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 Clare from Mumsy Midwife.
Here’s Clare with more about her blogging life:
Where did your blog name come from?
I started my blog when I was a pregnant midwife so it seemed an obvious name choice considering the point I was at in life.
When did you start your blog and why?
I started when I was about 34 weeks pregnant because I felt I had an unusual perspective having been a midwife for years before I had a baby.
What did you do before you blogged?
Full time NHS midwifery.
What was your first post?
What inspires you to blog?
My daughter, which is so cliche! I hated writing at school and detested essays at Uni, but the second I started writing blog posts I fell in love with everything about blogging. Now I’m addicted. If she hadn’t have been born I would never have started a blog. So I owe every bit of success to her.
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’ve had the best response with is called “The fresh hell that is swimming” and to this day, is still my most viewed post.
The post I’m most proud of is one I wrote recently about the taboo behind taking medication for mental health. I’m not ashamed to say I have a cocktail of medication every day and that it saved my life.
Back when my daughter was born I also wrote a post about her being admitted to hospital at 2 weeks old. Up until my previous post, this was the one I was most proud of
The one I enjoyed writing most has to be about the crime aficionados that are the Twirlywoos.
Have any of your posts not had the response that you expected?
Well, my most shameful post is one about poo spray. In the early days when I was thrilled to review anything, I had to find 300 words to write about this spray that masks the smell of your poo. To this day I’ve never forgiven myself for accepting that opportunity.
Where do you see your blog in a year’s time?
I’m hoping to grow over the next 12 months, I would love to take on another day at home self employed and cut my hours at my job. My main target is to get my DA above 30, at the moment it’s 29 so wish me luck!
What is your favourite thing about blogging?
It has to be the freedom it gives you. Yes, it’s hard work and you need to be dedicated, but it is a hobby that improves my mental health and also helps pay the bills. I couldn’t ask for anything more perfect.
…and your least favourite?
Followers, I find trying to grow a honest following which you can engage with so difficult. When I work 12 hour days I just don’t have time to be consistent on social media every day; I can tell my following suffers because of it.
What’s the best blog post you have ever read?
It has to be the post series my friend Jenny from Midwife and Life wrote about “The gift I couldn’t keep” about her daughter Amy and Tay Sachs disease. I cried like a baby for the whole series.
What blog do you love to read and why?
My favourite blog now is Harriet’s blog, she makes me laugh with every post and I would love to have a wall like hers to take Instagram pictures in front of!
Do you do anything differently now to when you started blogging?
Yes, pretty much everything. I understand so much more about SEO and social media, along with my actual writing. In the two years since I started Mumsy Midwife I have learnt more than I ever thought possible, I cringe at my old posts now.
Is blogging what you expected it to be?
No, not at all. I thought it would be a cut throat and backstabbing industry with other bloggers being out to get each other. I could never have imagined that it was such a friendly and supportive community and I’ve got so many amazing friendships from just being on Facebook groups. I met my bestie Daniella from Madame Gourmand at a blogging conference and we live less than a mile away from each other. Our children are boyfriend and girlfriend (well, as much as they can be at 2 and 4 years old).
What’s been your favourite blog collaboration to date?
It has to be with AO.com, I have reviewed a cordless vacuum and food processor for them. Both of them would be so out of my price range to buy so I now have two things that are used daily/weekly that I’d never have been able to afford.
Are there any brands you would love to work with, why?
I’d love to work with Royal Caribbean. I am a cruise addict and collaborating with them would be a dream come true.
Have you had any blogging fails so far?
It has to be reviewing the poo spray, again. I will never get over that.
What is your biggest blogging hope, dream or ambition?
My main ambition is cliche, I want to blog full time and give up employment, but I don’t think that will ever happen. My biggest dream is to be a panellist on The Wright Stuff one day, I wonder if that will ever happen?
What do you do when you’re not blogging?
I’m usually at work doing midwifey things. But if I’m at home I’m often drinking wine and knitting in front of the TV.
and lastly, tell us all a random fact about yourself
I have been in 3 operas (although I cannot sing) and appeared on stage in Las Vegas with Penn & Teller whilst they threw knives at me.
Now that you know all about Clare from Mumsy Midwife, make sure you go and read her blog. You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – thanks so much Clare for being involved!
