Summertime Publishing
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Our Authors
    • Publish with Us
    • Contact Us
    • Our Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
  • Services and Fees
    • Publishing Programmes
    • Selected Services
  • Our Bookshelf
    • Summertime Direct
    • Anthology
    • Careers and Business
    • Children's Books
    • Country Guides
    • Expat Life
    • The FIGT Collection
    • Health and Wellbeing
    • Third Culture Kids
    • Writing
    • Springtime Shop
  • For Writers
    • LDF Award
    • Jo Parfitt, Mentor
    • author2author
    • Paddy Hartnett, Proofreader
    • Writing Retreats
    • Free Resources for Writers
    • From Pipedream to Proposal
    • e-Learning
  • Blog

Summertime
​News

Chickenruby tells us why she blogs

10/8/2013

Comments

 
I recently discovered Chickenruby’s blog and it intrigued me. Firstly, she has a memorable and quirky name and that piqued my interest even before I knew what she wrote about. I love the fact that on her About page she explains she once owned a chicken called Ruby and has a Blue Peter Badge! No wonder I warmed to her. Chickenruby’s blog is about being a Brit in South Africa with three expat teens in tow. Her writing is peppy, useful and inspiring. I think she’s one to follow. I asked Chickenruby (real name Suzanne… did you know she once played the clarinet too but can’t sing?) why blog anyway?

Why do I blog?
I started blogging in October 2009 after winning Fancy dress Friday on twitter. I spent the week dressed as a dalek and wanted to share it all in one go. I then continued to use blogging as a way of tweeting longer.

Very soon I discovered that I was being asked for advice on parenting teenagers, I blogged about step families, disabled children and the following year after the oldest 3 had left home I blogged about life as an expat.

I’ve now had a friend work on my blog to make it a bit more professional, changed tags to be more concise, written a couple of articles on family and finances, my blog is a featured blog on many expat and Mum websites. I’ve guest posted, reviewed things, attended blogging conferences.

Prior to life as an expat we had 5 children, 3 at home, one in the army and the eldest in residential care but home on weekends and holidays. Hubbies job took him away most weeks round Europe and up north. The kids had a variety of activities from sea cadets to football. I worked 2 part time jobs as a lecturer and assessor in special needs and NVQ’s and as a Child Welfare Officer with the local county FA (Football Association) I was also studying for a degree in Psychology and helped run the local football club and took an active role with the children’s schools. I had a fantastic network of friends that I could call on anytime of the day or night.

As an expat life has been very lonely, I moved away from everything and everyone I knew. I didn’t realise it would be so hard. I’ve lost my identity. The children had school and hubby had work, they had familiar things around them, it has been hard for them also, but for me I had no way of meeting people, unable to work and having to sort our new lives out, alone with no support.
Blogging has helped me connect to other expats, share stories and tips and hints. I’ve received the most amazing support in regards to treating depression, connecting with expat groups and communities. I’ve been able to share the most amazing experiences from painting shacks in townships to walking with giraffes.

Blogging has become my occupation, supporting others and receiving support in return. Raising awareness of people with disabilities in South Africa, supporting children in townships with Christmas gifts, fundraising and connecting with the most amazing people.

I can be found:
​
On twitter @chickenruby
Facebook Chickenruby
And my blog is chickenruby.com
Comments
    Picture
    All the latest news from the team at Summertime Publishing
    Subscribe

    Archives

    February 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    July 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    September 2008
    May 2008

Summertime Publishing

Website by author2author | © Summertime Publishing 2023 All Rights Reserved
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Our Authors
    • Publish with Us
    • Contact Us
    • Our Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
  • Services and Fees
    • Publishing Programmes
    • Selected Services
  • Our Bookshelf
    • Summertime Direct
    • Anthology
    • Careers and Business
    • Children's Books
    • Country Guides
    • Expat Life
    • The FIGT Collection
    • Health and Wellbeing
    • Third Culture Kids
    • Writing
    • Springtime Shop
  • For Writers
    • LDF Award
    • Jo Parfitt, Mentor
    • author2author
    • Paddy Hartnett, Proofreader
    • Writing Retreats
    • Free Resources for Writers
    • From Pipedream to Proposal
    • e-Learning
  • Blog