Keris Stainton continues our Women who blog series with a newbie blog...
Mid-lifer's is the newest blog we've featured at just three months old (which explains why we have fewer questions to ask her). Started as a way of chronicling what she considers to be a midlife crisis, Mid-lifer doesn't post as frequently as many bloggers, but what she does post is fascinating, compelling and honest.
What was the first blog you ever read?
Linda Jones blog You've Got Your Hands Full. I was a regular poster on a journalists' forum and Linda posted on there with links to some of her blogs. I liked her take on things and admired her humour.
What made you start your blog?
I thought it about time. I'd been freelancing for about a year or so and many of my articles had a first person element to them. On the same journalists' forum there were frequent queries about the value of blogging for freelancers. I decided to try it out when work had gone a bit slow (actually, really slow) and I thought I needed to keep up writing practice. I found I loved it.
Why have you chosen to blog anonymously?
I'm not entirely sure. Some of the stuff I started to post was quite personal - but nothing that I wouldn't share with most people I know. I worried a little that editors might see it and think I was a complete flake so it protected me from that. Now that I'm turning away from serious freelancing, I'm keeping it anonymous in case my mum (eek) or others I refer to, see it. Also, being anonymous I have the freedom to talk about anything I like - it has the power of a confessional (not that I've ever been to confession).
Have you found it cathartic to write?
I should coco. You have no idea how much. It's almost like going into therapy without the cost. Writing about my midlife crisis has helped me understand it all a bit better (touchy feely stuff). I can't wait to get my teeth into the whole subject of my mother (again with the mother - it's worth a year of postings at least), weird friendships etc. And the great thing is - I actually get feedback and I can't see the bored look on people's faces either!
What's your blogging 'code of conduct' and should there be an official code?
Good lord - didn't know there was such a thing. I'm so new to this, but so far everyone has been really nice. I have heard that sometimes there can be some very weird or warped comments. So yes, perhaps there should be a code. I don't mind a bit of debate at all, but downright nastiness should be off limits (I am a middle-aged mother after all).
Who are your blogging heroines?
Well, Linda Jones of course, who started me off on all of this and gave me good advice - she's the blogging queen. But also Emily whose blog Doing It All Again is both wonderfully written and often extraordinarily brave. I also admire Drunk Mummy - us mums need a little tipple to help us through the evenings and she lists some interesting wines. I've only just started out in the blogging world though and I'm sure I'll have many more.
Keris co-edits Shiny Media’s fabulous women’s fiction blog, Trashionista and contributes to TV Scoop, The Bag Lady and Bridalwave. Her midlife crisis is already looming and she's only 36.