Monday 7 July 2014

Why I write...

Why do I write what I write?

So why do I write? It all started on maternity leave - I used Kidspot as a way to break the isolation when the baby slept. I'd fritter away an hour happily chatting, answering questions and eventually, writing a few blog posts. I liked getting the views, and I got a lot of enjoyment from the 'company'. It really made a difference to my days, especially those when I saw no adults in real life. I will always be thankful to Kidspot for that.

So when I had a year to go before looking for work, I decided I'd write a blog, as that seemed like a way to make money that wouldn't impact on the needs of the rest of the family. Stop laughing. I'd never even read a professional blog. I had absolutely no idea.

Fast forward six months, I realised I would never make money, unless I made a lot of changes to the blog. As you know, my heart wasn't interested in those making those changes, so now Where the Wild Things Were is just a blog for me. I empty my head, trying to make sense of the world. Join in, or ignore it. Hopefully there is something that resonates with someone.

I write for Weekend Notes, to make a little pocket money, but mainly to share great places to visit, or to boost deserving businesses. I won't review anything I don't like. I don't want to waste time reading bad reviews, I only want to read about where I should go, and so I work on the same theory for others.

I am most proud of my travel blog, the poorly named Holidays, Hellidays and the Journeys in Between (seriously, what on earth was I thinking?), which currently has a post being translated into German for a website, and has pieces published in a US travel magazine, plus pictures published in the Huffington Post. However, as it is self-funded travel, I only publish once a month.

The short answer to the question, is that I write because I like to. I get a great deal of enjoyment from it.

How does my writing differ from others?

I don't have 'a voice'. I have my voice. It's not aimed at an audience, unless the audience is like me. It gives me an enormous amount of freedom, to write whatever I want to write. This, however, also limits my ability to make money from the blog.

What am I working on?

I am looking for work writing, and in the meantime, I am writing some articles with the aim of selling them into more mainstream media. I also write short stories for writing competitions. Without the deadlines, I don't seem to get motivated to sit down and write fiction. I have an idea for a children's book, which I want to complete before the end of the year. Wish me luck!

Re-purposing this old post for #Lifethisweek on how my blogs started. I clearly never got round to writing the children's book...hmmm.

35 comments:

  1. I adore reading these posts on why we all write,Kidspot is where you started? Gosh I would love to know more....I think travel writing has to be one of the most amazng topics and ways to write, one day I'll get sorted for those short sotry competitions,things keep popping up at the moment! Have a great day lovely xx

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    1. Just to clarify, I was an active audience member, not on the payroll...;)

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  2. I've found it really intriguing to read all the posts on 'Why I Write' - there are such a wonderful range out there! I'm delighted to have been part of it. :)

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  3. Thanks for nominating me and for your kind words - I'm so glad that you see me like that because I have often wondered if I'm just annoying people !!!!!!
    Have the best day and enjoy the holidays now that tidying the house and the haircuts are out the way !!
    Lotsa hugs
    Me xox

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    1. You could never annoy people. Your positive attitude is contagious and you always brighten my day x

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  4. I love your blog Lydia - you are a must read for me. It always makes me think and that's quite an achievement these days ;-) I wish you all the best in your more professional endeavors - you deserve to be published in the main stream media IMHO.

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  5. I love what you say about having 'your voice' rather than 'a voice'. No matter how branded 'a voice' becomes it will never resonate unless it is authentic - the people listen/read who are meant to hear/read you.

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  6. I have to admit I started laughing when I read stop laughing hehe.

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  7. I love these posts. It is intriguing to find out what motivates others to write.

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  8. Interesting to find out more about you. I love how you write, very smart, clever with an inquiring mind. You are quite a surprise too - shame on me for not knowing about your Weekend Notes! Go forth and publish - you can DO IT!

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  9. Nice to read another 'why I write' post - if you need any help with the children's book idea, I have a series coming out next year with Allen & Unwin and could give you some publishing advice :)

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    1. Congratulations on the SERIES!! Wow! Also, which is your blog? I tried to link back to it but I get a blank one?

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  10. I love your blog Lydia. You do think differently and I love the different perspective you challenge your readers to have. I love that your voice is not aimed at an audience it remains true to who you are.

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  11. So I had no idea you wrote another blog too! Love reading these for all the things i'm finding out about people!

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  12. I love reading your blog and the comments you leave on blogposts equally. I didn't know you wrote another blog either!

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  13. So great to learn a little more about you. I absolutely love your blog. It is always thought provoking, smart and funny. Often all at once. I've only just recently discovered Weekend Notes and love it. Well done you. I like your line, I don't have a voice I have my voice. Well said.

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  14. Your blog is one of the ones that I really enjoy reading because you have such thought provoking posts about everyday things. I fell in love with blogging and reigniting my love of writing on a parenting forum as well, and I must admit I do kind of miss those days.

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  15. I love your voice Lydia, you are honest and intelligent and not afraid to shy away from contentious topics. Keep blogging xx

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  16. It's interesting to see what makes other writers tick, and to see what they're up to. I had no idea you had other blogs. Will have to check them out.

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  17. I love that your voice is authentic. It is one of the best self reflections I've read in quite a while. To write from this perspective is fearless and real and who can ask for anything better than that.

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  18. Lol, I started for the same (I realise mildly delusional) reason: making a bit of extra family income on mat leave! Weekend Notes has been fabulous for practising writing, not to mention it's fun! And congratulations on everything you've achieved, I look forward to reading your children's book:)

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  19. I love your blog as well. You consistently produce wonderful posts that really make me take stock. "I empty my head, trying to make sense of the world." I just love that! X

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  20. I love your voice Lydia. It's down to earth and unpretentious.

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  21. Lydia, you write so much!! It must feel good to write on different subjects, but you must be really organized!
    I love that you were going to make money from your blog right from the start, I think if we were all honest, we've all thought that ;)

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  22. Great journey here! I didn't know about Weekend Notes. Just had a pop over to their website and looks awesome! Keep at it, lady. I always love what you have to say x

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  23. Great to read your Why I Write post. I wrote one today also! You write for other places besides your blog - something I haven't yet done AND you actually make some money from writing (yay! .. and another thing I've not yet done *sigh*). I'm going to have to check out 'Weekend Notes' and I also didn't know you had another blog to this one so I'll have to go check it out too! Great to learn a little more about you!

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  24. I love reading these Why I Write posts, I loved writing mine also! I think I'm going to have to go explore my of your blog(s)! (I came here via Nuffnang on fb)

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  25. I reckon that writing from the heart is good and yeah making money from a blog takes a bit and is tricky but it can be done.
    Love reading your blog posts :)

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  26. Lovely words. Thank you! And thank you for appreciating Little Hare so much. They are a smaller publisher, so not necessarily a household name, but I think they should be! It's so interesting to hear about your writing Lydia. I had no idea you had another blog. That's cool! I will have to check it out. x

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  27. I love why I write and why I blog posts. That's been the best thing about regular blogging - allowing us to follow a passion and find our voices.

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  28. Hi Lydia I'm loving the theme this week about starting a blog. I was interested to read you had a travel blog so I popped over to take a look. Although I my blog suggests a niche for Over 50 women I write to inspire others to embrace life at any age. I just love the connection with other bloggers and readers and have made some valuable virtual friendships. Have a great day!

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  29. It's fun to read how and why others started blogging. Love that we all (or most of us) start out thinking we're going to make money from it. LOL I didn't realise you wrote for Weekend Notes but good on you! That children's book is in there waiting to get out, I'm sure of it! :-)

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  30. 'I don't have 'a voice', I have my voice'.

    You've nailed it right there, Lydia.

    SSG xxx

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  31. Lydia, you have told more of your story!! I have often wondered about the Lydia story and now you are sharing this. Didn't we all have that thought about making money from blogging!? I went to a ProBlogger conference in Melbs before it became OTT and that was where I was 'led down the path of money making promises that were not to be".
    Loved reading this!
    Thank you for joining in for #lifethisweek.
    Next Week’s Optional Prompt: 23/52. What I Will Never See Again. 4/6/18. Denyse

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