06 March, 2010

Dear Readers - I owe it all to YOU

Curious Tester was born exactly 1 year ago on this day. I had created a blog page around February 2009 and did not know how to start and where to start. I was pondering over this for quite some time until I came across a blog post 5 Questions for Pradeep Soundararajan on Philk's blog. A few hours later, I got an email from Pradeep as follows:


Hi Parimala,
I found your blog with no posts. No matter how ever short it is, I would want you to consider posting your experiences as a software tester.

One of the important things to consider when you start blogging is - first do it for yourself and if others are reading it, fine.

Pradeep Soundararajan


At the time, Pradeep hardly knew me or so I thought. I was following his blog as a silent reader. I was literally in love with his blog posts. However, I did not know how he got to know about my blog – an empty blog, a blog with no posts on it.

Foray into Blogosphere
I can’t quite describe my experiences in last one year in a single post. I started blogging. I was quite a failure in writing, I must say. However, I wanted to try. I wanted to try because I didn’t want to regret about not trying. I started with a ‘1 post per month’ goal. I did not want to post theory from testing books. I did not want to copy someone. I did not know how to be authentic and original. As long as I liked a blog post, I posted it though it made me very nervous many a times. I even joked to myself 'Pari, nobody is going to read your blog anyway'. This went on for a few months and here I am in front of you.

Side Effects of blogging
Blogging is contagious. I attended Pradeep’s and Michael’s workshops, made it to STC 2009 conference, networked with many testers who were as passionate as me about testing, co-founded Weekend Testing with a group of friends, attended BBST foundations course, got an article published in print for the first time etc. This is what you can see from my blog. A lot happened behind the screens. I realized how poor I was in testing, how pathetic I was in technical knowledge and skills, how hopeless I was in many other skills related to testing (Lateral/Logical thinking, Investigation, Observation, Speaking, Note taking, and Presentation etc).

At times, it was painful to see that my passion for testing was not directly proportional to the quality of testing that I used to do. The good thing is I now know where I am failing (at least some of them). Another good thing is I can work on those areas. All along this journey, there was one person who made the greatest difference to me and my blog. You may know this person for sure. It's YOU!

Token of Thanks
I am really glad that YOU – My Dear Reader made a very
big difference in my journey of learning to be a better tester. Thank you very much
for reading my blog, supporting my work, commenting on my work, criticizing me
and helping me grow. It feels so great to know you care for me, my work and my
writing. Once Again, Thank you very much. I owe it all to YOU.


First Anniversary Gift
Trust me. Blogging is hard. Keeping oneself up to date is hard. Learning is hard. But then, what is easy in life? Take it from me - Nothing comes on a platter. You’ll have to work hard for whatever you want to be in life. You'll also have to work hard for whatever you don’t want to be in life. Think about it.

As a person who is facing many challenges in writing as a blogger and an aspiring writer hoping to write about testing, I am taking every opportunity to write better and express myself. I also want to help fellow colleagues like you to blog (if you are not blogging already). Here I am with a little gift for you – The Fieldstone Method.

If you are a tester cum aspiring blogger, feel free to reach out to me HERE. I am sure you have it in you to make it big in this world – in your own great way.


Happy International Women’s Day,
Thanking You,
Parimala Shankaraiah

13 comments:

  1. Dear Pari,

    Congratulations on completing one successful and noteworthy year of blogging.

    Thanks for appreciating the comments and feedback from us (readers).

    As I keep telling you many times, you inspire me in more than one way...and this new post too follows suite...

    I have started to blog recently and I faced the same fears and apprehensions just like u did when u started to blog. Now after reading about it, I got to learn two things.
    1. No matter whatever set backs we face when we start with something new, working hard to learn and go ahead with it without quitting & not fearing failure will definately lead to success.

    2. Henceforth I will not stop to post my blog worrying about if anyone would read it or not.

    Thanks a lot again for am getting to learn so so much from you.

    Happy Women's Day.

    Regards,
    Krishnaveni
    http://passionatetester.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pari,

    It is a great learning to you and to readers as well. You are inspiring to many people including me. I owe to you :)


    -Bhargavi M

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  3. Happy Birthday to Curious Tester :)
    Keep writing.. on and on and on.. (don't forget that script writer role :P)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congratulations on completing one CURIOUS year.

    ReplyDelete
  5. @Krishnaveni
    Thanks a lot again for am getting to learn so so much from you


    I am learning a lot from you indeed.

    @Bhargavi
    You are inspiring to many people including me. I owe to you :)


    Thank you for your kind words Bhargavi. I am still waiting for your decision about something we discussed the last time we met (You know what I am talking about right?)

    @Nandagopal
    Happy Birthday to Curious Tester :)
    Keep writing.. on and on and on.. (don't forget that script writer role :P)


    A little blush. Thank you. In fact, I feel like a Birthday Baby ;-).

    Yes. Script Writer goal is big time on my agenda.

    @Chandru
    Congratulations on completing one CURIOUS year.


    Thank you Chandru

    Regards,
    Parimala Shankaraiah

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  6. Thanks to you too! :) You were part of the reason why I started blogging. I was inspired by one of your posts about "The Silent Spectator." :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congrats on completing one successful and noteworthy year of blogging.

    keep blogging, keep rocking... :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. @The Silent Spectator
    You were part of the reason why I started blogging. I was inspired by one of your posts about "The Silent Spectator." :)


    Thank you. My Pleasure!

    @Vijay Savalagi
    Congrats on completing one successful and noteworthy year of blogging.keep blogging, keep rocking... :-)


    Thank you very much. No questions asked ;)

    Regards,
    Parimala Shankaraiah

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  9. @Pari,
    Thank you very much. No questions asked ;)

    >>> Grrrrrr. I don't play spoilsport during celebrations. While enjoying a moment, we should enjoy it to the fullest. Celebrate the moment, celebrate the life. I believe in it.

    By the way, i have left comments to many of your older blogs. So waiting for your replies to those. Take your time :-)

    I am waiting for the rain now :-)
    vrooooom...........

    Cheers,
    Vijay...

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  10. @Vijay Savalagi
    I don't play spoilsport during celebrations. While enjoying a moment, we should enjoy it to the fullest. Celebrate the moment, celebrate the life. I believe in it


    I would love more and more questions from you and all my readers. It tickles my lizard brain and helps me grow.

    By the way, i have left comments to many of your older blogs. So waiting for your replies to those. Take your time :-)

    Sure. Will do.

    Regards,
    Parimala Shankaraiah

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  11. Hi,

    I appreciate your writing skills, really wonderful.

    Your writing is so crisp/clear & neat that i rate you better than the other blog writers.

    I too am passionate about testing but due to various reasons not able to blog (But atleast i am able to read other blog posts :-) )

    One suggestion is can you change your blogpost UI, it does not look good or catchy.

    Rgds,
    Raj

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  12. Hi Parimala,

    I have been reading your blog for sometime now. Love your honest way of putting things across. Congrats on completing one year of blogging..it sure is a feat. I can relate to all that you have said about writing a blog; though i just write a personal blog. Nice to know that you have made a mark in the testing community by being proactive.. and kudos for being published alongside noted personalities!

    ReplyDelete
  13. @Priya

    Thank you very much for your kind words. Your blog looks cool too! I am gonna take some tips from your blog posts :)

    Regards,
    Parimala Shankaraiah

    ReplyDelete