Guest post: Why I blog by Laura from Circle of Pine Trees

Engaging with the blogging community is enlightening. We may all have one thing in common - blogs - but there is a myriad of reasons why people start blogging, not to mention what they do and don't enjoy about it. To capture this, I thought it might be fun to start a series of guest posts featuring a different blogger each time and learning a bit more about why they blog. So without further ado, I'll introduce Laura, and leave her to answer the question "why do you blog?"



When and why did you start blogging?
I first started blogging in October 2010 when I started a joint craft blog with a close friend who had recently moved to the USA. We had been emailing each other about our adventures in craft and decided that a blog might be a better way of sharing them with each other, and with any other crafters who might be interested. Since then, I have begun a personal blog called Circle of Pine Trees, where I blog about life beyond craft.

What do you enjoy most about blogging?
There is so much that I love about blogging. The sense of community with other bloggers is fantastic but I think that most of all I appreciate the opportunity it gives me to develop my skills in writing and photography. As a stay-at-home mum to young children, blogging is a fantastic lifeline to a world beyond nappies and muddy knees, and a way to keep myself creative and engaged.

What’s your biggest challenge with blogging?
My biggest challenge with blogging is the technical element. I find it so frustrating when there are things that I would like to do to my blog, but lack the skills to make it happen. My brother recently gave me a book for my birthday about html and css. I never imagined that coding would be something of interest to me, but I would like to learn enough to be able to make simple changes beyond my blog template.

What is the most important lesson blogging has taught you?
I think that the most important lesson that blogging has taught me is that happiness can be found in the simplest of things. I love that my blog is a record of my life which takes into account not necessarily the big events, but the simple pleasures that might otherwise be forgotten, such as blossom in the spring time, cakes I have baked, days out with my family or even just the quality of light at a particular moment. As a blogger, I have found that I see things differently because I am always thinking of a potential blog post.

What advice would you give to someone who’s thinking of starting a blog?
To someone who is thinking of starting a blog, I would say just get started and give it a try. All blogs begin by being small and simple. You learn so much about blogging as you go along, and every blog is constantly evolving. Also, get involved in the blogging community; read other blogs and leave comments, and bloggers will reciprocate by visiting you. Twitter is also an excellent way to meet fellow bloggers.

Laura's blog, Circle of Pine Trees, charts her family life in the Gloucestershire countryside. Laura blogs about baking, crafting, motherhood, photography and exploring the world with two muddy little boys.

Thanks Laura! I hope you enjoyed that, and if you're interested in taking part, drop me an email to sallymavin@gmail.com

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