Pictures From DisneyLand HongKong

Pictures From DisneyLand HongKong

Pictures From DisneyLand HongKong

Pictures From DisneyLand HongKong

Pictures From DisneyLand HongKong

Pictures From DisneyLand HongKong

Interview with Tanaya Nath (factfiction)

1.       Can you tell us a little about yourself? your blog , and your aspirations and your hobbies !!

Ans.  Theres nothing much to know about me. I am a blogger by heart, and an apt reader, obsessively in love with my husband and writing in same order. My blog is called factfiction for a reason. What I write is fiction based on real life facts and events and hence the tagline of my blog- because every fiction is someone’s fact. My only aspiration is to make my blog known, like every other blogger. And for everything else, I have all I ever dreamed of. My hobbies contains reading, I love adventure sports but I cant call it a hobby for I don’t do it on a regular basis, and writing is my passion, the love of my life.

2.       How you first got involved in with blogging , are you an imaginative person?

Ans. I have been writing ever since I was in 6^th standard or so. I remember I fell in love with writing poetries after I heard one of my cousins reciting his own. I had a diary back then. In 2006-07, one of my friends told me about blogs and I started it. But sadly could not maintain it. Then one of my blogger friends accidently came across my blog and chastised me for not keeping it up, and hence my blog. I don’t know if you can all me an imaginative person, because writing comes to me very naturally and effortlessly.

3.       What do you find most challenging about blogging about your topic?

Ans. I don’t really know. I have never given it any thought. I write in trance. I write whatever my fingers and my keyboard tells me. But now that you have brought it up, I just might try to figure it out.

4.       Tell me about some of the people you have met while working on your blog?

Ans. My blog gave me my husband. And am honored to have a father in law who chose me for my writing. Apart from that a friend who also is the brain of my blog. He has firm views of my writing and he is a tremendous help when I am in writers block.

5. How would (someone) describe your blogging style?

Ans. Picturesque. I use short sentences and depending on the need either I leave nothing to your imagination or all to it.

6.       What do you do when you are not working on your blog?

Ans. Reading, that is when my husband is not around.

7 .Where do you see yourself blogging wise in the next 6 months, and 5 years down the road?

Ans. Destiny has a way of messing up my plans, so I live in the moment. Even I am eager to see myself blogging wise 6 months or 5 years down the lane, to know what have I made of my one passion.

8. What networking do you do that you feel helps your blogging business?

Ans. Irrelevant question for me. Blogging has never been a business to me and it never will be. To me it is a pleasure, a pure pleasure.

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.

Ans. Well, I only have one blog. I see, I connect, and I write. I see things and events around me, even the little insignificant ones. Sometimes they carry the most beautiful stories. I connect myself to them, heart and mind. And if they happen to touch and ignite something in me, I have my material.

10. Whats your strategy with your blog in general?

Ans. Write and write and write.

11. Any specific tips you have for newbee bloggers who want to make it in the blogosphere?

Ans. Every blogger has his/her own style and genre, find yours. Don’t imitate, and don’t hesitate to try out new things. And most importantly, write and love your writing.

12. What would you prioritize? Content? SEO? Traffic? Readers?

Ans. Content but of course. You wont come back to read crap, will you?

13. Whats the best thing a blogger can give to his readers?

Ans. A touch of honest feelings, something that makes memories with them.

14. A lot of people are interested in blogging for the money earning potential. What are some tips for people interesting in making money from blogging? What are some realistic expectations in regards to what can be made?

Ans. I am the wrong person to be asked this question. You don’t use your loved ones to earn.

15. What motivates you most in life?

Ans. Life itself

16. What has been your strategy for creating visibility to yourself and your blog?

Ans. I don’t hesitate in putting up my writings in various forums and blogging platforms. And I always reply to the comments from my readers.

17 What was the most challenging moment in your blog content development process and why?

Ans. I am yet to experience that one.

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

 Ans.   http://www.factfiction.in/2012/07/the-confab.html . This was my first conversation writing, inspired by a real conversation. No matter how many times I myself read it, I get butterflies unseen.

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

Ans. Many, I look up to whoever writes original.

20. What is the story behind the name of the blog.

Ans. I guess I have already answered it in the first question.

21. your connection with Indiblogger and the experience ?

 Ans. Just a member, but been great.

22.Which genre do you feel gets the raw deal?

Ans. Sensual and erotica, they get unduly attention. Hahahahahaha, kidding. No matter what genre you write or what topic you take up, if the writing is powerful, you have all the attention of your reader.

23.Which one plugin would you suggest all bloggers to have?

Ans. Depends on what they need. But sure do use the ones that connects you to social networking sites.

24.Five adjectives that describe you.

Ans. That’s not fair, just five. Okay lemme try. Decisive, romantic, stubborn, worldly, compatible.

25.What book would you say has made the biggest impact  good or bad on you?

Ans. For a reader like me, its impossible to name one. Whatever I read leaves an impact on me.

26.Do you get easily provoked by positive/negative comments ??

Ans. Not really, if they are honest I take them seriously, but provoked, naaah.

27.Do you plan to write a book , as every bloggers dream it is ?

Ans. *sigh* a dream it is. But I suck at writing long stories, let alone a novel.

28.Are you a judgmental person , Do you prefer to take sides instead of standing neutral ?

Ans. I am judgmental, I judge all sides. I see, I hear and never pass on my observation unless asked, am a woman of few words. Unbelievable but true :P

29. Your collaboration with other bloggers , are you much into social networking , tell us everything about it ?

Ans. I am in to social networking, yes. But only to the point where it keeps me connected to my chuddy buddies, friends and family 24*7.

30.What genre attracts you the most and which genre you avoid ?

Ans. Dark and gothic attracts me the most and I don’t avoid any genre, I take pleasure in writing anything that pleases me.

31.Your Views on Contests and increasing plagiarism ?

Ans. Contests not only gives you a platform but also the food for your blog. Plagiarism is a crime to creativity.

32.Words for me and my blog .?

Ans. You are one of the writers I have read often. You have a sense of creation and a freshness of ideas that keep readers glued to your blog. A job well done. Keep it up.

Interview with Siggy Buckley (Germany)

    Today I had the pleasure to interview one of the most talented bloggers from Germany who is a true artist , handles multiple blogs and has huge number of followers  , Lets try to know a bit of her.

    1.Can you tell us a little about yourself? your blog , and your aspirations and your hobbies !!

Siggy Buckley 

All my life I was drawn to books and words rather than sports and other activities. I’m lazy in that respect. Give me a book and a cup of tea and I’m in heaven. In highschool I wanted to become a journalist but that path was thwarted, I became a teacher instead studying languages. Having lived through a tumultuous first marriage in a country in a job activity I never had envisaged or dreamed of, I put pen to paper finally and wrote about. Book one is out and two is in the making: I once had a Farm in Ireland. (www.Ioncehadafarminireland.blogspot.com)

2. How you first got involved in with blogging, are you an imaginative person?

My blog resulted from boredom while waiting for my literary agent to find a publisher for my book ms, but it dealt with the subject  relating to my previous life: In and out of Ireland: going green and material related to Ireland.  I'm about to finish that soon now. Some more blogs ensued. In the meantime I wrote articles for online magazines:www.opednews.com and www.americanchronicle.com on environmental matters, sometimes of a religious nature under a pseudonym.

Imaginative? I hate to admit that I lack a virulent fantasy...My writings are always based on facts: my genre is memoir/autobiographical.

3. What do you find most challenging about blogging about your topic?

 To reach the target group it is destined for.This concerns my blog: Next Time Lucky: How to Find Mr. Right. And also the one on Ireland.

The other blog for writers is going stronger tapping into a wide audience of the writing community, thousands just on Facebook alone.(wwww.Writersgettogether.blogspot.com)

4. Tell me about some of the people you have met while working on your blog?

It's maybe a slight exaggeration to say that I made lots of friends, but some are very dedicated writers who offer support and give advice if needed. The best example is a FB friend who is minding the shop of www.Ioncehadafarminireland.blogspot.com for two months while I’m on a break in my home country. Scott Bury is the name of this gem and made lots of more professional changes in my absence. He is a real pro, experienced editor and published author.

Interacting with other writers when they contribute to my writers blog is a joy. Some feel like family.

5. How would (someone) describe your blogging style?

No-nonsense, straight forward, factual.

6. What do you do when you are not working on your blog?

Muster up energy to face my manuscript of my next book. Often I prefer to read instead.

7 .Where do you see yourself blogging wise in the next 6 months, and 5 years down the road?

I thought of starting yet another one on a different topic, health related. But since I’m barely up to date on the 5 or 6 I already have.:)…see my hub:www.SiggyBuckley.blogspot.com.

8. What networking do you do that you feel helps your blogging business?

FB has been of tremendous benefit to reach an audience. Some writers groups among them are particularly supportive and dedicated.

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. RSS feeds help. Choose your topic and they supply you with material. If you have more than one topic to write about, you never run out of ideas. Out of time—yes!

10. What’s your strategy with your blog in general?

To provide regular interesting and somewhat different content that stands out. Sorry, for me it’s not a business, but a hobby and may look that way.

11. Any specific tips you have for newbee bloggers who want to make it in the blogosphere?

I’m not sure if I made it there myself. The blog WGT (www.writersgettogether.blogspot.com) is headed for 35,000    hits in 20months. Somebody told me the other day that was nothing to brag about. Choose a modern appealing layout and Network, Network, Network!

12. What would you prioritize? Content? SEO? Traffic? Readers? Content and readers.

SEO I’m often struggling with. I could do with some professional advice there.

13. What’s the best thing a blogger can give to his readers?

News or entertainment so that the reader feels he spent his valuable time on something worthwhile.

14. A lot of people are interested in blogging for the money earning potential. What are some tips for people interesting in making money from blogging? What are some realistic expectations in regards to what can be made?

 I don’t belong to that group.  Mine is purely a hobby even though I monetized the first thinking there may be something there. In the meantime I learned how much readers hate ads on blogs so I never pursued it further.

15. What motivates you most in life? Survival instinct?

I’m self-motivated and self-directed. Maybe that’s my German genes. My character is best described by a toy we had in Germany Stehaufmännchen: A self-righting tumbler doll. Nothing can bring me down, I always bounce back. It’s actually on the spine of Next Time Lucky.

16. What has been your strategy for creating visibility to yourself and your blog?

 Promoting it on FB and Twitter. With my writing blog Swapping Homes Anybody?  (www.Intrepidhomeswappers.blogspot.com) I took my blog posts one step further and converted them into ebooks available at $0.99. For myself I also turned them into a small paperback…for the memory of our trips. I’m traveling and writing on Season 3 now.

17 What was the most challenging moment in your blog content development process and why?

 Well, this isn’t really regarding the content…It was actually changing the template of one of my blogs. I screwed up the format and couldn’t go back to what I had before. I’m not a techie and I still haven’t resolved the problem..I guess I have to live with my second choice now…J

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

 I love a blog I wrote on dating a while ago. The title I saw somewhere else intrigued me as I was a matchmaker and dating specialist in a previous life: Would you date yourself? A tough subject to tackle with my clients if they needed to be told that there was room for improvement on their part while they were always looking for Mr. Right. I dedicated a special chapter to this later in the new version of my book: www.NextTimeLucky.com.

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

Tough one, Cheryl Stahle, Suellen Zima,Sylvia Hoehns Wright. Innovative ideas, no-nonsense style, topics vary. I love a strong female voice. Most of these are Pen Women. I’m one myself.

20. What is the story behind the name of the blog.
Next Time Lucky: Divorced people who ar elooking for a new partner will know how difficult it is!

I once had a farm in Ireland: I did! And it’s a play on the title: I had a Farm in Africa by Karen Blixen and the associated movie.

www.SiggyBuckley.blogspot.com : I needed a hub.It’s my “Omnibus”.

WGT: writers get together is self-evident.

21. your connection with bloggers and the experience ?

I’m in various  groups in FB. They are a supportive bunch.In fact I feel guilty I don’t spend more time with them but that is due to medical limitations that I have.

22.Which genre do you feel gets the raw deal?

Memoirs of people who are not famous!

23.Which one plugin would you suggest all bloggers to have?
Ouch, I only download them when they are required. Don’t know one from the other.

24.Five adjectives that describe you.

Observant, Smart, curious, emphathetic,self-reliant

25.What book would you say has made the biggest impact  good or bad on you?

Simone de Beauvoir: All men are Mortal. In fact I just reread it after 20 years and  also another French female writer: Benoit Groult: I want to live!

26.Do you get easily provoked by positive/negative comments ??

Oh yes.Negative ones are hurting. But I do take a lot of stuff personally which I shouldn’t.

27.Do you plan to write a book , as every bloggers dream it is ?

I have one in paperback and eBook plus two travel ebooks: Next Time Lucky: How to find Your Mr. Right.

And Intrepid Homeswappwers:Insider Secrets about Successful Home swapping. All available on Amazon:

28.Are you a judgmental person , Do you prefer to take sides instead of standing neutral ?

 I give everybody the benefit of the doubt—until proven wrong. But I have been called judgmental often. I do take a stand. Have been an activist for Amnesty International and Greenpeace for many, many years!

29. Your collaboration with other bloggers , are you much into social networking , tell us everything about it ?

Many participants in writers groups are very willing to cooperate, if you engage yourself too. I’m often amiss with that since I suffer from chronic migraines and cannot work/write every day. If you like me to mention some in particular, I’d like to emphasize the following that you’ll all find on FB: National League of American Pen Women, Literary Guild, MasterKodas, WritingGIAM, Kickstart among many more others. I see the Erotica writers are very active too. I never got the hang of tweeting though I do it regularly.Who has the time to read all that? Not me.

30.What genre attracts you the most and which genre you avoid ?

I like thrillers but have no imagination to create a plot of my own. I do not like or read anything that deals with the supernatural, zombies, werewolves, even supernatural romance.And I avoid erotica, although my own book has its moments!

31.Your Views on Contests and increasing plagiarism ?
 I only entered a few contests, most  just seem to be a money-making event for the organizers…on the other hand I wish I had and won!

Wow, Its so nice to interact to with such an artist , full of experience and hugely talented lady. A true Inspiration.

Interview with Ghata Singhal

Today I Interview Ghata Singhal , One who writes for the love of writing , like all of our quality bloggers , lets know a bit of her through this wonderful interview

1.Can you tell us a little about yourself? Your blog, and your aspirations and your hobbies!!

I am the laziest person ever. Procrastination is my second name. I spend almost 50 hrs. a week at office, and the rest of the time I try and manage my home and spend some quality time with my husband. Every time I post something on my blog, it is just the sheer love of writing that pushes a lazy and time stretched bum like me to do it.

Other than blogging, I love to read, travel to new destinations and watch movies.
My aspirations in life? To be a published author, to be able to do something for the underprivileged and to be a good human being.

2. How you first got involved in with blogging, are you an imaginative person?

Oh yeah. I imagine a lot if things and any action/event around me triggers a chain reaction in my mind. And there’s just no stopping me then!

I used to write articles even when I didn’t have a blog. But then friends who read them suggested that I should make them public. The feedback ever since has been so great that I just wonder why I didn’t start earlier J

3. What do you find most challenging about blogging about your topic?

Most bloggers I know (very much like yours truly!) are highly opinionated people. We write because we have an opinion about everything. But sometimes, I am so neutral on some topics that I just don’t know how to conclude it. But then, thinking and imagination does it for me!

4. Tell me about some of the people you have met while working on your blog?

I have met so many wonderful people in more than 2 years of blogging that it is hard to put down a list.  But I will definitely take this opportunity to thank each and every one of them for just being what they are. I have learnt so much from them, their blogs and their personal lives.

5. How would (someone) describe your blogging style?

Ha! That’s easy. Everybody says I am highly cynical and satirical. I have even been awarded “The most satirical blogger award” by a very dear friend/blogger Kalyan.

6. What do you do when you are not working on your blog?

I am almost always thinking about the next post! Or Reading! Or in office! I sometimes really wish if blogging was all I could do, and I would do it so much better ;-)

7 .Where do you see yourself blogging wise in the next 6 months, and 5 years down the road?

Frankly speaking, I have absolutely no idea. With the increasing responsibilities at office and home, it could go either way. But I really wish I am able to continue blogging for the next 5 years. And if I am still blogging then, I wish to be winning more awards and rewards ;-)

8. What networking do you do that you feel helps your blogging business?

A lot of friends on Facebook read my blog. So Facebook-ing really helps bring more readers to the blog. And Indi has also helped make a lot of friends through various contests. Having my  blog’s Facebook page has helped me extend my readership.

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.

Oh. Just the everyday things. The newspaper is full of news about the state of politics, nation, women abuse, child abuse, natural calamities and what not. There is no dearth of topics to write about. And then there is our own life, our own relationships that we take inspiration from. I mostly struggle with the abundance of topics and sometimes can’t decide which topic to take up.

10. What’s your strategy with your blog in general?

Nothing at all. I write when I feel like. When I don’t have anything to say, I don’t. 

11. Any specific tips you have for newbie bloggers who want to make it in the blogosphere?

Ohh, just be yourself. Blog is such a personal thing that you can’t really impersonate here for a long time. Just be yourself. Like every person is unique, so is their writing and presentation style.

12. What would you prioritize? Content? SEO? Traffic? Readers?

Content. Hands down. Everything else just follows.

13. What’s the best thing a blogger can give to his readers?

I think Awesome content is the answer again. As I said, I am a voracious reader. Apart from books, I also read a LOT of blogs. But it is always the content of the blog that compels me to visit them again and again. Even if the content is not unique per say, the writing style is. And an original style always pulls in genuine readers.

14. A lot of people are interested in blogging for the money earning potential. What are some tips for people interesting in making money from blogging? What are some realistic expectations in regards to what can be made?

I can hardly answer that because I am myself not making any money out of it. May be you can give me some ideas there. ;-)

15. What motivates you most in life?

Hard work, Genuineness, Philanthropy, and a positive attitude that can try and get the impossible!

16. What has been your strategy for creating visibility to yourself and your blog?

There was no strategy. I started out for the love of writing. With time, I discovered there was a parallel universe (like Indiblogger and BlogAdda) which was full of bloggers. I became a part of that too and made friends. Checked out their blogs and in turn created a visibility for my own too.

17 What was the most challenging moment in your blog content development process and why?

Nothing really has been challenging enough to be mentioned.

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

My favorites are Babyhood chronicles, You and I and The (in)famous silence and all....

The first one is my favorite because it’s been written out of sheer love for my darling baby nephew. The second one is a favorite because I never thought I could put into words how and why I Love my husband so much. Finally I did and it came out beautifully.

The last one is just a hearty take on the silent treatment meted out to guys, and somehow it always makes me laugh!

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

I really enjoy reading GB, IHM, The Blue Bride, And that’s the Way I see it and Woman and a Quarter.

All of them are superb and awesome ladies in their own right. You got to read them to believe them. Totally honest, in your face and honest opinions!

20. What is the story behind the name of the blog.

Oh, I wanted something unique for the blog. And then I thought why not use my name. I have had some very unique experiences because of my different name. You can read them here.

21. your connection with Indiblogger and the experience ?
It has been just amazing. Communicating and making new friends, attending incredible blogger meets and wining some great prizes in the contests.

22.Which genre do you feel gets the raw deal?

I think everyone loves to hate the politicians of the country, but I haven’t really seen people commenting/writing political posts with as much zest or with as much statistics.

23.Which one plugin would you suggest all bloggers to have?

The FB, Google+, twitter share widget ;-)

24.Five adjectives that describe you.

Emotional, Confused, Procrastinator, Witty, Sarcastic

25.What book would you say has made the biggest impact  good or bad on you?

Gone with the wind (by Margaret Mitchell), and Shantaram (by Gregory David Roberts) for their sheer magnanimity and realism portrayed.

26.Do you get easily provoked by positive/negative comments ??

Not really. Unless and until people don’t get personal, I don’t think there is any need to be feel agitated. I state my point and leave it at that. I really don’t see a point in hammering my way through it.

27.Do you plan to write a book , as every bloggers dream it is ?

Absolutely. Infact, this blog was kind of a test run before I wrote my book :-P ;-) And I feel so elated when some very dear bloggers and friends ask me, when I am releasing my first book.

28.Are you a judgmental person , Do you prefer to take sides instead of standing neutral ?

I think everyone is judgmental at some level of consciousness. As much as I try and not want to be, it would be wrong to say that I am not. But if it makes any difference, I don’t want to be ;-)

As far as taking sides is concerned, I always try to be true to my own self and take sides depending on my self-beliefs and not depending on who the people on the opposite sides are. And if there is something that I have no idea about, I would most definitely try to be neutral about it. I don’t like taking sides without making myself a strong case!

29. Your collaboration with other bloggers , are you much into social networking , tell us everything about it ?
Somehow, I haven’t done any guest posts till date. Remember what I said about being a procrastinator? So no blogger collaborations per say.

But yeah, I am very much into social networking (FB, twitter), regularly attend blogger meets and have made a lot of friends too.

30.What genre attracts you the most and which genre you avoid ?

I am an emotional person. I love to blog on love, hate, emotions, marriage, and relationships in general.

31.Your Views on Contests and increasing plagiarism ?

Contests are a great way to write on topics that we generally don’t write on. You lose nothing, and even stand a chance of winning great prizes. I  won an amazing Amazon Kindle for an Indi contest last year. You can read my entry here.

And as far as plagiarism is concerned, I don’t really know why people do that knowingly. I mean, people write because they have the flair for it, and they have an opinion and they want to showcase it. I really don’t know why people want to pretend to write like somebody else. I think people should just generally introspect and choose individuality over interesting-but-copied material.

32.Words for me and my blog .?

You are doing a great job – blogging, authoring, interviewing fellow bloggers and referring people for jobs all over the country. Phew! That’s some profile. Just keep doing the great job that you are doing and I am sure you will reach the pinnacles of success in life.

Signing off. Thank you so much for having me here. J

Interview with Animesh K Mishra (animeshkmishra dot com)

Today I had the pleasure of Interviewing a very famous Blogger Animesh , He is a true inspiration for new bloggers as well as a source of huge information about blogging and a true artist , he has the amazing talent of writing fiction and non fictional articles. Lets know more of him now.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself? your blog , and your aspirations and your hobbies !!

As I often say, I’m a project manager by profession and everything else by passion J. I work in IT field, but that’s only my profession. Apart from writing, I have training in Indian Classical Music and I play Hawaiian Guitar. I love reading, driving and travelling and am crazy about cars. As far as my aspirations go, I don’t want to die just like any other man. I want to be an established author some day.

2. How you first got involved in with blogging, are you an imaginative person?

I don’t even remember how it started. My younger brother hasbeen blogging for last 7-8 years, but I never knew anything about blogging though I have been writing since my schooldays. I was going through some emotional turmoil and how that turmoil changed to a Blog Post, that is a mystery for me also. On a scale of 1-10, you can rate me at 8 or 9 as an imaginative person.

3. What do you find most challenging about blogging about your topic?

Getting time; Professional and personal commitments leave me with no time to write.

4. Tell me about some of the people you have met while working on your blog?

Sriram, Stephen, Keyoor, Ketan, Karve sir, Vinita, Hemant, Trupti, Hari, Janaki, Diwakar and many others. I’m writing a book with Sriram. Stephen, Keyoor, Ketan, Karve sir, Diwakar, Hari and Trupti are all bloggers from Pune and we have together created a group called Pune Blog-In.

5. How would (someone) describe your blogging style?

Straight forward and Conversation based

6. What do you do when you are not working on your blog?

Working at office or playing with my son J. And when I get some time from all this, I read a lot. Sometime, I just go for a long drive or treat myself with some music.

7 .Where do you see yourself blogging wise in the next 6 months, and 5 years down the road?

I don’t see anything much significant in next 6 months given my professional and personal commitments. But after 5 years down the line, I will surely be a known author with at least one of my books being a best-seller J

8. What networking do you do that you feel helps your blogging business?

Blogging forums like Indiblogger, Social media like Facebook and Twitter and then personal network like friends, family etc.

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.

Thanks to my Maa, I have a natural ability to analyze things. And as I said, I am imaginative as well. So, coming up with ideas is not a big problem. Although I also go through writers block some times.

10. Whats your strategy with your blog in general?

No strategy at all.

11. Any specific tips you have for newbee bloggers who want to make it in the blogosphere?

Most important thing is good content. Focus on that, everything else is secondary.

12. What would you prioritize? Content? SEO? Traffic? Readers?

Content, Readers, SEO, Traffic

13. Whats the best thing a blogger can give to his readers?

Amazing and unique posts to read J

14. A lot of people are interested in blogging for the money earning potential. What are some tips for people interesting in making money from blogging? What are some realistic expectations in regards to what can be made?

I have no experience in that field and hence, I am skipping this question.

15. What motivates you most in life?

The urge to learn.

16. What has been your strategy for creating visibility to yourself and your blog?

No specific strategy as such. I write when I feel to, connect to fellow bloggers and use social media and other tools for visibility.

17 What was the most challenging moment in your blog content development process and why?

Can’t remember any such moment J

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

Irritate your boss the innovative way;  Even my boss laughed when he read it.

An evening at The Hell Nation; I don’t know why but I love this story.

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

There are many. To name a few Vikram Karve sir, you should see how much he can write. I think he writes more than anyone else in the Indian blogosphere. The Fool, Stephen and C Suresh, they have got excellent command over story writing. Sriram, I just wonder how this guy can analyze things so amazingly and look beyond obvious. Rickie Khosla, I’m a fan of his sense of humour. Umashankar Pandey, just read his story to know how amazing he is and last but not the least, Vinita aka Blogwati G, My God! Where does she bring all that energy from?

20. What is the story behind the name of the blog.

There is no story behind animeshkmishra dot com. Story in pieces is based on the concept of episodic story and I was talking to one of my friends about taking a domain when this name just cropped up in my mind.

21. your connection with Indiblogger and the experience ?

I am on Indiblogger for last 3-4 years and it has been amazing journey. I learnt a lot there and met a lot of amazing people, attended few Bloggers meet which also inspired me to organize a blogger’s meet at Pune. Currently I’m a moderator of Indiblogger which is also known as IndiPolice.

22.Which genre do you feel gets the raw deal?

Fiction writing

23.Which one plugin would you suggest all bloggers to have?

If you are on self-hosted wordpress, ensure that you have Better WP security installed on your blog.

24.Five adjectives that describe you.

Introvert, Passionate, Leader, Self-starter, Capricorn J

25.What book would you say has made the biggest impact  good or bad on you?

Many lives many masters. This is just an amazing book I have ever read. Another one was Brida by Paulo. It got a lot of answers from this book.

26.Do you get easily provoked by positive/negative comments ??

Sadly yes.

27.Do you plan to write a book , as every bloggers dream it is ?

Yes, book is already in progress. Sriram is the co-author of this book.

28.Are you a judgmental person , Do you prefer to take sides instead of standing neutral ?

Normally No. But I must admit that sometimes I take sides.

29. Your collaboration with other bloggers , are you much into social networking , tell us everything about it ?

What does everything mean :D? I have lots of friends from blogosphere and some of them are closer than my other friends. On social networking part, I am on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. I have created pages from my blogs and it helps me getting traffic and readers.

30.What genre attracts you the most and which genre you avoid ?

Fiction is my favorite genre and I avoid technical reviews.

31.Your Views on Contests and increasing plagiarism ?

Contests are good. Many people talk about how brands take advantage of bloggers via these contest, but I think one has a choice of not to participate.

Can you stop plagiarism? Even if word to word copying is stopped, what about idea copying? It’s like any other crime which cannot be eliminated.

32.Words for me and my blog .?

You are a good friendJ I have read your stories in the past and they are good. Of course they need some improvement. And that reminds me, I need to review your blog as I had promised (are you still a game for it?).

Its been a pleasure interviewing the most famous blogger I know ;), and Yes if you don’t review my blog now I will kill you.

Interview with Prashanth Ashok (Singapore)

Today I had the Pleasure of Interviewing Prashanth , A Regular and Prolific Blogger , who is really very popular.Lets know a bit of him.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself? your blog , and your aspirations and your hobbies !!

I am Prashanth, currently an NRI based out of Singapore, doing my Masters. I blog under the name AP's (S)crap - pretty much just about anything that crosses my mind. There is no fixed theme that I write about. It ranges from reviews to poetry to short stories to humour .. well, you get the idea right?

I am a fairly good singer and I love talking. Philosophy and politics are two of my favourite issues. I love travelling and soon hope to start exploring East Asia (already did Bangkok and Pattaya a few months back, and planning on Melaka in the coming weeks)

2. How you first got involved in with blogging , are you an imaginative person?

I would say I am an imaginative person, yes. But its quite hard to pen down what I imagine, partly because it could be highly controversial. Some things are best left to the mind, I guess.

As for blogging, I stumbled upon it by chance. Although my blog is almost 4 years old, the number of posts are fairly less. This was mainly because, when I started working with Infosys, I was very active on the InfyBlogs (internal blogs within the company) and have almost a 150+ posts to my credit. I didn't find the need to bring it out and post on Blogspot. It was only after I quit Infosys last year, that I resumed writing on the (s)crap

3. What do you find most challenging about blogging about your topic?
To me, the biggest challenge perhaps, is to get a feel of how the reader would interpret it. Back in InfyBlogs, I wrote a post about Modi and it became a huge controversy, with one person actually going on to call me a Hindu fanatic (not in the exact words, but the meaning implied was that). In that sense, I proof read it a lot, from different perspectives, to at-least guess how the meaning could be interpreted.

4. Tell me about some of the people you have met while working on your blog?

We have this group called Chennai Bloggers Club, a congregation of bloggers from Chennai. I have met a lot of interesting people from that group, through my blog. Some of them have become really close and opinions are stated firmly, yet, politely. I wouldn't want to single out one person, but the entire group has been highly supportive

5. How would (someone) describe your blogging style?
I guess people would call it casual (or way too casual, at times). That's just my writing style. Since most of my posts are not serious, it might come across as casual. But when it does come down to getting serious, it can get real serious. Like this particular post - http://prashanthashok1.blogspot.sg/2012/12/so-long-sister.html

6. What do you do when you are not working on your blog?
I think a lot. A real big lot indeed. And sometimes, a particular chain of thoughts finds its way either into my blog or my Facebook status

7 .Where do you see yourself blogging wise in the next 6 months, and 5 years down the road?
In the next six months, I hope to purchase my own domain and setup a blog under my name. As for five years, I am thinking of having a chain of hosts, probably categorized theme wise. But I still would continue to keep my blog casual, with an occasional seriousness thrown in

8. What networking do you do that you feel helps your blogging business?
Nothing in particular. Facebook serves as a good medium just to let people know what I write. And sometimes, it has increased the readership

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.
Well, for now, I have taken up this A-Z series, where I hope to cover the A-Z places of Singapore which I think are worth mentioning. Apart from that, everyday experiences serve the best source of content. Sometimes, I write it as I saw it; sometimes I weave a story out of it, or something hilarious. Reading other blogs helps come up with ideas too.

10. Whats your strategy with your blog in general?
Keep the writing simple, as non-flowery as possible. Don’t really make a fuss over comments - that's my simple strategy

11. Any specific tips you have for newbee bloggers who want to make it in the blogosphere?
Write, because of your passion; not to get famous. There are other ways to do that. Before you write, create a blog theme and test it thoroughly. Misplaced icons is perhaps the biggest turn off. If you are using Blogspot, turn off captcha image verification and turn on comment moderation.

12. What would you prioritize? Content? SEO? Traffic? Readers?
Content is the most important thing. Without that, the other are not there.

13. Whats the best thing a blogger can give to his readers?
An honest piece of writing, something he/she has the guts to stand by.

14. A lot of people are interested in blogging for the money earning potential. What are some tips for people interesting in making money from blogging? What are some realistic expectations in regards to what can be made?
I haven't used my blog for earning money, so I really cannot answer this. I don't even know how that's done.

15. What motivates you most in life?
Daily experiences.

16. What has been your strategy for creating visibility to yourself and your blog?
Be part of various writers' forums and groups.

17 What was the most challenging moment in your blog content development process and why?
That one last paragraph where you try to end it with a suitable note and you are lost for words.

18. Everyone has a favorite/least favorite post. Name yours and why?
http://prashanthashok1.blogspot.sg/2012/12/so-long-sister.html

The post after the Delhi shame incident - that's my favorite & least favorite post. Favorite because I wrote it with my heart and least favorite because I had to write about it.

19. Name some of the bloggers whom you look up to and why?
Oh, lets not get there, shall we?

20. What is the story behind the name of the blog.
Well, I wanted my blog to be my scrapbook, but sometimes I felt it was a scrapebook, without the S. Ergo, the name.

21. your connection with Indiblogger and the experience ?
I am just a member of the Indiblogger site. That is the only connection I have. I haven't attended any of the meets, since I have been abroad.

22.Which genre do you feel gets the raw deal?
Women's rights.

23.Which one plugin would you suggest all bloggers to have?
+1 to Google + and Sharing on facebook

24.Five adjectives that describe you.
practical, sensitive, massive, lazy, generous

25.What book would you say has made the biggest impact  good or bad on you?
Kane and Abel, to be honest.

26.Do you get easily provoked by positive/negative comments ??
Sometimes, yes.

27.Do you plan to write a book , as every bloggers dream it is ?
Oh sure, I am no exception there

28.Are you a judgmental person , Do you prefer to take sides instead of standing neutral ?
I am almost never judgemental and take the rational side (which is mostly neutral)

29. Your collaboration with other bloggers , are you much into social networking , tell us everything about it ?
Oh yes, I am very much into social networking. Partly because I live abroad and it is the easiest way to stay in touch.

30.What genre attracts you the most and which genre you avoid ?
Politics is one genre that attracts me the most, which I also tend to avoid.

31.Your Views on Contests and increasing plagiarism ?
Contests, if healthy, should definitely be encouraged. It helps diversifying the blogging platform.

Plagiarism is a strict no-no.

32.Words for me and my blog .?
I have read your blog since the time of Infosys. Your ideas are fresh and sometimes radical. I feel you should give it your full shot.