Ruth is a work-from-home mother of a sprightly 3-year-old. Her journalistic career has given her the flexibility of managing a full time career and child gracefully. Feature writing on a vast variety of topics is a forte. An avid foodie, she owns a restaurant review blog on Bangalore offerings.
Please tell us about yourself. Have you always been a writer?
As a youngster, I did have a flair for writing and that’s why I pursued a degree in journalism followed by a Masters in Mass Communication. But with time I developed a new passion – documentary making and that is what I specialized in during my Masters. I then worked for two and half years with a leading local language channel as Executive Producer. The TV industry was pretty male dominated then and it took a while to hold my own. It was the one job that taught me to face any challenge career-wise.
Tell us what made you switch from broadcast media to writing?
Two and half years down the line I realized that TV was nowhere close to my passion of documentary making. I learnt what was there to learn on the job. The scope for documentary making was limited in Bangalore and after a while freelancing in the field, I decided to give print media a go. And that is how I got my second job as a sub editor cum reporter in the features section of Vijay Times. The profile was great and I was doing what I genuinely had a flair for – writing.
How did you get a break into freelance writing? Did you face any hurdles?
I have a beautiful daughter and she became my priority. And so in between nappy changes, bottle feeds and sleepless nights I began to research the Internet for freelancing opportunities. I began online and SEO writing for a few small time companies. I read up and taught myself aspects of tagging, keywords, their placements, formats of writing and so many other things that are required. Within a span of 8 months, I was able to build up for myself a portfolio of clients and contracts that actually kept me busy from 10 to 5. The challenge was learning what kind of online content writing was most in demand and gearing up to be able to do it.
What is your favorite piece of writing? Tell us about it.
Its this book called 1984 by George Orwell. I love the characterization in the book and how the entire book is a metaphor for materialism and its control over people.
What kind of writing do you dislike? Any Turn offs?
I dislike writing that looks like an excerpt from a dictionary. Some authors believe that the bigger the word you use, the better you will be perceived.
If a writer’s block strikes, how do you cope with it?
I cook… it takes the pressure off and helps clear my head. Once I get back to the piece I almost always see a new perspective to it.
Do you prefer writing for yourself or to a brief for clients?
I prefer to keep an open mind. After a point of writing to a brief, I did feel the need to have an alternate outlet for what I really wanted to write. That was the birth of my first blog. That way I continued to work on briefs and when the urge hit, I had an outlet to express things the way I wanted to.
You have worked on multiple projects with Chillibreeze. What has been your experience? What do you think makes Chillibreeze writers different?
I have completed 4 projects with Chillibreeze so far and the experience has been great. The method of going about each project is well organized and the processes are set in place by individual project co-ordinators well. Communication is clear and the most importantly the payment systems are in place and prompt.
Chillibreeze writers are given a chance to build up portfolios in their area of expertise. Not everyone can write for every project. This brings in a degree of expertise and professionalism to each project. What’s more Chillibreeze works at improving several aspects of their writers with tests, self promotions, contests, and writer meets.
What is the best feedback you received about your work?
This came a bit indirectly. A foreign client used Paypal for all our transactions till there were some temporary glitches. Every other transaction site involved a substantial amount of fees which she would be liable to pay. And in conversation one day she told me, “I don’t mind the fees one bit because I think your work is worth it.” It really made me feel good.
Who is your biggest critic? What has their most valuable piece of advice to you been?
At the risk of sounding pompous – I am my own critic. Being a work from home mom, I have no one other than a three-year-old to run things by. But what I have learnt is that no matter how much experience you have, there is always scope for improvement. Keeping an open mind in terms of feedback and new styles of writing is very important.
How do you see the internet changing the way writing works?
Honestly I did not believe that the Internet held such scope in terms of writing. The way I see it the Internet can throw up endless opportunities when it comes to writing. There is always going to be a demand for clear, precise information and the Internet has become the one-stop shop for it. It is the one medium where you look for information and where you find the opportunity to provide that information.
What are your tips for freelance writers starting out on online and SEO based writing? Any resources you would like to share?
Before actually beginning to write online or SEO content, understand the different styles of writing that are used on the net. There are several formats as well. Be familiar with all of them. Depending on your clients, you will get exposure to each of these styles. Learn the importance of keywords, their placements and tagging. Test the readability scores of your word documents. Learning the differences in the use of British, American, Australian English is also important. Keeping your writing crisp and to the point is absolutely essential. Some good links are
To find keywords: https://adwords.google.co.in/select/KeywordToolExternal
To test readability: http://www.online-utility.org/english/readability_test_and_improve.jsp
What kind of mistakes do you think new writers usually make?
Indian writers tend to be very flowery with their use of the English language. Most times, new writers tend to forget the existence of a full stop. The international market requires short and crisp sentences in simple layman terms.
What inspires you to write?
Just the idea of doing what I feel comfortable doing. Despite being a mother, I personally never wanted to give up on a career. Being a freelance writer now helps me remain in the field. This is inspiration enough.
What would your autobiography/biography be called?
I belong to the category of people who are vertically challenged. But have always believed that good things come in small packages. Someone even called me a pocket edition once. My autobiography/biography would be titled “The Pocket Edition of My Life.”
What is your dream as a writer? Any publications you would like to see your work in?
I would just like to be appreciated for the good work that I do. Each publication is good in its own right.
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself? Perhaps something interesting about you, that people are always surprised to hear?
I am a petite person, built-wise. I love to eat out and experiment with new restaurants and have a blog www.bangaloresrestaurants.com dedicated to this. Most people find it hard to believe since the general idea is if you eat out you have to be overweight.
Related Links
Discussion Forums for Writers
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Career Tips on Writing and Publishing
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- Writer Interview – Dr. M.R. Nayak
Comments:
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Way to go Ruth!
Hello Ruth,
I need your help. Can you please view the website. It is only the homepage, but I need to write content for the whole website around 250-300 pages. I need to write in a different tone speaking with the person not at the person. Thank you.