Being a Blogger

I first started my personal blog back in 2007, right as my husband and I were in the process of purchasing our first home. Many of my friends were starting blogs and encouraged me to jump on the bandwagon. I had the hardest time coming up with something cute to call my new baby blog, so it got the name “Gentry Journal.”

Fast forward a few years, and somehow my blog started getting hits from all over the country. I was beginning to interact more with the online community – I did a few link ups, which I soon learned helps bring readers in from other sites that are making the same connection points and might have similar interests. I am by no means a ‘big name’ blogger, but through my blog I’ve made “friends” from all over the country, as well as right here in DFW. I finally met one of my blog friends for the first time at the Fort Worth Moms Blog photo shoot a few months ago. I’ve known Becky for several years through the internet, and now we both get to help contribute as part of the FWMB writing team. Crazy, right?!?

I’m just amazed at the community of moms I’ve found this way. When I was expecting my first baby, I received invaluable advice on what to pack in my hospital bag through something I had posted. When I can’t decide on a book to read, I hear suggestions from all over. I love it!

Though my readership may not be what some would define as huge, I continue to write about my family and the things that interest me. Since I’m a mom, I guess it’s now a mom blog. It’s mostly a place for me to show pictures of my kids for my friends who live all over the world and at times, it functions as creative and therapeutic outlet for me. Currently, I have no plans to monetize it, it’s simply my own little piece of fun on the internet.

Are you a blogger? Why do you blog?