Interview with Aayesha Hakim | Young Blogger Interviews

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself , your blog(s)/website(s),and your aspirations and your hobbies!!

Hmm.. About myself, to begin with I am a true Scorpio! You can match with most of the qualities and traits. I'm an optimist and an outspoken person. I don’t hesitate to call a spade a spade!
I hate unwanted attention. I hate being the talker, I prefer listening more. I am an obsessed reader and writer. I love to write Romance and inspiring stuff. I am an engineer by profession, chronic thinker and a forever child! I love to shop!
My blog- The Inspirational Romance Writer ;) is my journey of self discovery, a symbol of chasing my passion for writing - my madness, an attempt to be a part of the 'Write-A-Thon'. Here, I dabble mostly in Romance, Poetry and Shayari (mere attempts) and trending topics (venturing out of my comfort zone) with a dash of personal views, social issues that bother me and trivial babbles occasionally.
2. How you first got involved in with blogging/writing, are you an imaginative person?
Initially I poured out my thoughts in Facebook ‘Notes’ section. They got appreciated then. But I wasn’t aware of a medium called ‘blog’ still. Then there was a contest from Hundred Works and my friend Rafaa Dalvi asked me to join in! The criteria of the contest was one should have a blog! Hence, I created one! Imaginative person? Yes, in many ways. Imagination is the health of a person. I do not stick to old tried methods to solve my problems; I am always trying something new. Even with writing, if you give me a blank computer screen, I would still use my imagination and type something down! When you’re a non linear thinker, you are often surprised where your mind takes you! This helps mainly in narration and storytelling. 

3. Now tell us about the win at Conclave contest Ah! I wasn’t even going to write for that one, thanks to my hectic college life! The entry I wrote was written in haste during my train travel. But I was glad it won, it was my first win, so it will always remain special and big. Winning a 100K entry pass for the event was lovely!

4. What do you find most challenging about blogging/writing about your topic?My topic was romance. So it isn’t really very difficult to write on, just get into the mood and the words flow in! But what you never think happens and it leads you somewhere good. I started writing for contests just to venture out of my comfort zone. I wrote poems, haiku, even book reviews! So getting to be versatile now!

5. Tell me about some of the people you have met while working on your blog?I met many people in the journey and many more to come, I am sure. I have a new category of friends now – blogger friends! I already knew Rafaa Dalvi, who plays a big role in my blogging. He introduced me to this world. And then the rest was history.

What I like about blogging is, there are lovely people here. Who are writers like you; but they are always there to appreciate you. This happy environment further boosts you. I met Karan Sampat, Grishma Balani, Stephen Ak, Namrota Mazumdar, Vaisakhi Mishra, Deepti Verma, Karan Shah, Rahul Ashok, Renu Sethi. Others who I haven’t met but still inspire me are Anita, Nabanita, Richa, Bhavya Kaushik.
6. How would (someone) describe your blogging/writing style?
A blog full of romantic posts! Inspiring writing style, focusing on social issue - articulate, crisp! Sometimes, chatty and conversational. Punchy, rhetorical occasionally! ;)

7.a) What do you do when you are not working on your blog?I am a Masters student! So I have a hectic life and college takes up most of the time. With whatever time I am left with after my student life, I blog, I read!

7 .b)Where do you see yourself blogging/writing wise in the next 6 months, and 5 years down the road?
In the next 6 months, I will be writing posts on my blogs, about whatever amazes me. Whatever you start has a purpose, so this shall take me somewhere. I am already getting noticed, and who knows by 2-3 years I would have my book ready to get published *winks* My writing would be more mature down the line!
8. What networking do you do that you feel helps your blogging/writing business?
I am not much into this. I share my posts on blogging forums like Indiblogger or Blogadda, networking sites like Twitter, Facebook , Google+, and I do send the links to some of my readers on Whatsapp. Yes! I have created a page of my blog on Facebook! So that garners a few more readers and hence more traffic.

9. How do you keep coming up with material/content for your blog? Many people struggle with coming up with different articles/posts and they only have one blog.Yes. This is difficult. But when you are reading you do come up with things you can share your thoughts on! Be it newspapers, social issues, etc. As said earlier, I write for contests too, so that adds to my posts. I also took up Ultimate Blogging Challenge (UBC) for the month of January. That was a big challenge, as days passed, mid-way I suffered from Writers Block, but eventually I managed it well!

10. Whats your strategy with your blog in general?I write what I like, share links, people read, I have got 25+ page views in less than a year. I think it’s going good! Focus on the content, make it useful and unique. No strategy as such.
11. Any specific tips you have for newbie bloggers who want to make it in the blogosphere?
First read what you write. Then share. If you’re taking up ideas from somewhere, do cite, else its plagiarism. Avoid grammar mistakes and using short forms. e.g ‘U’ instead of ‘you’. This can be irritating. So much so that readers might never be back on your site! Find your voice. Follow your passion.

12. What would you prioritize? Content? SEO? Traffic? Readers?Content and readers for sure! If there are readers, there will be traffic. Write what can please people to visit you.

13. Whats the best thing a blogger can give to his readers?Honesty and motivation. Don’t try to trick your readers and just be yourself.
14. A lot of people are interested in blogging/writing for the money earning potential. What are some tips for people interesting in making money from blogging/writing? What are some realistic expectations in regards to what can be made?
I personally, do not look forward to money earning from my blog, it is something I like doing, and will keep doing, without the temptation of drawing money out of it and commercializing it. I think it’s too greedy on a person’s part! 


But for those who wish to do, their content needs to be extremely sticking to a particular stream, have a customizable theme, boost your traffic, know more about SEO tips, put up ads, request donations, etc.


15. What motivates you most in life?My vision for my goals, desire to grow, explore and learn new things– motivate me, push me!

16. What has been your strategy for creating visibility to yourself and your blog?I am bad at it, and honestly I don’t bother much. I share my posts on blogging forums like Indiblogger or Blogadda, networking sites like Twitter, Facebook , Google+, and I do send the links to some of my readers on Whatsapp. Otherwise nothing special as such. Yes! I have created a page of my blog on Facebook too! So that garners a few more readers and hence more traffic.

17 What was the most challenging moment in your blog content development process and why?
It was through UBC, I realized my potentials; a post a daily. It was hectic, but somehow when there’s a will to not give up, you eventually don’t and you find a way! I wrote on vivid topics during that phase, it was the most developing phase as a writer, I am glad it took it up!

18. Everyone has a favorite/least favorite post. Name yours and why?


Favorite post #1 : http://aayesha1611.blogspot.com/2014/02/winning-mindset.html (Because it was my first win at Conclave 2014)

Favorite post #2 : http://aayesha1611.blogspot.com/2013/10/within-marriage-romance-can-truly-abound.html (I got an offer from PGI (Platinum Guild India) for this post. My personal favorite)

19. Name some of the bloggers whom you look up to and why?

Rafaa Dalvi – he is an awesome person and truly motivates me.Bhavya Kaushik – I love his writing style. 
Anita – on the vivid topics she writes on!
Karan Sampat – he is a great friend and has done a lot while he is just 17, inspiring indeed!

20. What is the story behind the name of the blog?
Actually, it was chosen in quite a hurry, like I cited I needed a blog to participate in a contest, I didn’t know then that the name plays a very important role in your identity as a blogger. But eventually I am happy with the way it has turned out. 114 posts in 10 months!
21. Your connection with any Blogger Network like Indi blogger or Writeupcafe or any other and the experience?
Yes I am connected with Indiblogger, Writeupcafe, Blogadda, Write tribe. Simply love their contests, prompts, meets, the kind of exposure they give to my blog and of course their book review programs!

22. Which genre do you feel gets the raw deal?Well, I think crime and mystery. 
23. Which one plug-in would you suggest all bloggers to have?
Floating Social Bar: Floating social bar is the fastest social media plugin that adds a horizontal floating share bar to your content. It is easy to use with its drag-drop interface, and its eye-catching floating display allows you to maximize your social shares.

24. Five adjectives that describe you.
Responsible, diligent, self-driven, outspoken, mysterious!

25. What book would you say has made the biggest impact good or bad on you?
I loved Ravinder Singh’s ‘I too had a love story.’ It was very touching.

26. Do you get easily provoked by positive/negative comments??No to both; I am well grounded, so I don’t react to any of them, unless I am satisfied about it being truly right/wrong myself. I don’t want my writing to be controlled by anyone’s views too. 

27. Do you plan to write a book, as every bloggers dream it is?
Yes, I am on my way. But there’s loads to be completed yet. But yes, plans are on. Let’s hope for something soon. 

28. Are you a judgmental person, do you prefer to take sides instead of standing neutral?I don’t mind standing for what is right, even if I am standing alone then. 

29. Your collaboration with other bloggers, are you much into social networking, tell us everything about it?Not really. I do interact with co-bloggers, had a guest post too by Karan Sampat. But otherwise, I write what I like and for now, I am happy that it is being appreciated, though now my focus is shifting to getting published. 

30. What genre attracts you the most and which genre you avoid?
I love writing romance, hence my blog name! :D
I avoid writing crime and comedy, they are the toughest ones, I feel. 

31. Your Views on Contests and increasing plagiarism?I love contests! They keep me on my toes and keep you alive in the competition. And not always about competition, they even help me to explore and expand my horizon about many topics I would never have thought about if it wasn’t for the contests! 

I am strictly against plagiarism. It will always remain cheating, if you don’t quote it in your article. It is an ethical offence.
32. Words for me and my blogs Desire v/s Destiny and Blogger Interviews and my Website www.MyMagicJobs.com
You’re doing a great job, Rahul! I am going to follow your blog regularly now! It’s a great website – all under one roof, all for free! Tips and career options are well explained. Keep writing!
33. On winning the Award/s , Are they Really necessary.
I have won 3 Liebster awards and 1 versatile blogger award. These aren’t really necessary but who doesn’t like being appreciated and honored? Yes, these are virtual; you need to be grounded and not let it reach your head. 
34. So whats Next in your list?
There’s loads on my list! I have to finish my book, get it published, want it to be a National bestseller, travel the world! Also I wish to explore the art of blogging more. 

35.Words for your readers and why they should follow you?Live your passion, find your voice, raise it!
I don’t and I can’t push people to follow my blog, but yes, if you want to see honesty and if you connect to my blog, keep coming back! J