Bombshell Beauty Inspires Fiction
Fellow blogger, Sara Bartlett (Bombshell Beauty) has published the first in a series of novellas, all inspired by her career as a plus size fashion pro-blogger. The book is titled Bombshell Blogroll and follows the adventures of Elizabeth Weston and her friends Samantha and Anna at a blogger conference. There is friendship, love, and lots of fun on their journey. The first book is currently available from Amazon and Barnes &Noble for $2.99 with the follow up books coming out this summer.
Sweet Sara graciously accepted my invitation for me to grill her with some questions about her latest venture, blogging, and shopping of course!
Q & A with Sara Bartlett, Pro-Blogger and Author
Moe: What is your day job?
Sara: By day, I’m a marketing manager for an educational publishing company.
Moe: How long have you been blogging?
Sara: My first blog post went up on March 29, 2007.
Moe: Why did you have the desire to write “this” story?
Sara: I wanted to write this story because my blog readers, over the years, have loved going along with me on my adventures. I thought it seemed natural to take a couple of those adventures and spin them into a genre of writing that I think is fun to read: romance.
Moe: Have you always wanted to write fiction?
Sara: Yes, I have. I read a lot of fiction and love the power of a good story to make you experience a range of emotions. I have always wanted to put my two cents in there.
Moe: What was the most challenging aspect of writing this story?
Sara: The most challenging aspect of writing this story was believing that anyone else would want to read it. I played a lot of head games with myself while writing this story… and finally found myself to be most productive and happy when I gave up thinking about what other people would want to read.
Moe: Do you think you would like to write fiction full-time?
Sara: I would love to write fiction full-time; it’s certainly the goal! And although I would not mind being picked up by a traditional publishing company, I love self-publishing because that goal is much more in my own hands.
Moe: What about your book series will appeal to bloggers (plus size or not)?
Sara: Bloggers will get a kick out the book series because it really does sketch out common blogger experiences – the excitement of being contacted by retailers who want to work with you; trying to find balance between your blog life and everything else; forging online relationship with readers and other bloggers.
Moe: How has blogging changed since you started?
Sara: For one, there are more people participating. I was one of the first plus size bloggers out there and am thrilled to see so many more women sharing their experiences on a blog. I love the diversity of interests and personal style that are represented on blogs, now.
Blogging has also become a lot more commercialized since 2007 – more bloggers view it as a career path, instead of simply a medium for self-expression. I think the most successful bloggers merge those two points of view. I certainly had no idea that Bombshell Beauty would lead to all the opportunities that have come my way, both commercial and otherwise.
Moe: What would you say to a new blogger starting out?
Sara: I would suggest that new bloggers keep three things in mind as they start out:
- Choose a specific topic and focus on it. Even if your topic is a lifestyle blog, the topic is you – which is pretty specific.
- Read other blogs, participate in their comments section. See what works for other bloggers- a specific layout or post themes – but adapt them to your own content.
- Play to your strengths. If you struggle with grammar and spelling but are a terrific photographer, then make your photos the focus of the blog. If you can’t take a decent picture to save your life, then write more content or use videos to supplement your posts.
Moe: What would you like to see for the plus size shopping experience that is not available to us yet?
Sara: I would like to see plus size shopping become mainstream. Instead of there being a Women’s World or Plus Section in a store, I would like to see plus sizes mixed in with every other size on display.
Moe: Let’s close with three places you like to shop?
Sara:
- City Chic (www.citychiconline.com)
- LucieLu (www.lucielu.com)
- Ulta (www.ulta.com)
Topic Links
* Get the Bombshell Beauty from Amazon
* Visit Sara at her blog Bombshell Beauty