The Secret Life of a Blogger Tag

This book tag was from Ashley at Must Love Books.

How long have you been a blogger?

 I started this blog (under a different name) in April of 2011, so just about 6 years. I posted reviews on Goodreads for 4 months before that, but "officially" I go with April for my anniversary.

At what point will you stop blogging?

I don't know. Right now I am inclined to say as long as my free time allows it to be a hobby I will never give it up. I am relatively lucky that I don't work fulltime so I have plenty of energy/time to devote to this. Hopefully that never changes. This is something I really enjoy doing and that I seem to get better at the longer I keep at it.

What is the best thing about blogging? 

Well there's the obvious: I love getting to promote the books and authors I love. I love finding just the right book to recommend or to advise against (friends don't let friends read Goodkind!). 

But above all, I love the community I have found. It's given me a lot of perspective and friendships. It's genuinely made me a better person. BEA 2014 and BEA 2016 were so much fun for so many reasons, not just the ARCs/panels/etc.

What is the worst part? What do you do to make it okay? 

 It can feel like a bit of an echo chamber sometimes. We have a pretty good commenting group here (that I try to respond and reciprocate!) but it's frustrating when the posts you work hardest on get the smallest amount of attention.

How long does it take you to make/find pictures? 

 Well I am pretty lucky because Dani is a wizard and makes 99% of the graphics we use. Our signatures included. The few header images I use are just picmonkey collages or font + color. I'm as basic as they come XD

Who is your blog crush?

I don't think I have one! I really love the variety of design and coverage that I have cultivated over the last 6 years. I don't think I could pick a favorite.

What author would you like to have on your blog?

Laini Taylor? Except I would be a gibbering mess and make no coherent sense? Oh, just like when I met her in person, you mean.

What do you wear when you write your blog posts?

Normally pajamas. I tend to blog early in the morning on my days off or right after work while my husband is still working. I like to be comfy and that means GoT sweater and yoga pants.

How long does it take you to prepare? 

Not too long. I can write a review in under and hour most of the time and I tend to draft the post/review while still reading the book. Then, when I finish, all I have to do is iron out my thoughts, tweak the phrasing and then post.

How do you feel about the book blogger community? 

It's made my life a richer, and more aware. Books have always opened my eyes and now I can learn from all kinds of voices -- and not just in fiction.

What do you think one should do to get a successful blog? 

• Content

If your blog is 90% memes, that's not helpful to your audience. There is nothing wrong with doing TTT, or WoW, or STS. But if that is all you post, with little to no reviews -- chances are I won't be following.

• Originality

I like to hear someone's voice in what they write. I like for blogs to do things on their own and try for something new. Like Reader of Fiction's weekly Cover Snark posts - an original and awesome feature that Christina utilizes well.

• Creativity

Do something out of the box! Get my attention! Let your bookish side show! Like Gillian at Writer of Wrongs Baking the Books idea. That's creative -- and it showcases a whole new side of Gillian.

• Honesty

If you dislike a book, rate it accordingly. If all I see are 4 and 5-star reviews, I'm not going to view your reviews as accurate. No one loves every book they read. Even if you are the champ of DNFing, some books disappoint halfway through, or the ending falls flat. Be honest with how you feel.

• Variety

People find favorite genres, but I am drawn more to blogs that feature more than just fantasy, or contemporary. Change it up! Variety is the spice of life. If you like and review sci fi, YA, contemporary, dystopia, and post-apocalyptic? I'm sold.

• Humor 

I'm a sucker for anything funny. If you snark, or like puns, or can make creative post titles, I'm halfway to being a fan based on that alone. I do like solid, serious reviews, but not always. Some books deserve humor/snark/etc.

• Lack of Captcha

Captcha is evil. No one likes it. And chances are, if you have it enabled, I won't be commenting... no matter how much I like your posts.

• Reciprocity

Book blogging is all about the community. If you never comment back, or reply, I'm going to assume my time spent on your blog was wasted. You get what you give, and if you're a non-commenter, I probably won't put in the effort to comment on your posts.