July 10, 2013

Clara Freeman

This post is part of a weekly feature called the Passion Series…enjoy!

Clara Freeman is on a journey to empowerment, not just for herself, but for women everywhere. Years ago, as a young nurse, Clara found herself naturally coaching women who struggled to find their voice in times of hardship. Over the years, as the internet became the best medium to connect with people, she decided to voice her opinions on empowerment to a larger audience via her popular blog, Authentic Woman.

I can’t tell you how much in common I feel like I have with Clara just from reading her answers below. She talks about how a creative person’s interests can be so varied, which I feel like I struggle with every day as I ADD my way through a myriad of side projects. In fact her interests are so varied that she started up two other blogs just to house them all. And I have to give her props for attending weekly to two other blogs…I can barely keep up with this one! On top of that, she writes short stories, which are one my favorite things to write (besides blogging). It’s so awesome to connect with another blogger that also has her hands in so many different pies, so to speak.

Reading Clara’s answers below really gave me inspiration to keep blogging and keep writing and keep focusing on the things I’m passionate about….which if you think about it, are mostly blogging and writing :)

If you like any of her answers below, or can relate to them in any way, I highly recommend checking out her blog. Here’s what she had to say.

Has blogging helped you in any emotional or creative way?

That would be a definite yes! Before blogging, there were constant streams of writing out my emotions and creative thoughts via my trusted Canon typewriter or on those yellow legal pads. You see, up until 2000, I literally felt wary about the computer. I wasn’t a savvy writer in that way:) But then, an Oprah segment appeared where a young man was teaching lady “O” how to use the internet and I was like, wow, if she can do it, so can I. 

All of that ‘stuff’ hanging about in my closets from an early age of wanting to reach out and become the advocate for the “voiceless” came to a head when I began to blog. Blogging allowed me to release and relate to all sorts of woman issues that had captured my attention and had me itching to step up and say “No more of that!” Generally, I’ve always known my purpose. It’s always been to speak for the “underdog” or those folks I felt for whatever reason, failed to speak for themselves- women, children and the elderly. As a young woman, wife and mother I became aware of how women could lose themselves in the activities of daily living, only to voice regret later. 

My authenticity began with a reawakening to the re-discovery of “Me.” A long time Nursing career became more of an advocacy platform for the numerous women who approached me with questions, concerns and ‘woe is me’ lifestyle attitudes and I knew It was time to start the journey of women empowerment and use my expertise on women issues to help make a positive impact in the lives of other women.

Blogging has allowed me to do that. It continues to be the “cat’s meow” for
networking and building community; more than any other popular form of social
media.

Has blogging daily/weekly helped you achieve any personal goals?

Absolutely it has. I manage two blogs besides my Authentic Woman business brand. I usually post on a weekly basis for all three of my sites. Because my interests are so varied (as many creatives are) I realize I needed to separate those things that I love to immerse myself with, from those things I felt called to do; such as my celebrity news & entertainment blog, where I get a kick out of giving the teas on all things celebrity:) and then there are things that feed my spirit, such as writing, reading and connecting with other creatives via books/book bloggers/ authors and the writing community as a whole. My writers blog at Clara54 helps keep me grounded in that area.

I’ve been blogging consistently and professionally since 2006. It takes a lot to manage three sites and keep them relevant for my readers, but, somehow I’ve managed and it’s working out quite well! I’ve also taken classes to sharpen my skills so that I can continue to help others. By incorporating learning modules of Marketing, Coaching & Leadership classes into my schedule, I’m staying abreast of the constant ebb and flow of an entrepreneurial change that could potentially affect my business sustainability.

Blogging has allowed me to knock on doors, introduce my passion and purpose and have people say, “of course, welcome!” Today, Authentic Woman receives nearly 2000 views worldwide/ day, along with 100’s of visitors. If not for blogging, I might not have considered putting myself out there in cyberspace, in a career where I mentor and coach women to walk authentic and fearless in their truths.

Does the ritual of daily/weekly blogging give you motivation to pursue things you are passionate about?

For sure. I’m so passionate about empowering women to live their best lives, that I’m always looking to get the word out. In the first week of January 2013, I had a motivational column in the Premiere issue of a New Jersey entertainment magazine, a Women in Business piece accepted for an online women’s business magazine, and an inspirational 2013 article accepted in an online beauty & fashion magazine…I was thrilled and a bit amazed this all happened within the span of one week…and then, there’s my love for short story writing!

When I’m blogging, nowadays, it’s because I have something meaningful to share (even in celebrity news) that might have been overlooked or downplayed or bears repeating. I am always on the lookout for information that will help another person get a leg up, so to speak. Life is too short and much too fluid to hold back in your purpose for being. I love what I do. I will continue to do it- as Frank Sinatra says, “My way!”

Bloggers, creative writers and authors will need to have a thick skin, in that, sometimes on the journey to living your truth, people will tend to ignore you, overlook you and even talk bad about your contribution to society. Bloggers needn’t worry though, because when you’re blogging to your heart’s content? Your heart will truly be “Content.”

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This post is part of a series on bloggers who have found direction or passion through blogging. If you would like to be featured in the Passion Series, please contact me through this form with responses to the above questions, and share your passions. Thanks!

See all Passion Series posts >>

Monique Muro

Monique is an exceedingly happy human from LA. She runs the blog A Novel Quest, and writes. A lot.

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  • http://authentic-woman.net clara54

    Monique,
    This was so fun! Thank you for inviting me to join your Passion Series. I know it’s going to go far. I loved reading about your trip to Australia as well.
    Many Blessings to you.
    Clara.

    • http://anovelquest.com Monique

      Aw thanks Clara for stopping by and reading about my travels haha. I absolutely loved featuring you. Every blogger I feature in this series really reminds me how much passion there is in the world for making it better. I hope to keep them coming!

  • http://pattymackz.com/wordpress/ Pat

    Monique, great interview with Clara. She has been inspiring me all the way over in Switzerland ever since I started blogging and like Clara, I feel I am on am a mission to empower the underdog and inspire the downtrodden through words. Thanks for this uplifting post and your fascinating passion series.

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  • http://pattymackz.com/wordpress/ Pat

    Monique, great interview with Clara. She has been inspiring me all the way over in Switzerland ever since I started blogging and like Clara, I feel I am on am a mission to empower the underdog and inspire the downtrodden through words. Thanks for this uplifting post and your great passion series.

    • http://anovelquest.com Monique

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it Pat! I think it’s amazing that she is reaching and inspiring people all over the world. It was such a pleasure featuring her here in the Novel Quest community :)