Nice to Meet You + 3 New Friends

Last week, my good friend Stephanie introduced me as part of a little "tour" of the blogging world.  Each nominated blogger gives a little background information about themselves and then introduces their readers to three new blogs.  I love this idea because I am constantly looking for fresh reading material AND because I can think of a few lovelies I've been hoping to acquaint you with.  First off, stop at Stephanie's blog Sandpaper and Glue and check out the amazing things she's done to her home by being awesome and teaching herself how.  She is my go to for paint recommendations and home-DIY inspiration.  Now, the questions.

1. What are you working on right now?

I just launched the new site/concept for Be Your Own Lady a few weeks ago, so I'm really working on posting consistently and planning interesting content.  I'm balancing the hustle of networking and trying to figure out how Google Analytics work with the importance of writing little posts about my personal life and how I feel in the moment (which was the journal style my blog used to have, and I don't want to let it go completely).

I'm a teacher during the school year, so my brain is also starting to shift into classroom-mode.  I'm over-buying school supplies and making lists and furniture maps.  There is nothing better than a fresh school year about to start.

I'm also wrestling with a cool fiction idea that I tinker with whenever I'm in the car or shower.  I hope that gets some screen time soon. 

2. How does your work differ from others?

I wrote it.  That's about it.  You'll find no lack of twenty-somethings willing to write about their life and longings on the internet, and plenty of online sources for interviews with interesting people.  There are lots of fabulous folk writing to remind you to love yourself, trust yourself, and be yourself.  The message may not be original but it is more than important enough to repeat again and again and again.

3. Why do you write/create what you do?

I need to write and have been doing it forever.  It's a huge release and I particularly love sharing with anyone who is interested enough to read.  I've had livejournals in high school and college, a mostly-neglected lifestylish blog (Simple Girl) for awhile when I was first married/settling into adult life, and a motherhoodish blog (Simple Mama in Massachusetts) for a year or so until I started Be Your Own Lady this month.

I use writing to work through issues, comfort myself, and share with others.  I get a huge kick out of connecting with people on the internet and in real life.  Having a blog is a really beautiful way to go back and see where you were at emotionally over the years.  It's a gift I give myself.

4. How does your creative process work?

For the longest time I would write posts when inspiration struck.  Usually I would conceive of an idea, look for or take a picture, write up the details, and polish/post in the matter of a nap time or the hour before my kids wake up in the morning.  I posted when I had time or inclination, and had no real plan or schedule.  Recently, I've tried to loosely schedule posts and stick to 3 days a week for releasing material.  Interviewing people makes this easier- you have to do some work beforehand.  I also have a lot of time to myself while my kids nap when I'm home for the summer, but once I'm working full time, things will change.

Outside of the blog world, I love to read fan fiction and other serial kinds of work to inspire my fictional writing.  I have a few story ideas that I like to pick at, but nothing that I'm in love with.  I look at my "play" writing as exercise for my writing muscle.  I'm really into the idea of morning pages (I need to learn more), and also writing outlines and story maps.  My husband writes screenplays and he always outlines everything before he starts.  A friend of mine who studied writing uses index cards to create calendars or timelines.  I think treating writing as something more than just a silly dream would inspire my creative process and let me take myself more seriously.  I'll get there soon.

That's all from me for the time being.  Here are three other blogs you shouldn't miss.

My friend Meg is the author Sunshine Maker Meg. She writes about her birthday list, perfect little DIY projects, and her sweet little life. A beautiful girl with a beautiful voice!  Meg is moving AND getting married (to the adorable other half of her music group, Meg and The Beard), so quite the busy gal, but when she gets a chance to post, it's so worth it.  

Sarah is another dear friend of mine.  I love her for her teaching work, her sweet style, her ability to make an apartment a home in five seconds flat, and her dedication to saving you dough.  Her blog Thrift Tales is about finding sweet freebies to enhance your already awesome life.  She just moved out of state (heart broken), but the upside is a whole new world of deals to be found.  Go say hi to Sarah!

Gillian is a recent friend in the blogging world.  Her photography is breathtaking- let us get that out of the way immediately.  Beyond her portraits of her sweet sons and lovely surroundings, she has a warm voice and has been endlessly friendly and welcoming as I've gotten to know her.  I admire a lot about her transparency and ease at working with brands without sacrificing the personal feeling of her blog.  Definitely go take a peek.




Meg, Sarah, and Gillian- please feel free to continue forward by answering these questions and introducing some new bloggers!  If you have a blog, please send the link my way.  No matter how big or small, I'd love to see what you're working on and connect with some of the brilliant people sharing their hearts!