Marian Wood: Interview
The ups and downs of a working mum
2019: Wednesday Interview Series
Thank you, Esme, for the invite,
What superpower would you like and how will it benefit you or what will you do with it?
I would love to be able to teleport so that I could visit anywhere and see the world. I would not have to sit in traffic and I could leave for work at the time I arrive. I could also use it to benefit others by collecting things in a hurry. I would also no longer have to worry about narrow country roads or parking the car.
I would also like to be able to fly, I often dream about it, the freedom to soar like a bird.
How do you motivate yourself to keep the blog up and running?
I’ve only been working on it 3 months but I hate to fail. The community around blogging makes a difference. So even though I’m sat alone writing I feel support from the community reading what I write.
What do you find the most frustrating aspect of blogging?
When you think you have written something really good and you don’t receive many comments. Also, the work surrounding promoting your blog. Writing a post does not end at submitting as you want people to find it and read it.
In the future where do you hope your blog will take you?
I am hoping to one day get my book written. My blog will help with promoting it. I also feel that from writing my blog it is helping to develop my writing skills.
Do you have any specific goals for the rest of this year?
- To continue writing short stories and poetry.
- To grow my following further
- Continue to improve my writing
- To hopefully make some money through it as an Amazon affiliate.
- To maybe get the first draft of my novel completed.
What is the biggest difference in your life post-blogging?
At the moment writing my blog has been cathartic with my mum stress. However, with all the time I have spent on it I have admittedly spent less time doing housework, the mum jobs and helping the kids. I also have not read a book. My life has been manic. Now at 100 days in, I plan to review my blogging schedule and not let it take over as much it has done.
How active are you on a weekly basis? How often do you communicate with your followers?
Currently, I have been actively posting daily but when not posting daily, I am sure I will still be checking the blog and communicating with followers every day.
Would you encourage other people to make their blog?
Yes, because if someone likes to write then writing a blog is a nice idea. The community of blogging also helps with the motivation to carry on.
A lot of people think that blogging is an easy way to make money online. Do you have some tips for those people who are interested in making money and a full-time job from their blog?
They need to do their research and consider their niche. I have been advised that to succeed your blog needs to answer questions and advise. It seems that blogging about blogging is a good one. Maybe travel blogging and finance. Many people seem to do sponsored work and freelance, which you would need a high domain authority for. Those that make a lot of money from blogging appear to have either got lucky or they are qualified in something relevant to their blog enabling them to sell and promote their product through it.
Who takes the majority of your photos?
Me with my camera phone or tablet, so nothing special.
What are your 3 Favourite Movies?
I am a big fan of Jackie Chan. So,
- Drunken Master and Snake in Eagles shadow – both great films!
- Police Story 1
- Rush hour 1 – first Jackie Chan film that I watched.
When you’re having a bad day, what do you do to make yourself feel better?
Before kids and meeting my husband, it was to cuddle up under my duvet with a book. Now it is a cup of tea and seeing and hugging my children.
Describe your personality as a flavor of ice cream.
Raspberry ripple as most of the time I am calm like vanilla, but I also know what I want and often determined to get what I want and get my own way. That’s the raspberry ripple.
If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?
I would be a cat. I would have my food ready for me. Nice home and an owner that lets me sit on them in the evening and maybe sleep on their bed. During the day I will still have my independence to go out and roam but make sure that I avoid roads and cars.
Did you have any professional help or did you create the blog yourself?
My blog is mainly done by me. It is hosted by Lyrical host and they have helped me with technical issues but the design and work is all me.
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If you wish to also participate in this 2019: Wednesday Interview Series please follow the link, and email me and consider it done. I would love to showcase you and your blog.
Hi Marian and Esme! Marian, so nice to read your interview here, as I’ve been reading your blog since I recently discovered it. It’s good to know a little more about you 🙂 I agree, it’s frustrating when you’ve spent time and effort (and often emotion) on a blog post and you don’t know if anyone’s reading it or not. I don’t know what the answer is – promote, promote, promote probably! (I feel bad now, I do read your blog but I don’t comment!) Well done, Marian, you’ve achieved a lot in 3 months. I hope to read more of your posts in the future. Good luck! 🙂
Hello Cheryl. Thanks for popping over and leaving a note here for Marian. Yes, one does your best with each post, and then more often than not, receive no comments, likes or shares and it can be disheartening, but all I can say would be to continue what you love and eventually it will get the acknowledgment due! As you say, promote, share and more promote and that’s exactly what I try to achieve with these interviews and SIPB.
Nice to read your interview Marian! There is always something new to learn about someone from these interviews I think.
Hello Orla, Never too old to learn new bits and pieces from our fellow bloggers. Thanks for visiting.
Yes indeed…I would have to agree with Marian. The number one aspect I find the most frustrating aspect of blogging WAS when I would write something really good and then no one ever responded through comments or shares…
I was totally new and had no idea that PROMOTING our was so much work. I mean were we not all promised, ” Hey post in a couple of Facebook Groups and get rich”. LOL
I look back now and appreciate the process of promoting my content. It is an ever growing avenue of meeting new friends and building relationships.
Yes, Bubbie. Sometimes, one do not receive any interaction, but we just have to keep going and sharing
Hi great interview Marian. I found the whole interview most interesting 💜
Hi Miriam. Thanks for popping in. May I ask if you would be interested to also participate and answer some Questions. Send me an email and consider it done. Thanks
It’s lovely to learn more about you Marian! 🙂
Great choice for a superpower. I would looove to be able to teleport!
Dear Josy – Thanks for dropping in and leaving your comment. I am sure Marian will love to hear from you
Thankyou Esme!
Thanks for participating Marian – Glad to showcase you here