Moms Who Blog : Featuring Vasantha Vivek
Hello and welcome to Mom Blogger October on the Times of Amma. As regular readers know, the Times Of Amma community is all about inspiring Moms and building them up as they work on being themselves and Mothers. And so, this month is dedicated to featuring Moms who are working on being themselves and mothers, while expressing themselves through their blogs.
Today we meet Vasantha Vivek who blogs on relationships, family, parenting, love, social issues, and also posts daily tips. She is also inspired by her Amma and her son. Vasantha is from Kovilpatti, a small town of Southern Tamil Nadu. She was a professor at an Engineering College for nearly 16 years. Teaching is her passion, reading her love and cooking her my heart. She starts and ends her days with reading. She is a supportive wife and also a mother to a teenager. ((Editor's Note: Vasantha reached out to me to be part of the 'Mom Blogger-October series' early in the month. Though I had scheduled her interview, the mail slipped through the cracks and when I finally got round to sending her the questions, she was elbow deep with Diwali work. Yet, she set everything aside to send in her thoughts on being a Mom Blogger. I am blown away by her work ethic and her spirit. Happy Diwali to you Vasantha! More power to you! And Happy Diwali to you, reader. Have a wonderful day that continues to light up the rest of your year. ))
What was it that prompted you to become a blogger?
I used to write during my college days. Writing in my diary is my regular activity. I have written articles in college magazines during my college days and also while I was working. And I enjoy connecting with people. So when I made the tough decision of quitting my job, I ached to share my thoughts with someone and get connected. My passion for reading and writing gave birth to my personal blog “My Sweet Nothings”.
Which has been your most memorable post to date and why?
I hope the Daily Tips section is unique about my blog. Also I love to spread Indian Culture and Tradition to the world through the 'Spiritual Fridays' section. My most memorable posts are those titled 'This Mom’s Life' – An interview type guest post from my blogger mother friends. This helped me to get connected with many lovely hearts and to learn many life lessons. From this October, a new series – Women at Work has been started. The main focus of this is to introduce and share inspiring stories of women at work. So as a whole, my blog is my heart -with my thoughts freely flowing.
What has the most memorable comment on your blog been so far?
As a blogger, I treat all comments on my blog as memorable comments. I will read all the comments and reply them without fail. I hope commenting is the best way to reach more hearts. I honour my readers in that manner.
Have you ever been trolled? How did you handle it?
I don’t remember any such cases. I mostly treat my readers in a friendly way. I also believe that constructive criticism provides hope for improvement. I love being a positive person.
Have you ever started to write a post and then abandoned it? Why?
Yes, sometimes. Those are saved as drafts and posted later after editing. I usually pen down my thoughts, feelings, interests, moods, achievements, fights, and everything in a diary. Later I convert those scribbles into meaningful posts.
Do you stick to a regular posting schedule or do you post whenever inspiration strikes? Do you have a writing routine?
Mostly I blog daily for posting Daily Tips. I usually schedule them promptly so that I don't miss a date. I am happy to share that last March 2015, I successfully completed a one month blogging marathon by posting 30 posts without a miss. I also write with regular prompts such as Monday Musings, Gratitude Blog Post, Friday Reflections, Women At Work, Nurturing Thursdays.
Do you find it hard to get your voice heard in the crowded blogosphere?
I don’t think so. I hope consistent blogging, unique quality posts will attract its own readers. Bloggers should be sincere in their work.
Many say that blogging is dead thanks to other micro-blogging avenues like Twitter, Snapchat and others. As the owner of a traditional blog, how would you respond to that?
In my opinion, there is no end for traditional blogging. In fact Twitter has helped my blog in increasing followers and traffic. Socialization is the strength of every blogger.
Do you see your blog as a stepping stone to something else? Do you see yourself wearing the tag of 'blogger' five years down the line?
Yes, I’m proud to be a blogger. I live to blog and I blog to live. I blog therefore I am. I too have future plans. Self hosting of my blog, Authoring a book, Conducting Writing Workshops are some of them.
What tips do you have for other Indian Mom bloggers?
Follow your heart and work hard. Do what makes you happy. Enjoy your life and spread happiness. Write your heart out. And your day is not so far. You can follow Vasantha's blog here:
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