I am a…Writer
Thank you to the beautiful Asheritah from One Thing Alone for inviting me to be a part of this Blog Hop! Now it's my turn to share my writing process with you and introduce you to 3 of my blogging buddies. Next week, they will share their answers to these same four questions and introduce you to three of their blogging friends.
I never considered myself a writer. I would start journals, but never continued the habit. As a child I would write and illustrate stories. While on vacation once I wrote and illustrated a story about a mouse family on the little scratch pads they provide at hotels. Every year for Young Authors we had to write stories, but that was about it.
When I started Beauty in the Mess, I wasn't exactly sure where God would take this blog or if it would ever go anywhere. Some days I still feel like I'm talking to myself, but according to Google Analytics, I am far from alone. I even wrote about our journey through infertility in the eBook Infertility: A Silent Struggle & a God Who Hears that you can purchase on Amazon. The enemy still whispers to me that my writing is sub-par and no one will listen. But God is faithful. He has opened many doors to continue to let me share my ideas with you.
And so, now, I can say boldly…
I am a writer.
Let's Get Started
What am I writing or working on?
Of course I am writing for Beauty in the Mess. Although I have cut my writing back quite a bit. You don't want to hear from me 5 days a week, right? Right? Our fourth child was born in March of this year, and I am soaking up all her firsts. We are also gearing up for our first year of homeschooling. Can I really do this? My goal is to write at least one guest post for other blogs each month. So, there's that. Should I tell you what else I'm working on? It's kind of top secret and still in the beginning stages. Shhhh…I'm writing another eBook. This one though is about…you'll have to wait and see.
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
My work only differs from others of its genre because I write through the lens of my experience. You and I could both be given the same topic to write about, but our writings would be different because we write with different voices.
One of my goals for Beauty in the Mess is to have it be a community. I love my community and pray that God would use BITM to further His work through this little bit of cyber world. I genuinely care about my people here and I pray that it shines through in my writings.
Why do I write what I write?
Great question. Ha! My inspiration for writing comes from my daily life. With four littles under the age of 6, life is never boring. There is always something to write about. God is always teaching me something that He wants to be shared. I write about how we use essential oils in hopes of breaking down the reputation that essential oils are only for those who love Mother Nature or hold strongly to the New Age Movement. We use essential oils, and I love Jesus will all my heart. I want to show readers that it is possible to love Jesus and use essential oils to better the health of yourself and your family. I want to encourage the hearts of the people who come to Beauty in the Mess weary and tired from the day to day events of life. I want to inspire them to change for the better. I want to walk alongside readers on their journey towards better health so they can live life fully.
How does my writing process work?
Hmm. Honestly? I sit down with my laptop after I get the kids in bed and try to crank out posts. It used to happen during nap time, but my children are boycotting nap time at the moment. I try to brainstorm during the day, and sometimes I come up with great post ideas that I know I could never forget. Until I forget them. I need to get better at writing them down, or at least making a note in my phone.
There are times when I try to find moments throughout the day to write, but that hasn't been effective. On those days, I find myself being on the laptop most of the day, and I don't spend quality time with my babies. They won't be little forever. There will always be time for writing, but my children are only little once.
Now Let Me Introduce…
That was all about me. Now it's time to introduce you to a few of my blogging friends!
Rebecca Mansfield, mother to four children, is the founder of the blog, Your Modern Family. She is an author of two books: Potty Train in a Weekend and You Can Be a Stay at Home Mom on Income. Becky is a former elementary school teacher and she is currently a certified play therapist, where she works one day a week with children with developmental delays. She holds a degree in elementary education with a concentration in writing, from the University of Pittsburgh. Rebecca, her husband and their four children reside in North Carolina.
Kristi D is a lover of Jesus, wife to a hunk she's known for 23 years, and pregnant mommy to three beautiful little girls and one angel in heaven. As the author of Klover House, and aspiring-entrepreneur / owner of Eden Gray Clothing, she enjoys spending her days enjoying her precious daughters, putting her cooking skills to the test, and growing, one raw moment at a time, as a child of God.
Jacquie is the writer behind My Blessings Homeschool. She and her husband Wayne have four children ages ten, six, four, and one. She loves encouraging her readers in their daily lives as parents, Christians and homeschoolers.
You are Welcome Anytime
Yay! I'm so glad you stopped by today!! Thank you! If you wouldn't mind, please introduce yourself in the comments below. Just tell me about you. What makes you you. I can't wait to get you know you better!
I love this post, Whitney!! I’m so grateful that you spoke about continuing to write as a mother of littles (and that it provides you with plenty of writing material! 😉 And I especially love that you mentioned that you can love Jesus and be into natural health! Also, I would love to see a post on how you get through writer’s block and general tips on being a writer. Thanks!