Showcase Sunday #13 – Rachel Poli

In this week’s Showcase Sunday, I would like to introduce you to Rachel Poli who is the author of her blog found here. There are several key elements to her blog that I would love to point out. First off, she offers guest posts on her blog. This is crucial to helping out other bloggers who have a lot to say, but people just don’t know where to find them. I love that she is passionate about everything she does, from being a teacher’s aid to giving a loving home to all her pets, which she explains in her About Me page! You should definitely go check her out and see how talented she is in so many different ways. But before you rush over there, take a moment to learn a little more about her from our interview below!


What made you get into blogging?

I first started blogging in 2012. I hope to be a published author in the near future and I had heard that having a blog was a great way to get your name out there, show off your writing, and to also be a good author platform.

Have you ever had any formal training or education in your blog subject?

Nope. My blog has grown and evolved a lot since I started five years ago. I’ve made mistakes, I haven’t blogged consistently the entire time, and the content hasn’t always been great. However, I’ve done research along the way and I’ve learned a lot from other bloggers.

What was your greatest failure and how did you learn from it?

This is a hard one… And I’m not saying I don’t make mistakes, because I do, but when it comes to the blog it’s hard to think of something. I guess I’d have to say not taking blogging seriously from the get-go. When I started in 2012 I wrote about anything and everything. I didn’t have a posting schedule. I would go months without publishing anything. It wasn’t until 2015 I decided to blog seriously. I’ve seen a huge difference in my views and followers and overall interaction on my blog these last three years than the first two years combined. And it’s still growing.

Who has influenced you the most with your blog?

Other bloggers and YouTubers. I see cool things that they do on their blogs such as giveaways and interactive things with their readers. They’re good ideas and they work so I think to myself, “I can do that!” Honestly, I don’t think my blog would have made it this far otherwise.

How much time do you spend blogging in any given week?

So much time! I spend two days a week working on my blogs (I have two and am working on a third). On those days I usually spend the majority of the day, like six to eight hours. The other days I end up working on my blogs for one to three hours. Now that I’m almost done with my day job, I’m sure I’ll be working on my blogs a lot more.

You mentioned ideas for 5 different blogs, why so many?

Simply because I love blogging and I have a lot of interests that I want to explore and share with everyone. I don’t know if half of these blogs will ever come to be, but it’s fun to think about them.

What is your favorite feature of your blog?

I currently have a lot of features on my blog and I’ve had a lot in the past that were retired… I’m going to choose two, because one is annual and one is all year round. I love my Short Story Sundays, every Sunday I post a short story or flash fiction. It gets my original writing out in the world and it challenges me to better my writing all the time. I also love Mystery Month, which happens every year during the month of June. Mystery is my favorite genre, so I write mystery flash fiction, post mystery book reviews, and write articles based on the genre.

Is blogging your profession or just a hobby?

It started out as a hobby hoping to turn into much more. I do hope to make it a profession in the near future. My blog has already started down that path. It’s just a slow process and a lot of work.

What is your passion?

Anything creative. I have ideas for five different blogs, I’m working on a few novels I hope to get published soon, and I’ve most recently got into photography and filmmaking. Then, of course, video games.

What video game platform do you use (console or PC) and what are your favorite games?

I play any games on any platform, but my favorite are the consoles by Nintendo. I love the 3DS and I’m currently exploring the Switch. My all-time favorite games are anything Pokemon and The Legend of Zelda.

What is your ultimate goal in life?

My ultimate goal is to become a full-time writer. I want to be an author and blog all day long.

What legacy would you like to leave behind?

I want to inspire the world with words and my journey. Like most people, I’ve had plenty of ups and downs in my life and I think they’re all learning and teachable moments. I think there are hidden messages and life lessons in everything we put our hearts into and I would love my books and blogs to be an inspiration. I want people to see what I do and say, “I can do that!”

What piece of advice would you offer new blogs that may also apply to veteran bloggers?

Have a schedule and work on your blog a little bit each day. When I first started, I didn’t realize how important a schedule was – not only to be consistent for your readers but also to get yourself into a routine. And I say to work on your blog each and every day because it’s a lot of work, more than you would think. Working on it every day keeps the blog fresh in your mind and you’re constantly thinking of new ideas and brainstorming posts so that you’ll never run out.

Is there anything you want the readers to know about your blog we haven’t covered?

Just that I put my heart and soul into my blog each and every day. I love connecting with other bloggers and talking to everyone through the comments and such. I’m amazed my blog has come so far in five years and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for it.


Don’t just take my word for it, please visit her blog and let her know that you saw her here on “Sunday Showcase.”

As always, If you would like your blog to be featured on here, please do not hesitate to email me at craftyartistkc@gmail.com and I would love to feature you next Sunday.