Blogging should be fun. We're not being paid for this (or, most of us aren't. I'm certainly not!), and it's pretty much a labor of love - an extension of our love for books, reading, the power of story. So it should be fun, something we enjoy. If blogging ever starts to feel like "work," I'll know it's time to step back and evaluate things.
Related to that, I've gone back-and-forth about how often to post, what to post, etc. For me, blogging a couple reviews a week is good - I feel like it keeps the blog current, it's easy to do most of the time (I'm a lifelong bookworm!), and it's not too stress-inducing. Sometimes I do reviews/posts on Monday-Wednesday-Friday, sometimes Tuesday-Thursday. Sometimes weekends, sometimes not. I'm planning to start a Saturday Storytime "series" to spotlight picture books in a better manner, so they don't get lost among the other reviews. When I have blog tours or special posts, I change things up accordingly. For me, having a flexible schedule is good - it keeps it fun, and I don't feel like such a slave to the calendar.
I do want to work on adding more non-review posts...Guest posts, interviews...Posts where I just talk about stuff. I also want to make an effort to include more DVD/movie reviews. I think they could slip in nicely, and help "fluff" things a bit, keep it interesting.
One last observation, regarding review books versus personal reading: Mix it up. Keep it balanced. And if all else fails, err on the side of more personal reading. This is connected to the first point, about keeping blogging fun - you desperately need to keep reading fun. If all you read are books you have to read, for review, it's going to take a toll on you sooner or later. Even if you like the books, you're still having to read them. You need to make time to read things you pick. Random books that catch your interest, or old favorites you love to revisit. The stories that call to you: read them.
There you have it: my two-cents (or maybe more like thirty-four) about blogging. As for questions for you, my fellow book-loving bloggers -- I do have a couple, of the "just curious"-variety:
- What do you think is the one feature that any self-respecting book blog should have?
- What do you find to be the best way to attract reader attention?
- What meme do you think the most beneficial to be a part of? The most fun?
Thanks, Rebecca, I enjoyed reading this. Right now I have so many books I have to read that it's starting to feel like a chore. :/ Especially when life gets too busy to read anything. I've found myself yearning to read books I want to read.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any answers to your questions, accept I don't like really long blog posts, I just don't have time to read it all! And that is my two cents! :) have a great day!
"If all you read are books you have to read, for review, it's going to take a toll on you sooner or later."
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly how I feel. Then reading becomes an obligation, and all the fun and spontaneity goes out of it!
(Thanks for stopping by! And why are you reading Mansfield Park? Fanny is just so ... dreary.)
"What do you think is the one feature that any self-respecting book blog should have?"
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great question and right off, I have no idea what my answer is because it depends on what the goals of the blogger are.
If you want books, you should have a review policy and contact info.Is that cheating?
I agree with Jen, your sentence says it all for me. " If all you read are books you have to read, for review, it's going to take a toll on you sooner or later." Been there, totally suffered from that.
I've realized if I try to overreach, I get burn out pretty bad, so I try not to take on too much at one time.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite meme is Tune in Tuesday, hosted by GReads!. It's a meme where bloggers share their favorite music. It helps me "fluff things up" as you put it. :)
If you have the time, I’d love to hear from you at my intro armchair BEA post.