When my fellow blogger and friend Yalanda invited me to participate in her Tour Through Blogland, I was thrilled to take part! I love reading about the behind-the-scenes of other bloggers, and it’s always fun (and a helpful process!) to think about mine.
What am I working on?
Besides the many, many drafts I am constantly trying to update (I’m embarrassed to tell you the number–it’s that many!), I’m also working on learning the basics of web design so I can re-do my site! There’s so much to learn but it’s fun, too, and I’m hoping to do an overhaul soon. So, stay tuned!
How does my work differ from others in its genre?
This is a difficult one! I think my blog is different because not only does it cover my most recent life change of moving abroad, but I try to incorporate travel stories from my entire life. Of course, it’s also from my point of view, which I certainly consider unique. Despite the many other expat and travel bloggers out there, it’s still out of the norm to leave home behind and set out the see the world, too!
Why do I write/create what I do?
Traveling is just my thing–I feel most myself and “at home” on the road more than anywhere else. I’ve also been writing stories and journal entries and poems for as long as I can remember, so it’s a natural way to combine both of the things I can’t stop doing, no matter where else my career path has taken me.
How does my writing/creating process work?
I used to wait to write or take pictures until inspiration hit me. I soon learned if I want to write consistently, I can’t wait until the mood strikes! There are times after long days of teaching where inspiration is nowhere to be found. I’m working on making a schedule, but I spend at least an hour or two a day looking through my photos for inspiration, editing old drafts, thinking of ideas, and just writing posts, even if I don’t publish them. It also helps to look through other bloggers to keep my motivation and interest alive.
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Now, I introduce you two to of my fellow bloggers that I always find inspiring and fun to read: Tina and Carly!
Hey! I’m Tina from Girl Meets Globe. My love of exploring began at an early age while growing up in Alaska. I dreamt of taking that exploration further to Europe. I met my husband in Texas and a few years later we found ourselves in Europe. We’ve been expats for a decade and a half and have called Russia, Czech Republic, Spain, Austria and now England home. I started blogging when we adopted our daughter in Czech Republic and then had twins in Prague a short time later. Moving, language learning, cultural experiences, travel, exploring the area around us, sometimes food, my attempt to be a little crafty and family life in general are what you’ll find at Girl Meets Globe.
Hi! I’m Carly from Let Us Wanderlust, where I document my life, loves and all the simple things that make this life of mine so wonderful! I live in a small, peaceful country town in Queensland, Australia, with my wonderful fiancé Tyrone. We recently returned from six months of full-time overseas travel and are now navigating life in our rural slice of countryside paradise. Originally, I began Let Us Wanderlust to chronicle our adventures abroad and keep in touch with friends and family at home. Now I share all the things that make me happy in life and the little moments and joys that make our life together so wonderful. You’ll find stories and photographs from our travels, snippets from our day-to-day lives in Queensland, Australia, recipes I’m currently loving, outfits I’m currently wearing, projects I’m currently DIYing and the love I have for the simple things in life. Thanks for having me, Amy!
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I hope you enjoyed this little tour through blogland–and thanks again to Tina and Carly!
I started making a schedule and it has really helped me out. Also only planning three posts a week has worked much better for me versus trying to bust out five posts each week. Love these behind the scene looks!
I totally agree! I used to post 5 days a week, I could never do that now! There are simply not enough hours in the day!
I don’t think I’ve ever posted a full five days–but I certainly feel guilty when I post less than two!!
I agree Kaelene! Less is definitely better for me too. Way more manageable, way less stressful! Xo
It really is! When I try and add more posts I just end up stressed and feel like I am not putting up good content!
Thanks! 🙂 and thanks for the tips. I really need to schedule! I’m just so unorganized, sigh. Your blog is so organized and put together!!
Awe thanks, it is an organized chaos behind the scenes!
Good luck on the re-design. It’s a lot of work, but I enjoy dabbling in it. It’s fascinating to me! I’ve been trying to schedule more too. It does seem to help! And I also have too many drafts to count!! 🙂
I forgot to say! Thanks for the nomination/feature!!
I’m glad I’m not the only one! I read a blog the other day where she said “can you believe I have almost 50 drafts?” and since I have waaay more than that I was embarrassed, haha. And of course! Thank you for participating!!
Now that I put it out in blog world I really need to finish that re-design ;). it’s very interesting but time-consuming!!!
Ooh, I love those two blogs! Good luck with the redesign! X
Thank you Holly! So sweet XO
Aw, thank you!!
Thank you! 🙂
I just began following Carly’s blog and I’m already in love! Can’t wait to read Tina’s too! Thanks for introducing us! I need to get on a blogging schedule. I always know what days I’m going to post but having ideas waiting for me would be so much more helpful!
Oh thank you Yalanda! That’s so lovely of you to say 🙂 I just love getting to know you and your blog too! I agree – I’m trying to be better about getting a schedule together these days but it can still be quite a struggle some weeks!
Thanks again Amy! Xo
Thanks for joining 🙂 so happy you’re meeting new bloggers! xo
I’ve been following them for a long time–great blogs!
I hear ya on the schedule. Although, I don’t usually know days (except Tuesday ha) OR ideas! I’m a hot mess ;). I’m amazed at how wonderful and organized your blog is when you have such long work days! Are you superwoman??
lol, I certainly don’t feel like superwoman! I feel like I’m running around like a mad woman!
Good luck with the redesign! If you need any help, feel free to send a message 🙂 Haha, I have tons of drafts too – since I just write whatever I feel like that day, it’s nice to have options!
I might have to take you up on that! Now that I’ve said it on blog land I really need to follow through. I find it interesting but time-consuming and I barely have time to blog to begin with…I guess this is why there are designers. I see you’ve started designing, too–congratulations!
Thanks! I’m tentatively starting, mostly because new projects are a good way to keep learning stuff. Go ahead and ask anytime if you have questions 🙂
Love these posts! Happy to find more blogs to read 🙂 And good luck with the redesign, I’m terrible at that sort of stuff so it always takes me ages!
Yay happy to have you here! It’s a lot of work and who knows when the redesign will actually happen, ha, but I do enjoy playing.
I do like these kinds of posts! I’m a bit of an ‘when inspiration strikes’ person too, but I try to write on my Sundays and prep everything for the whole week. In the evenings, by the time I’ve got home from work, I just don’t feel in the mood for writing.
Looking forward to seeing the re-design!
That’s so organized of you! I need to do that, too–just devote a day to writing! My evenings always end up being full of blog stuff after already long days and I start to get burnt out.