What inspired you to start your blog?

I was basically looking for a way to revive my somewhat defunct writing career. I wanted to write for fashion/lifestyle magazines, but all the work I'd done up to that point had been music related. I was browsing online, came across blogs and got obsessed with a few. I thought I'd start one to showcase my writing style, then obviously all the mags would fall over themselves to hire me. The mags falling over themselves has yet to happen!  But once I got going, my focus changed from it being about wanting to write for other publications, to me making Bangs and a Bun the best 'publication' it can be.

There have been quite a few. I'd say overall, it's just feeling a connection with people. Having people say they relate to what I'm saying or it made them think or inspire them is pretty awesome. I never thought I could have that kind of effect on people. Even if people don't agree with me, I love hearing other perspectives and having someone make me challenge my perspective on something.

But of course, the one major highlight, would be when I won a phone call from Idris Elba on Valentine's Day this year. I've been somewhat obsessed with the man and Lord only knows how many times I've mentioned him in blog posts, so when I won that competition, I just about passed out! He was really lovely to speak to.I was totally playing it cool on the phone, but when I hung up, I jumped around my bedroom, screaming like a pre-teen for about 10 minutes.

The one that I probably get asked about most is the 'is he or isn't he into me?' question. Us girls do love to chase a man who is doing everything but screaming it in our faces that he ain't interested! I think a lot of girls like the challenge of trying to 'break' a man, of being the one who can change him from being distant and aloof to being madly in love with us. The likelihood is, most of the time, we're not gonna be that chick so we need to get over ourselves. Deep down, we know this - but sometimes, we just need someone to verbally bitch slap a bit of sense into us and make us move the hell on.

Well, I'd say there is no situation you can't get out of. I approach everything in life with a 'can do' attitude. We can all list off reasons why we can't do something or it won't work, but I don't allow myself to think like that. Approach your situation with positivity and practicality. Write down a plan and take a step towards it each day, no matter how small, and before you know it, you're almost there. Don't allow those negative thoughts take over. You'll have knock backs, sure, but the key is to just keep plugging away.

I think the key word there is 'anonymous.' I figure if they don't even have the balls to leave their name and stand behind their opinion, I don't really need to pay that much attention. I think people kind of take for granted what a big deal it is to put yourself out there online the way we bloggers do. My site has my real name, photos and videos of me everywhere on it. I'm out there! The internet has given a voice to many great people doing great things - unfortunately, it's also given a voice to a bunch of douchebags who love nothing more than to knock someone they see doing well (which is a very British thing by the way). I've had some awful things said about me. Luckily, I know who I am, I know my truth and I'm comfortable and confident with myself.

Do a lot of research before you start. Write down your vision for what you'd want your site to be. Start out blogging with Blogger or something similar, which is really easy to use and once you know the ropes, graduate to using Wordpress, which gives you a lot more freedom. Maintaining momentum is hard and can be really tough in the beginning stages when you feel like no one's reading anyway. But the key to a successful blog is consistency. Above all, allow yourself to experiment, evolve and make mistakes. Pretty much like life really!

I'd love for my blog to become my sole source of income in 2011. I'd also really like to get into radio, write a book, do more public speaking events, see how I can integrate blogging into other organisations - blogging has grown so organically for me and lead me to some wonderful opportunities, so I look forward to many more to come.

You can find out more about Bangs by visiting www.bangsandabun.com and following her on Twitter.