Janani Gopalakrishnan Vikram

A freelance writer, columnist, editor and editorial consultant,  I write on a wide variety of subjects ranging from science to philosophy. Somewhere in that spectrum lie my favourite subjects: technology, business, cuisine, and life! Since I became a mother, I feel my creativity and interest in writing has multiplied -- since nothing can be as stimulating as watching a baby in action!
 

My portfolio includes more than 500 articles published in more than 15 publications, in addition to various copywriting and editing assignments; preparation of question banks for computer based training, learning materials for the TOEFL examination, and other instructional materials; individual and corporate profiles, marketing materials, and web content; and occasional software development assignments too. 

I am a regular contributor to some of the magazines of the EFY group (Electronics For You, BenefIT, 'i.t.' magazine -- now www.itmagz.com -- and Linux for You) and other magazines like Windows & Aisles (Paramount Airways' inflight magazine). I also edit Mrs Tarla Dalal, the cooking diva's cookbooks from a freelance stance -- a job that I love since I get to see the recipes before the rest of the world does!

Of these, perhaps, my most exciting journey has been the editorial consultancy for 'i.t.' magazine, now converted into a website. In 'i.t.', I've had the opportunity to experiment with various techniques to  make technology features more readable and appealing to the audience, rather than being heavy and whitepaperish. In fact, my feature on robotics published in 'i.t.' magazine  in August 2006, was adjudged the Best Feature in IT Journalism for the year 2006, by the PoleStar Foundation (www.polestar-foundation.org)

To me, every writing assignment is a learning experience, because assignments are like people - no two can ever be absolutely similar! I believe that my post graduate education - in Computer Applications, Business Administration, and Writing - has honed my researching abilities. Researching a subject, interacting with experts, and writing - it's a fascinating experience. I pride myself in being a lifelong learner.

On the personal front, I enjoy spending time with my husband, baby and family, and cherish every relative and friend. I think I am what I am because of my family -- my family of birth as well as my husband and the family I married into encourage and support my writing ventures immensely -- without that a freelancer's progress is tough, because life is very different from that of a regular employee's. Even while being at home, your family has to understand that you have work to do and give you that space, they need to encourage you in those initial stages when the money rarely comes although you work late hours, and be a backbone in many more silent ways! I was very lucky to have such an encouraging family, and wish every freelancer gets that!

I believe that it's the little joys and Kodak moments that make life the treasure that it is. My many hobbies, ranging from reading and music to handicrafts, add more spice to life.

Know what, every time I open this website to update it, I find I don't have much to change in the home page... because I've not changed, my work continues to interest and engross me, I continue to live and love my life with loved ones... so well, hopefully nothing in this profile would change even down the years!