Emily Ann Benedict and I met through blogging and quickly learned that we share a love of books and chocolate. (Not necessarily in that order...) The motto on her website is Live, Love, Edit. I love that. This sweet and talented writer has written several books, including Only Angels are Bulletproof.
Welcome Emily! Why did you start blogging? How long have you had your current blog?
Thank you, Karen! I started my blog back in 2008 in conjunction with the release of my first novel, Only Angels Are Bulletproof. Blogging has been a recommended source of outreach for writers as long as I've been writing. I don't think I ever would have started without all the marketing gurus saying it was absolutely necessary.
My blog focuses heavily on books and writing. I love to showcase good authors as well as talk about the craft and industry, but I also have plenty of posts just on life in general. God has never let my life go according to plan, so my journey has not been boring.
Seldom is a writer's journey boring! What benefits have you gained through blogging?
Honestly, the best part has been the people I have met through blogging. A lot of the people I have corresponded with, worked on projects with, or have learned a great deal from I met through blogging. The blogging community is also very supportive of one another.
I agree, the blogging community is wonderful. What projects are you working on right now?
I am planning putting out the final book in my Father Christmas series in the Fall of this year. So, some serious editing is in store. I am also in the beginning stages my first joint project in a new genre altogether. I am hoping we will get to reveal more details about it soon.
Looking forward to hearing about the new project. What might people be surprised to learn about you?
It usually throws people off to find out my day job is in the construction industry. My dad inadvertently raised me to follow him into construction. So, by day, I'm a project coordinator for an architectural firm.
Sounds interesting! What advice would you share with a newbie blogger?
The two best pieces of advice are post as consistently as possible and visit/comment on other people's blogs. I actually struggle with both, due to time constraints, but if you want readers, you have to reach for them. Plus you do get the benefit of blogging buddies!
Good advice. Thank you so much for joining us, Emily!
Thank you so much for letting me do this, Karen!
More About Emily in Her Own Words...
Project Coordinator by day, Writer by night, and frequent Blogger during lunch hour. So, basically, I'm an average American. I specialize in writing Suspense and Comedy with a healthy dose of Hope mixed in.
Visit Emily
Blog
Emily's Novels
Website Special note - Get a free download of one of Emily's books when signing up for her newsletter.
Do you have any questions for Emily? Do you blog during your lunch hour like she does?
I've a guest post up on my publisher's blog, if you have a minute, stop by and check it out.
Have a great week!
Happy writing,
Karen
How cool Emily works in construction. We need more women in that profession. And I agree, the writing community is very supportive. I love that about blogging too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Natalie. I was very fortunate to have a dad who didn't think construction was a boys only club. :) We need more dads like that! And yes, writers are great to connect with. We speak our own language.
DeleteBlogging is a social network. You have to reach out to others, otherwise you are just writing on the wall by yourself.
ReplyDeleteVery true! Fiction likes the idea of a person randomly opening a blog and suddenly having a huge following without any effort. Nothing could be further from the truth. ;)
DeleteNatalie,
ReplyDeleteI agree, her job sounds totally cool! :) The writing community is the best - such great people!
Diane,
Well said. We really do have to reach out and connect. And it's a great group to connect with! :)
Happy writing,
Karen
Thank you for the opportunity to do this, Karen. These were great questions. Plus, I'm glad you brought up chocolate. :)
DeleteYou are more than welcome, Emily! It's great to have you visit! :)
DeleteThe best part is all the people I've met through blogging!
ReplyDeleteI never expected to meet people the way I have through blogging. It's a great community. :)
DeleteGreat interview, Karen. Loved it. Emily was very engaging. Also read your excellent guest post. I have used prompts in the past, particularly when teaching creative writing. They spark the imagination. Susan
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the interview, Susan. Karen came up with some good questions.
DeleteHey Emily!! I agree, amigo. Emily is sweeter than a mouthful of clover honey. :-) I love her Father Christmas series. I used to work in construction. Uh-huh. I wear her name on my Purple Day scarf. Great post, you two.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you used to work in construction, Robyn! Well, what do you know! lol. You find some good people in this industry. ;)
DeleteI hope you and Christopher are doing better. You guys are in my prayers!
I wouldn't do this if I didn't find great people to connect with. It's so so time-consuming, so it has to have rewards.
ReplyDeleteBlogging is amazingly time-consuming, Lee. Finding fellow writers who feel the same way is a great way to make it through the rougher spots. ;)
DeleteAlex,
ReplyDeleteYes and amen to that! I doubt we would have met without connecting through the blogs. :)
Susan,
Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks also for stopping by the guest post. Much appreciated! )
Robyn,
She is just that sweet! :) So glad she decided to do the interview. You'll have to fill me in on the construction job thing. Now I'm curious!
Lee,
I wouldn't either! It does take a good chunk of time, that's for sure. :) But the rewards are sweet, aren't they?
Happy writing,
Karen
Nice to meet you, Emily! I love that you're in construction (the heroine in my second novel works in the family construction business and can hang drywall with the best of them). I agree that successful blogging requires consistency and outreach. The best part of blogging is, of course, all the nice people we get to meet. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa. That's a pretty great sounding character you have there! Good luck with your writing!
DeleteSuch a sweet lady, well... looking at her pic :) Thanks Karen for hosting her on your blog. Blogger during lunch hour... hhmmm, I have never tried that!
ReplyDeleteI've recently taken to quiet times at work to blog. It's sad. I also love blogging, but I just don't have the same amount of time I used to, and my blog suffers for it.
ReplyDeleteI'm slowly getting back to visiting bloggers more regularly, though.
Hi Emily and Karen! It sounds like you have so many wonderful projects on the horizon. You must be very busy! I really agree with your thoughts on visiting and commenting on blogs to dive into the community. I have really enjoyed meeting fellow writers and bloggers on their websites, and have even met a few in 'real life'.
ReplyDeleteBest of blessings on all your endeavors!
Ceil
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI am happy you got to meet Emily. :) She is sweet and funny, and I knew you'd like her! Your heroine sounds like she knows her stuff. Hanging drywall is not for wimps! lol
Marja,
She is very sweet! This picture of Emily is just lovely too. :) You should try the lunch hour blogging thing! lol
Misha,
I think you are not the only one who loves blogging but is challenged with the time factor. I fall into this category. Even though I went down to blogging once a week, it still presents a challenge. Hope you find a happy balance. Thanks for coming to see Emily! :)
Ceil,
She does sound busy, doesn't she? So glad you got a chance to meet Emily. I thought you would like her!:) It is great to meet all these bloggers, that's for sure! :)
Happy writing,
Karen
Hello ladies! I completely agree. Bloggers are the best. (Present company included.)
ReplyDeleteSo nice meeting Emily. She has much wisdom for someone who looks so young. I know the journey isn't boring, but sometimes it's lonely. Great interview, ladies. Hi Karen!
ReplyDeleteCrystal,
ReplyDeleteHello back! Thanks a bunch. And right back at you, sweet friend! :)
Joylene,
Happy to introduce you to Emily! :) She is a smart cookie, isn't she? Thanks so much!
Happy writing,
Karen
I love the connections I make with fellow bloggers. It's not easy to reciprocate comments, but I squeeze it into my schedule. Wonderful interview.
ReplyDeleteMedeia,
ReplyDeleteThe connections are great, I agree! It is hard to keep up the interaction, but worth it in the long run. :) Glad you got meet Emily.
Happy writing,
Karen
Great interview, Karen. Hello to Emily! I love chocolate too, ladies, and need lots of it when writing my memoir. I agree that it is wonderful to meet such interesting people on blogs. Emily, I'll hop on over to your blog to follow it. Good luck with everything!
ReplyDeleteVictoria,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Glad you got to meet Emily. It is fun to meet other writers through blogging - you included! :)
Happy writing,
Karen