The Pakistani Spectator

1. Would you please tell us something about you and your site?
My humble blog is Engspeak. Rather, I started writing about English, particularly the Spoken aspect to help others.

Initially I thought about writing because lot of people want to speak language but many youths in small cities and towns are unable to master the communication aspect because of the poor educational system. There is also a hitch and people are hesitant in asking others the basics as they feel ‘log kyaa kahenge itna bhi nahi aata’. Many teenaged girls in my neighbourhood asked me tips and would force me to start a spoken english coaching class just for girls.
So I just wrote a few tips. Later I decided to blog about it, the aim was to help others and nothing else.  I write occasionally and often depending upon what readers ask. If some money comes while blogging, who would mind it? Blogging is good as it serves as an outlet, you can write lot of things, also you can blog about your passion and interact with others. But mind you that’s very difficult and a long process and dollars don’t come so easily. So if you are passionate and have deep insight in certain subjects do blog but don’t do it just for money as it may leave you frustrated.2. Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?

I do feel that I have learnt quite a lot and my writing has improved, especially in terms of the content which readers expect from me.

3. I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?

The best part about it is when people write long emails and thank me profusely for posting the stuff, which they needed.
4. What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?

I read a few blogs. I also go to blog aggregators but I don’t leave comments on other blogs to get hits or interacting much on blogosphere as I don’t want my real life to suffer for the sake of this virtual life.

5. Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?

Technology is helpful in making people responsive but I also dislike the enormous freedom a person on net has because of anonymity. Obscene comments and hateful messages are easy to send and post, which disturbs me.
6. What do you think sets Your site apart from others?

My blog is a humble attempt to give a large section of people what they need and this is for free. So it’s different.
7. If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?

One characteristic is that I take my own decisions and then I don’t regret if things don’t exactly fall in place.

8. What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
I was happy when I got my first job and when my daughter was born.

9. 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?

Only want to go for Haj.
10. What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?

I notice the way they talk, their communication style, accent and their civility. I don’t like people who are interesting in gossip and extra inquisitive about others’ life.
11. How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

Bloggers can earn provided they offer something unique and interesting or things that are helpful to a segment howsoever small it may be. Even otherwise, bloggers who have a knack for blogging can earn. They just have to be witty or quick to react. If you are serious about earning then you can later own a domain and try several ad networks.

12. Who are your top five favourite bloggers?

I read a lot of blogs at random now. I like Shabana Mir’s style of writing at her blog (Koonj) 

13. Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?

I don’t remember whether anybody told me that I can’t write. But I also believed earlier that I couldn’t write until I started blogging.

14. You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?

Blogging is a novel way to express yourself to an internatinal audience but one must now allow it to interfere with personal life and relations. If ever at a point you feel that you are unable to give time to your close ones and are spending lot of time in front of computer, it’s time you should cut it down and spend more time with family and friends. Else, it can affect your lifestyle.
15. What are your future plans?

My future plans…I am doing my M Phil and would later go for PhD in my subject (Physics).

16. Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?

The Pakspectator is a great concept. I like the site because here you get lot of voices from a diverse group of people on the net unlike other sites and blogs. The site had really made a mark in a very short time. On internet one should try to present a positive picture of the society and the region a person comes from. That includes spreading the message of harmony and even celebrating our diversity and differences.