This week marks my 36th birthday. I’ve been doing a lot of reflection over the last few weeks, as I think we all do when we reach a(nother) birthday, don’t we?
It’s especially true after my brother’s wedding, when we had a real rollercoaster of emotions – or at least I did, realising I don’t spend as much time with my more distant family as I’d like and we only tend to get together for weddings, christenings and funerals – and the odd big birthday.
So when Helen of Mancunian Vintage nominated me for this blog hop, I thought it the perfect way to actually put these thoughts onto paper – or should that be computer screen?
Helen has very recently made the decision to leave Manchester and head to that there London for work and the Manchester vintage scene is missing her dreadfully already. Her site is always full of pretty clothes, sewing projects and inspiration, it’s going to be a bit of an eye opener for us northerners to see what she can find down south.
On the up side, it means I’ve got another contact in London and someone else to visit when I next head that way for a visit.
Now, without further waffle, it’s time for me to put a little of myself onto this post. So, *ahem*…
Why do I write?
Hmm. Despite both my mum and my brother writing creatively at home, it had never really been my cup of tea.
The blog started sort of by accident. I lost a lot of weight and wanted to put the words down on paper. A friend suggested starting a blog, so I did. Then I won tickets to Three Wine Men, put my fingers on the keyboard again and, the rest is history.
If you’d told me prior to then I’d be writing still, that I’d have work published in magazines and publications and, have even been paid for the odd piece, I wouldn’t have believed you. It’s become a sort of addiction. Whether it’s blog stuff, or the odd piece of freelance content, or even creative stuff, like knitting, I get itchy fingers when I don’t write. I’ve lost count of the pieces I’ve started and stopped, or just thrown away because they’re not good enough, or not ready, or haven’t yet found their direction.
It’s reached the point where I’m now trying to make a living from my writing, or at least enough to pay for the odd taxi ride to and from an event. For those who wonder, I don’t make anything really, bar money from the odd piece of content and social media management elsewhere, not enough to even reduce the day job hours yet. I’m working on it.
What I love is that blogging gives me the opportunity to meet people, to get involved in and support projects – whether it’s through meeting someone with an idea I love, or for a cause I believe in. I meet those who run bars and restaurants, charities and shops and behind every venue, retailer or company there are people. People who might have an idea and need an opinion, have made a new dish that they love, but want an opinion from someone who isn’t invested in it. In the same way I like someone to read through a piece to check my spelling etc, sometimes a bartender might want an opinion on a cocktail. And most people know that if I don’t like it, I’ll tell you and I won’t be mean about it!
What am I working on?
A whole host of things. Aside from the blog, I’m doing some exciting work with brands (less glamorous than it sounds, but still heaps of fun to come), with companies, organisations and individuals who need a little guidance or help and getting involved in hosts of projects – from bake offs to feminism, I love that my blog and my Twitter account have given me the opportunity to do so much and meet so many fascinating and inspirational people.
I’m also doing some post swapping with other Manchester bloggers, trying my hand at different blog posts, such as ‘outfit of the day’ posts.
Aside from all that, I’m back marathon training as I’m running the Manchester Marathon next year for the Eve Appeal, I’m still knitting (currently prepping Christmas presents already) and as mentioned above, trying to spend more time with the family.
Oh yeah. And the day job too!
How my blog does it differ from others of its genre?
Well. Now there’s a question.
I overlap with so many. With those who do food and drink, with those who do vintage and with those who do art/craft. But I guess, I don’t want to be pigeonholed is the main thing. I love that I get to visit some completely random events, meet people I’d never thought I’d be able to meet. I still get jealous of other bloggers – especially those who are much more focused. But I don’t want to lose my adventures and think that specialising might force me to be too specialised. There are tons of bloggers out there in Manchester, well over 100 and over 50% do some sort of food and drink on their sites.
I say yes to random things and it’s always an adventure. I like that people can’t pin me down too easily. And probably more importantly, I don’t want to be like everyone else.
How does my writing process work?
I’m a note taker and also often use photographs to jog my memory. I then prefer to sit down on a Sunday, with numerous cups of tea, and write several posts at once. In one way it seems more like work, but it feels so satisfying to get them written and done and ready to just press ‘publish’ and send them into the big wide world.
Unfortunately, that sometimes doesn’t happen and that’s when I will write on the bus, before work, after work, in lunch hours, in a bar or coffee shop before an event – so long as my pictures have been formatted, I can work on the go and invariably do. I am, however, determined to treat myself to a tablet come Christmas, it’s got to be easier that using my phone to type into, hasn’t it?
After it’s been written, I always prefer a spare set of eyes to look over what I’ve done. I find that sometimes you’re blind to errors and faults and see only what you want to see in the text. It’s why I regularly put out calls for help on Twitter or Facebook for someone to read through.
Nominations:
As a bonus to baring my soul on here, I get to nominate two others to take part in the blog hop.
So firstly, I have to nominate Keeley and her blog Phat Cupcake. Given we spend so much time together, it’s going to be interesting to hear her reasons for writing and her writing process.
Secondly, I’m nominating the lovely Sian and her blog Moregeous, her creativity and ideas are an utter inspiration, her blog and twitter feed keep me entertained and envious!
Enjoy ladies!