MC VIP: Connie @ Brain Foggles

Our Mom Central VIP: Connie Roberts
Kids: My daughters are 12 years apart so I have the best of both worlds. Alicia is 24, a librarian and married to a wonderful man. She lives too far away from me, in Kansas, but she's happy there. Sammi is in middle school, makes me laugh a lot, and is 12 going on 32.
Twitter: @ConnieFoggles
Your Blog URL: www.brainfoggles.com
What Year Did Your Start Blogging? I started blogging back when there was something called Yahoo! 360 and I didn’t even know I was blogging. I think that was around 2005. My real blog began in 2007.

In addition to blogging and being a mother, what other jobs do you have?
I do some freelance writing and co-host Twitter parties. I volunteer at my daughter’s school and for political campaigns, especially helping people to register to vote and to get to the voting polls. In the past, I ran a support group for people with chronic health conditions. Because of that I’m asked to speak to other support groups, or to help newly diagnosed people one-on-one. I’m also the financial guardian for my aunt, who is elderly and disabled.

Why did you start your blog?
The Yahoo! 360 blog began because I needed support. After a life changing medical diagnosis in 2000, I was scared and lonely. It was the first time in my life that I was told that I couldn’t work. The wonderful thing that happened is that total strangers wrote to me (commented) and shared their concern. After a while, I began to reach out to other people and my spirits were lifted!
A friend, who had a successful “real” blog, helped me get my own self-hosted blog started. She explained how I could earn money for writing. That began my awkward writings about my life because everyone would want to read about that, with sponsored posts in between that read like ads. Thank goodness that the other kind of support I got was how to be a better blogger!

What advice do you have for those starting out?
Get started! If you can’t decide on the exact blog niche you want, or get the best blog design, write any way and keep on writing. No one starts out perfectly. I look back on my first months of blogging and laugh about what I wrote and how awful it was. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Many of us are willing to lend a hand. Write about what you really enjoy. You’re more likely to stick to it. And, the best thing is that it won’t feel like work.

Name a few challenges you've seen or experienced in the blogosphere.
Voting contests are something that I try to stay clear of because I don’t see the fairness in them. It seems to be more difficult to get blog comments as more people are replying on Twitter and Facebook. This could be due to the ease of being signed into their account already vs. having to type their name, email address and website.

What are your favorite and least favorite part(s) about blogging?
I absolutely love blogging. It has changed my life! It has provided me opportunities I’d never dream of:

• Being an advocate for children with health problems and with special needs, for people living in poverty, for women and other communities is something I cherish. I have a platform to share information and reach others that need it.
• Being able to connect with people through my writing, with product reviews and giveaways is still amazing to me. I love getting comments and those special emails from readers.
• Working with brands that I’m a fan of and that promote corporate social responsibility, is a big plus for me as well.
• Making friends with other bloggers and having the opportunity to meet many of them at events and conferences is so special.
• Writing about what I want because it’s my blog.
• Being asked to write for other blogs as a guest blogger and as a paid contributor is a real boost to my self-esteem and to my bank account.

Trying to find a balance between blogging and my family life can be a problem at times. It’s hard to disconnect since I work at home. I also dislike the drama that goes on the blogging world. It seems to be getting worse and trying to stay clear from it is getting more difficult, especially when a friend is being bullied.

What is the wackiest opportunity you have gotten since you started your blog?
I reviewed a type of bracelet that you wore when washing dishes to avoid wetting your sleeves. I wrote that it was unusual, but it’s still selling. So what do I know?

What are your top three blogging tips?

1. Use an editorial calendar to stay organized. It’s such a time and sanity saver.
2. Give back to the blogging community – help others, share link love, give shout outs, etc. It feels good. Don’t expect anything in return, but be ready for surprises!Write from the heart.
3. Be honest with your product reviews, be authentic in your personal posts, and take time to just write for the love of it.

We love link back love! Please tell us 2 or 3 blogs you love, their URLs, and Twitter names.
Jennifer Leet (@jentifa) is an inspiration to me. I’ve always loved her blog, The Dirty T Shirt, but her new blog, Montana Mom, keeps me updated on her new life. Her photos and writing are always top of the line!
Robyn Wright (@RobynsWorld) is an expert in so many things, from cooking to technology. Robyn’s Online World is a showcase for her talents.
Lisa Frame (@Daily_Pinch) is one of my favorite writers. She has such a way with words that she can make a review of diapers sound like poetry. Find her at A Daily Pinch.

Thank you, Connie! We love working with you!