Next up we have an on location interview with Sean from Writer Dad. He has certainly made a splash in the blogging community with his beautiful prose. Well, enough with the introduction. Let the fun begin! š
I’ve read your about page, and Im sure the readers of this interview will soon read it too, but tell me… Why did you really start blogging and what is inspiring you to go for the gold?
I started blogging because Iād just completed a mountain of work – a full novel and a couple dozen childrenās stories.Ā Iād been writing for less than a year, but felt like I was on fire from the inside out.Ā At the time, I was writing mostly in isolation.Ā My wife and children knew I was writing, but that was pretty much it.Ā Blogging promised instant feedback.
I think that is why a lot of us blog. To have an instant audience for our work. To see their response so we can correct and get better. Who is your current audience and why are they visiting your site?
I would have to say my audience, for the most part, are people who love language.Ā We all know how much repetition there is on the web, I never want to be a part of that.Ā Iāve kept the content on Writer Dad mostly personal, though I drop regular opinions about things like blogging.Ā Whenever I write about blogging, I see a spike in subscribers.Ā Deeply personal articles such as āSliding Doorsā are well received, but always followed by a drop in subscribers.Ā This tells me the true audience loves the way I throw words down, whether theyāre personal or not.Ā It also tells me thereās an under served audience who wants to know what I have to say about other things.Ā Iāll correct this within the next few weeks.
I think we are all looking forward to this New Year’s project of yours. š What do you think is the biggest benefit of blogging for society as a whole?
Oh, I think blogging is just getting started, even if it isnāt called blogging a half decade from now.Ā The idea that everyone is afforded equal voice with less than an hour of set-up – thatās a revolution in communication that is talked about, but in my opinion not nearly revered as it should be.
I think the revolution is coming my friend. What are your top 5 tips for new bloggers who want to get into the game?
Donāt echo.Ā Thereās enough repetition online to last us all the way through web 3.0.Ā Be yourself, and tell the stories only you can tell.
Donāt act like an expert if youāre not.Ā The veneer is thin and will chip like a cheap coat of paint.
Be patient.Ā No matter what youāve heard, blogging isnāt easy.Ā Itās important to keep yourself grounded and understand that success is a process, not an event.
Learn from others.Ā Everyone has a different perspective.Ā Of course you wonāt agree with all of them, but the wisdom of others is often free and can help move you from A to B far faster than you could ever go alone.
Be a talk show, not an infomercial.Ā No one likes to be yelled at.Ā Whether you do this with your copy or site design, people know it when they see it.Ā Be mindful of what you are doing and why you are doing it.
Great tips! Who are your favorite bloggers that you read often and why?
All the bloggers I heart are definitely worth a mention.Ā I admired each enough to ask them to share my space.Ā I love bloggers who make me laugh, and I can never get enough tickles.Ā There are about a hundred blogs in my reader, but I wouldnāt want to make anyone sad by playing favorites.
Can you give us a day in the life of Sean?
Iām in transition right now.Ā Iāve been running a preschool alongside my wife for the last three years.Ā For the last month Iāve moved to full time writing.Ā Now my day is spent answering emails and juggling roughly forty-seven projects all in various stages of disarray and development.
Do you have any blogging mentors?
Brian Clark, not only because he writes with clarity, but because I love the way he approaches business.Ā He also handed me my first guest post one month out of the gate.Ā Men with Pens as well; I think they handle themselves with a perfect measure of ego and ability.
You have a great writing style and a great community of fellow writers. You practically belong in your own niche! After only about 6 months you are off to a wonderful start. What do you credit your initial success to?
A tremendous amount of tireless work.Ā I labored upwards of twenty hours a week on Writer Dad in the first few months, writing at night while juggling my real job during the day.Ā Iām way past that now.Ā Iām hungry and my ethic shows it.
What do you think will help you to succeed even more in the future?
Keeping my eyes open and learning from mistakes.Ā We all fall and thatās perfectly fine, but if we donāt learn a lesson while weāre down in the gutter, thatās just wasted opportunity.
What is one personal growth tip you can give our readers?
I know Iāve already said it, but it bares repeating.Ā BE YOURSELF.Ā Thereās only one you.Ā If you try to be someone else, youāll only look like a faded copy.
Please visit Sean over at Writer Dad. If you love words, he has a lot over there that he has stringed together beautifully. š
Nice interview, Sean. You’re all over the place š
Emily@remodelingthislife’s last blog post..Link Love: Iām Overwhelmed Edition
Jeremy,
Perfect timing for this post. I just read the MWP Drive BY this morning.
Inspired interview questions and responses I might add.
Cheers!
George
Tumblemoose’s last blog post..Breaking into freelance writing
@ Emily – Sean is starting to be fairly well known. I am glad to see him becoming so successful. He certainly deserves it.
@ George – I read it the other day too. It was funny that they couldn’t say much more then that his typewriter was too big. haha!
Jeremy
Emily: What can I say, Em… You’ve been reading since the first week or so. You are definitely awesome and one.
Tumblemoose: Thanks for the compliment. I’ve been seeing your name about quite a bit. It’s time I check the site out. See you soon.
Jeremy: Thanks for the interview, compliments, and good faith. They add up to a GIANT digital high five. Thanks, Jeremy. I’ll be by again later. Happy Sunday everyone!
Writer Dad’s last blog post..Sliding Doors
Loved this interview. Agree that being yourself is the most important thing. Of course, it helps when “yourself” is super talented and has an authentic voice and style like Sean does. š
Awesome interview, Jeremy! Thanks for sharing this with your readers. I loved the “Sliding Doors” post. I can definitely see Writer Dad’s work on the best-seller list.
*smiles*
Michele
Michele’s last blog post..Help Naomi Dunford Fight Domestic Violence
Great interview Jeremy. I am amazed you got Sean to answer an interview considering how busy he seems!
I have to agree with the BE YOURSELF part. There is so much going on in the blog world with regards to what you SHOULD be doing – it is easy to get lost and lose ourselves too – but I think trying to stay authentic in the beginning will help us plenty down the road.And hard work always pays – so good luck, Sean!
Maya’s last blog post..A Simple Happiness Equation: A Picture
I agree w/ Vered š
and yes, of course Sean’s success is well-deserved. He is, afterall, pretty cool and slightly talented š
Emily@remodelingthislife’s last blog post..Link Love: Iām Overwhelmed Edition
Great article.I really enjoyed this post.
Bunny got Blog’s last blog post..Bunnyās Breaktime Reads No. 4
Vered: Shucks, Vered. I sure hope I don’t disappoint you one of these days. : >)
Michele: Thanks Michelle. Sliding Doors is one of my favorite things I’ve ever written. I’ve really enjoyed the response to it, I have to admit. It makes me blush.
Maya: Interviews are easy! It’s like answering half a dozen emails in one document. The guest posts are hard. Guest posts are like making dinner for company. Interviews are like eating at a restaurant. Someone’s standing there with a tablet and asking you questions. I’m always happy to do an interview. : >)
Emily: Really? I’d always heard it was slightly cool and pretty talented. : >)
Bunny: Thanks.
Writer Dad’s last blog post..Sliding Doors
Great interview Sean, I’m also a big fan of Brian & James.
Man, you are everywhere these days!
Stumbled!
Cheers,
Glen
Glen Allsopp’s last blog post..3 Stories Thatāll Make You Think Twice
Right here, Sean:
Yessir. That’s what it’s all about, right there. I think you’re doing just fine. Hang in there.
James Chartrand – Men with Pens’s last blog post..Drive-by-Shooting Sundays: Writer Dad
@ Writer Dad – You are more than welcome my friend! š
@ Vered – I agree. When you are unique, flaunt it!
@ Michele – You are welcome. Hope to keep finding more great people I can interview.
@ Maya – You are welcome. Sean is right. I’m the one doing all the work here. haha. Just Kidding. But he is right, interviews are a lot easier than guest posts.
@ Emily, Bunny, & Glen – Thank you all for taking the time to visit! Glad you enjoyed it.
@ James – Thanks for swinging by. I think you picked out a good point. Learning from out mistakes and carrying on are huge keys to success.
Cheers,
Jeremy
Great job on the interview Jeremy!
Sean – you continue to impress, you’re writing style IS unique – and fresh – and it continues to draw me back.
Being yourself – what a key point to remember – if we’re not – the authenticity isn’t there, and it quickly shows.
Keep on typing…
Lance’s last blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day