Meet Our Interns: Colleen Vanderlinden

We are pleased to introduce you to one of our new Sparkplugging Interns.  Colleen Vanderlinden (@C_Vanderlinden) is a full-time freelance writer and blogger.

Update – May 20, 2009: Colleen unfortunately had to pull out of the Sparkplugging Internship – but for a very good reason.  She has signed a contract for her next book and is on a tight deadline for her manuscript.  We wish you the best Colleen and look forward to seeing everything you do!

“How do you do it?”

Whenever someone learns that I have a full-time freelance writing and editing career and four children under the age of six (including a newborn…) this is the first question out of their mouths. I’m generally very flippant when I answer, shrugging the question off nonchalantly with my standard response: “I work well in chaos.”

But this isn’t entirely fair, and it’s only partially true.

The fact of the matter is that it’s a ton of work, a lot of juggling, and a constant battle against common sense, which says “slow down…there’s only so much you can do!” But I’m a chronic overachiever, someone who grabs every possible opportunity and runs with it.

And it’s served me well!

I have a constant, comfortable source of income, a book under my belt, and kids who have been guaranteed, since day one, that I’m here for them.

Why This Internship?

I guess I bring some experience with writing, working at home, time management and, maybe more than anything, motivation. And what do I hope to get out of all of this (and why in the world did I take on yet another responsibility??)

I know that I need to learn a lot more about internet marketing and business.

I want to start my own blog network in the home and garden genre, focused on frugal green living. The skills I have now will help me get it started. The skills I hope to learn here can help me make it a success. When I first started working online,

Wendy Piersall was one of my mentors (she didn’t know it, but she was!) and I tried to model some of the things I saw her doing. I am a huge fan of several of the Sparkplugging blogs. So it means a lot to me to be part of the Sparkplugging internship. I know I can learn a lot here, because I already have.

I’m looking forward to the next ten weeks, to moving out of my comfort zone and learning the skills that will help me succeed in both my present and future endeavors. Thanks to Kelly for giving me the opportunity!

If you liked this article, you might also enjoy:

1. Meet Our Interns: Stephanie Elie
2. Meet Our Interns: Christopher Johnston
3. Meet Our Interns: Traci Feit Love