Blogivation

I’m a work-at-home, homeschooling Mom of 4 (soon to be 5) who lives on a small hobby farm with my husband. I blog and freelance for private and corporate sites, and have done a little magazine work.

What blogs do you do?

Lille Punkin’ Reviews (a family review blog since 2007)

The Freelance Farmer (my new blog on hobby farming and freelance writing)

I also blog for WiseBread.com, and I’m their community manager

You can see all my work at Knerl Enterprises

What is the meaning behind/How did you come up with the name of you blogs?

Like many people, I’m just struck with inspiration. Usually in the shower. For my own blogs, I’ll have an “a-ha” moment similar to how I get post or articles ideas. Of course, I have no say for the blogs that I regularly write for that are not my own

What motivations drove you to start blogging/vlogging?

I started blogging as a way to keep busy when my husband lost his job, and I had a new baby. When I figured out there was a business behind it, I went full force into applying for blogging gigs. I wrote for corporate sites doing blog posts and articles (The Learning Annex, American Greetings, etc.) while I built up my own blogs and helped grow WiseBread.com

I’m motivated by money, sure. But then there are those days when I really want to communicate something important, and blogging is the best way possible!

What motivations keep you blogging today?

I keep blogging now, because it’s part of my full-time professional writing business. About 30% of what I earn is blogging income. The rest is consulting, more traditional “copy” writing, and social media/community management fees. I recently started another personal blog because I missed that element of my day. You can’t write for everyone else all the time.

What future projects are you workings on?

In addition to my newest blog “The Freelance Farmer,” I’m basically waiting around to have another baby! (That’s not exactly true.. I rarely “wait” for anything.) I’m still working with some of the same clients that have been wonderful to work with in the past, including Tom’s Guide, Red Plum, and My Life Scoop. I’m also working on some speaking opportunities, but of course, they have to be “new baby” friendly

Which blogger inspires you the most?

I am totally awe-inspired by those that can open up in their blogs in a personal way and not care what other people think. Arianne from “To Think Is To Create“  says the most beautiful, truthful things. She writes in a way that I don’t think I could ever.

What are some of your favorite blogs to read and watch?

Out of necessity, I follow over 300+ personal finance blogs for my community position at WiseBread.com. This means I have MANY favorites. I really like those that I stumble across that have nothing to do with work or money. I love blogs on organizing, cooking, and crafting — even though I don’t do much of that stuff. It just makes me feel good to know that there are so many talented people out there sharing — not keeping all the good stuff to themselves! Some super-duper ones:

Mom Advice

Being Frugal

Stuff Christians Like

Cake Wrecks

Sometimes you just need a laugh, too

Name one thing that you have learned from blogging?

The rules change all the time, but some things will always be true (like good content trumps everything else, and you can always delete stuff you wish you never said.) Just remember, there are screen shots and cached pages. Double-check your posts, and then check them again!

What randomness would you like to share with the world?

Blogging helps me clear my head (even if I’m working on a boring piece on credit card rates) and allows me to have some “me” time. When I’m writing, I imagine I look like a zombie… but my family is used to it by now.