In our mummy blogger series, we find out what keeps these tech and social-media savvy mummies talking, or blogging!

Diah Mastura, 33 years old, WAHM (Work at home mum) Blogger and entrepreneur at studiofrost.net

etrangle

Married to Hidayat Wahab, 34 years old, working in the Engineering sector.

Children: Sharleez Nadya 7 years old, Mysha Nadya 5 years old and Myreen Nadya 5 years old. Also, collectively known as Nadyas

Blog: etrangle.net

Hi Diah! Tell us your blog in a nutshell.

It is basically about everything that I am – a mum, a daughter, a wife, a blogger.

What’s the story behind the blog?

I started blogging because everyone else had a blog at that time . So it was the ‘in-thing to do. My sister helped me out with my first blog and asked me what I would like to be known as. Googled for a unique name, and chanced upon Etrangle. The meaning of Etrangle is kind of absurd, but that just explains how young and naïve I was at that time.

Blogging was very much like writing in a diary for the first few years – short and random posts about my dating life with my husband. Not so much on the content. I started to take blogging seriously only after I got married and pregnant with my firstborn, Sharleez. I thought my blog updates could also serve as motivational tips to others.
And when I got approached by my advertising agency Nuffnang to do paid advertorials for companies, that was when I figured I could also make money through blogging.

What gets you writing?

My topic of interest is usually about things that happen to me – in particular life as a mother. And paid advertorials are also related to me or my life, so they are often made as subtle as possible. It can be quite a turn off for readers once they read the blog post and know that is an advertisement.

Diah's family

How much time do you spend online each day/week?

The only time I am not online is when I am asleep, so to speak.

Share with us your favorite post and what it means to you.

My most favourite posts would have to be the birth stories of all my daughters. To be a first time mummy is definitely a big deal. To be a mummy to a pair of lovely twins is also a big deal. Hence, these posts as my favourites.

Your most viral blog post to date?

I think the most viral blog post to date would have to be our HK Disneyland trip.

What do your kids have to say about being the stars of your blog?

Only recently did they finally understand what my job scope as a blogger entails. Whenever we go out and get approached by others for a photo or quick conversation, they will take pride in that and later tell me, “Wah Mummy, these people read your blog, is it? Good job Mummy!” It is also cute to see how excited they get whenever strangers address them by their names. “Mummy, they know us?”

If your daughters decide to follow your footsteps and blog for a living, or blog to earn that extra income in the future, what would you say to them?

By all means, go ahead! I hope to be the star in their blog next.

Diah's 3 daughters

Do you read your past posts? How often do you do so? Any regrets or do you find yourself re-editing some of the posts?

Yes I do read my past blog posts, like once every month. There were some silly posts, but they make me laugh each time I read them, so they will stay put in my blog. Oh yes, I do edit them if I spot some typos spotted along the way. But that’s about it.

Future plans. What will happen to the blog when the kid(s) grow up?

I have already told my girls that once they are bigger, they can also blog together with me. I intend to create another section in my blog called “Nadyas Blog!” I hope to blog for as long as I can. I have a lot of readers who have been following me ever since I was 18 till now. That’s about 15 years of blogging to date!

Tips for budding mommy bloggers out there?

Be true to yourself, and blog about something close to your heart. Create an identity or a selling factor that people will identify your blog with. This is especially useful if you intend to make money out of blogging as well. At the end of the day, anyone can blog, but it takes a bit of work to get recognized.

Stay tuned for more interviews with mummy bloggers in Singapore!