It’s so shiny and new and yes, it’s the Sisterhood of the World Blogger Award! Last week my friend Karla nominated me of all people for this award. Isn’t she sweet?
What is the Sisterhood of the World Blogger Award? It’s to recognize female bloggers of all kinds while encouraging them to network and learn about each other and ultimately, to hand out these completely awesome award. Movie stars have scores of awards so why shouldn’t bloggers, right? If this is something that interests you but you haven’t got a blog, then no need to panic. It’s so easy to start. One of the things you might need to take a look at is getting a web host, for example, HOSTISERVER important source can help you out with something like this. Don’t forget to think about the theme of your blog, what it’s going to be about and REMEMBER the sisterhood!
Here are the rules for accepting this award:
1. Mention the blogger that has nominated you – done!
2. Answer the 10 questions (Karla only had five but I’ll do 10) – see below
3. Make up 10 new questions – see below
4. Nominate seven new bloggers – see below
5. Put the Sisterhood Award logo on your blog – done!
Now onto the fun stuff!
- Tell us a bit about your blog and when did you start it?
I started back in August 2010 on a whim. Before I started my travel blog, I had been working as a freelance writer doing all kinds of work including ghost writing. But I started my blog as a place to write just for myself. Slowly over time the blog evolved from a few notes to myself about where I had been to longer and more detailed posts. I feel like I’m somewhere in between now as I’m trying to incorporate more photos in all of my posts while attempting to be less verbose.
The goal for me and my blog for the future is to improve my photography and video skills, work on being comfortable in front of the camera (hate, hate, hate being in pictures — far more comfortable behind the camera), and my on screen abilities for shooting video.
- Tell us an unforgettable moment that happened while you were traveling. Include photo if you can
A recent memorable experience would be when I traveled to Toronto for my first ever TBEX. I was able to go to Sudbury for a pre-conference trip and shortly after arriving into Toronto, I fractured a bone in my foot. But not for the assistance of an amazing friend, Karla, I would have been beside myself as I was in horrific pain. I ended up ordering a “boot” from a DME supplier in Toronto, which later turned out to be the exact one my orthopedist would have ordered as well. Weird, right? In the end, I was out of commission for a few months, but I got to see how supportive my friend was and how strong and determined I can be when I have to be.
- What are the most incredible places you’ve visited on earth? (Yes it might be hard but pick 5 🙂
This is so hard because I have a habit of falling in love with almost every place that I visit.
I have a massive crush on Iceland because when I first visited in 2012, it was like no other place I had ever seen before. It still ranks high on my list for that very reason and I try to get back as often as I can.Click To Tweet
I have a massive crush on Iceland because when I first visited in 2012, it was like no other place I had ever seen before. It still ranks high on my list for that very reason and I try to get back as often as I can.
Another favorite is Colombia, a most diverse country with amazing and varying landscapes that gets an unnecessary bad reputation. I love the black sand beaches of Cartagena, the altitude, food, and people of Bogota, and of course, the amazing view on the Amazon.
Visiting Milford Sound, New Zealand was a memorable and breathtaking experience, especially when you see low lying clouds amongst high mountain tops. Truly beautiful!
Meeting the friendly and welcoming people of Fiji was life changing as it is possible to be nice to people and not expect anything in return (the New Yorker in me was confused by this concept).
Although I spent only a day in Dubrovnik, the beauty of the walls surrounding the city and the bluest water I think I’ve ever seen is seared in my brain for eternity.
- What connections have you made thanks to social media?
While I’m extraordinarily fortunate that I get to travel often, I live a rather solitary life when at home. But for my social media connections, life would be somewhat quiet and lonely (although I do enjoy my solitude!). I think social media is a great place to help grow your blog. The more you interact with other people on their accounts, the more likely they are to visit your page and maybe even click my link in bio on instagram that goes to my blog. I have made some great friends through social media that I probably would never have met had I not been engaged online. Admittedly, I’m not online as much as I should be, but I do try! Every day is a chance to learn more and I’m trying to be open to new learning experiences. Sometimes I’m too busy whether traveling or doing everyday things to connect with my audience, reading comments even liking their posts. A friend of mine did suggest getting an instagram like bot or some other automated social media tools but I think I would miss the connection I’d have with others to use something like that – doesn’t mean you can’t give it a try though.
- What advice would you give to fellow female bloggers regardless of their niche or specialty?
Write for yourself and not for others. It’s easy to feel like you have to act a certain way or be something for everybody. I still have problems with that as I want my writing to sound more like how I talk, but worry that it could alienate people especially with my weird thinking and often colorful language. The truth is that I don’t want be vanilla ice cream or white bread as there are enough of those blogs out there like that. By being yourself, people will be attracted to that and will come back time and time again because they like you and what you have to say.
Now my questions:
- What makes you get up every day and want to have a blog?
- If you weren’t blogging, would you still write?
- At what point while doing your blog did you realize that blogging was something more than writing for yourself?
- If you couldn’t write about travel, what would your new blog be about?
- What is your all time favorite destination?
- Do you have a favorite dining experience from your travels?
- Best cup of coffee you ever had was where?
- Where are you off to next and why?
- What one item is a must have in your travel bag?
- Do you have any special tips or tricks on social media that you’d like to share?
Here are my nominees:
Larissa @Changes_Long
Emma @ScottishEmma123
Jessica @JLipowski
Sonja @HappyHoyt
K. Ford K. @kfordk
Barbara @Gr8EuropePlanr
Amanda @LIVEfromtheLIDO
I know I had a hard time getting this post up due to time constraints, but I’m so happy that I was nominated. Now I’m looking forward to the responses from my nominees so I hope (please!) that they will oblige me and respond and nominate some new and fabulous nominees as well. Let’s keep this going ladies!