This is an even hosted by Small Review! To learn more click here.
When did you start your blog?
I started it in December the day of my last final. About 2-3 weeks ago.
I started it in December the day of my last final. About 2-3 weeks ago.
Why did you start your blog?
I love books and my friend had one so I thought it would be a great way to talk more about the books I love with great people.
I love books and my friend had one so I thought it would be a great way to talk more about the books I love with great people.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
Um, probably trying to find a way to format my reviews. I’m looking at other blogs and thinking up new things I can do to make the reviews more fun and more me.
Um, probably trying to find a way to format my reviews. I’m looking at other blogs and thinking up new things I can do to make the reviews more fun and more me.
What do you find most discouraging about being a new blogger?
Joining the blogosphere is like being the new kid on the block. Everyone seems to know each other and it’s a little intimidating stepping in.
Joining the blogosphere is like being the new kid on the block. Everyone seems to know each other and it’s a little intimidating stepping in.
What do you find most encouraging?
How friendly and encouraging everyone is! I’ve done a few blog hops and people are just great on here!
How friendly and encouraging everyone is! I’ve done a few blog hops and people are just great on here!
What do you like best about the blogs you read? Have you tried to replicate this in your blog?
I love how personal and down-to-earth people’s blogs are; how they show what their currently reading, favorite books, favorite quotes, and stuff like that. I’ve tried to do that on mine using a ton of widgets.
I love how personal and down-to-earth people’s blogs are; how they show what their currently reading, favorite books, favorite quotes, and stuff like that. I’ve tried to do that on mine using a ton of widgets.
What do you dislike about blogs you’ve read? Do you try to avoid this?
I haven’t really seen anything I dislike.
I haven’t really seen anything I dislike.
Any advice for other new bloggers?
Get yourself out there right away and make posts on others blogs and join some blog hops. That’s the only way to make friends and get followers.
Get yourself out there right away and make posts on others blogs and join some blog hops. That’s the only way to make friends and get followers.
Any questions you'd like to ask newbie or established bloggers?
How do you start conversations/discussions with people? Do you use your posts like a message board and just keep commenting back and forth? It seems hard to meet people when you just make a comment on the other person’s blog without a lot of discussion.
How do you start conversations/discussions with people? Do you use your posts like a message board and just keep commenting back and forth? It seems hard to meet people when you just make a comment on the other person’s blog without a lot of discussion.
Is there anything you’d like to tell us about your blog? Feel free to link a few of your favorite posts or posts you wish had more comments.
I really didn’t have much of an idea going into this (and I’m just making thing’s up as I go) but one thing I did know is that I wanted things to be fun on here; a little krazyness/randomness and I’m hoping the review’s will reflect that.
I really didn’t have much of an idea going into this (and I’m just making thing’s up as I go) but one thing I did know is that I wanted things to be fun on here; a little krazyness/randomness and I’m hoping the review’s will reflect that.
Thanks Small Review! This was really cool! (and thanks Mindful Musings for telling me about it!)
Glad you were able to participate in this! I love Small's blog. It's fantastic!
ReplyDeleteAs far as creating a discussion about what you post, Blogger's comment system makes it a little hard to do that. However, when you get a comment in your e-mail (whatever e-mail you set up with your blog), you can click reply, and if that person has an e-mail publicly visible, you can respond to their comment by e-mail. That's what I usually end up doing. There are ways to install different commenting systems on Blogger, but I've had trouble with all the ones I tried.
Great honest answers.
ReplyDeleteRegarding not knowing other bloggers here is my advice. Being a new blogger is like being invited to a party. Except everyone at this party is friendly, likes meeting new people, and want to talk with you. So get in there and start chatting. Visit their blogs and comment. You'll find bloggers are happy to make your acquaintance and become friends.
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ReplyDeleteRegarding discussions, I comment in the comments.
ReplyDeleteGood luck :) I love your blog name btw!
Welcome to the YA book blogging world! I hope you enjoy it, and thank you so much for participating in Busting the Newbie Blues :) (and thank you so much to Natalie for spreading the word!)
ReplyDeleteI was so intimidated when I was a new blogger. Mostly because I'm really shy. I found the best thing to do was to just jump in and comment, even if I thought I sounded stupid. People were all very nice. It also helped me to connect with other new bloggers. They were less scary to talk to :P
I do comment in the comment section and hold conversations there. I love it when people do that on my blog and I always make an effort to reply back to their comments. Sometimes I'll reply through email like Natalie suggested, but I usually do it on my blog itself so everyone can join in on the conversation if they'd like.
Wow, thanks for the help everyone!
ReplyDeleteNatalie: Thanks for the e-mail idea, I had never thought of that. most e-mail notifications have a no-reply thing, I'm glad this one doesn't!
Juju: Thanks for the encouragement! It's great to see so many friendly people on here!
Small Review: Thanks for the welcome, I'm loving blogging so far! I'm also really shy so commenting on blogs is hard but it's great that everyone is so nice! Thanks for hosting this!
I definitely use my posts like a message board! Unfortunately Blogger doesn't give you much more option then that. I also found that having a Twitter account for my blog really opened up how I can communicate with other bloggers; it definitely makes it easier to let them know how much I enjoyed a post they did, or ask a question.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your blog, it looks like you're off to a great start!
I'm also participating in Small's event, and if you're interested in checking out my post, you can find it here!
Kelly
Radiant Shadows
Thanks Kelly! I've always said I would never get a Twitter account but know I guess I'm thinking about it, just for blog purposes anyway :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the book blogging world! I think it's fantastic that you've decided to become a part of it. I only started my blog last year as well, and it's been such a wonderful experience.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I've been trying to find a way to personalize my reviews. The new system I'm using now seems more like me, but I'm not satisfied with it yet.
As for discussions, I use Disqus for my comments because I get to reply. I want to do some discussion posts but don't know where to start - if you want to come up with a discussion feature or something similar, we can always share ideas :)
Thanks Alexa! Blogging has been a great experience =) I would love to share ideas!
ReplyDeleteI love having comment conversations. A couple of bloggers who are really great at it are Amanda at On a Book Bender and, of course, the very lovely Small Review. I think Amber at Down the Rabbit Hole also has discussion posts. Discussion posts are the best way to participate in bookish conversations. Memes like Top Ten Tuesday and TGIF do the same kind of thing.
ReplyDeleteRuby
Thanks Ruby! I'll have to look and see how they do it :)
ReplyDeleteNew Follower
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thephantomparagrapher.blogspot.com/