Interview With Millennial Blogger and Podcast Host, Renata Leo

I'm back with a different kind of interview today. I'm chatting with blogger and podcast host Renata Leo to find out what led her to take this path in her career. 

Check it out... 

 
​Renata is just your typical open-minded, overly-sensitive, optimistically cynical feminist millennial whose passions are people and words. She enjoys sharing her unique thoughts and bits of self-discovery with anyone who will listen (and read) over at her personal blog.

​Find out more and follow Renata here! 

BLOG
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM
​PODCAST

​THE INTERVIEW... 

Who are you and what do you do?

I'm Renata Leo, a millennial blogger and podcast host with a passion for making others laugh and feel less alone. I started my blog about a year and a half ago. I don't have a niche, and I just blog about whatever is on my mind. Topics span from mental health, to Disney, to curly fries, and everything in-between!

Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you?

I always retreated to writing when I was feeling down as a young person. I wrote poetry and fiction mainly when I was young, and branched into memoir and personal essay as I got older. I didn't even realize until recently that writing has always been my solace, but now I'm trying to write as much as possible to make up for lost writing time!

How has the journey to this point been? Can you give us a basic rundown?

When I started to journey into first-person narrative, I was discouraged at first and told that no one would want to read what I had to say. After that, I largely gave up writing until college. When I was in college and BuzzFeed started getting big, I began writing funny listicles and opinion pieces. While I have yet to get a job in writing, a couple of years ago, my ex/bestie/editor/podcast co-host suggested that I start my personal blog to create a digital portfolio. Since then, it has become my nearest and dearest personal project. My blog has helped me rekindle my love for writing, and I'm grateful for that.

What's been the hardest part of your writing/blogging experience so far? And the most enjoyable?

The hardest part has always been coming up with topics. There will be weeks in a row that I can't think of anything to write about! Recently, I have been able to come up with topics rather easily, but the fear that I will somehow completely run out of topics forever is always looming!

The most enjoyable part of my blogging experience is having a reason to write. I am dedicated to posting on my blog consistently, so I need to keep up with my writing. I love writing, but without having this accountability, I'll let my writing go to the wayside. I'm just happy to be writing and sharing myself through blogging.

Would you go back and change anything?

I would start my blog sooner, for sure! I love writing, and my blog has given me the drive to do it regularly. I'm sure that there are so many experiences that I've had that would've made great blog posts, but I never wrote about them because I hadn't started my blog yet.

Where would you like to be in 5 years time? And 10? Or, what are your plans for the future?

I do have a book in the works, but as of late, I haven't been so sure that it will be published. I do hope to write more and more, possibly branching out into different genres and getting a job that involves writing every day. I'm not sure what the future will hold, but I'm hopeful to continue writing and inspiring!

What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers and bloggers just starting out?

Do what you love. Seriously, write for yourself. There are plenty of experts out there in any and every niche, but there's only one you. Let your personality and passion shine through and you will get readers.

And what everyone is dying to know... 

Ketchup or Mayo? - Buffalo sauce. Buffalo sauce everywhere.
Night or Day? - Day
Inside or Outside? - Indoors, indoors, innndoooooooorrrrssss! Take it away, Penny! (Sorry, I couldn't help myself)
Dogs or Cats? - Both!
Twitter or Facebook? - Twitter for networking, Facebook for connecting with friends.
Ebook or Paperback? - Paperback
Sun or Rain? - Rain
Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? - PEN and notebook. Because I am addicted to pretty journals...and I was a science major who was forced to write in pen.
Comedy or Drama? - Comedy. Always. Life is serious enough as it is.
Chips or Chocolate?   - Depends on my mood.