SUZY TURNER
Suzy Turner is a blogger and published author. She has written twelve books since 2010 and became a serious blogger in 2015 when she launched her 40+ lifestyle blog. As the founder of Yogadocious, a health-oriented lifestyle blog featuring advice, yoga classes, and delicious recipes, Suzy has inspired others to be the best version of themselves. We are so thrilled to have Suzy on our platform. Please check out her website http://www.suzyturner.com, her yoga blog http://www.yogadocious.com, and her Instagram @suzyturner.
WHYÂ DIDÂ YOUÂ DECIDEÂ TOÂ PURSUEÂ YOURÂ BLOG?
"I actually first started blogging back in 2008 but it wasn't until 2015 when I decided to take it seriously with my current blog. I've been a writer for years so it was just a natural direction for me to take."
WHO HAS BEEN MOST SUPPORTIVE TO YOU AND YOUR WORK?
"I would have to say my husband. When I was made redundant from my job as a magazine editor over five years ago, he offered to support me as I try to find my way as an author. He's supported me ever since – I think he's hoping one of these days I'll hit the big time and he can retire lol"
WHOÂ ORÂ WHATÂ INSPIRESÂ YOUÂ ANDÂ GETSÂ YOURÂ CREATIVEÂ JUICESÂ FLOWING?
"So many things inspire me. The beauty of the natural world around me always encourages me to write. People inspire me too, so do places like London and New York. I'm also very much influenced by my dreams. I've written books that were inspired by all of the above."
WHAT'S BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT AND WHAT'S BEEN THE MOST ENJOYABLE THING ABOUT HAVING A BLOG AND WRITING NOVELS?
"The toughest part of writing a blog and books is the fact that I haven't made much money over the past few years. Things are only starting to improve now... It takes a long time to become established in the blogging and book world. The most enjoyable part is all the wonderful people I've 'met' over the past few years. Even though I've never met them in real life, I know I've some friends for life, both though my books and the blog. I also love that I can work on my own, by my own rules."
YOU'RE NOT ONLY A BLOGGER AND A PUBLISHED AUTHOR, BUT YOU ALSO FOUNDED YOGADOCIOUS.COM! COULD YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT AND WHY YOU CREATED THE SITE?
"I'm a little embarrassed to admit that Yogadocious has taken a bit of a back seat over the past few months while I concentrated on my lifestyle blog. Basically, last year I trained to become a yoga teacher and Yogadocious is the result of that. I want to share my love of yoga with the world, and encourage others to try it. My style of yoga is very much focussed on beginners so anyone can try it. Next year, I will be much more engaged on the Yogadocious site!"
DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS A 'FEMALE BLOGGER' STEREOTYPE? IF SO, WHAT IS IT AND HOW ARE YOU REBELLING AGAINST IT?
"I do believe that there is a female blogger stereotype. And that stereotype is a young beautiful woman in her early twenties who wears nothing but designer clothes. Of course this blogger does exist but I want to see a more diverse group of women blogging. I'm in my early 40s and I mostly blog about affordable style. I love that more and more women my age (and much older) are finally taking centre stage – it's becoming 'cool' to have grey hair, for instance, to embrace the real you. That's what I'm doing. I'm embracing me for who I really am, flaws and all. By the way, I stopped dyeing my hair about 5 five years ago and I LOVE my grey hairs!"
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST SUCCESS IN 2017? IT CAN BE BUSINESS OR PERSONAL RELATED.
"I would have to say the growth of my blog over the past few months has been a big success that I'm delighted about. Also, I published a new chick lit novel called Aphrodite's Closet, which I'd been wanting to write for so long. I finally published it in the spring and it's one of my favourites so far."
HOW DO YOU THINK WE CAN HELP REFORM THE BLOGGING COMMUNITY?
"By embracing and encouraging bloggers of all age groups to fight for their dreams."