Some Images That Have Defined My Blog |
"I wanna start
blogging with something funny...something...that is indeed...'Politically
Correct' "!
I started blogging with this amateurish, grammatically iffy and
an ellipses laden line on February 15, 2009. The article was a satirical take
on an engineer's dilemma on assignments, and was also published in a college
newspaper. An interesting anecdote about this post is that it got that college
newspaper, that I also moderated at the time, shut down! The management specifically
quoted this post, while telling us how unhappy they were at the jokes and the
satires against them and the system, being published.
Quite an entry to the
writing world, wouldn't you agree?
I, unlike many others that I have met, can pinpoint, exactly
why I became a blogger. In the aftermath of the 26/11 attacks and the public
apathy that followed, I just had to write. I was young, frustrated and informed. That's a
lethal combo. My first blog Politically Incorrect, was opinionated,
fearless and quite true to its name. When
I wrote "This Time I Will Remember", about the attacks, I got my first feeling of catharsis,
through words. I had finally found an outlet to express my emotions.
Those were easier times in blogging . Yes, really easy times.
No one cared about SEOs, keywords, sharing across social networking platforms
etc. Everything was, literally, just word
of mouth.
In October 2009, I launched Me and My Darkside. I haven't sat peacefully since then. And I love
it!
I am not a dark
person as my posts might suggest. Even though the first poem I ever wrote, was
about my own death!
But I do have a very simple philosophy while writing. I try
to imagine myself outside of a scenario and then write from a detached point of
view. Perspective is important in my genre. Nothing is absolute and hence, I
should be able to tell a story from every standpoint. That's why there's always
a story in front of me and I just need to pinpoint the voice, I want to narrate
it in.
6 years is a long time. I have grown into a different
individual than the one who started blogging. Yet, writing is an aspect of my life
that has remained, a constant. I have been
very fortunate to have found a very
supportive, and if I may say, a very loyal reader base. I have never met them,
and I probably never will, but I feel, I can count on them. Some of them are
fellow bloggers who are virtual celebrities. But we all come together as a
community and that's the part I love the most. If I ever needed an online
campaign for a significant cause, (not for votes in a contest mind
you) I know who to DM!
A few of them very
graciously accepted my invitation to say a few words about me and my writing.
"I am a
reader of your blog since I started blogging. Your posts are honest and
straight from heart. I have always admired the underlying note in your posts.
There are few posts which left an indelible impression - poem that was featured
on a radio show and the post for which he won a contest, about your grandma's
letter. What I don't like - you don't post regularly.
Prateek
- Write more and write often :)"
"My first
recollection of Prateek is his comment chastising me for a story I'd written
about a woman who seeks revenge from her abusive husband. But that's Prateek
Mathur for you, there's nothing that he doesn't take seriously. His unflinching
honesty reflects in his writing, whether it's a heart-wrenching account of a
two year old battered girl fighting for her life [Let Me Go] or the 'TheMisfit' - a harsh commentary on our society or 'Memento' - a touching
dedication to the special bond he shared with his grandmom.
On the sixth anniversary
of Me and My Dark Side, I wish Prateek many more years of blogging, viral posts
that are as hotly discussed as the AIB roast and bestselling books where he'll
thank me for my unwavering support in the prologue. "
"Mathur
is a gifted writer. He has very good command over language and a better one on
emotions. I am particularly fond of his short stories. Because they are full of
very strong emotions and most of the times they make me feel as if Mathur has
felt all that first hand. His stories never feel like a work of imagination ,
they are so real."
Naveen
My Birthday Cake should be big - my blog told me ! |
"I was never a blog reader until, after college, when you
forced me ( yeah you did ) to read your blog. I just read it as a friend. But the next time I read your new
article, I read it because I wanted to. Your blogs were fresh and I could
very much relate to it; They were lively, in fact, are lively. It's just, so, me! Your blog : There Is Something About Mary(s) is my favorite because , like all, I have a Mary too :).
Keep writing; It keeps a person like me
lively and helps me to think emotionally or gives life to my emotional side !
Cheers!"
Udayan
Udayan
Prateek Mathur’s has always been a very dear friend and is part
of the gang. Being so close to him, I frankly never thought he could right so
well. But he has proved me wrong with each and every post of his and I am very
pleased with that.
You have thoughts but how well you organize them when you pen
them down is an art. Prateek knows that art very well. His articles prove that
he is a keen observer. I loved many of his posts.
On his 6th Anniversary of blogging, i could only wish for him to
write more and more. Keep them coming buddy, we want to read more.
Blogging is a gift that keeps on giving. My works have featured on a radio show, won a national contest
and got me nominated for Liebster award. All these are tangible achievements
that I am proud of. But the comments that people leave on my posts, stating
that something that I wrote, made them think or relate to,
is the biggest recognition
of all. Believe me, nothing can top that.
I hope nothing ever betters that quiet sense of
achievement, even pride, when someone leaves a positive comment or that slight
sense of relief when the blogcounter shows one higher number than the last time I
checked it ! These are small victories of blogging that have kept me active in the
game for 6 years.
Here's to blogging ! Cheers !