The Pakistani Spectator

Would you please tell us something about you and your site?

I am a female freelance writer who lives in Southern California. My site is called Writer Chick Talks - the Home Planet and it started out as a bit of a spoof, even the name was chosen, because I wanted anonymity. My slug line is ‘one woman – a million opinions’ which pretty much describes the site.

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?
Yes, of course I do. As with anything the more you do it, hopefully the more you learn and improve. It is important to me because I suppose it is who I am, what I am and if my writing did not improve I think that would be an indication of my failure to change and grow as well.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?
There is no one single experience that stands above rest, but I have come to realize that the thing I enjoy most about blogging is the exchange of ideas and viewpoints. I often will write a post that is controversial or has controversial elements in order to get a dialogue happening. I believe that it’s important to engage people to get them to think and in that grow, even a little. Recently I did a 3 part series called Woman + Blogosphere = Impact – which inspired some wonderful and surprising debate. I think in the end, all of us were a bit more enlightened not only about what we thought but what others thought as well. It is that sort of experience that makes me love blogging.

What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?
Aside from the obvious, by visiting their blogs and commenting on their posts, I often email, sometimes even talk on the  phone with many of blogging friends. A community comes up whether you expect or not, and is in many way and extension or new age version of the old time neighborhood. I think of my fellow bloggers as neighbors and friends, with whom I enjoy talking and trading ideas.

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?
I don’t know if I think there is one. Aside from news outlets having blogs and websites, and perhaps YouTube or similar sites there doesn’t seem like much change in politics at all. It seems always the same, the us against them mentality and using the most expensive ad agency to provide the commercials, angles and spins.

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?
Well the internet does enable people from all over the world to be in contact, to meet, to become to known to one another. If one is interested they can find out, just about anything on the internet from congressional sessions to lyrics of songs. It does to some degree put people in better touch, but then you have the issue of the reliability of the information being offered. There is no way to determine the veracity of much of it and think because of that what happens is that people become utterly saturated with useless information, too many opinions and not enough facts. If  you had the determination to do your own research that is different I think, but if you simply read and absorb what you are being told then you aren’t any better are you?

What do you think sets Your site apart from others?
I think the thing that sets my site apart from others is that it is about communication. I want anyone who comes to my site to feel welcome and to feel they may voice their opinion, whatever it is without being attacked and flamed if you want to use the vernacular. I think of my site as a sort of big kitchen table where the family gathers round and talks about the issues of the day, hardly ever agrees with anyone else and the topics range from the utterly ridiculous to the deep and meaningful. Again, my theme is to engage people in thinking, debating looking at points of view that are not their own and considering them. Due to modern technology there is so little we are required to think about these days and I believe that someday in the not too distant future people won’t think at all and when that day comes, we’re goners.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?
The willingness to listen to other people.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
My gloomiest moment was when I learned my father died, we were very close and it came without warning. My happiest moment was recently, when I learned that a friend who’d been in a fatal car accident was not going to die but was actually on the road to a full recovery.

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?

Ireland
Australia
Maine, USA

What is your favorite book and why?
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand because it is a cautionary tale that has come true. It was brilliantly written and a very perceptive illustration of what happens when individuals stop being individuals and become part of the collective.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?
There eyes. I believe that a person’s eyes tell you a lot about them.

Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?
Yes, there have been a few.

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?
I don’t know – I have read endless volumes on how to do it but to me, it seems the wrong way to approach blogging because you are essentially adding commercials to your blog and people don’t come to your blog for that reason, at least I would hope not. Since I am writer, should I get my book published I would advertise on my blog but because I have been asked to by my readers. I prefer blogs that keep to the original tradition which is essentially a public journal, a place to exchange ideas and thoughts. We have enough coca cola ads and gap jeans everywhere we turn, it’s nice to go someplace that isn’t screaming for my attention and my money.

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?
It could be. I don’t know. I don’t even know what a successful blog is, to be honest. I think it depends on what your goals are for your blog. I have attained many of my goals on my site and so I can adopt the view that it is successful because it is providing what I intended. From a stats, money or some other yardstick of success, I don’t know if anyone would call my blog a success, though it does seem to be popular in its own right.

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?
I think the great thing about bloggers is that if they love something or hate something you will be sure to hear about it. They are comfortable publishing their opinions to others and in fact want others to see them. As a group, I’ve found bloggers to be some of the nicest people I’ve ever met – and they pass their friendliness, humor and good will to those who encounter them. That right there, I think does the job. Of course there is also the obvious ability to make others aware of things that are wrong and should be righted, people who need help, such as hurricane victims, care packages to the soldiers, things like that.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?
Evyl – From Evyl With Love – http://purefnevyl.wordpress.com
Michael – Smoke & Mirrors – http://badsneaker.net
Angie – Sassy Tn’T Politically – http://whateversowhat.wordpress.com
Moe – The Nook of Oz – http://anonymum.com
Grit – Brit and Grit – http://britandgrit.com

Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?
On my blog? Yes, it’s called “Small it Down”

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?
I really don’t know much about Pakistan and its people. It seems to me that they are struggling to make their country better, and their lives better but that it has been difficult. I have only ever known one person from Pakistan and he was very kind and lovely person. I honestly don’t think that the people of any country are that much different than they are in my country. They want to be happy, have productive lives, hope for better lives for their children and loved ones and want to live in peace.

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?
Yes and no. I wouldn’t use the word stunned but I have encountered some unique bloggers from time to time and I read them often. Actually what I find stunning is that many very mediocre bloggers seem to have very large followings and very successful blogs for no apparent reason. That stuns me.

What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?
I think a developed country like the United States, for example takes for granted all of its resources, opportunities and conveniences whereas a developing country seems to appreciate these things more and sees the value in them and in their lives.

What is the future of blogging?
I don’t know but I think it has piqued. I do think that we will begin to see fewer blogs, because like novels, it seems everyone and their brother believes they can write one, when in fact they really can’t, at least not well. And if there is a dwindling I think that the better blogs and bloggers will stand out more and be appreciated more.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
I have gained many friends, friends I would never have made if I had not blogged, that to me, is the most significant. It is demanding time wise and I often forget about laundry and grocery shopping but there has been no real or significant negative impact. Professionally, it has actually helped me connect to more networking and opportunities.

What are your future plans?
I currently am looking for representation for a novel I’ve written and hope to get published. I am now working on another novel, as well as a book of poetry.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
Thank you for thinking me worthy of an interview, no one was more surprised than I to get your request. I hope I haven’t bored you too much.