Blogger Spotlight: Over Heaven’s Hill

This week, we have Geraldine from Over Heaven’s Hill taking part in the Blogger Spotlight interview.

If you would like to take part, and your blog is under six months old, or has been re-launched in the last six months, please email me randommusings29@gmail.com

1 Firstly, tell us a little bit about yourself

My name is Geraldine, I was once called Jolene for a while due to miscommunication. I am married to my childhood sweetheart B. He caught me when I was an innocent 17 year old. We’re together fifteen years and married ten. We have a two year old daughter who is the light of our life. She is also the absolute double of her Daddy and I wonder did she come out of me at all. Hopefully, we’ll be able to expand our family soon.

2 What is your blog’s name and what is it about?

My blog is called Over Heaven’s Hill. I struggled with the name as most bloggers do, but decided on OHH because I wanted to include a weekly creative writing section on my blog and so I named it after, what I consider to be, the best piece of writing I’ve ever done! OHH is a poem which you can find on my second ever blog post about love lost, waiting and wanting.

I blog, primarily, about me, how my life has changed and how my personality has evolved (or not) since becoming a mum. Parenting is the most exciting and most terrifying journey I’ve ever been on. I hope sharing my experiences will touch another parent who needs the reassurance that ‘we’ve all been there, and we get through it’. I love sharing the happy moments and the lessons I’m learning through being a mum.

My blog is ever changing though, and with my weekly Sunday Sit Down creative writing series, I now include a weekly In Conversation With series where I talk to other parents (and parent bloggers) about their perceptions and experiences of parenting. I think we can learn a lot from each other. Or at least know that someone else has gone through what we’re going through. I have also been approached to write honest product reviews, which is challenging and exciting at the same time.

3 Why did you decide to start a blog?

I’ve always been a writer. Creative writing was my forte for years. I ran my own creative writing group in my home time for three years. We had 25 members at one stage and had started running our own local competitions. I gave it up when the organisation of the group took away my love of writing. I stopped writing for about four years and then A came along. I missed it. I really, really missed it. I supplemented my need to create with other hobbies like jewellery making (which I still do and love), graphic design and crafts but nothing could replace my love for writing. I didn’t have writers block, I just lost the passion. And I wanted it back.

I wasn’t too sure what I was doing when I set out to start a blog. I didn’t know what my focus was, but I knew ‘what better to write about than my daughter!’ So OHH was born and I’ve never felt so satisfied in my writing life! The thrill and joy I’m getting from writing and blogging as a whole is immense. I’m here for the long run!

4 Do you have any goals for your blog?

I’m blogging about two months so I’m still just a baby, but I want to make a success out of my blog. Ideally, my ultimate long term goal is make OHH my career. I want it to be a showcase for my writing talent and my love for parenting. I want it to be a friendly and welcoming platform for parents and my readers. Of course, I have short term goals which need to be tackled first… I really should make a list. I do like lists!

5 Tell us one random fact about you

Day Job = Medical Librarian.

6 What is the best piece of blog related advice you have received so far?

“Remember why you started blogging in the first place.”

I’ve heard this from so many bloggers and its great advice. It’s very easy to get swayed and pushed in different directions with your blog, especially when brands and companies come knocking on your door. Staying true to who you are, your writing style and topics you want to write is important. Otherwise, it’s not your blog anymore.

7 What is your favourite thing about blogging?

The creativity of it all.

I’ll admit when I started, I thought I would just write and publish. Oooooohhh no! If you’re serious about blogging you brand yourself. And I’m enjoying doing that side of things too. I have a love and a knack for graphic design also (I’m the go-to graphic designer, with zilch qualifications in the area, in my job) so that’s lots of fun. Creating images, and designing how each blog post looks and of course messing with themes and headers!

8 Is there anything you would do differently if you were starting over knowing what you know now?

I wouldn’t have written a single thing until I had my domain and hosting set up and ready to go! Trying to transfer 33 posts over from WordPress to self hosting was an absolute nightmare! Text was skewed, images were missing, seo, tags, categories all went bonkers. I spent a full week transferring everything and then fixing it all up with a new theme. If I were ever starting again, I would start from the very, very beginning on the right foot. In saying that though, I didn’t know how serious I was about blogging until week one was over and I was sucked in! I bought my domain and hosting and sat on it for another four weeks … Idiot!

9 Anything else you’d like to share with us?

Don’t worry about finding your niche. Your voice is unique. Your niche is you!

10 Where can we find you? (blog link and links to any social media)

Blog –

Twitter – https://www.twitter.com/overheavenshill

Facebook –

Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/overheavenshill

Email – overheavenshill@gmail.com