How We Blog is a new series that reveals the blogging habits of some of my favorite bloggers.
Next up: Melisa from The Lil Bee.
1. Please describe your blog and your reason for creating it.
I started my blog, The Lil Bee, as a creative outlet. At the time, the only two blogs I had read were Perez Hilton and my friend Dennis’s. I had no idea how huge the blogging community was, or how many different genres there were. The Lil Bee became my place to write creatively everyday about whatever interested me—friends and family, design, photography, fashion—pretty much the same things that comprise my blog today.
The day that I got my first comment, I was shocked. I hadn’t told anyone about my blog, except for my husband and my best friend, so I thought it was one of them playing a joke on me. How could someone know about my blog if I hadn’t told them about it?! Looking back, I was so naïve. Then a friend introduced me to Design*Sponge. I started reading it daily and eventually clicked through from the comment section to some of the blogs that piqued my interest. Before I knew it I had dozens of daily reads and had become part of this amazing community.
2. Where do you find inspiration for your posts?
Usually I find inspiration from my everyday life. I have a couple of ongoing series’ right now—my Domino the Book of Decorating design challenge, and my Bee’s Stimulus Package—so those keep me busy. Plus, I love fashion and photography, so I find inspiration on shopping sites, flickr, ffffound, and We Heart It.
3. Please tell me a little bit about your blogging habits.
I write one or two posts per day. Anything more overwhelms me. Usually I write at night and then tweak my post when I get into work. If I come across something during the day, I post that, as well.
4. How many other blogs do you read a day? What are some of your favorites?
It varies. On weekends I catch up on all my favorite blogs. To be honest, there are a couple hundred that I keep tabs on regularly. I would be lost without my Google Reader. My absolute favorites are the ones listed on my blogroll, a.k.a. Nectar.
5. What do you love the most about blogging?
I love that blogging has opened so many doors for me. In the year since I launched The Lil Bee, I have met some amazingly talented people, been involved in some really inspirational projects—like Mankind Mag, Erin Loechner’s monthly online publication, and followed through on my commitment to write something, anything, each and every day. I’ve even launched a second blog, Feather, which offers daily fashion inspiration, based on the weather (Fashion + Weather = Feather). I feel more fulfilled, having a creative outlet, and am more confident in my ability to set and achieve my goals.
Thank you, Melisa, for your thoughtful answers!
I’m always looking for more great blogs to highlight. If you would like to be a part of the How We Blog series, please contact me: pj at somewhereinmiddleamerica dot com.