ‘Wired’, shows that when we write for an audience, we think better. We can win an argument easily inside our head, but when we write for someone else we try to be (more) convincing. We put in our best when we know that what we write is going to be read by (perhaps) millions of people across continents. Blogging for me is like thinking aloud. It is a stimulating and empowering experience. As far as I can remember, my mind was always flooded with little thoughts pulling me in different directions. However, I am pretty focused while I am writing my blog. When I am centered on one thought, hours pass in minutes, minutes in seconds. There is something about articulating one’s thoughts on a public platform and comparing them with others that can be truly transformative. Moreover, there is an addictive kick in knowing that people living in different continents are reading what you write.
Here is some (unsolicited) blog advice. Bloggers are a flourishing tribe – in the millions. However, not all blogs are popular. It all boils down to content. Apart from being clear and concise, your words have to connect with the reader(s). Why should they spend time on your blog – how do they benefit? What do you offer? Is it information, inspiration or entertainment – or all of that? Unlike a personal diary, blogs are meant for interaction and communication. Make it a point to reply to every comment - by doing so you are giving due respect to your readers. In the process you will make friends around the world. Let me share an anecdote here. My son was in Mumbai at the time when the local municipal corporation had issued a warning about a possible deluge. As an anxious mother I shared my concern on social media. A blogger friend, whom I had never met, promptly mailed me his telephone number. He requested me to get in touch with him in case my son faced any trouble. There are several such anecdotes that have touched me and strengthened my faith in blogging. Since I have a personal blog (that reflects on news and media), any personal revelation that echoes with readers increases the number of page views dramatically. However, you cannot whine and crib about your personal life beyond a point. Most importantly, write only when the urge comes on strong – so strong that your fingers automatically tap dance on the keyboard. Forced writing seldom connects with readers. However, do not neglect the blog for long. I believe that if you truly love to write, abundance flows into your life in more ways than one. So go ahead, follow this passion – or any other that grabs you.
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