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In a series of posts called ‘The Women Behind Women’s Web’, we present to you the people involved in bringing you this website – some who’ve been there from the very beginning, and some who joined in enthusiastically during the first year. Hope you enjoy reading more about the team that contributes to Women’s Web. Presented in a Q&A format, this one is with freelance writer, Melanie Lobo, who wrote the first ever article that was published on Women’s Web – on Working during your pregnancy.
Intro: Tell us about yourself in a few lines.
I’m a freelance writer and a full time wife and mum living in Pune. My husband and son keep me on my toes and inspire me with new writing material daily.
Q1. Why do you blog/write? What attracts you to it?
I have always had a passion for writing and have been writing all through school and college as well. I gave up full-time work when my son was born. As he grew a little older, I took the opportunity to start writing again.
Q2. What do you like best about writing for Women’s Web? Of all the pieces you’ve written here, which is your favourite?
I think what I like best about writing for Women’s Web is that the site covers issues that really affect Indian women.
I’ve enjoyed covering all the pieces I’ve written for Women’s Web so far. If I had to pick one, it would be the one on Child Sexual Abuse. It was an eye opener for me, as a mother, as well.
Q3. What do you think Women’s Web can do better/do differently?
I think Women’s Web is doing a great job – just keep up the good work, Aparna!
Q4. What are the things that trigger you to write, that make you go, “I have to write about this!”?
Anything that I feel strongly about and that should be brought to the attention of our readers makes me want to write about that particular issue.
Q5. Who are your favourite women writers/bloggers? What do you admire about them/their work?
My favourite bloggers would have to be the women behind The Mad Momma and Thinking Cramps. The Mad Momma brings out the normal everyday happenings in her life in such a wonderful way – you feel like you are present there with them. Thinking Cramps has an amazing style of writing which is simply beautiful. She can pick an everyday event and turn it into an extraordinary tale.
I don’t have any favourite women writers as such. I read many authors and enjoy the different styles of writing each one brings to her work.
Q6. What would you like to say to people who are interested in writing/blogging but are hesitant to start?
Writing or blogging is a great way to express yourself. Just go with the flow – write one page to begin with. The rest will follow naturally. After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained. 🙂
Previous interviews with the Women behind Women’s Web:
Blogger Hip Grandma
Freelance Writer and Blogger, Kiran Manral.
Founder-Editor of Women’s Web, Aparna V. Singh
Women's Web is an alternative magazine covering real issues for real women. This blog handle usually includes posts about happenings at Women's Web, interesting contests/events, people working on the website and so read more...
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As he stood in front of his door, Nishant prayed that his wife would be in a better mood. The baby thing was tearing them apart. When was the last time he had seen his wife smile?
Veena got into the lift. It was a festival day, and the space was crammed with little children dressed in bright yellow clothes, wearing fancy peacock feather crowns, and carrying flutes. Janmashtami gave her the jitters. She kept her face down, refusing to socialize with anyone.
They had moved to this new apartment three months ago. The whole point of shifting had been to get away from the ruthless questioning by ‘well-wishers’.
“You have been married for ten years! Why no child yet?”
I huffed, puffed and panted up the hill, taking many rest breaks along the way. My calf muscles pained, my heart protested, and my breathing became heavy at one stage.
“Let’s turn back,” my husband remarked. We stood at the foot of Shravanbelagola – one of the most revered Jain pilgrimage centres. “We will not climb the hill,” he continued.
My husband and I were vacationing in Karnataka. It was the month of May, and even at the early hour of 8 am in the morning, the sun scorched our backs. After visiting Bangalore and Mysore, we had made a planned stop at this holy site in the Southern part of the state en route to Hosur. Even while planning our vacation, my husband was very excited at the prospect of visiting this place and the 18 m high statue of Lord Gometeshwara, considered one of the world’s tallest free-standing monolithic statues.
What we hadn’t bargained for was there would be 1001 granite steps that needed to be climbed to have a close-up view of this colossal magic three thousand feet above sea level on a hilltop. It would be an understatement to term it as an arduous climb.
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