Monday, October 06, 2008

Absolute Lee turns FIVE



5 years ago, on a slow day at work, I hopped onto the blogwagon. I picked the first name that came to my mind, 'Absolute Lee'. And since rediffblogs insisted on a tag line, picked the second thing that came to mind, 'About the girl-next-door with the mind as wicked as the boy-next-door'.

Unlike most blogs at that time, mine wasn't an online diary. Nor was it a place to vent feelings or other personal stuff. I was doing a writing course at that time, and Chapter 1 started with the injunction to write everyday. The blog seemed like the perfect place not just to explore writing but also to track my progress. The focus of the blog was on experiences, stories from everyday life. A quotidian chronicle, as one of the early blog friends described it.

I had started the blog when I was on a sabbatical from advertising, and was exploring a career in freelance writing. But when that didn't work out, and I hopped back into advertising, and moved to Dubai as well, the blog tagged along like a bit of excess baggage. I willed myself to keep it going through trying times. Even with long absences and lack of motivation, I couldn't bring myself to pull the plug, as it were. It was a comfortable place to come back to every now and then. And once in a while, I could even surprise myself by posting every day, like I did last August-September.

Recently, having joined a Writer's Group in Dubai and trying my hand at fiction, I find I enjoy it immensely. It's still raw and 'work-in-progress', but it's also stimulating and the feedback from the group is gratifying. Writing the blog all these years, has helped make the transition to fiction a lot easier, I feel. People in the Group comment about the 'voice' in my writing and one has even described it as 'creepy but endearing'. (Another way of saying girl-next-door mind as wicked etc.??)

Thanks all of you for being around, for your comments, and for making this a fun hangout.

13 comments:

Ravi Kumar said...

My heartiest congratulations and my best wishes for the next 5 years. I am 4 years old though :)

Jabberwock said...

Many heppy returns!!

Unknown said...

Good Lord, five years? And your writing is fresher than ever! Congratulations!

Last Mallu In Dubai

Anonymous said...

Many many congratulations! Five years is indeed long.

"Even with long absences and lack of motivation, I couldn't bring myself to pull the plug, as it were. It was a comfortable place to come back to every now and then. "


Very true! One just cannot leave it and walk off. I have left my blog unattended for quite some time-gap, but in the end, always return to it...when that urge to write gets the better of me :)


Keep posting! All the very best!

Unknown said...

congratulations! and to the next 5 years!

Leela A said...

Ravi: Thanks. Good luck on your journeys.

Jabberwock: Thenks!

Vijay: Ah, nice to know you're still around. Don't see you much these days. All well, i hope?

Deepak: Thanks! How's your storytelling coming along?

Saint: Only 5? :)

Anonymous said...

Can't believe it is 5 years since i have been reading your blog ..... time flies.....keep writing my friend!

Leela A said...

Asterix: Thanks for dropping by for 5 years.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations and happy five.. may you remain as fresh and inspiring for another fifty!!
marline

Leela A said...

Marline: Thanks for being the faithful visitor :)

Patrix said...

Congrats! And glad to see you around :)

Leela A said...

Patrix: Had to be around to keep you company ;-)

STD Symptoms said...

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