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The SITS Girls

The Secret to Success is Support

A Mz-Cellaneous Photography Blog

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Lana from Mz-Cellaneous writes about the three things that mean the most to her, life, laughter, and learning. Specifically noted for her photography blog skills, you’ll also find posts on cooking, scrapbooking, and home life!

You’ve been blogging since 2007…which is a lifetime in blogland. What advice can you offer bloggers just starting out today?

Decide not only what you want to talk about, and really stick to it. Also decide what you DON’T want to talk about and stick to that too. I try to remain positive as much as possible on my blog. I want it to be a happy place for people to visit so you won’t see me talk about financial issues if something in our lives comes up. You won’t see me say anything more about my husband than “he was grumpy” (which is true). If we have a fight (rare), I don’t vent online for a multitude of reasons, but first and foremost I know that people want to get away from their problems, they don’t need to hear about mine!

I would also suggest that if you love blogging and really have found your niche, you should pop for your own domain early. I’m in the process of moving my blog over now – and it’s much more difficult with 1200 posts than it is with say, 50.

What can readers expect to find when visiting your blog for the first time?

Well, the first thing you’ll notice is photography. That’s how Mz-Cellanous came about. Four years ago I challenged myself to start a photography business and Mz-Cellaneous was where I was going to promote that. Soon I realized I was talking more about my life and family than photography (I didn’t have many sessions at the beginning) so I split it off and Mz-Cellaneous became my personal site.

The next thing you’ll probably notice a lot of, is chickens. LOL! I have 19 chickens that make me laugh every single day. They are fun to photograph and I like to share my nearly useless knowledge of raising chickens.

I’m very much into home improvements. I’ve lived in a construction zone for 4 years now – all of my own making. I share with others how we’ve improved our home or how they can do a project themselves, including gardening – I have a decidedly brown thumb so anything that grows here is a “pound your chest” victory in my book. Speaking of projects, I sometimes scrapbook (ha) and I’m adding a new section to my site after the move: DIY, Trash to Treasure. It’s going to be fun!

Once in a while I pretend I can cook. I impress myself so much that I have to share recipes.

Oh, and I like to make people laugh so almost every post has a touch of humor. Most of it is self-deprecating because I’m an easy target.

You take some amazing photos, how did you get your start in photography?

I started when I was in high school back in nineteen-dickety-eight with a camera my boyfriend at the time bought me. It was a great gift – a film SLR. I used it for around 15 years! In 2008 I buckled down and got serious and in those three years I’ve learned so much. Most of it has been trial by fire… shhh.. no one has caught on yet.

In what way has blogging been a rewarding experience for you?

The funny thing is, in scrapbooking, I used to think that journaling was an afterthought to the point of being unnecessary. I worked on a post in my head for a year that stated that fact…. can you see the irony in this? What I figured out was (despite being wrong), that words are really important to remember. Sometimes I think about my great-great-grandkids doing geneology and finding old versions of my blog with all my photos. I think that people naturally want to leave a legacy, they want to be remembered, and this is my way of doing so. Even if I’m having a day where I don’t have a lot of traffic and I’m feeling a little rejected. I just write for my family that I don’t even know yet.

What has been most challenging for you when it comes to blogging?

Writers block. I find it hard sometimes to come up with something to say. Sometimes I’ll just go outside and start shooting photos of things around me and I’ll think of 2-3 topics to blog about. I also keep a little notebook at my desk, and when I think of a topic I’ll make notes for later. Some of those things never ever get blogged, but when I’m in a pinch it will remind me of some great ideas.

Other popular posts from Mz-Cellaneous:
Cease Fire Ranch: “I think I found the door to narnia.”
Delight in the simple things: “Life has been much more full, when I started noticing things after I came here, this little spot in the middle of nowhere.”
The night my brother stabbed me: Sibling rivalry at it’s finest.

About Tracie Nall

Tracie lives in Arizona with her husband, teen daughter, and more books than her shelves will hold. She spends her days writing and editing. Many of her words end up on her blog, From Tracie. Find Tracie on Twitter @FromTracie and on Instagram where she takes pictures of things that are yellow.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  10. Leah Rubin says

    Wow– her photographs are VERY creative! And I like her thoughts on focusing your blog, too!
    Congrats on your SITS day!

  13. Michelle says

    I really love the animal photos – you are quite talented. I also really like and agree with your blogging tips – i esp. like the tidbit about who and what you will talk about. Smart cookie!

  16. Hanneke Nelson says

    I am suffering from a serious case of writer’s block myself. Not so much in my head, there’s plenty going on in there. But to get to posting… I am sticking with pictures for the moment.

  17. LBDDiaries says

    Oh! Oh! Oh! LOVE the jeans/boots and dress/heels – well, I LOVE all the photographs – but that one resonates within me! I can tell I’m gonna love this blogger – great writing voice!

  27. Marge says

    Oooohhh, photography blog – another one of my passions, can’t wait to check it out!

    I am getting back into the swing of things and could use some lovin’… I will give it back!

    Make it a great daY!

  30. almostsinglemom says

    your photos are a-maz-ing!

    Where we live keeping chickens is illegal, though I really wish we could. I am a country girl at heart- stuck in suburbia.

  32. Jen says

    I can’t wait to check this blog out. I love photography blogs b/c taking pictures is something I am not good at.

  35. Blond Duck says

    I love scrapbooking! She sounds great! That’s why I had so much fun making this dream board…. going to check her out!

  36. citymouse says

    Sounds like another great blog. I love good photography and the chickens… well, they are just great subjects to photograph.

  44. Amanda says

    Gorgeous photos! And I appreciate the tip about moving to my own domain. I may have to look into doing that, but I have no idea how to go about it as yet. 🙂

  46. Danielle says

    Your photos are beautiful. Chickens are so expressive. I love when I get to visit with them and I have a camera in hand.

  50. Leah says

    I love photography, so can’t wait to read more into your blog. At just a glance though, I LOVE your header and I’m so intrigued. Congrats on being featured today!