Mommy Bloggers: Yes, you CAN be taken seriously even if you are a mommyblogger

When it comes to being a mommyblogger, there is one question that continually comes up. I heard it when I was on the first mommyblogging panel at the first BlogHer. It came up again the next year and every year since. In fact, I have heard it in several forums. What question is that?

If I am labeled a "mommyblogger" will that take away my credibility as a writer? (You can interchange the word credibility with respectability, authenticity etc. The gist stays the same.)

This is a no-brainer. The answer is a resounding NO.

I heard one woman stand up and say that although she has a blog that falls under the mommyblogger umbrella, she does not want to mention it or the blog when it comes to her book proposal as she fears she won't be taken seriously as a writer. Whereas I respect the woman, the premise is crap.

There is one thing and one thing only that will cause you to lose your credibility as a "real" writer.

Your writing.

I understand that many women do not like the label mommyblogger. Admittedly, blogs that fall under that label have been written off as fluff at times or consider a sub-species of blogging, but that does not effect your writing ability or your talent as an author.

I am associated with 3 blogs with the title Mommy in them and one with the word Mom. Obviously, I do not have a problem with the term. Neither did my agent. How did she find me? Through my personal blog, Mommy Needs Coffee.

Yes. A mommyblog WITH the name mommy in the title. Did it scare her off? Not at all. You see, she did not become horrified by the title. She did not run away in fear over a label. She stuck around. She read my writing. She talked to me. She saw the writer in me. Not the label of my blog. And now, through hard work and writing my heart out, we are working together to get my book published.

You see, it is not the type of blog you have that will make you less appealing as a writer. It will be your writing. If you are a good writer and you have a good story to tell, do it. Write it. Tell it. Your blog label won't stop a professional agent or editor from seeing your talent.

I know I can get sensitive about this issue. Mainly because I think that it is a cop out to say you cannot be taken seriously as a writer if you are labeled a mommyblogger. That is just not true. Do you know what will keep you from being taken seriously? Bad writing.

What is my point? Do not let a label, title, genre or category of your blog stop you from pursuing your writing career if you want one. If your dream is to be a writer, then bust your ass, write your heart out and let your passion and talent shine through.

Trust me. Any agent worthy of working with will see through any of the superficial crap such as the word "mommyblogger" and know when there is a good story to be told.

Write quality pieces and get quality respect. Write drivel and stay obscure. But please, do not hide behind the mommyblogger label. There are too many of us out there busting the myth that we cannot be "real writers." Join us. Or move aside. Either way, realize that one simple word that you hate will NOT keep you from success. Only you and your writing will do that.

Comments

This is exactly what I needed to read right now.

I have been guilty of wanting to avoid the "mommyblogger" label like the plague and I have worried that being labeled as such would damage my credibility.

But, you're right: "it is not the type of blog you have that will make you less appealing as a writer. It will be your writing."

Thanks again.

Posted by: Taste Like Crazy | August 31, 2007 11:01 AM

You say it, Mama! Right on.

Posted by: Daisy | September 1, 2007 4:17 PM

This was great to read and much needed. Thanks!!

Posted by: Momish | September 2, 2007 4:45 PM

Proud to be a mommyblogger with pg content :o)

Posted by: MsRebecca | September 2, 2007 4:56 PM

love it. thank you.
so true. that was an encouraging post.

Posted by: Candace Martin | September 2, 2007 9:08 PM

Taken seriously by who? Maybe in the literary world the question of whether mommy bloggers are "real" writers is a question, but it sure isn't to us fledgling mommy bloggers. We look up to the "veteran" bloggers (like you, Jenn) who we read regularly. We aspire to be as witty, provocative and prolific as you. I've always wanted to be a writer and creating a mommy blog was the easiest way for me to try it. So for all intents and purposes, my mommy blog has allowed me to gain credibility (with myself for now and others, I hope, down the road) as a writer.

Posted by: Amy S. | September 3, 2007 1:21 PM

As always, Jenn, you rock!

Posted by: Donna | September 4, 2007 5:21 PM

I agree with you. I'm proud to be Mom and it doesn't change who I am or who I was before children!

Posted by: Cindy | September 7, 2007 7:12 PM

Of course we are credibele!!!!

Posted by: Casdok | September 15, 2007 5:37 AM

I truly take issue with Mommybloggers taking themselves too seriously. One blog in particular really stressed that "some of are writers and some of just aren't". While I can agree that not 100% of the things being written are good enough to read - it's still people putting themselves out there, and hopefully their writing is helping them is some way.

I don't care if I'm a Mommyblogger. I'm not really sure where I fall. Don't really care. I'm writing. It's relieving. The End.

Posted by: Niihaus | September 22, 2007 2:28 PM

Yes, you CAN be taken seriously even if you are a mommyblogger

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