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I found this tag at Read At Midnight. I haven’t personally tagged to do this, but I thought it sounded like a fun one to do.
The Secret Life of a Book Blogger
How long have you been a book blogger?
I’ve been blogging about books since March of 2012. That sounds like such a long time, but it really feels like I’m still such a newbie!
At what point do you think you’ll stop blogging?
I think my time will be up when this ceases to be fun for me. It has come close, and sometimes I do still feel like it’s a job, especially when I’m so far behind in review books. But if it comes to a point where I just don’t care anymore, then I know I’m done. For now, I enjoy talking about the books I’m reading, and being a part of the community and as long as that continues, so will I.
What is the best thing about blogging?
The community. I love the people I have met and communicate with regularly. I love talking to authors, publicists, other book bloggers. I love being immersed in the book bloggers world where we can discuss the books we read, the authors and all other things books. I’ve made some good friends and contacts and I am so thankful to have them in my life now.
What is the worst thing? What do you do to make it ok?
The worst thing I find about blogging mainly has to do with me and my slow reading. I get so far behind in reviews and it makes me stress. It’s especially bad when you get that email from the author asking if you’ve read the book they sent you yet. I feel terrible that my schedule has me so far behind. I’m going to slow down taking books until I can get some of the back log cleaned up. I also HAVE to get some time to read personal books that I have been dying to get to. Not having the time to read them has made me a little resentful of the blogging, so I’m going to take some time in June and fit in at least one or two “for me” books. Those are ebooks I’m talking about. I have been listening to audiobooks on my TBR for sometime, but the books I normally read on my Kindle are WAY behind. It doesn’t look like like July is a big release month for me (are there no PNR coming out in July???) so I’ll hopefully get some catching up done then. I try to make myself feel better about it all by planning ahead and just reminding myself that this is for fun, a hobby, not something I should be getting gray hairs over.
How long does it take you to make/find pictures to use?
This has been a big thing for me. I would like to use more images in my posts, but honestly, it takes me days and days to find just the right picture. Why? I have no freaking idea. I’m terrified of using someone’s picture without rights and I don’t completely understand all the rights issues to a picture, so that is a factor. Another problem is putting together something I like. I’m not so much picky, just indecisive. I can’t decide if I like something, or if I think I like something, I worry that it doesn’t flow with my blog theme. This is why I’ve pretty much made pictures a low priority for me. It takes too much time when I could be writing and actually producing content instead of getting frustrated and slamming my head in the sand not doing anything but stressing about a picture.
Who is your book crush?
There are so many! How am I supposed to pick one?! First let’s start with Rhage from the Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward. Hollywood has that amazing body with his casual, witty attitude. *sigh* Ok, let’s move on. This topic could have me daydreaming for the rest of the day.
What author would you like to have on your blog?
Oh crap. There are SO many! I would love to have J.R. Ward, Darynda Jones, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter, or Kresley Cole. Just for starters. They all are hilarious and I would love to get to know them better and have a few laughs.
What do you wear when you write a blog post?
This depends on the day. My weekend writing is all done in my pjs. If I’m behind and needing to finish or get a post out I will write it during the week before I go to work so I will be in work clothes. Likely some version of a Lula Roe outfit!
How long does it take you to prepare?
I’m assuming this is talking about a blog post. It normally takes me about 20 minutes to prep a review post. I prep them when I start a book, then I have it ready to just review it when I’m done reading. Unfortunately that never happens, but at least I have a drafts folder full of prepped posts. Other posts, like my Book tags and Waiting on Wednesday’s can take me anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. And then I’m still never satisfied.
How do you feel about the book blogger community?
I love it! Everyone is so supportive and helpful. I feel like I haven’t even delved very far into the community, yet the friends I’ve made make this hobby so much fun.
What do you think one should do to get a successful blog?
I think that to be successful you have to balance your involvement in the blogger community, the book world and your own blogging time. If you reach out and communicate and care about your readers and other bloggers, you’ll find that your blog is at the top of everyone’s head when asked who your blogger friends are. That to me is success. I just want to build those relationships as well as my content. So my advice would be to make sure you interact with people if you want to be successful.
So that’s it! Just a few questions about blogging. What are some of your answers? You’re all TAGGED and I can’t wait to see your answers! Tag me so I’ll see your answers or even answer in the comments!
