Mommybloggers dish with Elizabeth
Mommybloggers: How did you get into blogging? Have you always been a writer?
Elizabeth: I started blogging in August of 2005 while on bedrest with my third pregnancy. I had started noticing that blogs were being mentioned online and in magazines, so I started reading them. My first blog was Dooce, then Fussy and Finslippy. I wanted to see how easy it was to get a blog, so I logged in to Blogger and created one. And that was how I got hooked. As for being a writer, I was an English Major in college, so I wrote hundreds of papers over four years. I had two professors in particular that were very hard on me, made me really think about the process of writing. I guess I have them to thank!
Mommybloggers: Now be honest, how many times a day do you think about blogging?
Elizabeth: Oh, this is embarassing. I think about blogging ALL THE TIME. There are days where I log in at 8:00 a.m. and spend literally the whole day writing, commenting, posting, replying to emails, building up my traffic, giving reciprocal links, and thinking about post topics. I think about blog topics while doing housework, while driving in the car, sometimes as I'm falling asleep at night. Seriously, it's an addiction.
Mommybloggers: We have to ask – what do you think about the term "Mommyblogger?" Do you embrace it, or reject it?
Elizabeth: I'd like to answer this question by asking you to click this link. I wrote this post the day I got back from BlogHer '06, and it is all about how proud I am to be a Mommyblogger!
Mommybloggers: Tell us about your background. What kind of kid were you? Where did you grow up? When you looked into your future, what did you want to be?
Elizabeth: I grew up the youngest of three children. My Mother was an elementary school teacher, and my Father started out as a Junior High School teacher, and then spent the rest of his career working for the Michigan Education Association and the National Education Association. We moved around a lot as my Dad took different job positions, so I lived in Jackson, Grand Rapids, Bloomfield Hills, and Okemos, all in Michigan. I was a BOOKWORM. I read anything and everything I could get my hands on. I originally wanted to be a Librarian, and sometimes I feel like I missed my chance in college. I started out as a Sociology Major at my first college, but then I transferred to Michigan State, which has an excellent Library Science Major. I still wish I could be a Librarian, or work at Barnes and Noble.
Mommybloggers: Give us seven words that describe you:
Elizabeth: Impatient, Disorganized, Emotional, Loving, Friendly, Devoted, Enthusiastic.
Mommybloggers: Where do you think blogging is headed? What about internet celebrity? What impact can online writers expect to have on the world?
Elizabeth: I think blogging is becoming the way we communicate with the rest of the world. Not only does blogging give people a voice, but it lets them connect with people they would most likely never have a chance to meet otherwise. Blogging is how news, information and opinions are being shared and spread. As for internet celebrities, I honestly think that the reason there are "A-list" bloggers is because they have something special that sets them apart. I also think it's important to remember that whether or not someone is an "internet celebrity", they are still a person who deserves to be treated with respect. By the way, I LOVE the term "online writers" as opposed to "bloggers". In my opinion, everyone who publishes original content is a writer. They have to think up a title, a beginning, a middle, and an end, and that is WRITING. Don't sell yourself short-if you blog, you are making an impact on the future of communication!
Mommybloggers: What do you think of the blogging lists, awards and best of's?
Elizabeth: This is an interesting question, because I just wrote another post you should read, http://table4five.net/2007/04/09/lists-are-dumb-when-youre-not-on-them/. After whining about how I was never given any awards by other bloggers, I half-jokingly said I was going to create the "Elizabeth thinks I ROCK" award to give to deserving bloggers of my own choosing. And then, I did! But honestly, I think it's great that bloggers recognize each other for the work they put into their posts.
Mommybloggers: What is one thing about you that people don't know that may shock or surprise us?
Elizabeth: I really couldn't think of anything, so I asked my husband, and he said to tell you that despite my mild-mannered housewife exterior, I am actually quite raunchy during sex. Well, you asked! And, I curse like a sailor. Give me a few drinks and you'll see what I mean.
Mommybloggers: Is there any topic that you are so passionate about that you would go to the mat on your blog for regardless of what other people think or say?
Elizabeth: The topic that comes to mind is the subject of unwanted pregnancy. I believe that no woman should have a child that they do not want or can not adequately care for. There are too many childless couples in this country who are desperate to be parents.
Mommybloggers: You've blogged that your son has ADHD. Do you feel the stigma of that label is wearing off or are you concerned about the label? What steps do you take to help him through this?
Elizabeth: I have no problem telling my son's teachers and support staff that he has been diagnosed with ADHD. We are fortunate to have our kids in a school district that devotes considerable resources and staff to helping ADHD kids get what they need in the classroom. However, my son gets very upset whenever we mention it to him or in front of him. He does not want to be different from other kids, despite us telling him that there are other kids in his school with ADHD, he just doesn't know about it. Besides seeing our Pediatrician for medication, we will also starting a daily study period for Nathan, to help him build good study habits now so that he is better prepared for later grades when so much more school work is done at home. I am anticipating having some battles over it.
Mommybloggers: Okay, if we dropped in for coffee is there a room that is off limits because it is too private/messy/not for guests?
Elizabeth: I would be MORTIFIED if someone just "dropped in". My friends and family know better! But if you did, the living room, kitchen and bathroom are generally fit for public viewing. They aren't CLEAN, but they are generally presentable.
Mommybloggers:And here are the questions we subject all of our featured bloggers to (With apologies to Bernard Pivot and Inside the Actors Studio):
1. What is your favorite parent related word? Mama2. What is your least favorite parent related word? Blood.
3. What is your favorite creative censored curse word used around children? Um, I don't censor myself. My kids have heard me say every curse word in the book.
4. What is your favorite hiding place within your home when you need to get away from it all? Our basement, where there is a rocking chair, computer stand, TV, and Xbox.
5. What hiding place have you been found in too often and can no longer use? My bedroom. Every time I try to lay on the bed and read a book, someone manages to get in anyway.6. If Oprah exists, what would you like to hear her say when you arrive at the Oprah Winfrey show when she features the Mommybloggers? Elizabeth, "Clean Sweep" is coming to your house to completely reorganize every single room. While they are doing that, we are sending you to Oceanside, California for a week to lie on the beach.
Check back tomorrow as we turn Mommybloggers.com over to the raucous Elizabeth of Table4Five.
Comments
I'll vouch for Elizabeth's potty mouth. But it's just one of the many reasons I love her.
Except that I do want to know why I haven't gotten my "Elizabeth thinks I ROCK" award. Ahem.
Posted by: mothergoosemouse | April 17, 2007 11:08 PM
What a great interview! I'm so excited to meet Elizabeth in person at BlogHer! :)
Posted by: Dana | April 18, 2007 9:58 AM
raunchy in bed, huh? you animal grrrrrrr.
seriously--I've met Elizabeth several times and she is so sweet, funny and *definitely* energetic.:)
Posted by: joy | April 19, 2007 10:03 AM