Author: Big Mama

Chilihead is hosting a little 20 questions kind of thing today, except with, you know, about 9 questions instead of 20. I thought it would be fun to finally put to rest all of the questions surrounding the blog that is Big Mama. Plus, I really can’t wait to see what other people have to say because I am nosy, which is evidenced by the fact that I love to read about other people’s lives on a daily basis.

Anyway, here goes. Woo hoo.

How did you start blogging?

Umm, I signed up at blogger.com.

Oh, you want more?

My first introduction to the blog world was purely as a reader. During Caroline’s newborn stage, the computer became my steady companion. There was only so much Days Of Our Lives I could watch, seeing as how the plotlines were essentially the same plotlines I watched in college, so instead of being smart and sleeping when Caroline slept, I got on the world wide web.

I found a Mommy forum for August ’03 mamas and started checking in just to reassure myself that I was normal and not, in fact, having some kind of breakdown. One of the girls on the forum mentioned a blog called Dooce. I started reading and was hooked, because although our beliefs couldn’t be more different, she is a phenomenal writer and made me laugh. Not to mention that our babies were about the same age and I related to many of her thoughts on new motherhood.

However, based on Dooce, I thought blogs were strictly for liberal, cool 20-somethings with alternative viewpoints on life. The idea of actually writing about my life ON THE INTERNET never even occurred to me.

Then, about a year later, I randomly stumbled onto In the Midst of It and then, Boomama. I related to everything about them. Their faith, their families, their friends. So, I thought what the heck? I’ve got some stories and I’ll write them, even if no one ever reads them.

I honestly figured the blog would last a week.

Did you intend to be a blog w/a following? If so, how did you go about it?

Honestly, when I started this blog I figured it would be something fun for Gulley and me to read. My daily goal was to either record a memory of Caroline or to make Gulley laugh. That’s about as ambitious as it got. Do y’all really think I would have called myself Big Mama if I had known more than 10 people would someday call me that?

What do you hope to achieve or accomplish with your blog?

I guess my main goal has always been to make myself a better writer and record memories, plus I thought it might help me get started on the book I’ve always said I’d like to write.

When I go back and read some of my earlier posts, I cringe a little. I think writing is one of those things that gets better with practice. I know that the more I write, the better I write. It makes me work harder to come up with new and creative ways to say, “Today, I cleaned up some poop.”

Have you been successful?

I think I’ve been fairly successful. However, I have my favorite blogs that I read and, honestly, covet their writing skills. There are some amazing writers out in the blog world. And when I read a well turned phrase or punch line, it makes me almost weep with joy…or envy. Or both.

Has the focus of your blog changed since you started blogging? How?

I don’t know that focus and Big Mama really go together.

What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you started?

I don’t know that there is anything I would do differently. At times I wonder if I shouldn’t use Caroline’s name or picture, but I think I do a pretty good job of keeping other aspects anonymous for safety reasons. I asked Gulley the other day if she wanted me to go back and change her name to G in all of my old posts, because I had no idea that anyone other than my friends would read this. Of course, it’s been kind of fun because anyone who knew us in college can figure out immediately who I am when they see Gulley’s name. And the Diamond Darling thing is a dead giveaway for sure.

Do you make money with your blog?

No. However, I have received a roll of paper towels and 2 boxes of cereal. I think these items will definitely help pay Caroline’s college tuition and more than compensate me for the embarrassing things I’ve confessed over the last 11 months.

Does your immediate or extended family know about your blog? If so, do they read it?

All of my family and P’s family know about the blog. I never had any intention of keeping it a secret, but I didn’t tell them when I started it because I didn’t really know that I’d blog for more than a week. Also, I still feel awkward and weird telling people, “Umm, I have this, like website type thing and umm, people read about my life ON THE INTERNET.”

However, everyone has found out about it one way or the other and I think most of them read it sometimes. Even my 89 year old grandmother who has her own laptop and wireless internet. How cool is that? Hi Nanny.

Plus, P has occasionally forwarded out links to posts, primarily the ones about elk hunting or hunting for hogs out of helicopters, to his group of friends. I am proud to say that I may be one of the only mommy blogs to ever be read by members of the U.S. special forces, and assorted other guys in their 20’s and 30’s. I reach all demographics really.

What two pieces of advice would you give to a new blogger?

The best advice was something I read one time that I think was actually from Dooce. Whenever you write something, imagine the last person in the world who you’d want to read it and then assume that some day they will find it. If that’s okay, post away. If not, rethink what you wrote and save yourself the heartache. I have been amazed at the random people from my life that have found me through this blog, which reminds me that you never know who will be reading.

Also, the best way to get traffic is to leave comments on other blogs. Back before I had my own blog, I always wondered if bloggers liked comments or if they got to a point where they didn’t care. I don’t know about everyone else, but I will reveal my inner dork once again, to say that I adore comments. I never get tired of them and let’s be honest, they are sometimes the funniest part of this blog.

Plus, I’ve gotten to the point where I have my list of blogs that I read faithfully and many times the only way I find a new blog is through my comments. If someone leaves a good comment and if P and Caroline will quit telling me they need to eat or need clean clothes or whatever, then I love to go visit my commenters. And if I’m reading someone else’s blog and see a funny comment, I’ll click on it to see who wrote it. So, don’t be afraid to give a shout out.

I hope now that I’ve answered these questions, you will be able to sleep better at night knowing how Big Mama came to be. I will say that it’s been more fun than I ever imagined, and that’s because of y’all. Big love from Big Mama.

Now head on over to Chilihead’s because inquiring minds want to know.