Have you noticed that the type of posts on here have been changing a bit?
This blog used to be 70% crafting, 25% recipes & 5% random blabber. (those are very accurate researched figures. not really.)
Lately though I’ve really enjoyed doing some more thoughtful writing like the milkshake post last week. I also haven’t been able to share the details yet but I’ve been doing some side writing for a website. (it hasn’t ‘officially’ launched yet but when it does have no doubt I’ll be on here begging you to check it out)
Over the last few months I’ve been feeling the desire to take this blog to the next level, in particular, to find a way to turn it into a part-time job. While I love being a stay at home mom I also feel like I really need something outside of my children. I never really had a job that was my ‘passion’ per say but one day it dawned on me that if I’ve been regularly dedicating myself to this blog for over 3 years than maybe this is my passion? I must love it if I’ve been more than willing to do it this long & not make a penny off of it, right?
So I started thinking about what directions I could go…
Advertise- eh, the money is really mediocre until your blog is stupid big & I really don’t want to manage the ads/sponsors. I’ve applied with a few blog publishing companies but when it came time to sign the contract I just couldn’t bring myself to turn my baby over to someone else to pimp it out. For me, it just didn’t feel right.
Write a book- This one is tempting. You build up a group of dedicated readers & then transform your postings into a book, you’ve already got a built in audience so you’re one step ahead of the game. The problem is it’s an enormous amount of work & there’s not really one particular topic that I want to write an entire book about. Not quite the right path either.
Contracted writing- Similar to the book path, you have your dedicated readers on your site that give you the credibility to attract other sites to pay you to write posts for them. I like this one. I love writing & love the idea of being able to take different topics to different audiences.
But I realized I want something more specific…I want a column. I want to write about the honest life of being a mom. The antics, the questions & the pressures of one of the most common yet unappreciated jobs out there.
So I’m going to cut my teeth here on my blog, who better to make your guinea pigs than your friends right? LPM will go a little like this….monday- mommy life post, wednesday- diy/craft/decorating post, friday- recipes & sunday will still be ‘Sunday Love’.
I’m going to build up my portfolio here with you & hopefully with your input I can really find my niche in the writing world. Sam is in school 3 mornings a week & I’ve decided to nanny-share with a friend to watch Sophie for a few hours 2 mornings a week so I can write. It feels like it’s a huge chance I’m taking. Now that the babysitter’s check has to be written I feel like I can’t just toy with the idea anymore. As my wise mom once told me “it’s time to sh@! or get off the pot.”
I don’t know why but I was really torn about whether or not to write about this here but then I figured why not? Why should I keep this a secret? Because I might fail? Well, yeah. There’s that. And that’s pretty freaking scary. People might judge me or doubt me? So what? Screw them. After writing about ‘mommy pills‘ & so many other posts that I was terrified to put out on the internet I’ve realized that the encouragement & support I receive from you guys doesn’t even begin to compare to the downsides of blogging about my life in a no holds back, honest way.
So that’s where I am. What do ya think? (please be nice please be nice please be nice)
I think that sounds like a wonderful idea. It sounds so fun! You never know what kind of influence you will have on people by doing this. Obviously, you’ve got a ton of people who love you already, so I say what the hell! Do what you love and you know that we will love it too.
I say “hurray!” Consider us your bra, in as much as we’re supportive and possibly quite lacy. 🙂
Here’s to teeth cutting! I hope your endeavor is successful.
I think its a fabulous idea! Good Luck! You’ll do great :0)
I must say I’m not the biggest fan on the crafting blogs seeing I’m not a crafting person at all BUT I did actually make my nieces the no sew cape over the weekend and they loved it. I say totally go for it! I got a kick reading about the milkshake disaster. No one is perfect and everyone has crappy days. Plus to get a hint of what your readers like just look at how many people post a comment to the blog that day. That should definitely give you a hint.
Any ideas of what your daughters are going to be for Halloween?!?
I say go for it! I myself am a big fan of writing and although my blog is still very new I enjoy doing it. Its nice to share my feelings and things going on in my life even if no one ever reads it. At least I know I will always have something to look back on. I am a huge fan of your blog and am always telling people about it so you definitely have a fan here! Good luck Natasha!
I loved your milkshake post, I’m also a mom of two little girls and can relate to the craziness of every day life with kids! I can’t wait to see more mommy stories!
I think it’s a FABULOUS idea! I love reading your blog and would happily read any and all future writing projects you work on! Even though I have a full time job, I find myself working on my blog more and more. Do what you love and have fun with it. All of us LPM fans will follow you wherever you go!
I think the writing suits you very well. I enjoy reading your posts and felt moved by your mommy pills post and laughed when I read about your milkshake fiasco. So, if writing is what you’re driven to do, then by all means do it….just do it well and commit to it 100%. Good luck to you and you have to believe in yourself or no one else will.
i say go for it! ill be here reading it all
Good luck. I am hoping to get a lot more disciplined so I can also go this route! I am a huge fan and I wish you the best of luck.
I check in on your blog all the time, always hoping for more “mommy blog” type posts. I am not a crafter… While I envy your talent, I can’t relate much to that part… However, the honesty you write with makes you very relatable. And, unlike some of the bigger mommy bloggers, you don’t present yourself as some sort of local celebrity (when, in fact, you kind of are by marriage). I am excited for Mondays! 🙂
I’m all in!! I love your writing and your real life additions. Sometimes it feels from the other crafty blogs that I read that their lives are perfect. It is nice to know that crap happens to other mommies too! Excited about the changes! I have especially loved your Toms post and the milkshake one (even though I forgot to comment 🙂
Great idea! You are a great writer and have the perfect sense of humor for all us Moms! 🙂
There’s an awesome magazine/blog that was started here in my town and they’re always inviting contributions. It might be worth looking at: http://www.mamalode.com. Good luck!
I think this is terrific! If it doesn’t work out? So what! You’ll never know if you don’t try. And you make an excellent point- this must be your passion to have stuck with it for so long without compensation. I look forward to seeing what new directions this crazy blog-o-sphere takes you!
Congratulations! This is a big step, it’s totally normal for you to feel some apprehension. I can understand what your going through and I think this is a good way to go about it! Thanks for sharing your plans with us, I think you’ll do great! And even if you don’t, we all will still love you, and read your posts, and comment, and won’t look at you any differently. And you’ll be better off for it for having put forth the effort! 🙂
Congratulations! This is a big step for you! Thank you for sharing your plans with us, I think this is a great idea! It’s normal to feel some apprehension and I understand how you feel. You do such a good job, and I think this is a good way to go about your plans. You’ll do fine, and even if you don’t, we will still be here, your faithful followers. We will still come back, read your posts, comment, love you all the same. We won’t look at you any differently. Good luck! 🙂
You go girl! omg…did i really just say that?? My kids are going to seriously vomit all over me one day when I pull out “old lady” quotes like that. Anyways, good for you!
Good for you, hun! The worst that could happen is it doesn’t work out, or it does and you wind up not liking it as much as you’d though, either way you’ll learn from the experience. The best that could happen is that it does and you love it and you all live happily ever after!
LOVE it! Shows people that you ARE real and that you aren’t in it for the money… Okay, well, the money part WOULD be nice, but hey, it’ll come when its time.
Seriously though, you give me hope as a mom! I work part-time, clean/cook/educate my 1 year old when I’m home, and am expecting in February! I’ve learned through lots of talks with other moms and some of the amazing things you’ve shared through your blog that it’s OKAY to screw up. Being a mom doesn’t mean being perfect, because perfection is unattainable with a kid, (let alone two) without a death wish.
Yay, that is exciting for you! It will work out!!
And i love mommy pills, i really do…. 🙂
I LOVE LPM, and I get on everyday just to see the funny stories you have about your kids/parenthood, or to get new great recipes, or the AWESOME crafts/project ideas I can do with my kids. I think a column is a great idea. I like how you keep it real, and you have a lot of humor in your writing.
I like your idea of doing something different each day, especially since I like to get soo many ideas from your site.
I think you are great, and I hope that you find what you really want to do, and I am sure it will all work out for you! Thanks for taking the time to give us all great ideas for our families 🙂
It’s not a bad idea if you really wanna try it! Why not? It’s hard to get up and going in the blogging world. So many awesome blogs out there that are huge and I’m not sure how many fans you have. Posting it here for advice? Hmm..good way to get clients I guess! Good luck
I think it’s a great idea. I think your blogs are funny and playful. If we all could only do things we love life would be more enjoyable and less stressful. I love the way to tell your stories…almost like you are sitting down having a conversation with a friend. i’ll be waiting…lol. Good luck.
omg im so excited for you 🙂 ur such an inspirations and like some of the moms here im not a crafty person BUT u give me the push to want to try lol but i love ur mom post and i would love to go ur path one day as soon as i become disciplined enough to write on my blog everyday lol cuz being a mom is definitely a roller coaster and there are alot of moms that are always lookin for relatable mommys like u!
I say Go for it, Mama! I just read your Mommy Pills post and I think one of the signs of a great writer is the willingness to share and connect. Your honesty with that post (which we can ALL relate to!) was really wonderful and I know you helped so many people.
I recently just “met” you via the Sunday Afternoon Crafts project, but when I read your “About” section and a few of your posts–I knew I was reading something from someone special. This is a great blog and I think you are SUPER talented. I think a DIY blogger doesn’t have to just blog about DIY stuff. You also are a real person with real views (I can relate here) and I think YOUR point of view and perspective is one that people adore and can relate to! 🙂
GO FOR IT!!! you’re going to do great. i’m not even a mom (or married) but i love your blog…everybody will too!!!
Good for you! I think honest stories about mommy-hood are few and far-between. Lord knows I don’t share the rough times on my blog! But I am always grateful for the moms who do share. It is SOOO important for us to know we’re not alone. I personally follow your blog specifically for the crafty posts, but I always enjoy reading about your little girls, your own personal joys and struggles. It makes me think, “If Natasha struggles with life, and she’s a super mom, super wife, super crafter, maybe I’m not so bad after all!”
Truly I am surprised you haven’t done this yet! You are a great writer, and have such a witty way with words. You’re honest and you put it all out there, but in a way that’s never offensive. You put a tremendous amount of time and effort into your blog… it should be making you money honey!
Go for it! I love reading you blog because its soooo real, not covered in glitter as you would say. In fact I describe to my husband that following blogs like yours is like reading a magazine but tailored made for just me. Its scary to dedicate yourself to something, but as my son says “have a go, you never know!” As, Krista , who left a comment above said, we totally appreciate those who share the rough times on blogs as it helps us to deal with our own crap! enjoy it x
I’ll read whatever you write! I love your style and think you have a very interesting take on life/mommyhood/children. You go girl!
That sounds wonderful! Congratulations on making that decision. I know you won’t regret it. Sophie will also love her play time while you get some time to do fun passionate things that you enjoy. Good luck and it sounds great! 🙂