This Week's Backtalk: Using Your Blog to Make Your Career Dreams Come True

I have been blogging here ( http://huriyamanzar.blogspot.com )for a couple of years. I started the blog simply to record my life as it goes however over time I realized my passion for writing. I am a software engineer by profession but I knew that there is something more that I need to do and Only through blogging I realized that the act of writing is what was missing from my life. It has brought a sense of peace and place for me to vent and opportunity to find my voice. I hope one day I am able to write a novel and get published .. that is my dream.

I started off by designing blogs in 2006 and now I have a well-developed business with both local and international commercial clients!  And to think, it all started with mommyblogging!  It's great to be able to stay home with my kids and make a living at this.

And since all 4 of you have been or currently are my clients, I have to say a huge thank you - you and this community got me started and I'll always be grateful.

xo

~ Karen ~ 

Craftastrophe ( http://www.craftastrophe.net/ ) | Karen Bodkin dot com ( http://karenbodkin.com/ )

I left my career (that I had no passion for) to become a SAHM. I started blogging ( http://www.napwarden.com/ ) to save my sanity. Somehow between then and now, I started my own blog design site and learned Illustrator. Now I do custom illustrations and design for bloggers. I have a steady stream of clients.

I always said I wanted to do something creative. Now I am, and I have a great body of work to show for it. Should I decide to get back into the work force, I would gladly use my design site ( http://www.nwdesignsit.com/ ) as a portfolio.

Yay Mommy Bloggers...we are changing the world!

I'm so honored to be included in this episode. I've got a lot to say on the subject, but I guess I'll have to get with the program and record it. :)

Rita Arens writes at Surrender Dorothy ( http://surrenderdorothy.typepad.com ) and BlogHer and is the editor of Sleep is for the Weak ( http://tinyurl.com/9pg62e ).

I just started my own blog that is pretty much just about our everyday life and a parenting article so far. It's not even a week old. I think it would be so great to be able to help my husband earn some money since I'm a SAHM right now. Hopefully someday I can get good enough at this to do some good for us!  My new blog is http://sippycupsandcheerios.blogspot.com ( http://sippycupsandcheerios.blogspot.com/ )

I am right there with you...yesterday, I finished a book proposal which was based on my blog (www.yourstartupstory.com ( http://www.yourstartupstory.com/ )).  I have a masters degree in teaching but have always felt writing was "my thing".  Last year, I got my first job as a freelance writer for a magazine and six months ago started my website/blog...It's amazing what we can do today with technology at our finger-tips. 

Kerry Anne Ducey

I just finished a post announcing the change I made in my blog's appearance.  I am celebrating the way writing and interacting with my readers has changed my life.  

Writing is what I was always meant to do and wanted to do.  But life got in the way.  With this incredible gift of technology, I have been able to work full time and write as well.  It has been SO rewarding personally, but also professionally.  Last week I got my first paying job as a freelance writer!  And it was because of my blog.

I feel as though there are no limits to the things I can do. :)