My birthday is fast approaching (can you tell I am excited?!), and I thought I’d use the occasion to be a little more transparent with my readers! So I took to my Insta stories and asked y’all to ask me anything for this Q&A post – much like how the YouTubers do. I was willing to answer anything (within reason!) No subject was out of bounds.
So, I have collated questions from all six of you (lol! well actually seven because two of the questions were quite similar). I ain’t mad but we gonna have to definitely do something to get that engagement up sis. In the meantime, keep reading to find the answers to the questions you asked
Do you blog full time?
I so wish I could get paid to sit at home blogging, but I do have a day job! I work as a sales executive in the travel industry.
How do you deal with negative comments?
Not very well to be honest, but I am working on it. (Read my blog post on how to handle criticism here). These days I deal with comments about me personally (for example about my weight, because I get that a lot) much better than criticism about my work.
Where are you from?
Parents are from Ghana. I was born and raised, and still live in South London
How do you stay confident?
I don’t! But I am most of the time. I have been thrown in the deep end and left to figure it out too many times, and that definitely builds some confidence. For the other times, I have learned to fake it. I also have a great husband who speaks nothing but positively over me. That’s definitely a booster!
What dress size are you?
Big enough! lol.
What advice can you give aspiring writers?
The first thing is to never refer to yourself as ‘aspiring’. You are a writer. Period. Secondly, write every day (if you can). Also, if you want it recognised you must post it online. It ain’t called the world wide web for nothing! Also, you need to do shameless self-promotion. You can’t afford to be shy in this day and age.
There you have it! Everything you ever wanted to know about me 🙂 I will be continuing the ‘transparency theme’ next week with a post centered around what I have learned so far (about life in general).
Until next time! Please do not be afraid to drop more comments below. I will do well to answer them.
Aha! I love this "transparent" post. Your Succinct advice to aspiring authors is golden. My question for your next "transparent" post is: How did you meet your husband? Lol. amakamedia.com
Thank you Amaka. No need to wait for another post 😁 I met him whilst shopping in the town centre in my area. He said 'Hi' and I said 'hello'. He followed me into a shop and bingo! Exchanged numbers led to long phone conversations which led to dates and…You catch my drift!
Wow. Nice! Really nice! 🙂
Great Q & A post! I like the advice you gave to writers. I do agree that being shy is not the way to go, when it comes to any kind of free lance jobs, often it all comes down to networking and self promotion.Happy birthday in advance!
Thank you Ivana. I believe it's a confidence thing and it's easy for newbies to be afraid to declare who they are for fear of being called out as a fraud but you have to get out there and hustle!
Big enough! Dasooorrrr…!! Ha! Great Q&A Madeline. A positive good husband is all we need. Amen to that. You're a great writer and sometimes I wish my brofo is like yours. Ha!https://www.missymayification.co.uk
Dasoooor…next question! Thank you Missy. You wish you had my what? Lol please sis, I enjoy reading your writing just as much!
Thanks for sharing a little bit of yourself with us, u seam such an extraordinary woman!https://strawberryleopard.blogspot.pt/
Hi Ana. You are so welcome. We are all extraordinary women!
I always loved to read Q&A's, I think it gets all readers that much closer to the author. Don't be bothered by negative comments, they will always be there, because – as you know – it is so easy to be mean when you hide behind a monitor. I think that people who comment (in a bad faith) in a negative way have some inner issues. Happy soon-to-come birthday :)Dorotawww.fetchcandle.wordpress.com
Hi Dorota. Thank you for passing by! That is why I wrote this post. I wanted my readers to know me more! Thank you so much for your sound advice. I am really working on dealing with negativity! Thanks again!
I love your explanation of what's enabled you to become more confident over the years. Being thrown into the deep end time and time again definitely has an impact on confidence 🙂 Hope you're having a lovely week!aglassofice.com x
Aaaaw…thank you Gabrielle. Being in the deep end forces you to stay afloat!
Very nice post. I feel like I have gotten to know you a little better just by reading your answers to the questions. Nice one! – http://www.jamilakyari.com
Hi Jamila. Thank you so much for reading! I am glad you feel that way. Please don't be shy, ask me anything you'd like to know!
Thank you for opening up about some sensitive aspects of your life with your readers – I can imagine it wasn't easy just like it isn't easy to read negative comments, feedback or intrusive questions. Kudos! x || http://www.lorikemi.com
You are most welcome Lori. I actually enjoy being open with y'all but yes , you are right, negative comments and instrusive questions are not easy. Thanks for reading.
Great advice about being a writer. I enjoyed reading the answer to the question about how you met your husband. Possibly another Q&A in a years time?
Hi Betty. Thank you for reading, Ha! It's not the most exciting story but at least it is one that has led to a happy marriage.