Hello Everyone:)
Nicole and are were very fortunate to get an interview with the multi talented Cindy Adkins!!!
Cindy Adkins is one special lady. She is smart, talented, inspirational and along with so many other wonderful attributes Nicole and I consider her our friend:)
She has graciously agreed to an interview about her new E-Books, 'BLOGGING: IT'S A WOMAN" THING', 'BLOG FROM THE HEART: A WOMAN'S GUIDE TO BLOGGING', AND 'FOR BRIDES ONLY' CREATING A WEDDING BLOG.If you haven't read them yet, you are really missing out. They are short (you can read one in 20 minutes)and sweet and jam packed with fun information about blogging. Really they are fabulous!
You will want to print these out for future reference.
Cindy doesn't just have one blog she writes for three!!! I know right? I sometimes have problems keeping up with just one;)
http://whimsicalmusingsmagazine.blogspot.com/
http://shabbychicgirlsclub.blogspot.com/
http://cindyadkinswhimsicalmusings.blogspot.com/
So without further delay, let me introduce to you; CINDY ADKINS!
Nicole and I first want to thank you so much for letting us interview you on your fabulous E-Books. We loved all three of them!
Cindy: Oh Debra and Nicole, thank you so much. I am so glad that you had fun reading them. They were intended to give women inspiration so that they could create the best blogs possible. Blogging not only opens up a whole new world to women, but unlike other social media, with a blog someone is the “star” of their own show. It is their private space and just like a home, women can make them whatever they want them to be.
One of the most common concerns women have about blogging is content. They often fear that they will run out of things to display or talk about. My books offer a whole new slant and help them relax and enjoy the process. They are not technical, but rather, inspirational. To me, blogging is like one big pajama party--it is a blast!
Debra & Nicole: How long have you been blogging and why did you start?
Cindy: I actually started blogging about a year and a half ago. Prior to that, I had a website for my mixed media art for a year. Visitors came to the website, but when I started my blog, it’s as if “the lights went on” and the traffic was amazing. I was finally interacting with people daily and it was a whole new exciting world for me.
But, blogging not only opened up contacts for personal reasons, but also, it was through my contacts in the blog world that I came in contact with art galleries and stores. For any women interested in working from home, I think that a blog is definitely one of those “must-have” items that can help jump-start their careers.
D&N: Tell us a little about your background.
Cindy: I have a Master’s Degree in Humanities and am a newspaper writer in New Orleans, as well as a mixed media artist and professional photographer. My work is featured in art galleries and I also have an Etsy store. In addition, I create digital art and am on 3 design teams. One of my favorite things to do is to create custom blog buttons and headers for people’s blogs.
Also, I enjoy helping people learn how to get more traffic to their blogs and understanding the “techie” part of blogging too. I have a seminar called Blogging 101: A Seminar for Women on my Whimsical Musings blog. I created a static page, so if anyone wants to take the class, it is free and is always available at the top of my blog.
The week of November 4, I am planning a week-long set of activities, including a giveaway and tutorials for “Victorian Christmas” week. There will be numerous projects that crafters can make with instructions.
D&N: You are such a giving person. What drives you?
Cindy: I would say it is my love of art, as well as my love of people. I have met so many wonderful friends through blogging.
D&N: What inspired you to write these wonderful books?
Cindy: I wanted to create a vehicle whereby women could be inspired to produce amazing blogs no matter what their interests are in life. I think that blogging is extremely empowering and gives women an individual, as well as a collective “voice.”
I have received so many emails about the books since I wrote them. In fact, I rarely check the stats on my books, but when I looked the other day, “Blogging: It’s a Woman Thing” went up 100,000 ranks on Amazon.
I think that it is rare to find material that is for women written by a woman that speaks to their needs and concerns, including time management and balancing home and families while blogging.
D&N: What is the main thing you want people to take away from these books?
Cindy: I want them to know that no matter who they are, they have a story to tell and people who will be interested in reading it and meeting them personally through their blogs. To me, blogging is about value and worth and knowing that each of us has our own talents and gifts and we grow so much from meeting others with similar interests.
D&N: We are curious, how do you remember everything about all of your followers? Do you keep some sort of journal or do you just have a great memory:)
Cindy: Oh my goodness, I don’t know how I remember everyone! I would say that it is usually because something about their blog makes it stick out in my memory. I remember the first time I saw your blog. Do you want to know what I thought? lol I adored your header. It is completely dreamy. Then, when I saw your home, I was in awe. I remember saying to my husband, “Honey, come look at this--it is astounding!” That’s how I remembered you, Debra. And how do I remember Nicole? It’s because we are Twitter pals and she taught me all about using Twitter--Did I mention that I think you are both awesome?
D&N: What is the biggest thing you have taken away from blogging?
Cindy: I have gotten so much from it, but I would have to say that it is the connection with other people that makes it so meaningful.
D&N: How do you organize your thoughts.
Cindy: I have been so used to writing academic papers, as well as a Master’s thesis, that writing my new books was actually pure FUN! Because blogging is something that I truly enjoy, it is very easy to write about.
D&G: And lastly, do you have plans for future books?
Cindy: I have 2 books in the works at the present time. One is about men’s blogging and it is very entertaining, especially because I am interviewing men with some interesting stories to tell. I am also writing a book called “Angles at my Door” and because I have had so many spiritual experiences happen in my life, I am excited to be able to put them into words to inspire others. I am hopeful that it will be released in time for Christmas.
Thank you once again, Cindy. Nicole and I just think you are an amazing,creative and giving woman. Thank you for your time.
Oh Debra and Nicole, thank you so much for this opportunity. It has been so fun talking to you about things that I feel are so passionate about. I want to thank you not only for this interview, but also for all you do on a daily and weekly basis for all of us who have Etsy stores. You have such a generous spirit and it is so apparent the minute that anyone comes to your blog.
Didn't I tell you she was great?!?! And fun. right?????
(All photos were taken from Cindy's blogs:)
Thank you for stopping by and meeting Cindy if you haven't already met her. Check out her blogs and her etsy.
'Till next time..............
~Debra xxx and Nicole