Linda Jones interviews Ellee Seymour for our weekly Women who blog column...
Name: Ellee Seymour
Occupation: PR consultant and journalist
Blog: Elleeseymour.com
Blogging since: February 2006
Deep breath, here goes. I don't share many of Ellee Seymour's party political views. (Okay, scratch that, I possibly don't share any of them) but I'm all for honesty, decency and warmth - which even a soft-hearted leftie like me can see ooze out of her blog.
What’s your blog about and what inspired you to write it?
I met Geoff Jones at Cambridge Toastmasters. He offered to set me up with a blog. I now write about news and politics, women's issues and the environment, PR and social media. It's very much a miscellany of life.
What’s the biggest thrill of blogging?
The interactive element, meeting like-minded people throughout the world and sharing views. It is also thrilling to have one of my stories lifted by the national media, beating them with the news because blogging is so instant and immediate; when the same news appears in the printed media the next day, it is no longer really news, we have all moved on in blogosphere.
What effect has the blog had on your life?
It has raised my profile considerably and I get lots of nice invites. However, my family complain that I spend too much time blogging and I have burnt the odd dinner as a result.
Who reads it and why do they follow it do you think?
It is listed on David Miliband's blogroll, so I guess he reads it because of my environmental posts. I get amazing comments from bloggers when we discuss some of the hot issues of the day, it's one way of sharing information and learning other perspectives. I particularly like to write about women's issues so we can debate important topics and was writing about prostitution before the deaths of the women in Ipswich. I am always delighted when the men join in the conversation too, they certainly liven it up.
What’s your best blogging experience so far?
It was an honour to be ranked as the 9th top Tory blogger by Iain Dale after only starting my blog six months or so before.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned about blogging?
That word passes gets round very quickly, you can never tell who is reading it, you must have confidence in yourself and what your write and, most importantly, to enjoy it.
How do you deal with criticism, or insults about your blog?
I have only once written a post where I had others slate me, and that was when I called for a ban on knives after the killer was sentenced for the death of the lawyer in London who was murdered for his mobile phone. I don't think in hindsight that I made myself clear, I didn't mean kitchen knives obviously, and I realise it would be hard to monitor. I meant hunting type
knives, that they should be only available via a police licence, like guns.I tried to explain this, but it made no difference, bloggers have deaf ears sometimes.
I've also been caught up in a blog war between others and when I wrote an article about the good work of two high profile bloggers I know. Some very unkind and untrue things were written. I was naturally upset at the time, but other bloggers emailed me telling me to ignore it. The nasty blogger person emailed me a few times and I refused to acknowledge him in any way, I totally blanked him and used comment moderation for a while. He's never been back. You can get control of your site back and forget about it after a while. It was an interesting experience, you learn from your mistakes, the fun certainly far outweighs the problems.
What’s your top tip for women who blog already or may want to take it up?
Go for it, but watch the clock!
Who are your blogging heroes?
On the political side: Guido Fawkes, Iain Dale, Conservative Home
Women political bloggers:Caroline Hunt Nadine Dorries
Linda Jones is the director of PR and features agency, Passionate Media. When she's not stressing over deadlines, she blogs at You've Got Your Hands Full.
Linda, Thank you for the interview, it's a reversal of roles for me. It is a particular delight that bloggers from all parties enjoy my site, that blogging can break down political barriers.
I would like to mention Blogpower which I belong to, a community of bloggers, and we support each other's sites.
http://defendingtheblog.blogspot.com/
Ellee (if you're out there) That knife thing...aww come on. You wrote it without thinking for a second. You only mentioned you meant hunting knives afterwards.
I also have to say that it was on your blog that I read one of the most sickening pieces I've read on a blog. During the Ipswich murders you quoted an acquaintance who (backed by some kind of supposed science) was claiming that there was a good chance that the murderer was Islamic.
Just incredibly irresponsible and, as it turns out very wrong. I was quite horrified that you would include it on your blog.
Just as well other media had the better sense not to repeat such claims. Can you imagine what it might have led to in Ipswich?