1. Can you tell us a little about yourself andyour blog?
Hello World. I am Swathi Pradeep, a software Engineer[fromIndia],currently pursuing MBA [in USA],a blogger,a cartoonist and a writer anda typical Sagittarian! :)
I maintain about 14 blogs ranging from my personalblog,comics,food,travel,photography,short stories,science and technology,booksand movie reviews, etc.
2.Are you a full time blogger? How did you getinto blogging and why?
I jumped into this bandwagon on June 19th 2009 with my personalblog, “World from Swathi’s Eyes”[which is now moved to wordpress. com]. Later,Istarted exploring various arenas of blogging likefood,travel,comics,photography,reviews etc.
I was a full time blogger till Aug 30th 2010,until my MBA startedenvying my free time.
Well,I had a dream of owning a website since ages. Being anextrovert,forthright,expressive person and a chatter box since birth,I lovewriting,expressing things,speaking my mind out(which has landed me in soupnumerous times),discussing,sharing and expressing my viewpoint over varioustopics on current affairs.
Landing in USA,the gossip mongers or tv soaps did not lureme and I wished to use my time constructively in doing something which I was passionateabout.
I wanted to pen down mythoughts,viewpoints,experiences,emotions,my voice,my feelings and also meetpeople with same interests. I started blogging over things which fascinatedme,interested me,kept me engrossed.
Blogging has indeed helped me undergo metamorphosis bothpersonally and professionally. It enhanced my vocabulary,my writingskills,helped me to pour out and jot down my emotions in a subtle and betterway. It broached me to fellow bloggers with similar mind sets and interests.
3. If someone was interested in blogging, whatwould be a few things you would suggest?
Life is alearning process. Everyday,we learn new things. Experiences teach us how toovercome shortcomings,make amendments and improvise ourselves. Since,I am alsolearning new things every day, I don’t wish to don the “advising” hat.
Also,there isn’t a single protocol which every blogger in thisworld should follow. Some blog in cryptic fashion,while others are forthrightin their writings. All I can say is put your heart and soul into whatever youare passionate about and hard work does yield fruits! :)
4. How do you build a community around a blog andsocial media?
I reply to each and every comment on my blog to give my readersthe "feel" that their words are “acknowledged” and “valued”.
I followthe bloggers on twitter,whose blogs/writings I love to read. Also, my facebookfriend list comprises of more than 150 bloggers. :)
5. What are your three favorite blogs to read? Whatmakes those blogs special?
Since, Ineither favor,practice and preach “favoritism”, nor am I,an adherent followerof “diplomacy”, all I can say is “I regularly read all the blogs which I haveblogrolled,followed and subscribed”. :)
6. Which one plugin would you suggest all bloggersto have?
There arevarious plugins available for various purposes. It all depends on yourobjective.
