Rediscovering the 'Me' in 'Mumeeeeeee'

'I have always thought that there is no more fruitful source of family discontent than a housewife’s badly-cooked dinners and untidy ways'. (Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management, 1861)

November 14, 2009

The Wonderful Thing About Bloggers


I often get asked why I blog. The short answer? Because I love writing and I've grown to really enjoy the community.

The long answer? Because in February I lost my job and decided to stay at home to look after the children full time. I also took this opportunity to finally do something about the novel I have been promising to write for the last 15 years.

So, I attended an excellent writing workshop run by Inkwell Writers and came home buzzing with ideas and enthusiasm. Most importantly, I was advised to start a blog, and to start social networking on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to raise my profile as a writer. This was all completely new to me.

I also got some excellent advice from hugely successful author Sarah Webb, who encouraged me to start writing articles for local papers and magazines. Generally, just to keep writing while working away on the book.

Eight months later, my blog has reached No. 28 in the latest Tots 100 Parenting Index! I am so pleased (and genuinely surprised!) about this. Not because I’m a competitive freak who thrives on rankings and stats (I actually have no idea what my stats are!), but because I put a lot of time and care into the posts I write and it’s wonderful to be ‘appreciated’. It’s always nice to know you’ve made someone laugh, or connected on some level through a shared experience and I really enjoy the spontaneous interaction with other amazing writers in the community through blog comments and Twitter chatter.

In addition to the blog, I write a weekly column for a regional Irish paper and have had several articles published in national paper The Examiner and in parenting magazine Modern Mum. I also blog for Hello magazine and Eumom and write reviews for MummyMaps. I am a member of British Mummy Bloggers and Irish Mum Bloggers which are fantastic networks to be part of.

Again, through Inkwell Writers, I have recently been in touch with an agent who has given me some very encouraging feedback on my novel. I am now full steam ahead to get the manuscript finished before the end of the year so it will be ready to submit to publishers.

ALL of this has come through my re-discovered passion for writing and the confidence which my blogging experience has given me, and, with the exception of a few hours on a Tuesday and Wednesday morning (when I really should be cleaning the bathrooms!), this has all been done when the children are tucked up in bed, or while they are listening to bad rock music with their daddy on a Saturday morning!

So that, reader, is why I blog.

For more information on successful blogging, read this excellent post ‘The Secret Of My Blogging Success’ by Sandy Calico at Baby Baby.

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17 comments:

  1. I look forward to reading some of your work.Well done for getting in the chart.

    Aly

    My Hodge Podge Life

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  2. It's always great to hear about success!

    When I started blogging you were and still are one of my favourites. I really enjoy reading your posts.

    So glad that this is moving into being published for you!

    :D
    x

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  3. Well done on number 28!! I love your blog and all your success x

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  4. Congratulations on the rankig and the encouraging feedback from agent.

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  5. This is a nice positive post to read! Well done on pursuing your writing dream and good luck with your book. Now I'm feeling bad because I have two unfinished books and I use the excuse 'I'm too busy at the moment' to get them sorted. Now I see what little time you have but you still manage it - I have no excuse! Well done on your ranking and in just a couple of months too!

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  6. Wow! That is really impressive. Such a positive post.

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  7. Congratulations on all of this!! I love your blog and all your success is very much deserved.

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  8. weldone hun, I do love your blog so not suprised you are where you are :)

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  9. Wow what a fantastic post, well done on number 28. I really believe that the more you put in the more you get out and what does around comes around, so well done. I really enjoy your blog and I think that is the majotr thing, if you enjoy writing then people enjoy reading

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  10. well done you.... we have slightly parallel lives (apart from the prolific writing on your part, and the slightly more part-time on my part - although i am getting up at 5.30 in the mornings now to finish my novel, but this means i'm almost too tired to do anything else once the kiddies are in bed.) but, when i see others can do it, it gives me renewed strength, so i must get technoligically motivated and do more socialising (on the web.... outside is a step too far!). I'm so bad I can't even get my photo up on Mummybloggers! And i'll put my penny's worth in too regarding Inkwell - have attended several seminars and they - and the lovely Vanessa - are excellent. thanks for the inspiring blog.

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  11. This is so amazing! I harbour secret writing ambitions and began my blog very recently, really as a way of forcing myself to write regularly, even if for an audience of only a handful. I am so inspired to hear of your success. Congratulations!

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  12. Hey, well done! Never give up. Thats my motto. Well, except with the kids....driving me stir crazy they are!

    Award for you at mine.

    Love RMxx

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  13. Congratulations on your success! This is such an inspirational post x

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  14. Great post and fabulous that you found writing again ... and blogging! I have FINALLY thanked you for the blog award you gave me ages ago ... hope you will stop by and sorry for the belated thanks :-)

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  15. What lovely, kind comments. Thank you all so much for your words of support and encouragement. Some new bloggers visiting too which is always lovely. I will make sure to drop into you asap. Blogging rocks man!!! :)

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  16. Your blog is one of my favourites and i'm so pleased to hear about all your sucess, well deserved! Good luck with the novel i don't know how you find the time x

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