Embrace the conceit

Peer pressure and the non-blogger

A 28-year-old mother of three, Helen, started her first blog today. The blog is unique in its writing style and will be used as a creativity tool for the author.

“I have a passion for news writing,” Helen states, “I got my degree in journalism and I miss using my skills as a writer. This blog is an opportunity for me to practice writing and to receive valuable feedback from my viewers.”

“When I pitched the idea to my husband, Bob, he was very supportive,” Helen states, “He likes that I am writing again and that I am forcing myself to be creative. Viewers might even see an article of his on the blog.”

“I think it’s great that she has finally found an outlet for her writing,” Bob states, “I’m excited that she’s challenging herself to write the articles. I have been trying to get her to do freelance writing since she quit her job. But she doesn’t think she is a very good writer anymore. This blog will be very useful for her and will help her to regain all the skills she thinks she’s lost.”

Each blog entry will be written in a journalistic format which will require Helen to occasionally write in the third person.

“The style I write in will take some getting used to for most of my viewers, but I think that once they grasp the idea, they will find it refreshing,” says Helen.

Helen attributes peer pressure from friends as motivation to consider a blog. “I have several blogging friends that apparently have a vested interest in me starting a blog so they can keep up-to-date with my family,” she says, “But I didn’t want my blog to be a place for me to spill my innermost thoughts, I wanted it to be something that I could use for my benefit when I apply to graduate school or go back to work.”

“This blog represents part of who I am and how I view the world,” Helen states, “When I see something amazing or hear something funny I automatically think of a great headline to report the event. Now I can use those headlines and write articles for my viewers to enjoy.”

Helen graduated from a large state university in 2004 with her Bachelor of Science in Journalism. She has worked for the American Red Cross, the U.S.D.A. and the FPA. Currently, she stays home to care for her children.