To people like me, blogging is a passion, a hobby that stems from a love of sharing and interacting and sharpening both my creative and writing skills. To an outsider, it seems like fun, silly, even glamorous with bloggers getting goodies and winning prizes.
Very often the hard work behind the blog is not visible and recognised. The other day, a lady (not a blogger) when congratulating me for winning a prize said that she was thinking of becoming a blogger too, but she wasn't as greedy. Wow, that was something really kind to say. And we think that it is only people on social media who have thrown basic courtesy to the dogs!
Yes, of course, blogging is child's play, and anyone can write well. It's a given. I assure you!
Now that we have established the basic grounds for a trivial and silly activity like blogging, let us talk about the plight of the poor family that puts up with the blogger. You must know that behind every successful blogger is a long-suffering family, as the points below amply demonstrate:
1. You live in fear of the mighty pen
A blogger's partner is always at the risk of having their opinions, memories and moments laid bare for the public to see. Irk your blogger partner and you'll find yourself worrying about how you'll be depicted in their next post or on a blogging forum. Nothing you say, do or experience is ever safe again. The same applies to all those who cross ways with the blogger. Since all bloggers are writing books, you can be pretty clear where the inspiration for storyline and characters are coming from. Do you really want to be that horribly evil person in their next novel who dies an untimely, painful death? The choice is yours. Remember to be at your best behaviour with a blogger.
2. The kids' embarrassing moments never quite go away
A blogger's children are sometimes not even party to the fact that their childhood shenanigans, mischief and embarrassing tales are out there for all to read, chuckle and comment upon. Poor kids! By the time they are old enough to protest, the damage has been pretty much done.
3. The pets are recruited too
Don't forget the blogger's pet! They have to chip in too with pictures, videos and do funny things that translate into good stories. With a blogger, every person and event can and will be turned into a blog post.
4. Exhibitionism is encouraged
A blogger's family has to be a willing displayer of their chaddi baniyan (dirty linen) for the next hot blogging tag or contest. Yeh prize ka maamla hai!
5. Holidays become a photoshoot
A blogger's family finds that all vacations have one most important agenda -- photographs! Hence, the poor guys pose or not pose patiently while the blogger goes click, click, click in preparation of some future post the idea for which hasn't even been conceived this far. But why miss an opportunity, I ask? After all, what are vacations for?
6. They must hang out with other bloggers
A blogger's family must be willing to meet with other blogger friends. Don't forget the ubiquitous pictures again! Duh, what is a meet without pictures? What the hell will we put up on FB? Remember it is important to be hot and happening on social media to be a 'popular' blogger.
7. Photography skills are required
A blogger's partner must brush up their photography skills for all those occasions when they need to capture their blogger muse in the best of poses. Refer to the point above about being 'hot and happening on social media.' DPs have to be regularly updated, you see!
8. They have to read tons of blogs
A blogger's family has to diligently read through everything the blogger writes. They may not like or appreciate the genre but who cares? A good family stands behind each other, right? Yes, they must also be mindful of the way they express feedback unless it is positive, of course. Language and tone are very important to a blogger!
9. They need to get used to the lingo
A blogger's family has to get used to the blogger's excessive use of words like 'awesome', 'fabulous', 'nice one' and so on since that is the language they use on blogs. Not to forget the absolutely baffling overdose of 'muahs', 'love' and 'likes' that the blogger starts using in their conversation and in their written word as well. Emoticons become oxygen!
Living with a blogger is like having a paparazzo at home. So you see, it is such a struggle living with a blogger. And, people you need to recognise the long-suffering family and their sacrifices that go a long way in making a successful blogger.
Finally, remember what happens to those who don't suck up to the moody blogger in the comments!
This is an edited version of a post previously published on Rachna says.
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Very often the hard work behind the blog is not visible and recognised. The other day, a lady (not a blogger) when congratulating me for winning a prize said that she was thinking of becoming a blogger too, but she wasn't as greedy. Wow, that was something really kind to say. And we think that it is only people on social media who have thrown basic courtesy to the dogs!
Yes, of course, blogging is child's play, and anyone can write well. It's a given. I assure you!
Irk your blogger partner and you'll find yourself worrying about how you'll be depicted in their next post...
Now that we have established the basic grounds for a trivial and silly activity like blogging, let us talk about the plight of the poor family that puts up with the blogger. You must know that behind every successful blogger is a long-suffering family, as the points below amply demonstrate:
1. You live in fear of the mighty pen
A blogger's partner is always at the risk of having their opinions, memories and moments laid bare for the public to see. Irk your blogger partner and you'll find yourself worrying about how you'll be depicted in their next post or on a blogging forum. Nothing you say, do or experience is ever safe again. The same applies to all those who cross ways with the blogger. Since all bloggers are writing books, you can be pretty clear where the inspiration for storyline and characters are coming from. Do you really want to be that horribly evil person in their next novel who dies an untimely, painful death? The choice is yours. Remember to be at your best behaviour with a blogger.
2. The kids' embarrassing moments never quite go away
A blogger's children are sometimes not even party to the fact that their childhood shenanigans, mischief and embarrassing tales are out there for all to read, chuckle and comment upon. Poor kids! By the time they are old enough to protest, the damage has been pretty much done.
3. The pets are recruited too
Don't forget the blogger's pet! They have to chip in too with pictures, videos and do funny things that translate into good stories. With a blogger, every person and event can and will be turned into a blog post.
A blogger's family has to be a willing displayer of their chaddi baniyan (dirty linen) for the next hot blogging tag or contest.
4. Exhibitionism is encouraged
A blogger's family has to be a willing displayer of their chaddi baniyan (dirty linen) for the next hot blogging tag or contest. Yeh prize ka maamla hai!
5. Holidays become a photoshoot
A blogger's family finds that all vacations have one most important agenda -- photographs! Hence, the poor guys pose or not pose patiently while the blogger goes click, click, click in preparation of some future post the idea for which hasn't even been conceived this far. But why miss an opportunity, I ask? After all, what are vacations for?
6. They must hang out with other bloggers
A blogger's family must be willing to meet with other blogger friends. Don't forget the ubiquitous pictures again! Duh, what is a meet without pictures? What the hell will we put up on FB? Remember it is important to be hot and happening on social media to be a 'popular' blogger.
7. Photography skills are required
A blogger's partner must brush up their photography skills for all those occasions when they need to capture their blogger muse in the best of poses. Refer to the point above about being 'hot and happening on social media.' DPs have to be regularly updated, you see!
8. They have to read tons of blogs
A blogger's family has to diligently read through everything the blogger writes. They may not like or appreciate the genre but who cares? A good family stands behind each other, right? Yes, they must also be mindful of the way they express feedback unless it is positive, of course. Language and tone are very important to a blogger!
9. They need to get used to the lingo
A blogger's family has to get used to the blogger's excessive use of words like 'awesome', 'fabulous', 'nice one' and so on since that is the language they use on blogs. Not to forget the absolutely baffling overdose of 'muahs', 'love' and 'likes' that the blogger starts using in their conversation and in their written word as well. Emoticons become oxygen!
Remember what happens to those who don't suck up to the moody blogger in the comments!
Living with a blogger is like having a paparazzo at home. So you see, it is such a struggle living with a blogger. And, people you need to recognise the long-suffering family and their sacrifices that go a long way in making a successful blogger.
Finally, remember what happens to those who don't suck up to the moody blogger in the comments!
This is an edited version of a post previously published on Rachna says.
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