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I am currently doing my own guest blog series, but this week, I interrupt it to bring something different… A Guest Post Linky called Bloggers Behind The Screens.
Bloggers Behind the Screens is a monthly interview series, where fellow bloggers come together to answer a series of questions on a specific theme. This is a chance to get acquainted with a whole range of bloggers, some of whom you may not have encountered before, and learn a little more about them!
Bloggers Behind The Screens
This month on Bloggers Behind The Screens, we’re talking to bloggers about the very thing that makes them bloggers. Their blogs.
My guest post is from the brilliant Tales From MamaVille
When did you start blogging and why?
In a world and time that seems distant now, I was a Lifestyle journalist for a newspaper.. So writing has always been a huge part of me. When my son was born, I took a break from work and stopped writing altogether – there was just no time! Once he turned two and started part-time nursery, I found myself with some ‘free time’ and decided to get back into writing. Blogging was something I’d never done before – it just seemed the perfect thing to do for a SAHM. So, I took the plunge…
How did you come up with the name for your blog?
At that point, motherhood was an all-encompassing factor in my life. I was learning something new everyday – about my son and about being a mum. So I decided to write about my experiences and learnings as a new mum and thus my blog Tales from Mamaville was born.
What do you blog about? Has that changed from when you first started?
As mentioned in point 2, my blog started off as a parenting/ mummy blog; essentially a place for me to share my motherhood experiences and learnings and in a way, keep an online memoir of my son’s life. The essence of my blog was – and still is – about keeping it real, and seeing the humorous side of parenting as well. It was a place to share experiences, learnings, failings and first-hand advice and tips.
Over the years, as my blog grew, I realised I could make this a work-from-home job and so branched out into lifestyle topics as well. Tales from Mamaville is now a Parenting and Family Lifestyle blog that covers all things mum, child and in-between…
4. Is your blog your job, your hobby or your side hustle?
It is my job now, one that I can work around my son’s schedule. My blog changed me from a stay-at-home mum to a work-at-home mum.
What is the best thing or experience that blogging has given you?
It’s given me my former self back. Me – the writer. Me – the woman who used to go out to work, before becoming a mum. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a mother, but it’s also nice to be able to do something else that you enjoy, something for yourself. And blogging allows me to do both.
In terms of experience, I attended my first blogging conference last year and it was a great learning experience – plus I met so many bloggers I previously only knew online.
What is your favourite thing in the whole world to write about?
I’ve always written about lifestyle, and I enjoy it. It covers so many topics – from food to fashion to health to travel to home and interiors. But I do love writing about parenting now – I guess because it stems from first-hand experience.
What skills (the more unusual the better!) has blogging taught you?
I’m quite the tech-phobic person, but over the years I’ve learnt so much about the technicalities of a blog. Words like html, SEO, keywords don’t sound alien to me now. Blogging is so many things in one – conceptualising, writing, editing, designing, taking pictures, promoting on social media, pitching to brands – I’ve learnt so much!
What is your favourite post from your blog? Give us the link and tell us why it’s your favourite.
https://talesfrommamaville.com/a-letter-to-my-son-on-valentines-day/
This is my favourite post because it’s straight from the heart. No editing and no filters. It encompasses what motherhood means to me. It’s raw and it’s pure. I’m waiting for my son to read and understand its depth when he’s older…
Have you ever been on TV or radio in your capacity as a blogger? If so, what for? If not, do you think it’s something you’d like to have a go at?
It does sound exciting yes, but I’d be a nervous wreck!!! I’m good with words, not so much in front of the camera!
What is your least favourite thing about blogging? There must be something you don’t like about it…
The technical bits. All the back-office work. Updating broken links, giving images the proper Alt Text names and appropriate size, getting the green light on every post… I wish I could just write, publish and let it be all over social media!
Do you have any advice to give to anybody out there thinking of starting a blog right now?
Write about something you love, or have experience or knowledge about – then it won’t seem a challenge and you’ll never run out of ideas. And be yourself, write in your own voice. Of course, if your blog becomes your job and you have to do paid work, you will have to bend the rules a bit and be more professional, but don’t lose your identity – because that’s what brings followers back for more.
Where do you do most of your blogging? Do you have a home office, are you on the sofa or do you prefer to be out and about when writing posts?
On my desk or on my bed – depending on my mood!
Be honest. How many unwritten posts are in your drafts right now? How many are likely to see daylight?
Loads. I jot down the headline and a few points in the drafts every time I think of something new to write about. Then when I am out of ideas, I revisit the folder and start working on one of those posts. Most do see the light of day 🙂
What are you most excited about for your blog in the last six months or so of 2019? Anything awesome in the pipeline for the summer or are we forever winging it?
I have big ideas and plans in my head – my blogging to-do list is never-ending. But I land up scrolling Facebook instead!!! That said, I have a rough plan of things I’ve to complete on a particular day/ week and for the most part, I’m on track. Planning and scheduling has really helped me stay on top of things.
Finally, what is your absolute favourite thing about being a blogger?
The freedom you have to express your thoughts, and put it out there for the world to read. The fact that you are not only a writer, but a creator in every sense of the word – we bloggers write and design and take photos and market our work. It’s exciting!
And lastly, it’s a great work option for mums as we can work around the schedules of our kids.
Find Tales From Mamaville here at:
Blog URL;https://talesfrommamaville.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MamavilleTales/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MamavilleTales
Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.co.uk/talesfrommamaville/pins/
see more of my tag postThe Sunshine Blogger Award
and find out more about me in Blogger Q&A
I find that blogging is a fantastic way to met people worldwide. We’re a large community of so many different types of people. Great guest post and I really enjoyed learning about how it all started for her. #MMBC
That’s great advice for other blogger. I enjoyed reading about your insights on blogging. #MMBC
What an interesting series and a great way to introduce us to blogs we may not have encountered otherwise #mmbc
Thank you
I love these types of post. It is so nice to get to know a bit about other bloggers, why they started etc. My least favourite bit about blogging is also the techy stuff, would be so nice if we could just write and not have to worry about all that lol.
#MMBC
Yes, if it wasn’t for the tech stuff I’d be much happier.
Am loving reading all of the Bloggers Behind The Screens posts, so many people seem to hate the tech stuff but I quite like it! #MMBC
Oh my goodness, this was so much fun to read! I love hearing about other’s bloggers’ journies. My first blog generated enough money for me to be a work-at-home mom, but then I stupidly sold it in 2016 not realizing how much time and energy I put into the first one. My heart was never fully into my current blog until recently. Now, I’m ready to fully plunge into it more. I guess I had to mourn the loss of my first blog to be willing to accept the new one. Our blogs are big projects that consume a vast part of ourselves, and we don’t realize it. I think this series is such a wonderful thing for other bloggers to read!
I found this post from the Monday Morning Blog Club.
Thank you!I must admit, my blog is certainly filled with lots of things that I never thought that I would discuss!