about blogging

I've been tagged by the lovely Melanie from Kimono Reincarnate.

1. Why did you start your blog?


That’s simple; to participate in Illustration Friday of course. I think I participated in IF for 18 months straight at the beginning, and in that time only missed 3 or 4.

I was a chronic lurker, addicted to many many blogs for a long time before I mustered enough courage to start one of my own. I was really unhappy with work/life at the time, it was all consuming. Starting a blog was a way for me to start re-connecting with my creative side, which I had previously banished for years. I was terrified about starting art again, and knew I’d be very rusty and not very good at all, but I had to start somewhere. I created a space where no-one knew what I was doing, I was just another face in the crowd, and I could allow myself the time/space to be bad at painting for a while without worrying about people I knew judging me (which I knew would cripple any progress I hoped to make).


2. How did you come up with your blog name?
Because I wanted to hide my identity I needed a name that was personal to me without using my own name at all. I thought back through nick-names I’d been given, and this one is one I never really ever mentioned to anybody, but one I never forgot. If you want I have more of an explanation here.


3. Do your friends and family know about your blog? What do they think about it?

No. Not at all. Sensitive topic this one… As I mentioned I needed a place of healing to rebuild, and hiding away has always been my best defense mechanism. I didn’t tell anyone, I didn’t even tell Mr You for the first couple of days. I loved it! I loved having a place of my own to escape to.
Nowadays it’s a different story. I’m in an awkward position where I’ve been doing it so long it almost feels like I’m betraying my friends and family by not telling them. Every now and then I consider outing myself because I’d love them to share it now that I’ve moved away from them all, but I worry that I would sensor my posts, or become self conscious of my illustrations.
I did tell one of my closest friends about a year ago (test case), at first she thought I was mad having a blog, but now I think she’s gotten used to the idea, and I know she visits from time to time, although I forget that she does. She thinks it’s no big deal and I’ve no need to hide it so much.
I’ll have to out myself eventually. I just don’t know how to go about it. I absolutely dread the day, but know I’ll feel great relief once it’s done and out, and the dust has settled.


4. How do you write posts?

Early on, when I had to make up for the bad illustrations I used to write a lot more. Everything in my “real life” day was liable to be snatched and snuck back to my secret blog life. I remember seeing things and immediately starting to write an introduction in my head. My daily commute on the train was a treasure-trove of inspiration. It was more humourous back then too. Since leaving work and working from home I don’t get out as much, and I’ve noticed my blog reflecting that, now it’s all about my creative obsession.
Although “I’m going to blog that” is still an invaluable weapon to threaten Mr You with. Hehehe.


5. Have you ever had a troll or had to delete unkind comments?

Yes, early on I got some comments disputing some of my opinions and facts. One even called me a fool if I remember correctly. Mind you I researched their point and I'm still sure I was right. I never deleted their comments.


6. Do you check your stats? Do you care how many people read your blog? If you do care, how to you increase traffic?
Are you kidding? I check my stats every week. I love stats! I love seeing where people are visiting from, and I can even see when people have “borrowed” my whole page code and are looking at the code from their desktops.
I was able to see that a forum of Turkish folk were discussing my illustrations at one point (not that I knew what they were saying). And I LOVE seeing what search phrases people have used to stumbled on my sites: “oh won't you be our house guest flossie unicorn” Why, sure!

I don’t really mind about how many people visit, it goes up and down. Comments always mean more to me than hits.


7. What kind of blogs/posts interest you?

Obviously I love beautiful art/illustration blogs. I love finding like minded people. And creative types. I love people who write beautifully, or are funny. Now… does that leave any untouched? I’m not big on nerdy techy ones, that’s too much like work to me.


8. What do you like and dislike about blogging?
The best thing about blogging is of course the people/friends you find. I treasure the strong sense of community, I think it’s changing our world.
I dislike… um, how much time I spend doing it; either posting, or reading others. I love it, but it eats up my time in volumes that shame me.


I tag:
I'm not sure how many people I'm suppose to tag for this one. I'll choose 3.
3 relatively new visitors to this blog, who all seem mighty nice, and who I'd like to get to know better...
- Jacinta of One Little Acorn
- Bec of The Small Stuff
- Michelle of Leni & Rose