Inspire Me Guest Series – An Interview With Endastories

The Inspire Me guest series is back with another round of brilliant bloggers. Over the coming weeks they’ll be sharing their blog experiences, insights and little golden nuggets of top tips that you won’t want to miss.

This week I’m joined by Enda from Endastories.

I first came across Enda when he rocked up at the #DreamTeam linky party for bloggers. His writing stuck out so much that within a few hours of opening, each of the #DreamTeam linky hosts had mentioned his name… at least twice. His voice is clear, unapologetic and there’s a real sense of ‘what you see is what you get.’ To me, Edna’s superpower is definitely being able to cut through the waffle, making for a very interesting read. Now, over to Enda!

Inspire Me Endastories

Quick fire questions are so much fun but can also tell us so much about how someone thinks. Let’s see how Enda got on.

• Tea or Coffee? Coffee (don’t drink tea).
• Cake or Biscuits? Biscuits.
• Cats or Dogs? Dogs.
• Lefty or Righty? Righty.
• Early bird or Night owl? Early bird.
• Facebook or Twitter? Both.
• Blogger, Vlogger or both? Blogger.
• Beach hut or Log cabin? Log cabin.
• Unicorns of Mermaids? Mermaids.

1. How long have you been blogging for and what inspired you to give it a go?

Properly for about 15 months. Irregularly for two years before that. My blog started as me assembling my published newspaper and magazine articles on a word-press website. It became a blog when I started posting blog pieces sporadically. One day I decided to write one post every Monday, and to promote my blog a bit using linkys.

2. Think back to when you first started blogging, what if anything has changed the most?

I am not tech savvy so this has been a journey of discovery. I am a personal blogger, not a product selling/collaborative blogger.

3. Are you a pen and paper or straight to the screen type of writer?

Straight to screen.

4. Where and when do you do most of your writing?

Every Monday morning after kids have gone to school and wife to work. I have a little spare bedroom office with desk and computer. I am freelance and work afternoons into evening.

5. How often do you write and what type of things inspire your blog posts?

Once a week, usually inspired by family matters. This has become more complicated as my kids are teenagers, and I rarely share real family stuff.

6. Have you ever had a major case of writers block, if so, how did you overcome it?

Not really … and if I did I would write about that!

7. Complete one or both of the following sentences. A) Bloggers rock because… B) I am a super blogger because…

Some bloggers rock because they write interestingly and well, and because they share with others. This’s one of the best bits about blogging: the support and banter with other bloggers. It really is so supportive … all that sharing, retweeting and just generally nice and encouraging comments .It’s lovely to receive, and just as nice to be able to do the same.

I am a super blogger because people read my stuff and go to the trouble of responding, even if it is just a View or Like. I hugely enjoy corresponding with these readers.

8. Name 3 bloggers who inspire you?

Well three bloggers. To name just three I enjoy very much… Heather Keet (Shank you very much); Mary Murphy (Unpacking My Bottom Drawer) and Thom Hickey (The Immortal Jukebox).

I love Heather’s humour, of course, but as I am sure anyone who has corresponded with her will agree, she is so enthusiastic, supportive and just all-round brilliant.

Mary is just a superb writer, and also incredibly prolific, writing about all sorts: her many travels, life in the small Hungarian village where she lives as an Irish ex-pat, and her unending curiosity about people, places, and things shines through, laced with humour and empathy …she even loves graveyards!

Thom is an amazingly prolific and interesting guy, and the Immortal Jukebox is an absolutely treasure trove and resource for anyone looking to be steered towards some incredibly music, with Thom’s unique take on them so enlightening and enjoyable to read. Again, his enthusiasm shines through and he wears such a huge knowledge lightly. He is also a wonderfully supportive and generous blogging buddy!

9. What is the best piece of blogging advice that you have been given?

None I can think of that stands out.

10. Share your own top blogging tip, advice or quote.

I’m not a great one to give advice, I’m winging it myself! I like blogs that entertain, engage and are well-written, and I stick with bloggers who engage when you respond to their pieces, so we develop an online relationship. That’s the thing about bloggers and blogging: it’s a community and lovely to be part of it.

You can read more from Enda by visiting Endastories and following him on Twitter and Facebook.

Inspire Me Guest Series

The Inspire Me guest series features some of my favourite bloggers. From the queen bee’s themselves, to the much newer bloggers on the scene.  All have that elusive something that you can’t quite put your finger on that makes them stand out from the crowd! Here are some of my latest interviews… enjoy!

An interview with Craft With Cartwright

An interview with Winnettes

An interview with Battlemum

An interview with Mom Of Two Little Girls