Lisa Newton
Amateur Nester
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Share your brief bio:
I’m a former school librarian turned stay-at-home mom / freelance library consultant. I blog about my journey through infertility and aim to encourage other women facing similar circumstances.
Tell us a little about your family.
My husband, Tom, and I live with our newborn daughter (whom I refer to as “CJ”), in the Monterey Bay area. We have a spoiled orange and white cat named Hemingway who adopted us when we moved into our house.
How do you prioritize time between your family and your blog?
This is something I’m still figuring out. Before our daughter was born, I blogged after I got home from work. As I write this, our daughter is only 7 weeks old, so I’m still struggling to find time for the blog. Luckily, I was smart enough to schedule posts 3 months in advance for my blog, so I have some time to figure it out!
How do you relax?
Reading, tea and chocolate, and naps!
When did you start your blog?
January 2013.
Why did you start blogging?
I started it with the intention of blogging about decorating my new house. I quickly realized I didn’t care too much about posting about decorating, and when we found out we were going to have trouble getting pregnant, the blog turned into a way for me to deal with that.
How did you choose your blog name?
Since I originally was going to do a decorating blog, I thought it would be all about my “nesting” attempts. (I had not heard of “The Nester” blog back then). I thought the “Amateur” title would portray my rookie status when it came to decorating. Little did I know it would also fit perfectly for my inability to conceive and create my own family nest!
What keeps you motivated and inspired to blog?
It started off as a way for me to process my journey. Now that I’ve successfully conceived and given birth, it’s a way for me to give back to the online infertility community that supported me. I think it’s so important for women to know that they are not alone in their struggles to conceive, and I enjoy giving them a way to share their own stories, too.
Where do you see your blog and yourself in 5 years?
I’d like my blog to be a well-known resource for women who need encouragement and hope during infertility. I’d be thrilled if it also turned into a way for me to make some decent income, but I’ll also be happy if it stays more of a ministry, too.
Biggest life lesson learned from blogging?
Share your story. There are so many people out there going through similar circumstances and they’re afraid to open up. When one person does it, it makes it easier for someone else to do it, too.
What is your secret to success?
I think my blog has been successful because I’ve been authentic. It accurately reflects my personality, my values, my beliefs and my stories. Not everyone likes it and that’s fine. There are other infertility bloggers that resonate more with them. But there are also a lot of people who resonate with me, and I’m glad I can serve them.
What do you wish someone would have told you when you first started blogging?
Go self-hosted right away. Don’t waste too much time with a free WordPress or Blogger account. It was a pain to transfer everything to a self-hosted account a year in.
All bloggers encounter writer’s block. How do you get past this?
I keep a notebook in Evernote for ideas and drafts. I make it a point to jot things down when I get an idea. I have more ideas than I have time!
What has been your sweetest success story?
In 2014 I was nominated for the Best Blogger Award from RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. I didn’t win, but the nomination meant a lot to me. It validated what I was doing and that it was reaching people.
What has been your most popular posts?
My most popular post for over a year has been my Intro Post to my “31 Days of Prayer During Infertility” series.
My second most popular post is “3 Things I Wish I Could Say to My Pregnant Friends”.
I also have a free infertility prayer calendar printable that is very popular.
Who are some of your favorite California bloggers that inspire you and that you enjoy reading?
I love Dreaming of Dimples and Bubbles and Bumps.
How long have you lived in California?
I moved to California from Florida when I was 12 years old.
Where is your favorite relaxation location in California?
I live in the Monterey Bay area and I must admit that I think this is the best spot in California!
Do you belong to any other social media networks to promote your blog?
No.
Have you attended any social media conferences? If so, which ones?
No.
Share your favorite quote or inspirational thought:
Each week I interview someone who has experienced infertility firsthand. One of my favorite quotes came from an interview I did with Salina from Heart Reflected. She said, “…with a baby or without, you are valuable, you are whole and you matter…”
Tell us something that most people would be surprised to learn about you.
I’m a Trekkie.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
If you are struggling with infertility, you are not alone. I’d love to have you be a part of the community of women encouraging each other on my blog.
Do you send out a monthly newsletter? How can we get on your mailing list if we are interested in more information?
Yes, I send a monthly newsletter! You can sign up here or you can join by downloading my free infertility prayer calendar.
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