Reasons To Create Blog - Interview with Dutch Garden Blogger Behind BLISS

There is a lot of discussions lately about purposes of writing a blog, how to do it, is there a sense to keep a blog alive, why others abandon blogging etc.
I decided to take part in the discussion by posting not only my own opinions, but also by inviting other passionate bloggers to talk about their own reasons for blogging and also about the ways, blogging is impacting their life.

Today I have invited Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen - the Dutch blogger behind BLISS.

Ewa: Please introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi, I'm Yolanda Elizabet and according to the Briggs-Meyer typology I'm a Rationalist Mastermind (INTJ) most often, but sometimes also a Idealist Counselor (INFJ). I hope, gentle reader, that you are suitably impressed by those fancy titles. ;-) If you haven't got a clue what I'm talking about please visit here http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp and do the test. It's about your favourite subject, namely YOU. ;-) Seriously, there is quite a lot to learn by taking the test, both about yourself and others. And it's the shortest way to get to know me a bit better too. Trust me, I'm a Counselor. :-D

Ewa: What blogs do you own, which one is your favorite?

I have 2 blogs Bliss, http://blissyo-elgarden.blogspot.com/ and Tuin Tirades http://tuintirades.blogspot.com/, both are mainly about gardening, but of course other things creep in from time to time. I've been blogging for more than 2 years now and am still enjoying it very much. I have no favourite, I like both but for different reasons. Bliss is more international and Tuin Tirades focusses on gardeners in my own country and nextdoor neighbour Belgium. I
started blogging after reading Amy Steward's book From the Ground Up.

Loved the book, visited her website, found her blog and those of others and it went all pear shaped from then on. So if there is blame involved, blame her. :-D On a more serious note; I started blogging to get back into the swing of things. I had been very ill (bedridden 24/7) for quite some time and I needed to get back into the rhythm of writing regularly. I also needed to flex my English muscles, it really is use it or lose it. I don't think many native speakers have
any idea how difficult it is to blog in a language so not your own, especially when it comes to expressing your feelings, your opinions or making jokes.
That's hard enough in your own language, let alone someone else's.

Ewa: What is the number 1 thing you learned about blogging? that makes the difference between succeeding and failing in blogging?

I don't think anybody could ever fail at blogging, it's just something that you do and hopefully enjoy and that's that. Failing and succeeding doesn't enter into it as far as I'm concerned.

Ewa: Can you say, that blogging changed your life? In what way? Do you see difference before and after blogging?

Yes, it has changed my life in some ways. First there is the hours that I spend blogging when I should be doing other things, secondly it has enhanced my life as it has opened a door to the rest of the world for me. It's great to get to meet so many fellow gardeners from all over the world. My blog is visited by people from 141 countries, I didn't even know there were that many. ;-) And all those people with their blogs and comments have added fun and knowledge to my life and have accepted me into their garden community International Gardeners United! (Thanks all!). And thirdly, as an INTJ I tend to look at the big picture (the whole garden if you will) and blogging has taught me to look at the details (each and every individual plant, even petal) more
often.

Ewa: If you have to bring instant visitors to your blog in the next 30 minutes, what steps will you follow?

Choose a title for a post that will intrigue many, like Pea Brained.

Ewa: What else would you like to share, something that our readers can immediately apply to their blogs and see results fast?

It rather depends on what kind of result you're aiming for. I'm all for having fun, making people smile, LOL even. I also think it's great if they pick up something useful from my blog and last but certainly not least it makes my day when people tell me that my blog has inspired them. Those are my kind of results. ;-)

Thank you Yolanda Elizabet!

You may read many more fresh and educational gardening stories at BLISS.