Be true to yourself. There is a lot of pressure to fit your blog into a niche, but if you don't fit a certain mold, that's ok.
Our Mom Central VIP: Elizabeth Mays
kids: Daughter age 23; Son age 20
twitter: @blueviolet
What year did you start blogging? 2008
In addition to blogging and being a mother, what other jobs do you have? Blogging is my full-time job at the moment.
Why did you start your blog? My children were in college, and I needed something to fill my time, and ease the pain of having an empty nest.
What advice do you have for those starting out? Be true to yourself. There is a lot of pressure to fit your blog into a niche, but if you don't fit a certain mold, that's ok. Just write what comes naturally to you, and write for yourself.
Also, take time to live your life outside of your blog. In the big picture, it's not only the inspiration for the things you write, but it's also what really matters.
Name a few challenges you see or have experienced in the blogosphere. My biggest challenge is with time, and trying to do it all. It's difficult to juggle the personal side of blogging with the business side. My heart will always be with the personal side and with the friendships I've developed, and I wish I had even more time to nurture those relationships.
What are your favorite and least favorite part(s) about blogging? My favorite part is that I've developed so many lasting friendships with other bloggers, and many of those friendships have extended into real life. My least favorite part is that blogging can be incredibly time consuming.
What is the wackiest opportunity you have gotten since you started your blog? I should knock on wood while I type this, but I don't think anything particularly wacky has come across my desk.
What are your top three blogging tips?
- Be patient. A blog doesn't grow overnight, but it will grow steadily.
- Learn how to balance real life and your blog. Family should always come first.
- Value yourself, and trust your instincts.
What are you hoping will happen for you and your blog within the next year? I hope that my blog will bring more opportunities to me, but as for how I use it, I don't want that to change much.
We love link back love! Please tell us 2 or 3 blogs you love and their URLs.
http://www.lifewithbooks.com/ @jennersreads
http://suzicate.wordpress.com/
http://jamblogging.blogspot.com/ @jamblogging
Thank you, Elizabeth! We love working with you!
I had the honor of meeting
I had the honor of meeting Elizabeth at BlogHer11. She is such a awesome person! Your tips are fabulous.
Liz knows how much I adore
Liz knows how much I adore her. She is my all-time favorite blogger and person in real life. Otin you've got her number alright!
I love E. She inspires me so
I love E.
She inspires me so much! And she is funny to boot! :)
Great advice too!
Love Blueviolet. Somehow she
Love Blueviolet. Somehow she manages to be intelligent, interesting, witty, charming, down to earth, relevant, and hilarious with grace an ease. She rocks.
Great pick!
Love love LOVE
Love love LOVE her!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love everything Elizabeth
I love everything Elizabeth writes! Thanks for all of these tips - they're extremely helpful to us newer bloggers!
Blueviolet is a rock star
Blueviolet is a rock star amongst bloggers. I think the fact that she doesn't realize that is what makes her so special. She definitely stays true to herself from what I can see!
It was fun to read this
It was fun to read this interview. A Nut in a Nutshell was one of the first blogs I became familiar with! Great blog.
Elizabeth is AWESOME! I love
Elizabeth is AWESOME! I love her blog and it's one of the few that I try to visit when I can. She's funny, sincere, and has some great advice!
I love Elizabeth but she will
I love Elizabeth but she will forever be Blue Violet to me :)
Before I even knew what I was doing Elizabeth was the very first person to comment on my posts. Her comments over the last couple of years have always made me smile. I completely agree with her about how time consuming blogging can be. I am still learning to find a perfect balance and I hope to be as awesome of a commenter as Blue Violet one day!
Who doesn't love Elizabeth?
Who doesn't love Elizabeth? Great blog, wonderful woman, great advice!
Oh I love Elizabeth! I've had
Oh I love Elizabeth! I've had the pleasure of meeting her in person and she's just as sweet and funny as she is on her blog. Definitely an awesome VIP pick!
Liz is one of my favorite
Liz is one of my favorite bloggers. If I'm feeling down and just need a laugh, she's the first blogger I turn to.
I've been a big fan of
I've been a big fan of Elizabeth's since the beginning. But I learned something new about her today. Her name! Because to me she'll always be Blueviolet!
Along with being a great blogger, she is also a very generous blogger friend. Elizabeth is a wealth of blogging information. And over the years, Elizabeth has always been willing to help out and answer any of my blogging questions.
Great interview!
I didn't know this was your
I didn't know this was your full-time job now ... I'm impressed. But knowing your blog and all that you do on it, I could see that it might be. You got a lot going on over there. I agree 100% with your advice. Blogging is time-consuming but incredibly rewarding. It is key to keep it in perspective and to write what interests you or things will become stale. And I agree about not trying to fit into a niche; the only niche you should try to fit into is the that is you.
And wow ... thanks for the shout-out. I'm very appreciative and honored. : )
I didn't know this was your
I didn't know this was your full-time job now ... I'm impressed. But knowing your blog and all that you do on it, I could see that it might be. You got a lot going on over there. I agree 100% with your advice. Blogging is time-consuming but incredibly rewarding. It is key to keep it in perspective and to write what interests you or things will become stale. And I agree about not trying to fit into a niche; the only niche you should try to fit into is the that is you.
And wow ... thanks for the shout-out. I'm very appreciative and honored. : )
This was a great interview
This was a great interview EBV! You are a truly an awesome blogger to know!
Great interview! I love your
Great interview! I love your blogging tips! Thanks for the shout out! You know I love your blog...your sense of humor always shines as well as your goodness!
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