Today, I am participating in the second annual
Pet Blogger Challenge, an exercise (in answering a list of questions) designed to build camaraderie within the pet blogging community, as well as - as I see it - to provide honest (and if necessary, blunt) insight to others, who might just be starting out or for whom sharing similar success and/or frustration with maintaining a pet-related blog would be
therapeutic beneficial. (In lay terms: You might feel better about yourself after reading this.) Thank you to Edie at
Will My Dog Hate Me and Amy at
GoPetFriendly.com for arranging this special event.
The Chronicles of Cardigan was only two weeks old during the 2011 challenge, so this is my first time participating.
Here goes.
When did you begin your blog?
December 29, 2010
What was your original purpose for starting a blog?
To share my pets - especially the dogs, Jon Farleigh and Dewi - with the world. I'd also hoped to slide in a few humorous no-pet-content (kids, life, etc.) posts as well. That is why I didn't name the blog something blatantly pet-related, and why my tag line includes the words "a smattering of everything."
Is your current purpose the same?
I haven't written a post without pet content since last Mother's Day and can count on one hand the number of cat-only posts since then. Other than that, yes.
The reason why I don't write about life and cats more often? Hardly anyone reads those posts, and I feel like I'm talking to myself. Well, that and the dogs' lives are more interesting to write about.
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One of my early captions:
[In the vet's parking lot.]
Dewi to Jon: "Hey, dude, how's my drivin?"
Jon to Dewi: "I think we're parked, man."
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Do you blog on a schedule or as the spirit moves you?
On a schedule.
If the former, how often — and what techniques do you use to stick to it?
Unless otherwise announced in advance, I post every weekday. I posted seven-days-a-week until last March.
I gave up weekends because my family time was suffering. I continue to post each weekday for a few reasons:
- I can. I'm a stay-at-home parent of school-aged kids.
- It's fun (unless I've suddenly got a busy day, like today, in which case, I might stress out and want to drop kick the blog out the window, because I can't bring myself to miss a day unannounced). For the record, however, I have NO problem scheduling time off, when needed.
- No one has complained.
- I get consistent blog traffic each day. Read: Somebody must think it's worth a click and glance.
- I have a few dear, dear readers who've shared that they visit every day (and miss me when I'm on a break).
- It has done wonders for my confidence and writing skills, in that order.
Other than the tinge of guilt I might feel for missing a day or two, I think treating the blog as less of a personal memoir, and more like an entertainment venue (or vocation - I'm totally serious), helps me to stick to a schedule.
Are you generating income from your blog?
Yes, I'm a member of the
BlogHer|BlogPaws Publishing Network. (I've written about this before,
here.) I earn a small (emphasis on small) commission for each page load (when there is a paid ad available). When there is no paid ad available, a pet-related public service ad appears in its place.
And here's the part where I'm going to be brutally honest:
I don't earn nearly enough. The fact is, when/if I need to re-enter the workforce, I will have to cut (way) back the blogging, and that makes me sad.
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| We would like a new, LARGER chair included in our 2012 contract. |
What do you like most about blogging in general and your blog in particular (bragging is good!)?
Yes, it's cliche, but it's the instant connection with other, like-minded people. I don't know too many other pet-crazed, poop joke-loving people in real life. [big smile] Well, that and I like to create things with words. And I'm a wise-cracking ham. Who's quiet as a church mouse in person.
Why do I like my blog? Because I can be a pet-crazed, poop joke-telling, wise-cracking ham, while hiding behind my computer screen. Have I mentioned how much I love my blog friends/readers?
What do you like least?
The fact that I gained 10 pounds from sitting too much, followed closely by feeling chained to the computer at times - especially during summer.
How do you see your blog changing/growing in 2012?
I blog by the seat of my pants some days, so I'm having a hard time with this question. Although, I have been toying around with making some Jon Farleigh and Dewi t-shirts - for the die hard fans (all five of us).
THANKS FOR READING, Y'ALL!
