Wednesday 19 August 2015

The Secret Life of a Book Blogger | In Where Secrets Spill..


I've been blogging for, well, you'll find out exactly how long in a moment, but lets just say it's been a while, and in that time, there's been a lot that's changed. Alongside switching up from solo-blogging to co-blogging and back solo, three blogs, name changes and lots of other very stressful occasions, the biggest change for me was making the decision to stop being a 'book blogger' and just be a 'blogger', which, let's face it, can be frightening. Saying goodbye to a title is like alienating followers - if they can't relate to you, then you've got a problem, and so in some ways, I feel like a fraud doing the following tag, but I'm a blogger, and going where inspiration takes you is part and parcel of the hobby, so without further babbling, let's delve into my secrets behind blogging.

1. How Long Have You Been A Blogger For?


I've been blogging for exactly 1 year, 10 months and 23 days including today. It's a tad scary when you actually put such a length of time into numbers, because in some ways, I feel a though I've been blogging for a lot longer than almost two years, and in another way, I wonder how such a long period of time can have passed so quickly. Wow, almost two years.. wow.

2. At What Point Do You Think You'll Stop Blogging?


I'd like to say I'll never stop blogging, but god knows what might be coming around the corner tomorrow. I'm already aware that when I'm working, I'll be blogging less, and the more responsibilities I get, the lower down my priority list blogging will be, but I think I'd like to continue blogging throughout all walks of life, and if I have my way, I'll only really stop blogging if I feel I have no choice in the matter, you know, like Wifi ceases to exist, or I become homeless, or I'm just too darn busy.

3. What Is The Best Thing About Blogging?


For me, there is no single 'best' thing about blogging. In some ways, there are aspects I love more than others on specific days, but generally, I love an awful lot about blogging.

  • I love getting comments. Views are one thing, and I will not knock them, but comments mean interaction, it means that I'm doing something right. A comment means I'm worth somebody's time and effort, and that makes blogging beautiful.
  • Having people turn to you for advise/help is special. Of course, in that moment, the person contacting you is in meltdown, panicking or just needs a hand, and doesn't have time for your moment of special snowflakeness, but having people turn to you times of need is so rewarding, and make me feel as though what I'm saying actually makes sense.
  • Sharing and teaching is my jam. I also thought teaching had to be in a school enviroment, but knowing now that I can teach others almost anything and share experiences and knowledge I know to people who want to learn here on Nellie and Co. is such a great feeling, and I love seeing people pleased to learn new things.
  • Being inspired by others is amazing. I love the blogging community, but I also love a lot of other communities, like the crafting community, and the business and branding community, or the design and code community, they're all fabulous and inspire me to grow, and it makes me want to blog all the more.
  • Creating new content excites me. There's something about creating new content that makes me giddy when I'm in the right mode, and it makes blogging all the more fun. Everything is so much more enjoyable when you love what you do, and I love blogging.

4. What's the Worst Thing About Blogging?


I did a whole post the number one worst thing about blogging for me last week (which you can check out here, I won't give it away) but there are a lot of other things that make blogging a little sucky.

  • Low social interaction on posts. While this is entirely a test of how good my content actually is, the lower the response of followers on a post, the suckier I feel about creating content like that. The bigger the interaction on other post, the more likely I'll write those kind instead.
  • Blogging drama on social media. I tend to try and keep out of the drama where possible, and when I have gotten involved, I've been passionate about it (See Harassment, Stalking and The Law) but lately, I've been avoiding the social media drama because it's just not worth it. It destroys communities we work hard to build, and I'd much rather continue to build than knock it all down on an angry whim.
  • Having bad motivation days. I'm going to be honest with you now. Sometimes, I just don't want to blog, and I don't. I can not blog for three days straight, and sure, it isn't good, but I just don't feel motivated sometimes and that can be sucky, although the gaming I do and food I consume on these days doesn't feel totally bad. In fact, I'm currently loving being able to take a step back and enjoy more of the other hobbies I have, like kicking ass on my xbox.


5. How Long Does It Take You To Create/Find Images?


I talked a little at the end of my tutorial on creating graphics on Picmonkey that my graphics tend to only take me around 10 minutes at most, but my Canva graphics can take up to 30 minutes, and any other actual images I use I tend to find in the days leading up to writing a post, but for the sake of details, lets say maybe 20-40 minutes is spent per post finding images from other sources. When it comes to book covers, I search google for the nice large sizes (check out Ashley's post on finding large book covers for your book review posts) and for any other photos or images that require credit, I tend to just browse. Where possible though, I will always create my own, and that takes hardly any time at all.

6. What Author Blogger Would You Like To Feature?


As much as I'm still bookish, featuring authors is something I would not like to do - not because I don't want to support them, but because I feel that's not what Nellie and Co. is about. Instead, there are a large number of bloggers I'd love to have on Nellie and Co. because they're so fabulous.

Business Babes

  • Lauren from Elle and Company. This lady is definitely one of the most super savvy business owning women I know and I have learnt and continue to learn a lot about blogging, business, marketing, social media, promoting - so much good stuff comes from her mind, and to have such a great mind Nellie and Co. would just be amazing.
  • Rebecca from Autumn Leaves Blog. She's the most recent business busy boddy I've added to my follow list, but Rebbca's in depth posts 100% about blogging and her tools of her trade are fabulous and I absolutely love how she just strikes it all into words so well. She's a big name, and having her featured would be just a dream.
  • Lisa from Elembee. There's something so darn funky about Lisa and her blog. She's a holds-no-punches, gets-right to-the-topic kind of blogger and wow, is her blog design awesome. She rocks any subject she puts her mind to and just has this way about her that makes me want to have her as a second Mum, and her on Nellie.
  • Melyssa from The Nectar Collective. I just love independent business woman that can not only control their life, but their blog too and Melyssa does just that. Her posts are one of a kind, and delve into things other bloggers wouldn't dream of doing. She pushes me to be a better blogger and would be super to feature.
  • Amanda from Amanda Genther. You always find solace when there's somebody else with your name, and Amanda is somebody I always feel inspired by. She pushes me out of my comfort zone, teaches me things I didn't even know where possible and makes me consider my future as a blogger, all valid reasons I'd love her on Nellie.

Blogging Babes

  • Marianne from Design Your Own Blog. She's also a recent addition to my follow list, but Marianne has such a great balance between blogging and her everyday life and job and it's amazing to see. She takes great pride in teaching others how to design and rock their look, and some great design tips would be great on Nellie.
  • Jessica from The Blogging Brew. Jessica just has it all going on - she's a college major, she's a blogger, she's a traveller and she's a coder and she nails anything that comes her way. She's  whizz with Pinterest and I'd learnt a lot from her in the last few months I've been following her. She's super fun and I'd love to work with her.
  • Ashley from Nose Graze. I'd been more of a ghost reader on Nose Graze for quite some time before I started getting involved, but I absolutely love what she shares and how she takes great time and effort to ensure her followers learn the very best. Sure, she's Wordpress focused, but what she does is amazing and featuring her would be awesome.

Bookish Babes

  • Cait from Paper Fury. If you're into bookish blogging and haven't yet stumbled upon Cait, then you need to rectify this pronto. She's hilarious, full of beans, always being booksh and has made me cry with laughter on many an occasion. Oh, and she's a writer, and guess who gets to Beta read her novel. Oh yeah, go me. I dream of featuring Cait..
  • Asti from Oh, the Books. I love Asti, she's such a gentle soul, but she's got a deep love villains and all things dark and I like about her, she's not as docile as you'd think. That and her discussions are oh-my-god-this-is-fabulous worthy and 9 times out of 10, I can relate hugely. She's super awesome and would be amazing to feature.
  • Jess from My Reading Dress. Jess is like my blogging soulmate because she, like me, just can't help but chatter and natter about all things blogging and bookish and writes about a million and one words per post, but I adore this, and her, and I miss her so much (come baaaaaaack) - sharing this space with her for a post would make my day.
  • Lauren at Bookmark Lit. I remember when Lauren got involved with Five Friday Favourites and now look at her, she's got her own all singing, all dancing super great review blog and writes some of the best discussions I feature on Blogger Love. She's in depth, passionate and loves what does, why wouldn't I want to feature her?
  • Nova from Out of Time. You know who else writes some of the best, thought provoking blog post? Nova does. I mean, sure, she's book based, but her posts need your love because they just make you think and question and reconsider everything you knew about the world. She's such a great blogger and would bring some great opinions to Nellie.

There are so many other awesome bloggers I'd love to feature here at Nellie and Co. - bloggers like; Eugenia from Genie in a Book, Stephanie from Chasm of Books, Shannon from It Starts At Midnight, Debby from Snuggly Oranges, Zoey from Uncreatively Zoey, Emma and Elise from A Beautiful Mess, Regina from By Regina, Alyssa from Alyssa Barnes, all these ladies are fabulous and would be amazing to feature, but alas, they're all pretty darn busy with, you know, their businesses or their blogs, and we can't all be unemployed like me.

7. What do you wear when you blog?


What a creepy question, sounds like your planning on murdering me than getting all my secrets.. If I'm honest, it depends on the kind of day I'm having. If I'm planning on leaving the flat (which sadly I have to do quite often) then it's usually a jeans and t-shirt combo, the most common of my looks. If I'm not leaving the comfort of solitude, then it could be a mix of PJ bottoms and a simple vest top, or I pretend to have made an effort with a pair of leggings in place of PJ bottoms, but most commonly, it's the first. Let's face it, is there much point in dressing up when you're only going to get covered in cat fur throughout the day? Of course not.


8. How Long Does It Take You To Prepare Posts?


Well, now you're asking aren't you. Once again, it depends on the post;

  • A review can take any length of time known to man. Just because I've read the book doesn't mean I churn out the review off the bat. Sure, I reviewed The Summer of Chasing Mermaids as soon as I'd finished, but it took me over a month to review Defector after I'd finished reading it, and I still have notes from when I read Monument 14 in January, ready to review whenever I can be bothered. There is no system when it comes to reviews, it's pot luck.
  • A standard discussion can take me anywhere from a few hours to a day to write. Something that just has my thoughts, opinions or involves an experience can usually be churned out of my fingers pretty easily and doesn't require of time beforehand. I get an idea and BAM, I type away and it's ready. Of course, there's the proof-read-a-million-times-before-posting-just-be-sure routine that follows when it's written, but it's written by them, so..
  • A more complicated discussion that actually requires thought and attention to detail can take me up to a week. Posts like How To Keep Your Blogging 'As a Hobby' Status and my A to Z of Nellie and Co. took me upwards of a week as they weren't as easy to get out, they need debating and thought, they were important and were informative, and informative posts always take longer to prepare than informal one do.
  • A tutorial or 100% informative post can take me upwards of 2-3 weeks. Writing my post on using Google Analytics instead of Blogger Stats took me around 2 and a half weeks due to other commitments and needing my head in the game, while  my post on Blogger Post URL's and Permalinks took me around a month to perfect as I was never quite 100% pleased with the post, although it went down well.

9. How Do You Feel About the (Book) Blogging Community?


Er.. I confess, I have my issues with it, and there's one or two major, huge, big glaring issues, but on the whole, I enjoy being involved in it. Sure, I don't alway think I belong in the 'book' blogging community, but a lot my followers have journeyed with me through my changes and let me hang around with the cool kids, and that's pretty nice of them.

I really quite like being a part of such a varied and special community as a blogging community. I love when people who aren't involved in the community or blogging or much of the internet at all (who are these people?!) ask me what blogging is like because it's a great experience that only other bloggers really understand. It's a wonderful hobby that really demands you heart and soul and it can pin you down under a pile of scary rubble, but it's the communities that strive that make it worth it. I feel as though I have great friends in the community, people that inspire me and encourage me to create, people that support me and remind me why I do this, and that's one of the things I like about blogging - you've always got somebody who has your back.

10. What Should One Do To Have a Successful Blog?

Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how you do it. - Maya Angelou
Nobody measure success the same way. We all have different aims and objectives, things we want to achieve and do in life, and what we do that makes us happy is different from somebody else, and we must all remember that we are different in this world, and that's a good thing. I could tell you that blogging for yourself gives you a successful blog, or that following a list of rules of advise will take you there, but your blogs success depends on what you want out of it, and how much you like getting that from it.

I don't for one moment think I have a successful blog, but that's because I have high expectations for myself and want to reach them, and I know that things I've done, such as switch my blogs, change names, lose brands and start from scratch have hindered this, but that doesn't take away from the fact that I love what I do, and I appreciate my achievements. I've managed to do and learn a lot from blogging, and there's little that I could use and remember in everyday life should I stop, but success is measured by your happiness in what it is your doing, and only through that happiness. If you feel you have succeeded, then success you have.



Tell Me: What's the Best Thing About Blogging To You?

23 comments:

  1. Well, I think you have a successful blog! I love your blog. :) Lots of great bloggy peeps mentioned throughout too, and I'd love to feature all of them on my blog as well. Great post, Amanda! <3

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    1. Thanks Lisa! I can't believe I forgot to mention you with the later mentions, I knew I'd forgotten someone. Sounds cheesy, but I promise you were meant to be there :(

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  2. Awesome post! I agree with you about the teaching thing. This is something I've really come to love through my blog. I've always loved writing tutorials and info posts that will help people and I can't wait to release more e-courses that will do the same. :)

    If you ever want to feature or collaborate on something, feel free to send me a message. ;)

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    1. Thanks Ashley, both for visiting and the offer, that means a great deal to me! The teaching part is so rewarding, and I couldn't imagine not doing it myself :)

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    2. I swear tips are contagious. They are some of the funnest blog posts to write!

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  3. Thank you so much for featuring me! Book Badger was one of the first blogs I ever followed when I got started, so thank you for everything you've done! Blogger or book blogger, Book Badger or Butterfly or Nellie, I'll always be following you :D

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    1. Thanks Lauren, that means a great deal to me, I feel very lucky to have had followers like yourself move with me from blog to blog, makes me feel as though I'm doing something right :)

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  4. Awk, I totally loved reading this! :D AFDLJKADS I FEEL VERY HONOURED RIGHT NOW THO. :') And also mildly successful that I've made you laugh. HA! WIN FOR ME. XDXD *tackle hugs you* Btw, I'm super super nervous to know what you think of my book so far. Dyyyyying here, okay?!

    And you've made me uber curious about your issues with the book blog community. BECAUSE I'M NOSEY. ;) And I love that you do so many teaching posts...if I'd still be on blogger, I would be eating your posts up because omg, I didn't know ANY OF THIS STUFF and you make it sound so sensible and easy. So keep up the awesome teaching and it's so fabulous that you enjoy it a lot too! :D

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    1. Aw, thanks Cait! I admit, I haven't read loads of it right now (so little time because so many things!) but so far, I've read about 50+ pages and am really enjoying it, your humour and characters are just SO GOOD and I want to lap it all up. I'll definitely have it read in the next few days for certain! :D

      I do have a post about the book blogging community drafted, I'm just a little nervous about posting it because it's a little ranty and can be looked at as a baaaaaad thing, so, maybe one day? I'm a huge lover of Blogger, even with it's issues, so I want to share the free tool as being fabulous, and I'm glad it's rubbing off and that people like it :)

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  5. Great post. I'd like to think I will blog forever and that won't change, although I also want to try booktubing because I think I can get my thoughts out better on camera on some issues. It is true that work gets in the way a lot and just sucks up my energy, leaving less time for blogging. But I try my best to find a balance with writing posts, replying to comments and visiting all you amazing bloggers.

    I HATE BAD MOTIVATION DAYS!!! Today I actually had to phone in work because I am so sick and I barely have any energy. But I'm sitting here, ill as anything, trying to get motivated so I can get some visiting and commenting done. It sucks, but if I don't do it now then I don't know when I will find the time. I HATE the social media drama and try to steer clear of all of it, I don't have the time or energy for it.

    Definitely agree about success being measured in being happy with what you do. If I love my blog and am happy with it then I feel I am doing something right.

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    1. I also strive to strike a balance between blogging and everything else, and it's difficult sometimes, but I think I manage it quite well. You manage very well with a demanding job too Charnell!

      I'm sorry to hear you're quite unwell and seriously hope that you get better pronto, being ill sucks and can drain you mentally and motivationally too. Love what you do for sure :)

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  6. Aw! I'm glad I've made an impression! Haha. Seriously though, blogger drama is THE WORST. I can't believe I've been blogging for about 2 1/2 years. It feels longer! My favorite thing about blogging... I like the sense of accomplishment you get when the page views spikes. It's like, yes, I did something right!

    I like creating new content as well! It's a lot of work but so worth it when you've finished and can say, yes, that is a good blog post. I'm in the middle of updating old content on my own blog. It's going to take a loonnngg time but it'll be worth it! I'm getting an associates in marketing so I like to use my blog as an experiment with the things I've learned. It's a fun way to implement stuff while doing something I love and enjoy!

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    1. That is another fabulous thing about blogging for sure, seeing all the interaction with your post can make your day, but conversely, seeing the view meter not grow can be disappointing.. I think using your blog as a stepping stone for other things is a big positive too, it challenges you and encourages you to keep thinking of new things and new content. Don't forget to internally link your old content about! :)

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  7. I really love this tag! It's really refreshing to see what bloggers think about blogging rather than our good old book tags - well, tbh, I do have a soft spot for them:)
    I've always used to admire you as a blogger, ever since your Book Badger days - though I myself wasn't blogging at that time - and I am really glad that you finally found your blogging niche. Also I wanted to say that I adore your posts, they're super thought provoking, and I really admire the courage and strength behind your personal posts!:)
    Lovely post Amanda!:)

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    1. Thanks Mishma! I feel the same, it's nice to do something different, especially as I'm less bookish than a lot of other bloggers! I'm so glad you've been interested in my blogging journey for as long as you have - that's amazing, and means a lot to me, so thank you. I really feel as though I've found my footing now, and that's a great feeling :)

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    2. Thanks Mishma! I feel the same, it's nice to do something different, especially as I'm less bookish than a lot of other bloggers! I'm so glad you've been interested in my blogging journey for as long as you have - that's amazing, and means a lot to me, so thank you. I really feel as though I've found my footing now, and that's a great feeling :)

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  8. I like that your cat helps you with your blogging. :) What a cutie!

    I haven't been following you for very long (although I did follow you on Book Badger for a bit), but I've actually really started to like your blog -- I may not always comment, but I do read almost everything, so don't feel bad when you don't get as many comments as you'd like! Your content is informative and comprehensive and that's awesome.

    Talk to me about your Xbox! I've recently adopted my brother's old Xbox 360 and I need some games.

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    1. He definitely tries, but he can get jealous of the books and laptop, poor baby.. That's such a wonderful thing to say Inge, thank you so much. It does deflate you a little when interaction is a little lower than you'd like, but I know a lot of readers are ghost readers and like to browse rather than comment, so it's all good with me.

      Personally, I'm a little violent with my games and am a huge fan of the Batman: Arkham series (because who doesn't like beating people up?), XCOM: Enemy Unknown which is more shooting up aliens and stimulated tactics which is all about the moves you make and how it makes the game turn out, and I'm in love with my Lego games, but sometimes gaming is a little more chilled you know? Got to say, I currently liking Alice: The Madness Returns - it's like the book Splintered by A.G. Howard, but in gaming form with a creepy Wonderland and it's great! Hope those helped Inge :)

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    2. I've definitely been eyeing that Alice game. I've been playing a lot of Skyrim, but I got a bit bored of that after a while. Also looking for something that's a bit more chilled and happy, so I might have a look at the Lego games. Thank you! :)

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    3. It's pretty dark and creepy and is great for dark late nights for the extra factor! I was never a Skyrim person, but I watched a lot of other people play the game and it never much appealed to me. Lego is my go-to for some shill game action, can't go wrong! :)

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    4. It's pretty dark and creepy and is great for dark late nights for the extra factor! I was never a Skyrim person, but I watched a lot of other people play the game and it never much appealed to me. Lego is my go-to for some shill game action, can't go wrong! :)

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    5. He definitely tries, but he can get jealous of the books and laptop, poor baby.. That's such a wonderful thing to say Inge, thank you so much. It does deflate you a little when interaction is a little lower than you'd like, but I know a lot of readers are ghost readers and like to browse rather than comment, so it's all good with me.

      Personally, I'm a little violent with my games and am a huge fan of the Batman: Arkham series (because who doesn't like beating people up?), XCOM: Enemy Unknown which is more shooting up aliens and stimulated tactics which is all about the moves you make and how it makes the game turn out, and I'm in love with my Lego games, but sometimes gaming is a little more chilled you know? Got to say, I currently liking Alice: The Madness Returns - it's like the book Splintered by A.G. Howard, but in gaming form with a creepy Wonderland and it's great! Hope those helped Inge :)

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  9. Love this post, it would make a great tag :)
    I love getting comments, it's my favorite. Eh and I can't stand the drama and the cliques and double standards in blogging. Sometimes it makes me want to quit, but I guess I love blogging more than I hate the drama.

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