I got to ask lovely writer/ blogger Tabatha McGurr a few questions.  If you didn’t already know she writes for MOB Living which was for me my introduction to the world of blogs years ago.  Besides that she’s just totally awesome.

Where did you grow up

I was born in the South of France and raised in Brooklyn, NYC.

How long have you been blogging/ writing

I’ve always been into writing, even back in grade school English was my favorite subject and I’d usually kill it with essays, but when I was younger I was more into drawing.  It really started when I was a teenager, and I started writing for Married to the Mob at 15.  It was my first experience “blogging”, back when that term wasn’t considered lame.

What did you want to be as a little girl

When I was little, I was pretty sure that I’d be an “artist” when I got older, in a literal painter sense.  But eventually my patience with drawing and painting just ran out, it’s frustrating when you try putting one thing on the page and something totally different comes out.  I think that’s why I got into writing instead, no matter what, you can always go back an edit things.  Also, I wanted to be a synchronized swimmer.

What/ who inspires your writing

I’m inspired to write by absolutely everything, that’s why writing is so fun for me!  I guess I have a pretty active imagination, I can look at a crumb on the floor and create a whole story in my head of how it got there, who brought it, what it’s made from, etc.  I generally draw inspiration from my own life though, it just comes easiest, and it’s the most genuine.  I’m really inspired by women too, even more than men sometimes, we’re just way more elusive and mysterious, and I understand us better.

Personally what blogs do you enjoy reading

ffffound.com- For images, I’m really big on visual blogs, even more so than ‘reading’ blogs.  I actually don’t have any of those, I’m more of a book person.

jjjjound.com- Just like the above, but slightly more personal.  Sometimes it’s lame, but it’s a fun momentary visual vacay.

theselby.com- The selby, because I secretly wish that I could be an interior decorator for fabulous people, or at least live like fabulous people!

theworldsbestever.com- Great for every day news within the realm of all things cool, for those with a variety of interests.

fashiongonerogue.com- Best site for editorial fashion scans, updated constantly.

luxirare.com- I just really sweat this chick.  Next, next level, and then a level beyond that.

What’s the weirdest thing that has come from sharing personal information to the masses on the internet

Whoa, good question!  Well, it’s definitely weird/awesome receiving fan mail, whether in the form of packages and gifts or actual letters, people really seem to connect with some things I’ve written.  I get mail from lots of chicks much older than me, which is always kind of a trip.  Being a writer is scary because you’re really just putting yourself out there, waiting for the criticism to follow, and it’s been a pretty validating experience writing MOBLIVING, I’ve gotten nothing but love for the most part.  A few months ago I went out one night and this chick came up to me and told me that she loved me and the blog, that was also pretty cool.  There are some cons too, naturally, like people creating fake email accounts or facebook profiles using my info and images, but whatever, heads know who the real deal is.

You seem to write extremely freely about personal issues & are very relatable, was it always easy for you to do this knowing you have a large amount of readers
I used to hold back a lot more when I first started writing on the blog, I just didn’t know what my approach was, there wasn’t a huge audience, and they were mostly all there for MOB and MOB only, they didn’t know who I was.  Once we started getting more readers, I did a little more “creative” writing, and after people responded well, a little more.  Eventually I just started using the blog as a diary of sorts, I realized that the more relatable my writing, the more people would connect to it.  There was a really difficult period I went through around 17, and I felt like I had pretty much nothing to lose after that, so I put it all out there in my writing.  The response was insane, people actually appreciated me taking those risks, and so when I saw that it wasn’t for nothing, I felt comfortable enough to keep at it.

Have you ever wrote anything and regretted it after

Hm… Maybe before, when I was just starting and thought talking shit was the best way to get readers.  It worked to some extent, but a lot of people threw it back in my face.  Like dude, you’re 15, who the fuck do you think you are?  The emotional stuff, the deep shit I’ve written on a whim, it’s just a timeline.  Kind of like bad tattoos.  I don’t think they should be regretted, they remind you of a time in your life, it’s kind of cute and endearing.  There have been a few D’OH! kind of moments though, but I’m past it.

What do you hope to accomplish this year
Man, my goals are always so retarded.  I always say that I want to lose weight and write more, but who the fuck knows.  I don’t like to think ahead too much, it gives me a headache.  I’d like to be happy next year.  Not that I wasn’t this year, but the happier I can be, the better. More laughter too.  I’d like to pee myself laughing this year, that’s my hope.

What advice do you give to aspiring writers/ bloggers
That’s a tough one, the journey is completely different for everybody.  I guess that the biggest hurdle with writing is finding your own style and making it work for you.  A lot of people write without style, but it’s definitely needed to make a good writer.  Like what would a dancer be without rhythm?  Read a lot, write a lot, until words just flow naturally on the page.  If you have to stop after every sentence and re-write everything, you’re doing it wrong.  And of course, you can’t learn without criticism.  Having my shit published on the blog has given me the opportunity to edit myself according to reader reactions, so I suggest you start your own site or means of putting it out there and wait for the constructive comments to come back.  Oh, and any good writer never thinks that their shit is too hot or don’t stink.  Modesty is WAY underrated.

Keep up with Tabatha’s blogging on MOB Living and her thinking on Twitter.  Have a lovely friday!