I started following Twirling Betty blog straight away after finding Twirling Betty shop on Madeit! With it's lovely and practical tutorials, honest and interesting posts, this blog is a great read.
I had a pleasure to ask Christen a few questions about her blog and hope you will enjoy reading her answers as much as I did!
I initially started my blog as an adjunct to my business, twirling betty, but it very quickly evolved into something independent of and much more layered than just the business. I love writing and making stuff and get such pleasure from sharing that with my readers. It’s also become a way to just record what’s going on at any given time in my life – with the kids, in my little making space, in the kitchen.
Is there a story behind the name of your blog?
Betty was my wonderful maternal grandmother. Back in the day, before the Second World War, she and my grandfather (the love of her life but just a special “friend” at that point!) used to dance on Saturday nights at the Palais de Danse in St Kilda. I always imagine a smoky room, filled with dapper young gents and beautifully coiffured women in silk stockings. Unbeknownst to them, Pa was to ship off overseas with the RAAF for 7 years but at that moment in time, nothing more was on his mind than twirling Betty around the dance floor. By way of a postscript, after Pa finally returned when Betty was 27, they were married and spent the rest of their lives together – sweethearts until the end.
Have your blogging style changed since you've started?
My blogging style has changed since I started insofar as I have relaxed. When I read my early posts they make me cringe a bit because they have that slightly stilted, earnest tone of someone who is very conscious that someone else might be reading (and evaluating) what they’ve written. As I went on though, I developed more confidence and began to write in a more irreverent style – which as any of my good friends will attest, is much more my true voice!
Do you think blogs are moving to the second place now since Facebook business/social pages are becoming more popular?
I think of FB and blogs as such vastly different beasts that I can’t imagine FB taking over from blogs. I think they fulfil different needs and hope others see that too so that they can co-exist rather than compete. I must confess that I’m not a massive fan of FB. I certainly see it’s usefulness and I do love getting those extra snippets of info about what all my friends and family are up to (esp the photos) but there is something inherently more personal about a carefully-crafted blog post. It’s like a little gift from the writer to the reader and I lose myself in the blogs I love (and there are LOTS of those) in a way I never do with FB.
Do you have a blogging routine or any themes that you join?
I wish I had a blogging routine! I would love to blog more regularly than I do but the vagaries of life with two small children mean that I don’t get to do quite as many posts as I’d like. I actually have a little book full of ideas for posts and a pile on my desk of stuff about 20 cm high to photograph and/or blog about. I’m easily inspired! I hope that the next little bit sees me posting a bit more often. However, I’m always an advocate for quality over quantity so I’d always much rather do fewer posts with decent writing and good photos than more of mediocre quality. I presume (read: hope) my readers feel the same.
5 most favourite blogs at the moment:
http://kittenbear.net : my current fave for cool finds. I’m poorer financially for having discovered her blog.
http://poppytalk.blogspot.com : Ace stuff from all over.
http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/ Stunning photography; the kind of light , bright shots I aspire to - and engaging, moving posts. Interspersed with DIY. Need I say more. The other thing is, she is increasingly HUGE in the US blogosphere and so down-to-earth you’d never know it . I love this chick.
http://momfilter.com refreshingly uncontrived posts from the blog owners and other mums on every topic imaginable. Short, useful posts.
http://bloesem.blogs.com/ : amazing design-y finds and cute city guides – love the one about KL in particular.
http://oscarlucinda.blogspot.com.au/: this gal has an eye for styling and a heart that’s full and true, More recently she’s blogging lots about her gorgeous new babe and it sometimes makes me cry.
Any tips for the bloggers who just started?
Find and use your own voice ie. don’t try to be something you’re not. Give your readers original, well-presented content. Think about how precious your own time is and always try to bear in mind that if your readers have taken precious time from their day to read what you’ve written, the least you can do is give ‘em the best you’ve got so take real care with each post. Most importantly of all: be honest, be respectful and be nice but be strong. Don’t do anything your instinct warns you against!
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Thank you Christen for finding time in your busy days to come over for a "chat". It was a pleasure!
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Thank you Christen for finding time in your busy days to come over for a "chat". It was a pleasure!
