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As we end the year, some authors at Women's Web weigh in on what draws them to being a part of this growing community of women!
As we end the year, some authors at Women’s Web weigh in on what draws them to being a part of this growing community of women!
As 2014 draws to a close, it is that time of the year again when many of us review the year that has been and what it brought to us. Here at Women’s Web too, that is what we are up to – besides making BIG plans for next year!
For me, one of the best things that happened at Women’s Web in 2014 is the number of thoughtful contributors who’ve started writing here this year (besides of course those who’ve stayed on with us from earlier). Authors share their ideas, emotions and experiences at Women’s Web for many different reasons, but one common thread we hear repeatedly is the satisfaction that comes from being part of a very ‘real’ community.
Winding up this year, I asked all those who write at Women’s Web to share what they like about being a part of Women’s Web, and any thing they thought we could do better. Here I share the interesting suggestions from and comments of those who wrote in.
Some of the awesome 300+ authors at Women’s Web!
Simran is a highly creative soul who has been writing regularly here on decor, with an especial focus on Indian heritage, handicraft and sustainability. You can find Simran’s writing at Women’s Web here.
What do you love about writing at Women’s Web?
I love the sense of doing something with women, for women, by writing for Women’s Web. It is this sense of camaraderie with women, even ones that I don’t know or haven’t met, which is a big motivation for me to write for Women’s Web.
What could we do better?
I think my only feedback or suggestion would be to market the site a little more to make sure it reaches more women and makes its presence felt. That will increase visibility and bring more readers and make Women’s Web a household name! I think now that we have a new Marketing Manager, that will definitely help.
I love Aruna Rajan’s well thought out pieces on women’s rights from the perspective of our ordinary lives. I feel that she brings up such issues in a manner that would make all of us think – even those of us who do not see ourselves as activists in any sense. Here is Aruna’s writing at Women’s Web.
I like that Women’s Web does not need apologetic feminist voices like “I am no feminist, but I think…” and that you can be open about wanting equal rights for women without using so many words. It is good to find a chiefly female as well as female-friendly audience, where abuse is rare and arguments along, “You are a feminazi, who ****” are fewer. These arguments are well worth keeping out, for they are both intellectually useless and grammatically grating.
I like that Women’s Web has little editorial interference in terms of the content or structure of written pieces, and at the same time an editorial desk to read and correct. It is a good middle ground between serious journalism and frivolous blogging. Anything you say has to sound convincing and reasonable, and written in correct language, yet not in line with any political ideology. Of course journalism with more editorial checks has its advantages, but I doubt how much of that is getting done today even at major news outlets! I also like that the other contributors often have very personal yet universal accounts to share, and that more or less the audience is appreciative of all the stories.
I feel some of the content (at times) is repetitive, so if the content was better organized into categories, it might help writers sift through and decide if their views are new and if so in what way.
I also feel that while personal stories are plenty, political content is missing. As a blog that wishes to makes its mark amongst readers and reach a wider audience, while being politically agnostic – I think it might be nice to publish non-ideological as well as non-extreme articles on political topics. It may be unnecessary for the blog to take a particular political standpoint, but there are many viewpoints that are party-agnostic and policy-specific. More such content can be solicited and promoted.
Vrushali started writing at Women’s Web fairly recently, but every one of her posts makes for delightful reading. It is difficult to classify her writing in any one genre – while often personal, she nevertheless touches on topics that most women would relate to, from finding one’s first grey hair to being asked for the ‘good news’. Here is Vrushali’s writing at Women’s Web.
I love writing for Women’s Web because it is for, about and by real women like my friends and me. It is fantastic to be read by women who think and care about issues that are more than just skin deep. The topics are so varied that even if I haven’t contributed, every day I am eager to read what other women have put out there.
Can I suggest that for the images to go with the articles it may be nice to have more than what Shutterstock offers because the images are often not of Indian women and it’s hard to identify with these if it’s an Indian topic? I would suggest you encourage potential photographers to contribute their images.
A new but valuable addition to the writing community at Women’s Web, I hope Aparna Praveen Kumar will continue to share her thoughts here. Aparna’s writing at Women’s Web is here.
What do you love about writing at Women’s Web? My relationship with Women’s Web is only two articles old. And I am overwhelmed with the huge response I got for one of my articles! So the best thing I love about Women’s Web is its reach. Readers are highly appreciated for they read, think, discuss and then leave comments. I always believe that feedback is the backbone of all creativity – so, the feedback from readers makes it really different. Thank you so much Women’s Web!
Archana has been writing at Women’s Web for some time now, with insightful observations based on life and society around her – her themes include social change, relationships and changing mores. Here is Archana’s writing at Women’s Web.
A chance to be read by a diverse audience from different age groups, though the topics may be out of the ordinary or non-conventional. The team always responds on Twitter or RTs, which to me suggests active participation and an interest in e-conversations.
If you would like to be a part of the Women’s Web writing community next year, do check out the process of becoming an author. We welcome thoughtful writing by women (and men) on areas such as work, parenting, health, social issues & gender, books, travel – especially those rooted in your own experiences or around contemporary events and society surrounding you.
Founder & Chief Editor of Women's Web, Aparna believes in the power of ideas and conversations to create change. She has been writing since she was ten. In another life, she used to be read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
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UP Boards Topper Prachi Nigam was trolled on social media for her facial hair; our obsession with appearance is harsh on young minds.
Prachi Nigam’s photo has been doing the rounds on social media for the right reasons. Well, scratch that- I wish the above statement were true. This 15-year-old girl should ideally be revelling in her spectacular achievement of scoring a whopping 98.05% and topping her tenth-grade boards. But oddly enough, along with her marks, it’s something else that garners more attention – her facial hair.
While the trolls are driving themselves giddy by mocking this girl who hasn’t even completed her school yet, the ones who are taking her side are going one step ahead – they are sharing her photoshopped pictures, sans the facial hair, looking nothing less than a celebrity with captions saying – “Prachi Nigam, ten years later”.
Doctors have already diagnosed her with PCOD in their comments, based on photographic evidence. While we have names for people shamed for their weight – body shaming, for their skin colour- racism, for their age- age shaming, for being a female- sexism, this category of shaming where one faces criticism for their appearance has no name. With that, it also has zero shame attached to it.
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