Interview with Blogger Lillian Devin

By The Pakistani Spectator • Jul 24th, 2008 • Category: Interviews • No Responses

Would you please tell us something about you and your site?
My site is ‘Edgy Dreamer: Dreaming on the edge…’ I use the moniker ‘Zen Lill’ I’ll give the definitions for those words as they describe me and to a certain degree, my blog site. ‘Edgy’ - daring, provocative and trend setting (oh yes, don’t I wish that…) and ‘Zen’ - enlightenment attained through meditation, self contemplation and intuition. I’m not totally enlightened yet, I’m just an imperfect being like everyone else and I’m a dreamer, too (translation: a bit of a fool), and as such, I often need/request forgiveness. What else can a Zen edgy dreamer do…? I’m a female US citizen, live in Southern CA now, I wish I could say I’m an ex-patriot still living in Singapore but that’s not the case anymore…and that’s just life…

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?
I like to think I become more articulate in my writing voice, and I admit that words flow much easier for me writing my own truth as a non-fiction blogger than all my previous years of fiction writing, though they were fun in their own way. Progressive growth in writing is like any other growth for me, personal/emotional/intellectual or otherwise, it’s an on-going part of life and I think we all like to think that everyday we just get better.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?
Most memorable was when I received comments that changed the way I was living my life entirely, an anonymous person’s words spoke to me, which was so great. I’d like to believe that I do that for others inadvertently also. I’ve received long commentary on US politics that were eye opening, it’s also happened with entries I wrote about relationships/alpha males/females. I even had my own self appointed ‘armchair’ therapist for a time, hahaha, and that was compelling commentary. I allow commenters to e-mail me privately and it always amazes me how many shy people read my writing and want to speak up, just not in a public space.

What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?
I read several blogs weekly, some daily. Some I comment in on a sporadic basis, some I comment on everyday. I love to see what the ‘topic du jour’ is an anothers’ mind. I’m an observer of people and enjoy seeing what makes them tick through their choice of subject and their approach to it…it’s so much more nuanced when it’s the written word.

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?

Internet and e-mail campaigns like Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. He’s created a whole new style of grass roots campaigning and people who normally would not be donors are ready, willing and able to give small amounts to his campaign, weekly/monthly and on an ‘as needed’ basis, as you can see by the staggering numbers, it’s one successful strategy. Youtube videos are pretty cool also.

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?

Absolutely, everything is in ‘real time’ now. The 24/7 part of it can be a boon or perceived as mildly daunting, depending on your emotional state on a given day.
What do you think sets Your site apart from others?
Oh boy, maybe it’s my conversational tone while talking about politics, relationships, and everyday meanderings? And, hmmm, I don’t know, maybe it’s because I like to talk about sex/relationships every now and again, mostly on Wednesdays : ) better known as Hump Day.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?
Inner strength. No further explanation necessary, especially if you met me in person.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

On a happiness scale of 1-10, I try to run at least at 7-8 daily or I sit and re-evaluate my attitude and go from there. So, I have numerous moments of relative happiness pretty regularly. Gloomiest, oh, for sure it was the day my father died, I was nine months pregnant, and 3,000 miles away, it was a very sad day for me. I wasn’t ready for that.

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?
Only 3?! Cambodia/Vietnam, India (Delhi, Mumbai, Kerala, Bangalore…), Kenya and Capetown, SA, the Andes Mountains, and then add London, HK and Dubai and the Amalfi Coast, sorry, I love travel, and experiencing a different culture, so this list just skims the surface really. Lately I’ve been craving a ski in the Chilean Mountains, too.
What is your favorite book and why?

For fact based fiction: Ken Follett’s “Pillars of the Earth’ it’s a long saga about England during the twelfth century, the story takes place during the time known as the Anarchy. I made snoring noises years ago when someone recommended it, but Follett’s writing is so visual and visceral, I was there inside the story within two paragraphs, I highly recommend it. Follett just released the sequel twenty years later, ‘World Without End’ he’s still quite the wordsmith, a very talented writer. On the self help front: ‘A New Earth’ by Eckhard Tolle.
What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?

If they’re male or female, hahaha, then eyes, I can tell a lot about anyone through a few minutes of good eye contact…then body language…that’s more than you asked for…

Is there anyone from your past that once told you couldn’t write?
I once had a creative writing teacher who didn’t like one of my main character outlines, at all. Since the character was loosely based on me, I just switched teachers; we weren’t going to get along. She never said anything was wrong with my prose though…

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?
Oh, there are lots of ways, in fact, I have the writer of Entrepreneur magazine’s ‘The Ultimate Guide to Search Engine Optimization’ Jon Rognerud, a long-time best friend (when everyone else is on vacation) who is assisting me with my site as I write this interview. There are several avenues to explore: link love, permalinks, oh I could go on but since I haven’t completed my reading of his book yet, it’s all just premature rambling on my part. Who knows, it could lead to a monetarily successful endeavor, I sincerely hope so, because then I’ll be living my dream, writing and earning money for it; that would be heaven and total freedom…I can write anywhere.

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?

I don’t know about others but I often write up several blog entries on a week/weekend afternoon and then tweak the writing and/or write something entirely new during the week based on time availability. That being said, I’m a curious one and have no greater love than reading/researching and/or writing in my spare time.

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world friendlier and less hostile?
This is an interesting question, I usually spend time speaking out against…countries, cultures, etc…that allow or just don’t pay any attention to women’s issues, violence, poverty, etc…and it’s fun to just call out US politics/politicians whenever the mood strikes. The truth of the matter is that we all have to get knowledgeable enough and upset enough to act and so while my entries may ‘call out’ a nation/culture/behavior, I hope that the info will show people how others live and hopefully they will gain some insight, empathy and compassion. When people experience those emotions they are usually ready to create change…or at least hope for change, no?

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?

www.michellemoquin.com/wordpress is definitely my daily fave, full of wit and wisdom and aliens, with many regular commenters, always very interesting… http://bdgroupllc.blogspot.com/ is interesting political banter. http://whyaminotsurprised.blogspot.com/ is a great 2x weekly stop for me, this woman writes about racism, http://www.ted.com/ a site that has ‘inspired talks by the world’s greatest thinkers and doers,’ and it is sooo interesting http://revellian.com/ the R man has a certain writing style I find engaging, no matter what his topic is…

Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?

I think it’s a toss up between my three day alpha males/females series and a four day series that was actually a commenters political rant, he allowed me to run it along with my own comments and questions, both series certainly made my private e-mail inbox full, it was fun and I love the hearing everyone’s opinions, that’s what this life is all about, expressing ourselves, right?
What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?
Well, it seems like women have a lot to overcome there to just be treated reasonably. This is so troubling because I think it’s important for women to be equal to men in this day and age. It takes men and women to create a successful society. Would that personal opinion be baffling to a Pakistani male or female?

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?
Not really, I’ve read all kinds of content, we all have a unique take on things, and when I find a blogger I like I tend to go back and check them out at least 2x’s a week.

What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing

country?
Hmmm, this is an invitation to an all day conversation, hahaha, but I’ll keep it brief.

Under UN rule countries can determine that distinction for themselves, but the usual factors are: infrastructure development, per capita income, and regarding the human resource aspect: education enrollment, adult literacy rate and GDP is part of that equation also. In my own opinion, and generally speaking of course, developed countries have a bit more entitlement mentality going on and developing countries have a stronger work ethic and a determination to improve lives, they thrive on hope for their future.
What is the future of blogging?
I think there’s strength in the number of opportunities to help others worldwide, if only through reading of anothers’ experience; that’s exactly why I read some of the blogs I do, the authors are of another nationality, race, etc…and for a short span of time I get to see things from their perspective only. I think it’s a gift to have that kind of experience right here in my own house or local WiFi café’.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal

and professional life?
I can write the very quick version of a business letter/e-mail requesting info, donations, time/energy and I think that’s a direct reflection of my daily writing. I don’t have to think so hard to find the right words. I’ve improved my proofreader/writer skills for marketing campaigns I assist with for charities/school board/newsletters, etc…

In my personal life, some friends and acquaintances have read my blog and ask me more direct opinion questions, and I answer more directly. I think they may have perceived me differently before reading my blog, and possibly I may not have been as open as I am now, this has been a growing experience personally for me in a big way.

What are your future plans?
I’m open, totally open, I keep life planning loose, I’d like to do lots of traveling, and writing. I’m not in a position to plan much past next Friday at the moment…

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
I actually wish they could give me a clue. I read about the amount of violent occurrences women suffer in your country, and it makes me feel pretty helpless towards my global sisters. Maybe I should travel there. I’m just seeking to understand how and why this violence is so prevalent. It’s hard to imagine, the statistics are staggering, how very sad…