Blogger Behind the Blog {Wit Wit Woo}

Here’s this week’s instalment of Blogger Behind the Blog where I interview a blogger all about their reasons for blogging and what it means to them. This week I’m joined by Kate from WitWitWoo.

Here’s Kate with more about her blogging life:

Where did your blog name come from?

I was (for some reason) trying to emulate the sound of a wolf whistle. Bears no relevance to the blog content, but I just wanted a name people would always remember … or, as it turns out, completely forget.

When did you start your blog and why?

July 2010 after I graduated as a mature student. I studied literature and creative writing and wanted a space where I could continue writing. I didn’t know there was such a thing as a blogging community, social media was very limited – I even created my first blog using iWeb! Blogging has always been about a love of writing for me.

What did you do before you blogged?

I worked as a PA in London for 20 years, had children, then when Mum died, I randomly decided to go to Uni. I felt lost I guess. Uni changed my life in lots of ways. It gave me some confidence back and brought things to a head with a bad relationship that I finally managed to get out of.

What was your first post?

It was about weight loss, so not much has changed!

What inspires you to blog?

I only write when I have something to say, sponsored posts aside, so if something compels me to talk about how I feel about something, then I’ll blog – I never do it just for the sake of it. Whether that’s my weekly weight loss post, which has become pretty cathartic in itself as I talk about what I’ve done and how I’ve felt during the previous week, or new things I try out, like camping, or visiting new restaurants or, my favourite, if I’ve been travelling. I love sharing travel inspiration posts with everyone.

What post has had the best response, which post are you most proud of and which post did you enjoy writing the most?

My recipes are always the most popular, but I haven’t done any in a while … I really should start that up again, especially as my diet has now changed.

Dating posts were always extremely popular but I used to date A LOT and nowadays, not so much. I think people just like living vicariously through me when it comes to the horror that is online dating.

I really enjoy writing travel posts but always my weekly weight loss posts because I tend to get a lot of private messages off the back of those from women who feel they can relate to me, so it’s nice to connect with my readers in that way and know that, in some small way, I’ve inspired someone that week.

Have any of your posts not had the response that you expected?

I don’t think anyone read the blog seven years ago! But generally speaking, I’d say that because the blog is so established, and people have got to know me, they tend to be quite interested in anything I write, just because of the style of writing. They’re the blogs I always go back to, the ones where it doesn’t really matter what the subject is, I just like the person behind the blog and their way of writing.

Where do you see your blog in a year’s time?

I have a day job so blogging (unfortunately) has always been a side-line for me, so unless I win the lottery, I’m just going to carry on what I’m doing. I hope to work with more brands, visit more countries and do more videos, because I’m really enjoying that at the moment – even if it’s just IG Stories or FB Live. I would like to continue to inspire people to be kind to themselves, and their bodies, and well, we always want our blogs to be popular don’t we?

What is your favourite thing about blogging?

I’d imagine everyone says the sense of community, but it’s true. No-one can really understand that, unless you’re a blogger, but I’ve never met a group of more inspirational, smart, supportive and lovely people before. Being given the opportunity to travel to places I’d never otherwise be able to travel to is always pretty amazing.

…and your least favourite?

There’s nothing I dislike that much although checking broken links is a pain. As I said, I’m not a full-time blogger yet so I think finding time to blog is always difficult.

What’s the best blog post you have ever read?

One I’ve read recently that I really enjoyed, because she’s a fantastic writer, was by Amber from Meet The Wildes, called ‘This is my perfect body.’ She’s so talented. Here’s the opening line: “Forty weeks pregnant. I am the moon. The strangers beneath my skin thrash and shift like kittens wrapped in clingfilm and strangers stare at me in horror during my daily commute.”

What blog do you love to read and why?

Because my children are older I don’t tend to read parent blogs, and because I live in a rented house I can’t afford to decorate, I don’t read interior blogs! And I don’t have as much time to read blogs as I’d like, BUT … when I do dip in and out, I tend to go to the HIBS100 index and take pot luck. I also see what’s being shared on social media, and join the bandwagon. Oh, and if I’m looking for a recipe for example, I’ll put a shout out on SM and get people to send links to me. I just need more hours in the day.

Do you do anything differently now to when you started blogging?

My photography skills are marginally better, but I still write as I speak so no, not really. I write what’s on my mind, but i would hope that my writing style has improved somewhat over seven years.

Is blogging what you expected it to be?

I sort of stumbled into blogging really so had no expectations. There are only a few of us old school bloggers left so I take some pride in being one of them, but it’s been fascinating to see blogging become such a Big Thing.

What’s been your favourite blog collaboration to date?

The travel ones are always the best! I loved working with Mark Warner and lots of cruise companies, but my latest travel collaboration, with a solo traveller company called Just You, was brilliant – not only did I get to go to Croatia, but I got to meet a group of wonderful, older, very inspiring people.

Are there any brands you would love to work with, why?

Virgin Holidays, because Barbados. Emirates, First Class obviously. Australian Tourist Board and Land Rover. Oh, and if B&Q are listening, I’d love a complete home makeover, thanks.

Have you had any blogging fails so far?

I’m not sure what really constitutes a ‘fail’ but nope, not yet.

What is your biggest blogging hope, dream or ambition?

To be able to give up the day job and blog full-time. To earn more money, to travel more, to finish writing the damn book and to continue to inspire some of my readers.

What do you do when you’re not blogging?

Work. Cycle, Gym. Camp. Get my nails done. Watch ridiculous YouTube videos with Dexter. Drink Aperol.

and lastly, tell us all a random fact about yourself

I nearly appeared on The Apprentice.

Now that you know all about Kate from WitWitWoo, make sure you go and read her blog. You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – thanks so much Kate for being involved!