The Secret Life of a Book Blogger Tag

Today I’m doing The Secret Life of a Book Blogger Tag I saw this on Jemma’s blog Fantastic Books and Where to Find Them back in October and knew I had to do it at some point.

How Long Have You Been A Blogger?

My first post on this little blog of mine was on 22nd June 2017, with this review of Louise Cole’s The Devil’s Poetry, making it 2 years, 6 months and 20 days since I started blogging. I did have a little blog years ago before I had my son, but we’re not counting that, okay?

What is the best part?

Without doubt, the friends that I have made whilst blogging. I have met some really lovely people, and one of my closest friends in the world (hi Steph) through book blogging. Also, the events that I get to go to that I had never heard of before I became a blogger, and the world of books that it has introduced me to that I might never have come across otherwise.

What is the worst part?

The constant drama. There is always something going on in the book community, and a lot of it is Big Drama that everyone seems to be involved in. Half the time I’ve missed the start of it and have absolutely no idea what is going on. I am a quiet little soul at heart and I just want everything to be calm and happy. I am not cut out for the dramatic life, especially when I’ve missed what’s going on.

How long does it take you to find/create pictures to use?

It really varies for me. I take all my blog photos myself. Sometimes they are quick snaps with not a lot of thought put into them (eg. photos of books taken on the school run). Others a more set up and take a little longer, like my haul photos, which take me around 20 mins to do a post’s worth of photos. Some are chance photos I’ve taken when out on walks or holidays that happen to make good post headers, and for those the editing can take half an hour or more to get right. I definitely want to work on my photography for this year; taking photos is something I really enjoy and combining it with my reading can only be a good thing.

Who’s your book crush?

Luvian from State of Sorrow and Song of Sorrow by Melinda Salisbury. He is the most adorable little bean. Although I am almost old enough to be his mother, so maybe not. Big witchy crush on Circe from the Madeline Miller book of the same name. I love everything about her life, particularly the bit where she turns hideous men into actual pigs.

What author would you like to have on your blog?

I have such a wish list for this: Melinda Salisbury, Sarah Maria Griffin, Sara Barnard, Alice Broadway, Laura Steven, Samantha Shannon, Sophie Anderson, Katherine Webber, Jay Kristoff, Alice Oseman, Anna Day, Moira Fowley-Doyle, Vic James, Joanne Harris… I’ll stop now because I could genuinely do this all day long.

What do you wear when you write your blog?

Clothes. Blankets. The skins of my defeated enemies. This is such a weird question. Is there a blogger uniform I should be wearing?

How long does it take you to prepare a post?

This really depends on the post. Sometimes the posts pretty much write themselves, like some of the #SixforSunday prompts where I know exactly which six books I want to feature and writing them up takes maybe 15-20 minutes. Other posts take anything from 40 mins to a couple of hours. It really depends.

How do you feel about the book blogger community/culture?

Mostly positive. As I said earlier I’ve made some great friends through blogging. I love the events and the sense of community. I don’t love the drama though, and there seems to always be someone complaining about blogging or events or the community. I just don’t get it: if you don’t enjoy it, don’t do it?

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

Enjoy yourself! Write about the things you love and let your passion for books show through. Don’t feel like you have to blog a certain way or about certain things. Blog for yourself first and for views and comments second. If you don’t love it, don’t do it. No one is forcing you.

Have you done this tag? Let me know if you do because I’d love to see your answers. 

 

 

 

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