How I Became a Professional Blogger Overnight

It started very simply, I began blogging years ago as a way to share small bits and pieces of poetry and photographs. I started at blogspot and eventually moved to tumblr where I enjoyed a year of blogging with close friends. After the year I, once again, moved my blog to posterous where I updated it by editing my favorites over the years and uploading them to this new home and continuing to write. It wasn't long before I noticed that my blog entries were attracting an unbelievable amount of hits, maybe not by industry standards but to me a welcome increase (I believe some of the traffic was due to twitter which I had finally started to use). I kept saying to my husband, "Ok, now how am I going to translate this into $$." As an independent artist and stay at home mom I was trying to supplement my income as they say. I logged onto a few websites promising self employment through writing etc., but nothing panned out. I thought about going back to work but that was really unappealing to me, I tried it two years ago and ended up stressed out and a nervous wreck because of having to leave my daughter at night.

I finally started another blog with the idea of sharing information and possibly making it a place where I could do the google adsense thing. My blog joie&me inspired me tremendously. My writing changed from bits of poetry to writing, writing that I felt strongly about and writing I was ready to share with more than just friends. I was fast becoming a real blogger.

I started paying close attention to what I really wanted to do with myself besides being a great mother and awesome poet/performance artist. Then it happened, it was like someone tapped me with a magic wand planting information and ideas into my head. I was re-reading a post on my jolie&me blog when a google ad - of all things - caught my eye at the bottom of the page. In black and white there before me was a link expressing writing and making money, it linked me to HubPages. Now, like I said before, i've been to many sites and even ordered some crazy package through the mail that said it would help me to make money online etc. Now let me interject for one second, making money will always be something that sits neatly in the corner of my mind but first and foremost I realized that I would have to call myself a professional blogger and act like a professional blogger before I could even think about making money being a blogger:) Therefore my intention had to be correct and I really had to think about the commitment that is needed to undertake this new profession. Having considered both, I felt ready to walk the walk and write the write!

Back to HubPages, something about this forum and cyber home felt right. It felt like I was in the right place at the right time. I feel the same emotions as when I first stepped onto the stage as a performer and that very real feeling is what is carrying me into the next phase of this journey.

So here I am, A PROFESSIONAL BLOGGER!

Below is a link to a website that gives some great and basic tips for someone starting out and wanting information on how to become a professional blogger. There is a ton of information regarding this topic and I could fill a never ending page with links, however if you simply google "professional blogger" you will find a plethora of links to choose from. My advice is to just do it and decide for yourself if you want to dedicate yourself to this artform..this kind of work, because it is work.

The main theme throughout most informative tips on how to become a professional blogger is--- In my own words "Don't give up, it takes time, but with hard work and dedication the rewards are real"

I've read and plan to read more information on blogging. I plan to read and share blogs that I personally find enriching and challenging. Finally I plan to keep up with my blogging.

One of the best ways I have been able to do this so far is to designate my writing area. When I am in my writing area I take myself more seriously and so does my family.

Here is a photo of my writing area. I sit on the floor in front of a coffee table that is very dear to me. It feels right and I feel good sitting before it to either write by hand or sit typing on my computer.