Blogger Behind the Blog {Life, Love and Dirty Dishes}

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 Claire from Life, Love and Dirty Dishes.

Blogger Behind the Blog {Life, Love and Dirty Dishes}

Here’s Claire with more about her blogging life:

Where did your blog name come from?

I’ve no idea! I knew nothing about blogging when I started and didn’t really give the name much thought.

I suppose the much cooler answer would be to say my blog is about all aspects of parenting. I write about the amusing aspects of life with small people, I write soppy posts about how much I love them, and I also have the occasional rant. That would be the dirty dishes part!

If anyone out there is thinking of starting a blog, make it a short name. You have to type it a LOT!

When did you start your blog and why?

I started in June 2014 when my youngest was 10 weeks old. I have always loved writing but never really found an outlet for it. I started as a complete spur of the moment impulse that really wasn’t given much thought. The little one was sleeping and the husband took the big one to the park leaving me with strict instructions to do something for myself. So I wrote my first blog post!

I went public with it in September 2014 and it’s been a pretty steep learning curve. But I have loved every minute of it (apart from when I went self hosted without having clue what I was doing) and I’ve made some great friends through it.

What did you do before you blogged?

I’ve been a stay at home mum since I had my first son. In my life before kids I worked in Marketing. Mainly on the print side. Lots of copy checking!

What was your first post?

Not telling! I cringe now when I think about it!

What inspires you to blog?

So much. It’s addictive. I love to write. It gives me a sense of self worth that I lost when I became a stay at home mum. And of course my kids, they are the inspiration for most of my posts!

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

I had amazing comments on this post, it’s incredible that your words can have such an impact on people and make them feel less alone and more ‘normal’.

This post was in the top 20 most read posts on HuffPost 2015. I’m proud of that.

This post is something different to my normal style and lots of fun to write. I got in touch with an old friend who did the image for me.

What is your favourite thing about blogging?

It’s really hard to narrow it down. I guess it’s the response to posts. I know that sounds very narcissistic. But I can’t help it! I love it when my writing makes someone laugh after a crappy day, or makes them feel like they are not the only ones struggling with something.

…and your least favourite?

Twitter! I know, I know, blasphemous! But I hate twitter and the etiquette that goes with it. Someone tweets your post. You RT, then tweet them to say “thanks”. They then RT your thanks and respond to say “no problem” and add a comment about your post. Then you RT that and respond to their comment. They then RT your response etc etc etc. There’s not enough hours in the day! And the hours I do have I’d prefer not to spend on twitter.

I love a RT, who doesn’t. But if I RT you, you don’t have to say thanks. So please don’t be annoyed with me if I don’t get round to thanking you. I am grateful and it made me smile, but I need to stop the little one emptying all the kitchen cupboards!

I’m more of a Facebook kind of girl!

What blog do you love to read and why?

It’s really hard to narrow down. I have some favourites on my Blog Love page (mental note made that I need to update this page!)

My favourite at the moment would have to be Five Little Doves. Laura’s writing is so powerful. She always conveys so well how one minute your heart cannot contain your love for your kids, and the next minute they are driving you crazy and you are screaming into a pillow! Laura can make me laugh and cry in a single blog post.

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

I’m a lot more organised now. I do a lot of things differently because I (mostly) know what I’m doing now! I’d never heard of SEO or linkys when I started!

Is blogging what you expected it to be?

No. It’s so much more than I expected. More work, more fun, more rewards.

What’s been your favourite blog collaboration to date?

I did a post for Dementia Friends. My Nan had Alzheimer’s and it was nice to write a little tribute for her.

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

A holiday company would be amazing. Mainly because we can’t afford to go away in the school holidays and I feel really guilty that the boys don’t get a holiday. But who wouldn’t love a ‘free’ holiday!

Have you had any blogging fails so far?

Daily! I only just learnt about image optimisation. Seriously!

What is your biggest blogging hope, dream or ambition?

To make enough money so I don’t have to go back to work. Doing something I love that can be flexible around the kids, and make money from it. That right there is the dream!

What do you do when you’re not blogging?

Play cars, build Lego, eat chocolate or feed my Netflix addiction.

and lastly, tell us all a random fact about yourself

I have a major crush on Ray Winstone.

Blogger Behind the Blog {Life, Love and Dirty Dishes}

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

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One Comment

  1. Love Clare’s blog although don’t get to it often. Can’t believe she doesn’t like twitter – although I get about the RT What I’d like is a like button for RTs then I don’t have to reply.

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