Benjamin Franklin once said, “Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing”. With Alice Ougo, she found something that was worth reading and ventured into writing.
Alice is an upcoming blogger who has found a passion for writing through her life experiences. Just 4 months in, she is steadily growing and constantly creating content and slowly gaining a following. She juggles her blog, studies and a fulltime job at the same time, proving that you can do whatever you put your mind to.
Starting off as a fashion platform to showcase her amazing sense of style, she has recently revamped her blog into a lifestyle blog focusing on various topics and issues. She also tells her story and personal experience and inspires her readers.
Despite being new in the blogosphere, we were curious to learn more about her and what motivates her. Here’s what we learned.
When and how did you get into writing/blogging?
Since I love writing, I have always wanted to have my own online writing platform from about 5 years ago but wasn’t really sure how to go about it; but I kept on researching and building interest over the years. When I first wrote a short story about Keratoconus (KC), the medical expenses involved and challenges of having poor vision, I was amazed at the lack of information about KC yet it’s a major eye condition affecting many.
I, therefore, decided to come up with a blog called Atieno’s World after my first surgery with the aim of just talking about KC and informing people about the condition hence my first post titled You are a Hero by Living Keratoconus on 20th October 2019.
What is the inspiration behind your writing?
I was inspired to share happiness, love, and motivation to anybody who is undergoing any circumstance that he or she feels is a deterrent from achieving his dream. I also wanted to highlight my unique sense of fashion and style to bring home the message of being confident in our bodies, especially to young women.
After writing my first post and receiving positive feedback, I realized that there are so many issues affecting people in different aspects of their lives but they are afraid or embarrassed to speak out and so by writing I would create a place where one or two souls would find solace and gather information. I began including different topics on inspiration and motivation. I have since transitioned from that and decided that my lifestyle blog will henceforth cover topics on fashion and beauty, international and local news, content creation and wellness. It’s been 4 months of writing alongside running my blog and I’m looking forward to writing more often so as to provide my readers and subscribers with excellent content.
What is your blogging experience thus far?
I love writing and inspiring people through my writing and doing that gives me an undeniable sense of inner peace and fulfillment though it takes a lot of discipline to write consistently and run a blog. My heart is full when someone tells me they are inspired by my work.
Have you experienced any challenges?
- Yes, because I have an 8 to 5 job, and also attend school during some of the weekdays, I have to create time to write my articles and work on my blog.
- I designed the blog from scratch and I’m still designing it to improve the appearance. I have to put in a lot of work to ensure my blog is presentable and eye-catching every time a reader accesses it.
- Being consistent and running a blog takes a lot of discipline and self-drive.
What’s the best thing that has come out from your blogging journey so far?
People have reached out to me, appreciated and complimented me on my work. My articles especially the ones about Keratoconus have been an inspiration to people who have the same condition. I have made good friends as a result of writing.
Where do you see your blog in 5 years?
I see it as a fully informative platform that addresses diverse topics on lifestyle and provides solutions to online readers both young and old and from different walks of life. I also have a long term vision of generating a decent income from it. I also plan to create a segment in my blog where upcoming writers and bloggers will share their work in order to gain from writing as well.
Which Kenyan blogger/s do you admire or look up to?
Sharon Mundia (This is Ess) and Joy Kendi.
If you weren’t a blogger, what would you be?
Well, I’m not a fulltime blogger at the moment but I’m eyeing digital marketing and creating videos on YouTube as well. I also don’t mind hosting.
What do you do for fun?
I love listening to country music, discovering new social places to hang out, and visiting nature parks full of green and wildlife. I’m currently learning a foreign language in my free time.
Random fun question; If you were in distress, which famous person would you want to rescue you?
Travis Greene, the American gospel musician, and pastor. I read his story and confirmed the true meaning behind the phrase “Sometimes you think you have failed but the universe has bigger plans for you.” Greene was originally a still-born baby but was resuscitated. A few years later, at the age of four, he was resuscitated after a four-storied building fall, while he was in Germany. This confirms God is faithful and has good plans for us.
Read Alice’s blog at Atieno’s World and interact with her on Facebook at Alice Ougo
Photo credits, Alice.