Summer Reading: Meet Local Blogger Deborah Goldstein

Name: Deborah Goldstein

Lived in SO/Maplewood since:  August 2006

Blog Title: Peaches & Coconuts 

Blog Link: http://www.peachesandcoconuts.com

Describe your blog: Peaches & Coconuts is a light-hearted look at marriage, parenthood and suburban living as told from one Jewish, gay mom's perspective.

How did you begin blogging? When my partner and I relocated from Chicago to the UK in 1999, I started sending mail shots to friends and family documenting our experiences of two broads abroad.  I quickly realized that I was doing more than sending news home.  I was writing to entertain.  The recipient list grew larger as I collected more stories to share, and eventually I posted them to a website and officially became a blogger.

Can you spotlight your most memorable blog post?  Divorce is So Gay.  There's a little bit of all of me in that post.  I was selected to read it at BlogHer's Voices of the Year Community Keynote, an experience that was as exhilarating as it was terrifying.  You can view the reading itself HERE.

What is the best part of being a blogger? When I first starting blogging, I was suspicious of the online friends and virtual communities everyone raved about.  I used to think that I was lucky that I had REAL friends and that I didn't have to troll the internet to find my people.  Once I got over myself, I was able to connect with some amazing bloggers who did not only become friends but also opened doors to other writing and spoken word opportunities.  And also, I love the instant gratification I get from blogging.  Blogging is better than getting your hair cut because I do it more often and more people notice.