Fellow Blogger – Jennifer Windram

Tonight, I wish to introduce a blogger I have been following since almost the beginning of my blogging journey – Jennifer Windram. Jennifer is a writer who writes about vampires. Her main protagonist is Libby who often pops in on the blog for a bit of a discussion about what’s going on in her life. Apart from Libby, Jennifer shares her life with her (might I say good looking 🙂 ) husband and her cats. You can see photos of them on her About page. She writes about her criteria for choosing her husband in her acceptance speech for her “Dragon’s Loyalty Award“.  I also think sometimes that Jennifer must be channeling my thoughts as today she wrote about clutter in her life – Disorganization: The result of hoarding, procrastination and simple laziness. (I have been listening to a series of talks by Hay House right now and I plan on sharing my thoughts in a later blog post). Jennifer writes with humour and has the ability to laugh at herself. Her post How to start and manage a blog (In the real world) contains a mixture of practical tips and some very tongue-in-cheek comments. Pop on over and check out her blog. I know you’ll enjoy it.

Hi Jennifer. Thanks for stopping by. Just move those cushions aside, shift the Diva out of the way and take a seat on the couch. I hope you don’t mind a few extra cat hairs. Let’s get started… so tell me about your blogging beginning? What made you decide that you wished to share your thoughts with the world?

Blogging was really my first venture into social media. I don’t have a Facebook account (yet) and I started a Twitter account shortly after I began blogging. My hope was to connect with others, share some of my fiction and learn from all the great people in the blogging world…

…Really I was hoping to overtake Grumpy Cat for world domination. So far, I don’t think I have a chance 🙂

Unfortunately, I think Navigator is after the world domination crown as well so I think you’ve got your work cut out! 🙂 How long have you been blogging then?

I began in August, 2013. So, not too long ago, but I feel like I’ve already found a great community of friends and wish I would have started sooner.

Another one who started July/August 2013! I think we should all start a club! Now that you have finally worked out how you want your blog to look (please refer to previous link in my introduction), have you decided whether your blog will have any particular theme?

No particular theme, really. On Mondays, I blog about anything that comes to mind. It might be a post about bed bugs, my house remodel, squirrel babies or hiking in Colorado. On Fridays, I blog from the viewpoint of one of the supporting characters in my novel–a somewhat snobby, but fun, and recently turned vampire.

You know that bed bug post really made my skin crawl. 😮
It sounds as if you have worked out what works for you. Do you believe you have gained anything by blogging?

Oh, yes, definitely. It’s been a challenge to come up with new material on a regular basis and make it fresh/interesting. It’s challenged me creatively and from a time management perspective–sometimes I don’t do so well with the time management…

Then there are all the wonderful people I’ve met. The WordPress community is very supportive, giving, and encouraging. It’s funny, sometimes I have more conversations with my friends on WordPress than I do my “real life” friends.

And lastly, I now I know what a widget is.

I know exactly what you mean by the friends thing. I enjoy the banter shared with others via the comments also. Many of us use our blogs as a form of therapy. Do you have any personal challenges that blogging has helped you deal with?

My blog has been pretty “light” so far and I haven’t really discussed any of my challenges. I have some essays written that I may eventually post. We’ll see.

I look forward to reading them 🙂 How often do you get the time to blog?

I’m trying not to feel guilty as I answer this question…. Um, I planned to blog at least three times a week. Now, I’m hoping for two–Mondays and Fridays. But with the holidays, sometimes it’s been zero times a week.

I understand that real life sometimes gets in the way of this blogging caper! 😀
When you do post, where do you find your inspiration?

That’s what’s so great about blogging–it can come from anywhere. Sometimes I’m inspired by the season, or something someone says to me, or what I’m doing at the moment. I had a post awhile back about Laundry. I had no idea what I was going blog about that day and I went into the basement to look for a pair of socks. Then it hit me. I needed to post about how much doing laundry sucked, even with a fully functional washer and dryer.

I believe there are many women out there who share the same frustrations as you in that regard. Do you have a particular quote or mantra that you find helps you through the tough times in life?

Ooh. I’m a sucker for all those quote memes floating around out there. I have an entire Pinterest board of inspirational quotes. Hold on while I go find my favorite … … … …

 

(Sue waits patiently and picks some cat hairs from the couch whilst waiting for Jennifer to come back)

 

Wow that was hard. I strive to live according to these two quotes:

 

You get in life what you have the courage to ask for.

 

Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.

 

But this one probably fits me best:  Nothing makes me more productive than the last minute

Pinterest is an awesome place for quotes isn’t it? I really like these ones and may have to copy them down for future use in my own creations 🙂
My next question is about other bloggers. What draws you in to read another blog?

The content of the blog or the blogger themselves: Does this person teach me something? Make me laugh? Do they challenge my viewpoints? Do they offer inspiration?

Because life is about learning isn’t it? I think the blog content of other blogs is a wonderful tool for personal growth also. In closing, do you have anything else that you would like to share?

Um, I love cats and long walks along the beach and I don’t discriminate when it comes to breakfast food–all food can be enjoyed in the morning, my stomach doesn’t care J

Really, I want to thank you Sue for hosting such a great a series and creating the opportunity to meet new friends.

You are so very welcome. And thank YOU for being a guest on my couch this evening. I’ve enjoyed chatting with you so very much. 🙂