Tehrene Firman is the editor in chief of the popular website Love Twenty. Here at Blast, we know a little something about 20-somethings who run websites and magazines. Get to know this editor’s hopes, dreams and goals for the future.

BLAST: Tell us about yourself.

TEHRENE FIRMAN: I’m a 22-year-old communication major and journalism minor at the University of Northern Iowa who’s pretty much a magazine fanatic. I’m the editor-in-chief of Love Twenty (www.lovetwenty.com), an online magazine for twenty-somethings, am the campus life editor of my college’s newspaper, and the president of She’s the First*{UNI}, a not-for-profit that raises money for girls’ education in the developing world.

BLAST: You have a personal blog called Crazy Stupid Love — where did that come from?

TF: Crazy Stupid Love is the place where I write about everything from style to relationships to my personal adventures. I’m also really into web design so it’s also a fun outlet to try new things and let loose some creativity throughout the week.

Having a personal blog is nice because it’s an outlet where I’m able to write about whatever topic I want to write about. If I want to write something about a certain celebrity relationship, I can do just that. Or, maybe one day I feel like posting a make-up tutorial. Having a blog allows me to take something I’m passionate about writing about and run with it.

BLAST: When you’re blogging, how do you know what will make an interesting post?

TF: If I’m interested in it, I figure there will be someone out in the blogosphere that will be interested in it as well. I enjoy writing about current trends and pop culture, so those who like to keep up on all of the latest will definitely enjoy the posts I put up.

BLAST: So you’re a blogger, you are editor-in-chief of the Gen-Y girls magazine, Love Twenty, and a student? How do you manage all of this?

TF: It’s tough! It’s hard having a full load of classes and also having the time to run Love Twenty, do everything else I’m involved with, and still be social. Although I am very busy, the experience I’ve gained from not only running an online magazine and working with people from all over the world, but also learning to manage my time, has been so beneficial. It’s taught me so much.

BLAST: How did Love Twenty come to be?

TF I was lounging around at home during Spring Break last year when the idea came to me. I had been investing a lot of my time writing for numerous other online magazines, so I figured why not start one myself? I came up with the name, what I wanted it to be, created the design of the website, and built it that weekend. The following week, Love Twenty launched and has been becoming increasingly popular since! It’s really been a dream come true. I never expected it to go as far as it has.

BLAST: What is it like to be an editor in chief?

TF: It’s amazing. It’s hard work managing all of the writers, interns, and our partnerships, but it’s so worth it. I’ve met so many wonderful people, have gotten to gain an unbelievable amount of experience, and have gotten to see just how much Love Twenty has changed twenty-something’s lives, as well as my own.

BLAST: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

TF: I see myself working as an editor at a popular women’s or teen’s magazine in the Big Apple. It’s been my dream for a very long time now and I can’t see myself doing anything else.

About The Author

Sara Brown is a Blast staff writer

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