Sunday, July 26, 2009

The Sunday Roast

No, It Ain't Standard Operating Procedure

This week's interview is with the blogger Kirti Patel,
who writes the blog K The Blogger


Here's the first of the standard questions. Why do you blog?

It's funny because before this year, I had NO IDEA what blogging or bloggers were. If you had told me about the blogosphere before I probably would have said that it sounds like a bunch of people who have no lives ...LOL... And now, I'm one of you!

I started blogging earlier this year after I went to a conference for aspiring writers. Someone there suggested that I start blogging as a way of breaking into the writing world. So, adventurer that I am, I came home and jumped right in! I have discovered that blogging keeps me motivated to write and I think it's helping me become a better writer, too. Most importantly, it helps me keep my sanity--it's my refuge from the world! Here's a post I wrote on this topic: Sunlight In Our Japanese Maple.

What's the story behind the blog name?

My blog started out under a different name (The Birth of a Notion) but then I changed it to 'K' after a conversation with a friend. I was telling her that I thought my blog was all over the place with so many different subjects (family, kids, recipes, books, art, fashion, etc) and that I was worried that I was scaring people away with all the scattered topics. So, she asked me "Well, if your blog was a magazine, which magazine would it be?" That turned out to be such a great question!

After a little deliberation, we decided that it was closest to The O Magazine (by Oprah) because of all the various topics it covers. So, I thought, "Hey, wouldn't it be funny if I called my blog 'K'?" I think it works because I actually tell people to call me 'K' in real life because my first name is hard to pronounce (Kirti). Here's the post I wrote the day I changed the name to K - aka the Blog Formerly Known As The Birth Of A Notion.

What is the best thing about being a blogger?

Hmm ... there are a LOT of great things about being a blogger. I guess the best thing is that I feel like a real writer now. I now have a small group of followers that keeps up with my writing regularly. I have no idea why they would care, but I'm glad--it's nice to have a little audience that appreciates my stuff.

And, for the first time in my life, I feel like that book I've been dreaming about writing will actually get written someday. In the few months that I've been doing this, I've written over a hundred posts and thousands of words. There is a book in me -- I just know it!

What key advice would you give to a newbie blogger?

Just do it! The way to learn is to just get in there and do it. Don't obsess so much about every post. I know that's easier said than done, because I obsess over my posts, too. Just remember that no one is reading it as closely as you are, so RELAX! I keep reminding myself that too. It takes the pressure off so that your words can flow better.

What is the most significant blog post you've ever read?

I have read so many great posts by so many different bloggers! The blogosphere is a wonderful world full of great minds and great inspiration. In my humble opinion, one of the very best bloggers out there is my friend T.'s blog How A Plate Of Broccoli Got Me Thinking About God. I am always impressed by her writing. I actually find her blog extremely intimidating because she is so smart and insightful.

What is the most significant blog post you've ever written?

I guess the most significant blog post I ever wrote is probably Wealthy, which I wrote for my mom for her 60th birthday. I managed to get that published in a magazine, too, which was a great thrill and also a great present for my mom. I actually think I had some beginner's luck with that one because it was the first story I ever submitted anywhere and it got accepted. (It's also going to be published in a book of short stories that's being developed by a company called Metaphorical Ink.)

Thank you, David, for this amazing opportunity! You have been a great help and inspiration to a newbie in the blogosphere.


Today's Sunday Roast with Kirti is the 77th in a weekly series of interviews with bloggers from around the world.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Sir Knight, Champion Quester for the unknown blogger, seeker of gems and all round good egg. How many treasures would drift just out of reach without your trusty keep net?
Another gem for this Sunday's roast.

Thank you, now off you go: To infinity and beyond.

Inday said...

You got people walking with their feet on the ground and their minds thinking hard instead of floating in the clouds, David. By that I mean, You are a great motivator.

I prefer blogging to chatting in silly chat rooms where one person said, "people who come here have no life at all".

Glad this lady has changed her mind about imprinting that idea about blogger without life. lol.

As a respectable author yourself, your own blog draws lots of reviews around the world and your followers are growing everyday.

Cheers!

Maggie May said...

Will have to check this young person out. She seems a really nice person & it was a good interview.

Susan English Mason said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Susan English Mason said...

David, can you set up the edit comment feature just for me? I can't type apparently.

Yet another great interview David. I just visited K's blog and came back to report. I could sit and read her previous posts for about a day and half. What a great blog. I wish I could write like that. What am I talking about, I wish I had a life like that.

K. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
K. said...

Oh, gosh, I'm just fumbling with the words because I'm so overwhelmed!!! (I had to delete my last comment because it sounded just so darn stupid! And, obviously it sounded even stupider than this one is sounding...)

Thank you, David, for this wonderful honor!

You have been such a great source of advice and encouragement--you definitely do bring out the best in people...

Thanks also to all your kind readers who have taken the time to visit my blog and even leave comments...I am so amazed by the generosity of the blogosphere! What wonderful people there are hiding behind their computers...haha

All the best,
K.

K. said...

By the way, my friend T.'s blog is actually called 'Notes of an Anesthesioboist'...I must have mistyped it when I sent it out to you, but the link is correct so no harm done!

Thank you again...

introspection said...

This Sunday Roast is certainly very imposing. K comes across as some one who has metamorphosed into a serious blogger and has no qualms in admitting that earlier on, she thought bloggers have no life. (glad she changed her mind, coz I think bloggers in fact are very discerning independent individuals who blog without inhibition). So thoughts are purely fantastic and without an editors cut. Every blog is a piece of uncut diamond. Even more priceless. I am off to read K's stuff.
Great interview David. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

once again.. great choice, & great job!

T. said...

K. - Thank you so much for this humbling shout-out. I am so glad we had lunch together at that conference so I could add fuel to the fire of the person who encouraged you to start blogging! You are such a wonderful writer AND blogger - a blessing for your readers and someone whose work enriches my day every time I encounter it.

CiCi said...

She may be a newbie, but she is already sounding like a pro. I checked out her mentor's blog. No wonder she admires her, so if that is her goal and inspiration, she is on her way to high places in the blogosphere.

Janie said...

Thanks for the introduction. I will check out the blog.

Shrinky said...

Ah, another worthy read, thank you David for making a platform in here to act as a conduit to unite us together. If it weren't for your efforts, blogging wouldn't be half as much fun!

Akelamalu said...

Thanks David for introducing me to yet another blogger to read. :)