Blogger interview is a great way to connect and get to know fellow bloggers. And I love doing that often. I reach out to bloggers worldwide and in various niches and interview them to not just get connected with them but share their views with my readers.
Likewise, I’m back with another blogger interview and this time it’s with blogger and editor Priyanka Roy Banerjee aka PRB (the name she is known in the blogosphere).
Read on to know more about PRB and her journey as a blogger/editor.
Q. 1. Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Hello, I go by the acronym PRB in the blogosphere and have been around for quite some time. I work as an editor on two websites – Writersmelon in English and Okolkata in Bangla. Currently living in Brussels for the past five years, my roots go back to West Bengal.
Q. 2. What was your inspiration to start your blog One and a Half Minutes?
I have been blogging since 2007 while studying in the US. It was mostly to express myself through a few poems and memoirs. It was in 2013 when I revamped the blogs and started book reviews in English on One and a Half Minutes. Funny thing is my Bangla blog still exists!
Q. 3. How would you describe/introduce your blog / Instagram blog to the new readers?
It would be blog(s) for me, as I write in both English and Bangla. There are posts on book reviews and a bit of travel and architecture in One and a Half Minutes. I have done quite a few product and restaurant reviews too while I was still in India. Another favourite topic of mine is Bangla cuisine, especially a few stories and recipes that might disappear into oblivion in some years. You can search for #BanglaKhabar on my blog if you wish to read those. My Bangla blog (moreechikaa.wordpress.com) is a happy mix of short stories, poems, memoirs and Bangla film reviews.
Q. 4. What do you think are the best and challenging aspects about being a blogger/writer?
The most challenging aspect is to create a voice and identity of your own, if you wish for more and consistent readers. I think that’s the best part of blogging too.
Q. 5. How would you describe your blogging/writing style?
My style has evolved over the years with my age and experience as a blogger. While my book reviews still remain the same, analytical; other posts on art and architecture are more research-based and academic in discussion. Overall, I prefer my no-nonsense style.
Q. 6. What do you think blogging will look like in the next 5 years?
Will it still be around? Detailed blogging is gradually being replaced by micro-blogging on social media. I’m not sure if we should still name it ‘blogging’ as quite a few ‘influencers’ do.
Q. 7. Which part of blogging excites you the most & why – research piece, post writing or photography?
I love the research that goes behind almost every post of mine! I have a repository of photographs that is going to last me for years. Post writing is a bit of a painful process as I’m often not happy with the composition and keep editing it.
Q. 8. What is the biggest surprise that you have ever experienced after becoming a blogger/writer?
I used to love the frequent blogging campaigns/competitions with lucrative prizes in India! This was about 8-10 years ago and I had won an iPad in one of them. It’s still working and is one of my prized possessions.
Q. 9. What has been the toughest criticism and best compliment given to you as a blogger/writer?
I don’t know if I should be glad that I haven’t been criticised enough on the blog 😊. Compliments have been free flowing though. The best ones come from people who wish to try Bengali food that I write about.
Q. 10. Would you like to share some words of wisdom or tips for the aspiring bloggers/writers?
- Write regularly (and this is an advice I need to practice before I preach)
- Do not post just for the sake of it. Each of your blog posts should have a purpose and a unique voice. Blogging is storytelling, even if you write about technology.
Thank you PRB for sharing your thoughts and giving us your time. I’m sure our readers would love to read this interview and get to know you more.
Please share your thoughts in the comments and ask any question on blogging and writing that you might have. We would love to hear from you and answer any questions that you might have. Thanks for joining us. Keep reading Blogger Interviews on my blog.
You can connect with PRB through the social channels:
