WeBlogNorth Featured Content Creator of The Week - The Arthwritist
This is a space that showcases all of you awesome WeBloggers in the North and gives everyone a chance to get to know each other, as well as raise your profile (and your DA!). This week we're chatting with Stephanie, blogger of The Arthwritist - who describes her content as "daily living as a mum of two who's been through IVF, discussing life experiences and coping with rheumatoid arthritis."
Interested in being featured? If you're a member, get in touch at [email protected]
Name: Steph Dearlove
Location: Halifax
Blog: thearthwritist.blog
Instagram: 1k+
I began to write for myself and realised what a therapeutic exercise it was
How long have you been blogging/vlogging/creating content?
6 months
Why did you decide to start your blog/vlog?
I've always enjoyed writing (and reading) from being a young child and teaching English has allowed me to play with words and language an awful lot which has been so rewarding.
After a few interesting life experiences (including being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis), I began to write for myself and realised what a therapeutic exercise it was. After leaving teaching, it has very quickly become my passion now I have the time to devote to it.
Do you see this becoming a career or part of your career?
Career, for sure. Life is too short to do something that you don’t enjoy.
What do you hope to achieve for your content in 2018 and what’s your big-picture goal?
I suppose the immediate goal is to build an engaged audience who can relate to chronic health conditions but who still want to get on and live life to the max!
Big-picture goal? Creating extensive, relatable content that adds value to small and large businesses through blogging and hopefully becoming a published author in the future.
What is your favourite social media channel & why?
It has got to be Instagram. I consider myself new to the Insta-world, however, I’m learning all the time about the real value in connecting with others I wouldn’t ever come across in my day to day life.
What is your favourite tool or app that helps in your content creation?
I use WordPress for blogs at the moment and, being self-taught, it’s very much a learning curve!
Who is your blogging/vlogging/content inspiration and why?
I follow Charlotte Amor Valentine AKA The Home That Made Me. Initially for her interior design tips, but now I just follow her lifestyle and weight loss journey, she keeps it real and fresh.
What do you like to do on weekends? Where can we find you hanging out?
As a family of four on a constant budget, we make good use of youth hostels and tend to find cheap rooms in new places to go off exploring at really reasonable costs. Failing that, at home with wine.
If you could go anywhere in the world or experience any one thing, what would it be?
After my journey through IVF, becoming a parent is definitely the one experience I wanted to achieve and I absolutely love being a mummy; cheesy, but true. In time, I hope to be able to take my girls to as many different corners of the globe as we can manage.
What're your tips for staying motivated and/or organised in your work?
Self-discipline in writing is something I have had to learn and manage quickly. Being organised at my desk was one thing, being organised amongst the housework and list of endless jobs at home can make you feel torn at times and it becomes easy to do the most pressing jobs first. Structure days and resist the temptation to do ‘housy’ things until you’ve achieved your intention for the day.
What is the one piece of advice you’d give other content creators & aspiring bloggers/vloggers?
Know who you are and find what you love to write about that rather than creating blogs you think people want to hear.
Be your authentic self and people will want to keep reading.
Fun/Random fact about you (go on, surprise us!):
My husband and I harboured a ‘fugitive’ as part of the Channel 4 game show Hunted in its first series. His name was Adam (not really a fugitive, a really nice guy) and we met randomly camping in a field! He stayed with us for a night then we helped him evade capture. Sadly he didn’t win the show but we are still in touch via Facebook now.
The Featured Content Creator of the Week series is available to all bloggers, vloggers, influencers and content creators subscribed to WeBlogNorth. If you are a subscribed member and would like to be featured, then please get in touch. You’ll receive exposure to the entire WeBlogNorth family, as well as coverage across the @WeBlogNorth social channels and website. It’s great exposure for any content creator looking to get noticed and grow their following.
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