Blogger Behind the Blog {Even Angels Fall}

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 Emma-Louise from Even Angels Fall.

Here’s Emma-Louise with more about her blogging life:

Where did your blog name come from?

I had a nickname when I was younger of Fallen Angel. My blog name ‘Even Angels Fall’ is a play on this. I also happen to love the song of that title, which features in the film 10 Things I Hate About You (although it does make me sad every time I hear it because of Heath Ledger)

When did you start your blog and why?

I started my first blog in January 2011 soon after having my first baby. I have always loved writing and I wanted a way to discuss things in a public forum. I loved writing my blog but decided to start a new one after my first marriage broke down, as I wanted a fresh start. I started my current blog in September 2015

What did you do before you blogged?

I am currently on maternity leave and work in the events industry as a wedding coordinator. I have been building my career in this industry alongside blogging, although now I think I’m at a stage where I want to focus more on my writing

What was your first post?

My first post on Even Angels Fall was about visiting the National Wedding Show and deciding on Santorini as our wedding destination

What inspires you to blog?

I know it’s a cliche as a lifestyle blogger but it really is my own life which inspires me. It might be a conversation with a friend, something the children have said or done, a beauty product I’ve recently used or the way I feel about my body.

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

The post I’m most proud of is about my first marriage ending. It was written on a car journey to County Durham to visit my brother one night and it is totally raw and honest and from the heart. I am also proud of myself for writing about the way a doctor treated me when I tried to talk about my depression, as it was awful and needed to be brought to light.

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

There have been several along the way which I thought would have resonated with more people. Sometimes the posts I expect nobody to really read are the ones that the most people tend to comment on. You can never really tell

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

As I’m hoping to build my blog up more I would like to see my followers having increased, not just on the blog itself but via social media channels. I hope to continue writing my own things alongside reviews and collaborations with companies as I’ve started incorporating in the past 9 months or so.

What is your favourite thing about blogging?

My favourite and least favourite are probably the same thing. I love the community there is with blogging, that you can always speak to somebody who understands and is able to ‘get’ what you’re saying…

…and your least favourite?

But then there’s an ugly side to the community at times. Secret conversations between bloggers where other bloggers are torn down for things they’ve done which ‘isn’t right’, the walking on eggshells mentality when it comes to what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ blogging etiquette, and the fear that some people might not be who they appear to be, the worry they might be putting on an act… Having said that, the good more often than not outweighs the bad and blogging has also given me a voice, a platform from which I can write about anything and everything I want to

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

I read Laura’s account of baby loss with tears in my eyes. It was such an honest and raw post but so important as it was bringing awareness to ‘kicks count’, something which may have saved Benjamin’s life. I have yet to come across a post that touched me as deeply as this one did.

What blog do you love to read and why?

I always without fail read Hannah Gale’s blog and have done for the past couple of years. Her style of writing is amazing and she can make a sponsored post totally her own. I also love Kirsty Dee’s posts as she’s so open and honest, and I also really enjoy reading Amy Being Mum’s blog  and watching her videos.

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

I take more photos, which isn’t a bad thing as it means I have more memories to look back on when the children are older. I tend to take more photos of them and less of me though, and I think I should probably try and get in the photos more.

Is blogging what you expected it to be?

Blogging has changed a lot over the years. Whereas when I first started my initial blog there weren’t that many people with a blog, it’s now a totally over saturated market and sometimes it can feel impossible to compete with so many other people writing, but I try and remember why I got into blogging, my love of writing, and I try and write things I like to write about, and would like to read about.

What’s been your favourite blog collaboration to date?

I loved working with Hotter Shoes. It’s a company I had only really ever perceived as being for ‘older women’ but this was totally turned on its head by the team. Not only did I end up with my most comfortable shoes to date, I also got to go on the pier zip and had a delicious meal and cocktails with the team.  It’s definitely been one of my most favourite blogging events to date.

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

I am a total beauty lover and would really like to work with more beauty brands in the coming months. I generally review products I’ve bought myself at the moment, but working with some of the brands I love on collaborative posts would be a dream come true. I would also love to work with the clothing brands I already love as I was a model once upon a time and still love dressing up in front of the camera from time to time.

Have you had any blogging fails so far?

I’ve fallen into the trap of accepting any review going in the past. Just before Christmas I had so many reviews lined up I totally started stressing out as we were also due to move house just after new year. I ended up with post upon post scheduled with reviews of products that, although lovely, just weren’t necessarily the right fit for my blog. Fortunately I learnt my lesson and I generally will only accept a review if it’s genuinely an item I would buy myself or would love to be able to buy myself

What is your biggest blogging hope, dream or ambition?

I would love to have more people reach out and tell me they enjoy reading my blog. It’s so lovely to hear from people my posts have helped, or where my words have resonated with somebody, but one day I hope to have followers who not only read and comment on the odd post but who will come back day after day – I guess that’s the dream for me – a loyal following of people who love what I write enough to keep coming back for more

What do you do when you’re not blogging?

I’m run off my feet with the three kids at the moment. I try and read as much as possible, whether it’s other blogs, magazines, or books. I also try and exercise as much as I can as it really does help keep my depression in check

and lastly, tell us all a random fact about yourself

My biggest claim to fame is meeting Keira Knightley in a members only bar in London when I was 20. Unfortunately I totally embarrassed myself and I cringe when I remember it, but still, I got to dance bum to bum and chat with a famous actress so I guess it’s not all bad!

Now that you know all about Emma-Louise from Even Angels Fall, make sure you go and read her blog. Make sure you follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram too. Thanks so much Emma-Louise for being involved!