Friday 8 November 2013

Confessions of a Secret Housewife...

Now, before you get too excited this is not a raunchy reveal all!! I have been tagged by Bonnie Rose whom I am meeting for the first time tomorrow, along with 18 other bloggers, for Afternoon Tea! She has asked me, among others, to answer ten questions about myself and my blogging habits. Then I have to pass the tag on to other bloggers of my choice!

So ... here goes ...

1) When did you start blogging and why?
I started blogging in 2006. My uncle had started a Family Blog of which I was a contributor and I had found myself writing more and more. Rather than drive my family completely nuts by hogging all the posts I decided to start my own. So, New Year's Eve 2006 I sat down and started The Secret Life of an Unknown Housewife. I have always written, purely to keep myself sane and the blog opened a whole new world to me.

2) Have you had any past online presence?
Well ... just my uncle's Family Blog. Other than that ... no.

3)When did you become serious about your blog?
Mmmm... well, it depends what you mean by serious... I've always taken my writing seriously as its a way to keep myself from going round the bend. When I was at university I used to write reams of melancholy poetry - count yourself lucky I don't set up a poetry blog !! I never really expected anyone to read my blog and even now I get so excited when people leave comments. When I reached the Finals of the 2013 Brilliance in Blogging Awards I nearly burst with pride and excitement! But I don't look at myself as a writer per se and I don't think my blog if a particularly "professional looking" affair. Part of its charm, I think, is its honesty and its lack of reviews, adverts and so on - its just about me, my life and those things that interest me.

4) What was your first blog post?
My first blog post was written at 20.20 on New Year's Eve 2006 and was called "New Year's Eve and the Kids are Crying". My husband was at work for the night and I was alone in my house with two crying children. It is short and to the point and I obviously never expected anyone to ever read it!

5) What have been your biggest challenges blogging?
I think my main challenge has been staying true to myself. Its very easy to be tempted by the bright lights of awards and PR approaches. I have dallied with book reviews and almost wrote a sponsored post once, but have come to the conclusion that I am going to write about the things that I love and that, my friends, is all!!

6) What is the most rewarding thing about blogging?
Without doubt the most rewarding thing about blogging is the relationships I have built through the years with other people. On January 3rd 2007 I received my first comment and the thrill it gave me was amazing! Since that time I have read other people's blogs, followed their lives and been privileged to have them be a part of my life. There have been times, late at night, when I have sat alone sobbing over my keyboard, pouring my heart out, only to wake in the morning to find people from all over the world giving me support and kindness. There have been times when I hope I have provided similar support to others. This meeting of hearts and minds across the ether is what I truly love.

7) What is the most discouraging thing about blogging?
To be honest,  there isn't anything I find discouraging ... I love it!

8) What is your lasting inspiration or motivation?
God, that's a hard one ... I don't think my blog is as fancy as that. My writing isn't so much inspired as just necessary. At least people reading this can just click to the next blog without offending me if they're bored ... My friends and family are probably fed up with me going on about life and the universe as it is, so the blog spares them my rants on children and spouting about Henry Moore!! As I said before, writing keeps me sane ... always has, always will.

9) What is your current goal as a blogger?
My goal ... can I be totally honest with you? I did think about blagging my way through this and telling you that I want to work towards world peace ... but I just don't have a goal, as such. I just write about my life. Maybe I should have a goal. I know I would love to be recognised as a good blogger and perhaps being more focused on how to write well would help... I don't know. Is that bad?

Would you like to do this post??

Now ... just before the tenth question ... I would love it if you took part in this little confession. I am not going to tag anyone, but if you have read this post and would like to take part then please leave a message in my comments box and I will come and have a read of your blog post! You have to answer the first 8 questions above, then answer my question below and then write one question of your own! Do take part - I am naturally very nosy and would love to read your answers!!

10) If you could be better at any one aspect of blogging, what would it be?



1 comment:

Unknown said...

It's an amazing community the blogging one, I don't think there is anything like it - and it was SO lovely to meet you Sat!