August 28, 2015

Blogger Interview with Sherry Ellis from Mama Diaries


With the start of a new school year, I thought it was the perfect time to interview Sherry Ellis. Her blog is called Mama Diaries and all of her posts feature cute stories about her kids. Sometimes her pets even get in on the shenanigans. 

Let’s chat with her! :)


1. Hi, Sherry! Can you tell us about your blog Mama Diaries?

Mama Diaries began in 2010. It’s pretty much a daily account of the goofy things that happen in my life as a mom. It started as a way to capture all the memories of my children’s childhood, so that I could share it with them when they’re older. I also thought it might be nice for readers of my books to get to know a little about me on a personal level. I never thought I’d get to meet so many awesome writers and bloggers by doing it!

2. I truly enjoy your funny and often heartwarming posts. Do your kids know you share the funny things they say and do on your blog? If so, have they ever asked you not to share something?

Yes, they do. And yes, there have been many times they’ve asked me not to share things. On quite a few occasions, after something funny happens, one of the kids will follow with, “You’d better not blog about that!” I respect their wishes. You probably notice there are not a lot of posts about my teenaged daughter. That’s the reason.


3. All teenaged girls like their privacy. What was your very first blog post?

My very first blog post was on March 2, 2010. It was aptly named, “The Beginning.” You can find it here:  http://sherryellis.blogspot.com/2010/03/beginning.html

5. For those who may not read your posts, can you tell us a little about your kids? And your dog, Schultz, who often makes an appearance?

I have two kids – an eleven-year old son (Bubba), and a fourteen-year-old daughter. They are both great kids – very smart and creative. Bubba, who is the main subject of my posts, has an amazing imagination. His way of seeing the world is quite entertaining. Then there’s the dog – Schultz. He’s our hundred pound German Shepherd. When he was a puppy, there were more stories about him, because he was always in trouble. Now, not so much. But every now and then he’ll do something crazy that I have to share. (He never objects to my posts!)

6. What are the top 5 most-viewed posts on your blog?






7. What do you love most about parenting?

A parent-child bond is really special. I’ve been able to watch my children grow and experience life. I’ve seen their personalities and interests unfold. I’ve been there through their ups and downs. That bond that we share is what I like best.

8. Share your number one tip to bloggers just starting out.

Get involved with the blogging community. Find bloggers and start commenting on their blogs. Pretty soon you’ll be building relationships, and you’ll have some terrific new friends.


Hyper Round:

1. Favorite time to post blogs? 1:00 PM
2. Blogger or Wordpress? Blogger
3. Do you host guests? Yes
4. Where are you when you’re blogging? At my home computer




BIO:

Sherry Ellis is a freelance writer and award-winning children’s author.  Her books include Ten Zany Birds, That Mama is a Grouch, and That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN!
     
Sherry is also a professional musician who plays and teaches violin, viola, and piano. She has appeared as a soloist in Germany and was a semi-finalist in the 2004 International Viola Competition in Paris, France.

Sherry lives with her husband and two children in Atlanta, Georgia.

You can learn more about Sherry Ellis on her website, www.sherryellis.org.


LINKS:


Thank you for answering my questions, Sherry! I’d love to have you back as a guest any time!

Please leave a comment for Sherry! :)


78 comments:

  1. Wow, Sherry, sounds like you are a busy and talented lady. It is nice to meet you. I will be visiting you momentarily. :-)
    sherry @ fundinmental

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! Yes, I'm extremely busy. I need to figure out how to clone myself, because I really could use about five of me! ;0)

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  2. And it's fun that Bubba is now answering questions for us.
    Getting involved and making friends is definitely the key.

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    1. I'm sure readers have enjoyed many of Bubba's answers. The blogging community is very supportive. I've made a lot of great friends through being involved with it.

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    2. Yes, I was very honored that he answered my question. ;)

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  3. Thanks so much for having me as a guest, Chrys!

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    1. You're very welcome, Sherry! Sorry I'm late. This is the earliest I was able to get on. I had a lot of errands this morning.

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  4. Bubba and the animal crew sure provide plenty of material to blog about haha and yep, the more on is involved the more fun they will have in blogland

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  5. Wonderful interview! I love reading Sherry's blog. It never fails to make me laugh. :)

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  6. Hi, Chrys! Hi, Sherry!

    Point #8 is key. A new blogger on the radar is a friendship waiting to happen. By putting yourself out there, in play, giving as much or more than you take, you multiply your chances of finding satisfying friendships, each with the potential to last a lifetime. I am very grateful to Sherry for taking a chance on me. Actually, Sherry and I were like old friends even before we met. For four years she and I had been blogging in the same circle and reading each other's comments on the blogs of mutual friends. Recently we finally started following each other. I think Sherry will agree that it has been a rewarding experience. In a blog world filled with aggressive, in-your-face types, I appreciate Sherry's laid back temperament. I love her subtle sense of humor revealed in the anecdotes she shares. I have come to know and care about her family. Sherry is an asset to the blogging community and I am honored to have her as a friend.

    Thank you, dear Chrys, and thank you, dear Sherry!

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    1. Shady, I just want to give you a big hug! You and your wonderful comments just made my day! I am honored to have you as a friend. It's people like you who make blogging such an enjoyable experience!

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    2. Hi, Shady! Thank you for stopping by and for leaving a wonderful comment. I enjoyed reading about your lovely relationship with Sherry. Sherry's blog is great. If I'm stressed, her humorous stories make me laugh and release so me of that stress.

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  7. yes to #8!! I was a little shy at first so it took me time but I didn't realize how rewarding putting yourself out there could be :) so glad I did, I've met great ppl!

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    1. It's really nice to connect with people you wouldn't normally meet. I'm so glad you've had great experiences with the blogging world!

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    2. The two of you are on the top of my list of favorite blogging peeps. :D

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  8. Sherry is amazing and her posts are always entertaining.

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    1. Thanks, Murees! I really appreciate your comment, and all the others you leave on my blog. I'm glad our paths have crossed!

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    2. I agree. Thanks for visiting, Murees! :)

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  9. I just love Sherry's funny posts. She sure is a busy lady :)

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    1. Thanks, Rachna! Yes, I am very busy. I can barely keep track of myself! :)

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    2. Sherry's posts are the best! :)

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  10. Great interview. Whenever you drop by Sherry's blog there is always something to make you smile. Family life is never dull!

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    1. You are right about family life never being dull!

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  11. Hi Chrys and Sherry ... good see you both together - interviewing and letting us into a little more background about your kids and Schultzy dog .. I love Sherry's Garden posts and always check in there.

    Cheers to you both - and that musical ability is just brilliant - cheers Hilary

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    1. Nice to see you here, Hilary! Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. Hi, Hilary! I love reading her stories about her kids and Schultz, and I had a feeling everyone would enjoy a bit more background on both. :)

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  12. Your posts are always heartfelt and sweet, Sherry, and such a great way to share the experience. Wish I'd had something like that when mine were young. Although, maybe now I should post about the boomerang experience. I can't get rid of them (uh, I mean I still can't say no) LOL
    I especially love when the dog is involved in your posts, too funny, and oh so typical. Congrats on all your success.
    Great interview as always Chrys!

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    1. Thanks, Yolanda! I wonder if I'm going to have the boomerang experience in about ten years. ;0)

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  13. Hi Sherry, your blog sounds like so much fun!! I'm going over there to check it out. I agree with your #8 answer. It's surprising the relationships that are built around blogging (like with Chrys!). Nice interview, Chrys.

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    1. I think blogging is a great way to connect with people. And there seems to be a lot of writers. It's nice to learn from each other, too.

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    2. Blogging is a great way to connect with people. :)

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  14. Great interview, ladies. So nice to meet you, Sherry. Wonderful idea to blog about things your children do. I can see where they might object to posting some things. Makes for interesting reading.
    Have a nice weekend.

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    1. Thanks for visiting and commenting, Beverly! Have a great weekend. :)

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    2. My kids are certainly entertaining, and I'm sure a lot of people enjoy reading their antics. Thanks for visiting. Have a great weekend!

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  15. Very nice interview, Sherry! As you know, I love your blog, too. It's always fun to find out what's happening at your house..)

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Deanie. There's never a dull moment at my place!

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  16. Oh this was outstanding! Sherry I thoroughly enjoyed the interview and was truly amazed at the ease in which you share your life with such impressive expression! Loved every one of your 'sample' blogs and hope you don't mind if I hang around for more! Everyone should smile this much:-)
    Lady Chrys, you hit it out of the park once again!

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    1. Lady Chrys. I like the little nicknames you make for me. :D Thanks for being you! You make blogging more fun. I look forward to your comments every time. :)

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    2. Ha! Bless your heart :-) I look forward to your blogs every time!

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    3. Thank you so much, Diedre! I'm glad you enjoyed the sample posts!

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  17. Nice interview, both of you! Sherry, my kids are 6 years ahead of yours almost exactly and the elder was ALREADY a teen when I began blogging, so I hear you there. And I refer to my husband as HWMNBMOTI because of a specifica command very early (He Who Must Not Be Mentioned On The Internet--so when I mention him, that's what I call him *shifty*)

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    1. Haha! My husband sometimes threatens to respond to my posts and call himself, "The Husband."

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  18. Of course the teen won't want you to post anything about her.

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    1. Teens can be sensitive like that. I'm afraid the day is coming soon, when Bubba will feel that way, too.

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  19. Nice to meet you, Sherry! I've continue to be impressed about how supportive the blogger community is, and especially of children. :) Isn't it great?

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    1. The blogging community has a lot of great people in it. I'm so glad I've met many of them.

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  20. Sherry is one of my favorite bloggers. Her books are adorable and worth purchasing.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Thank you, Janie! A big hug for you for the marketing sales pitch! You are one of my favorite bloggers, too - and an excellent editor!

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  21. I always enjoy visiting Sherry's blog and finding out what has been going on with her, her kids, and her dog. Such entertaining stories! I can imagine a teenager would want to censor what is posted. :)
    ~Jess

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    1. I enjoy visiting her blog too. :)

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    2. I don't think I'd want my mom blogging about me if I was a teenager, either.

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  22. Howdy! I love the stories on Sherry's blog. Each time I visit, I get a chuckle. And it's great that she listens to her kids when they say, Don't blog that.

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    1. She is a great mom. And a fun one too as is evident with her posts. :)

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    2. I have to respect the family. We have a great time, and I'm glad people get a chuckle out of some of the stories.

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  23. Hi Chrys, thanks for having Sherry to your blog. And Sherry, I enjoyed learning more about you. And all of your books are wonderful too! :-)

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    1. Hi Tracy! Thank you for visiting and commenting on Sherry's interview. :)

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    2. Thanks, Tracy! I always enjoy your comments over on my blog.

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  24. Great interview! I visit Sherry's blog occasionally and her kiddo is hilarious and so creative! I would write more about my kiddo, but right now she's just snark and attitude, so I don't want to bring people in on my annoyance haha

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    1. Snark and attitude can be fun, though. ;)

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    2. Haha! Snark and attitude can be fun, but it sounds like your kiddo probably wouldn't want you blogging about it.

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  25. I agree about commenting on other blogs. That's how most bloggers get readers. Great interview.

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  26. Great post, ladies:)
    Sherry, I didn't realize you were also a professional musician. Very impressive.
    Chrys, I just downloaded your editing tips. You are always so good about sharing. Thank you.

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    1. You're the first to mention you downloaded one of my PDFs. Thank you, Sandra! :D

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    2. Music is my main job and my passion. I'm so lucky to be able to have jobs I enjoy!

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  27. Mama Diaries is a very entertaining blog. I've been reading it for a little while now.

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  28. I enjoy stopping over at Mama Diaries. Love the sweet little stories she posts there. :-)

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  29. Sherry's blog is one of my favorite... One day, I hope to vote for Bubba for President!

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  30. What a great interview. Sherry sounds so cool. I once learned to play viola. I've been dying to re-educate myself at some point.
    And of course being a children's author is absolutely fabulous.

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    1. Hi Jeffrey, thanks for stopping by! I love the viola. It's my favorite instrument!

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