Why I write {blog hop}

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For me writing is cathartic. I can work through my feelings a lot better when I see them on a page (or screen) in front of me. Its like a huge brain dump and god knows I need a bucket load of brain dumps having been through what I have in life.

I write to record my memories. In a way my childhood was cut short the moment that dad died when I was 10. Unfortunately we didn't spend much time with our parents before then because of school and their business. If I had've known something horrible like that was going to happen I would've tried so hard to make more lasting memories. The thing I miss most in life is not having many memories of dad and not having many memories of us together as a family. My relationship with my mum has also been strained and shes not huge on talking about the past or being affectionate so I feel I've missed out there too. I'm determined to write my memories down so that in the future if they happen to fade I have a place to go where they can be brought back to life. It's also a backup if, god forbid, something ever happened to me my daughter would have a record of my thoughts so she wouldn't need to go through life wondering what I was like, the way I have with dad.

I write to leave a footprint. I have a deeply engrained desire to leave my footprint on the world. It stems from my childhood. I feel like when my dad died his memory died too. Apart from my immediate family I doubt many other people know anything about him or even know he existed. Its like he just vanished and nobody noticed. I don't what that to happen to me. I don't want to save the world, but I do hope to leave some kind of tiny legacy behind - even if it's just this little blog and my family.

Now for the blog hop questions...

What am I working on?

I'm working on so many things for July. We have a very special birthday coming up so I'm knee deep in party planning (and its going to be EPIC, just sayin) so that will definitely be featuring on the blog at some point. I have a number of awesome products lined up for Mummy Must Haves and as always I have my 52 weeks of memories photography posts on Wednesdays each week. I also have a couple of really exciting partnerships coming up in the next few months. As well as doing a few guest posts. Phew, somewhere in there I have to look after my 11 month old and try to sleep!

How does my writing differ from others in my genre?

I've had a lot of feedback from readers that they appreciate that my posts are so honest. I always thought that everybody wrote that way, but I'm guessing from the comments I get that not everyone does? I write my posts as if I'm talking directly to a friend or reflecting on a memory. They're raw and not sugar coated. I also post about topics that aren't generally discussed in everyday conversations (like infertility and depression). I guess maybe people appreciate the fact that I'm not afraid to tell it like it is and lay my soul bare in a way.

Why do I write what I do?

Being a personal blogger all my inspiration comes directly from my life. Unfortunately my life has been touched in many negative ways, but also in many good ways. I write about both.

I don't hide the bad because I don't want people (including my daughter) to think life is all rainbows and fairies and that nothing bad ever happens. I also want her and others to understand why I am the way I am. I don't hide the bad because it has made me who I am today. I share my stories because I have triumphed over the bad times. I want others to know they can too.

I also write about the good. Because frankly my blog would be depressing if I didn't, but also everybody needs a little hope. There were times in my life I've thought that there wasn't anything good to look forward to, then everything changed for the better. I want others to know that they can have that chance too. I want people to know that despite the pitfalls in life there's always something to look forward to.

How does my writing process work?

Ha, there's meant to be a process? I say that in jest! I have a very loose process. Most of my posts (ok all of them) are written on my laptop on my couch. Either late at night when I should be taking advantage of baby free time and sleeping; or during the day when the baby is sleeping on my lap. I generally plan what I'm going to write at least a week before, but sometimes there are spur of the moment posts when I get an awesome idea and can get it typed up super quick. But, given I have a baby who dictates how I spend most of my day, it takes all kind of miracles for that to happen.

I always remember being taught how to construct an essay in English class so I tend to keep that in mind when I write a blog post. I like everything to have a beginning, middle and end. Sometimes I may not hit the mark completely, but I aim to. Then I spend hours editing and over analysing my own work (please tell me other people do this too).


Who's next? 

I've asked 3 of my favourite bloggers to play along.

Emma writes at Five Degrees of Chaos. Emma's a mum to five gorgeous girls Maya, Sienna, Mercedes, Chiara and Rosalia. She shares stories about her large family and what its like raising five girls (two of which unfortunately have serious health problems). You'll find recipe's, great photography, parenting tales and an insight into what its like having children with anxiety and epilepsy.

Peta writes at Great Googa Moogas. Peta is a mum of seven! 3 boys and 4 girls (and also angel baby Logan). Peta writes about her large family and shares money and sanity saving tips to help other mums and families. With seven kids shes got A LOT of hints to pass on.

Maria writes at Mummy Goes Mad. Maria is mum to Locky and has another on the way. I feel like I can relate to her being the same age and our babies are relatively close in age. Maria is relatively new on the blogging scene and I've enjoyed reading her blog, you should check it out if you haven't already.

Thanks to Lauren for nominating me, now I'm passing the blog hop baton over to you ladies.


Toni xx


Linking up with Jess