Blogger Interview With Paula of Polliwog's Pond

Meet Paula, an avid blogger and the creator of Polliwog's Pond and Carnival of Good Stuff.


Where did you come up with the idea for Polliwog's Pond?

My lifelong nickname -- given to me by my dad at my birth -- is Polliwog. I have always used that as my 'online moniker' so I really wanted to incorporate it into a name for my blog. When I was a little girl, one of my favorite things to do was sit by a polliwog pond and watch the polliwogs. Sometimes my brother and I would catch minnows and feed them to our cats. We never fed the cats any polliwogs though. :)

I see my life like a polliwog pond. Beauty, struggles, a couple of grumpy old toads and a lot of transformations.


Your blogging style is very creative and original, have you always been a creative person?

This question made me laugh because I have never seen myself as a creative person. I struggle with simple craft projects! I don't think anyone that knows me in person would say I'm creative. But they would say I'm original.

I like to write and I love anything to do with computers and technology so that may be why I'm having so much fun with my blog. I think the only reason the blog seems original is because I try very hard to let the blog reflect me and my personality. I try to not write like or mimic anyone else (no matter how tempting that may be sometimes!).


What is it that fuels your creativity?

If anything seems creative on my blog, it is probably by accident. :) I just get ideas in my head and if they make me smile or make me happy, I will use them. I am driven by emotion. I cry (and laugh) easily and often, sometimes at the same time! I'm a mischievous person who likes to be silly. I can't always be that way in life. It wouldn't be proper for me to go around mooning my neighbors for example, so I allow that side of my personality to come out more in my blog. It is a welcome release for me.


What do you find most attractive about being a blogger?

Two things. The relationships with my readers and other bloggers, and the healing properties in challenging yourself to do something like this. I started my blog when I was in a very depressed state of mind. There have been ups and downs since then, but the blog has done more to keep me inspired and motivated than any medication or therapy could have done.


How do you balance blogging with being a busy mom, and do you find it difficult?

I do find myself overwhelmed some days but that is because in addition to my own blog, I'm helping several other people in a technical capacity on their blogs. I also have other ideas and projects that I would like to work on that blogging has opened up for me. The kids ALWAYS come first so I don't blog as often as I would like and rely a little heavily on memes, guest bloggers and other blogging tricks for now. I'm getting into a good groove, but I can't see putting out more than 2 or 3 posts a week until my youngest is a bit older. My kids read my blog and are probably its biggest fans so that keeps me motivated to continue. They will ask me, "when's the next blog post mom?"


What advice would you have for a new blogger just starting out?

*Figure out why you want to blog and what you want to blog about.

*Read as much as you can about blogging before you start. Others might smirk, but I found "Blogging for Dummies" very helpful.

*If you can, get your own domain name and have the domain name match the blog name.

*Don't worry about or focus too much on stats (hard not to do I know).

*Write for yourself, have fun, recognize the value of adding your unique voice to the blogosphere, and stick with it.

Thank you Paula for taking the time to do this interview!

You can visit Paula at Polliwog's Pond.