We continue our series getting to know some of b5media’s bloggers. Today, we talk to the uber-talented and super busy Jennifer Chait. (I’m surprised Jennifer even had time to answer my questions.)

Kori Ellis: Tell a little bit about the blogging you do for b5media.

Jennifer Chait, b5media blogger

Jennifer Chait: I started writing for b5media in spring of 2007 blogging for Offbeat Homes then moved into the music channel when it launched, then helped launched one of my favorite blogs, Tree Hugging Family. Currently I write at Tree Hugging Family, Blisstree Green Living, Traveling the Green Way, Blisstree Gardening, and Thrifty Mommy.

KE: What’s the thing that you like most about blogging? The least?

JC: I like the social aspects of blogging the most. When I started freelancing I was writing magazine articles and business copy and it was cool, but lonely. I’m an extrovert so just hanging with my laptop got old super fast. As a blogger you’re interacting with people all day long; chatting, getting feedback from readers, debating, and actually talking with your co-workers vs. emailing an editor now and then.

My least favorite aspect of being a blogger is that very few people outside of other bloggers get what I do and that it’s actually work. My family is always asking, “So, when do you think you’ll be in another magazine!?” as if writing for print is a real job and web writing is some little hobby until I go back to “real writing.”

KE: Tell me a little more about your life outside of blogging for b5media. Where else do you write? How do you spend your free time?

JC: When I’m not blogging at b5, I’m well, mostly blogging. I write for numerous sites - Inhabitots, SheKnows - Pregnancy & Baby, Best Green Home Tips, Pronto Home, and at Blogging For A Living with my pal Deb Ng. I’m a community manager / writer at Green Home Huddle, plus manage social networking for some other popular green-minded sites. Because I’m not busy enough (ha) I have a few of my own blog projects as well.

I don’t have a ton of free time, but when I’m not working I’m usually hanging with my son Cedar. We’re an unschooling, free-schooling advocating family so we’re usually exploring some new topic that Cedar is currently interested in. I also like traveling, Frisbee, music (collecting LPs and going to shows), reading when I get some time, and I have a pretty bad coffee obsession.

KE: For you, what are the challenges (and rewards) of working freelance?

JC: I love writing about eco-issues. When I started freelancing, it was more about writing where I could find work vs. writing on topics I love. Since I’ve been freelancing for a while now my major reward is that I get to write about green issues most of the time. The major challenge is that I almost never get a full day off. There’s always an editor who needs something, or another post to write, or some PR contact to deal with. I love working at home but it does make it really hard to get away from work.

KE: Tell me one thing about yourself that we may find surprising?

JC: I’m not that surprising, but I guess it might surprise people that I never wanted to write for a living. I always thought I’d be a social worker or midwife (I went to college for nursing/midwifery). Oddly my life has sort of been peppered with writing opportunities. When I was 9 I had a story published in my first glossy, then I wrote all through elementary school and high school and won some writing contests, then started writing copy for non-profits, but to me that was all just for fun. I sort of fell into writing as a job after college, during which all my professors were telling me I should skip a medical career and write for a living. Overall though I was never that person who said, “Hey, I wish I could write for a living!”

KE: If you could give a new blogger any blogging tip, what would it be?

JC: Make lots of blogger friends. Blogging friends are a huge asset, I would almost say necessity, both on emotional and professional level. Also don’t burn bridges or be rude or mean to people online. The Internet is smaller than it seems. If you’re a nice hard working person word gets around, but it gets around faster if you’re a jerk with a bad attitude.

KE: If you wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?

JC: Roller coaster comes to mind.

Rapid Fire Questions:

• Mac or PC? PC
• Early riser or night owl? Both - I take afternoon naps.
• Martinis or wine? Can I say organic beer?
• Appetizers or dessert? Dessert
• Romantic comedies or murder mysteries? Movies or books? I don’t have time for either.
• Twitter or Facebook? Facebook might win if it wasn’t for the lame apps.

Thanks for your time, Jennifer!

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