Secret Life of a Book Blogger tag

Good morning bookworms!
Before we get started today, I just wanted to let you guys know that I am playing in this current round of The Bookish Games. I won’t talk about the actual game itself, but if you’ve read Nevernight by Jay Kristoff (this game’s theme, and there ARE SPOILERS), and you’re interested in how a mafia/townie game works, then you should definitely head over to Asti’s Bookish Games account and watch. There’s a spectator thing/place where you can watch and comment from if you’re interested (I was actually going to just spectate this time, but then I found out the theme was Nevernight, so I jumped straight in). Please note that commenting on the blog posts is ONLY for players. I will say it’s been pretty exciting so far, and I am an analytical nerd, so I posted A LOT today. So, if you’re interested, contact Asti on Twitter and she can help you get access.
Back to the tag…

So, my dear friend Tracy @ Truffles Literary Wonders tagged me in the Secret Life of a Book Blogger tag! I promise you, my life is not so secret (or all that interesting), but I’ll make it up for you if it gets too boring… *jokes!* If you haven’t checked out Tracy’s blog (or Instagram) you really should because it’s bright and colourful and super funny!!

How long have you been blogging?

Since 17 November 2016 – so, about 2.5 years.

At what point do you think you’ll stop blogging?

When it no longer appeals to me? Hubs and I have been talking about setting up a podcast where we talk about random stuff, like books, movies, tv shows, video games, board games. Basically anything in that ‘entertainment’ spectrum. But, even with that I think I’ll still blog. I like the writing aspect of it.

What is the best thing about blogging?

The community. I really love the friends I have made on here and through Instagram. Some of them have become IRL friends as well as virtual. (Although I am really happy with both because I’m an introvert at heart – and I’m much more chatty in a virtual setting!)

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

The worst thing is when I see the hatred and entitlement that happens very occasionally. I have to admit, that negativity is so much more prevalent on Twitter than it is anywhere else. I don’t know what it is about Twitter, I feel like it can really bring out the worst in people because it gives them this platform where it’s easy to find like-minded people and just band together. And you don’t have to make rational arguments, you just have to squish your thoughts into 280 characters and you’re home free.
I don’t know that I do anything, personally. I don’t like conflict – it’s part of the reason that I don’t enjoy Twitter so much. But I get the occasional rant on. (As Isabelle @ Bookwyrm Bites found out last month!)

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

I’ve got templates now, so as long as I can find what I need it only takes about 5 minutes. But when I’m making something new, then it’s longer. But I tend to give up after an hour!

Who is your book crush?

Ronan Lynch. I know I am not his type, but damn… Broken bad boy, Irish, tattoos, pet raven, fluent in Latin and sarcasm, greywaren, king of smirking, speed racer, drinks his feelings, overly protective. Pretty sure he ticks EVERY box on my list.

What author would you like to have on your blog?

Umm, any of them?! Seriously, I was so scared to ask C. G. Drews for an interview, but it turned out so amazing. If any authors should see this (and I have read your books) please give me a shout because I had so much fun with that interview.

What do you wear when you write your blog posts?

My posts go live at 8am my time, so I’m finalising drafts either first thing in the morning, or last thing at night. So, usually my pyjamas. Because we’re heading into winter, my pyjamas alternate between my flannel Ravenclaw pants (that are so thin now, I’ve had them for YEARS), and my men’s ‘pizza on earth’ astronaut space pants, and then just a nerdy tee, but quite often it’s my Sailor Moon singlet that I screen printed.

How long does it take you to prepare?

Prepare for…? World domination? A LONG time.
To leave the house in the mornings… about 45 mins. That’s from wake up (and then proceed to lie in bed for 15 mins), to getting in my car.
To write a blog post… umm, I started this one in March when Tracy tagged me… so two months?! ?

How do you feel about the blogging community?

I love them / it. Seriously, so much. I was invited to a Discord server book chat, and now I’m playing The Bookish Games, and I think I got like 6 nominations for a Sunshine Award in the space of a fortnight (it’s going to take me so long to do these – I’m so sorry if I haven’t done yours yet, it’s coming, I promise), and I just feel like I’ve found my people. Which is so nice considering I think most of you guys in the YA community are actually YA in age, and I’m old. (Legit, I’ll be 36 next month – but YA is the best.)

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

I don’t know that my blog is ‘successful’? I mean, I have put a lot of work into it this year, and I have definitely grown in leaps and bounds as a blogger and with my stats. I think the key for me, is posting consistently, and blog-hop, blog-hop, blog-hop!! Talk to other bloggers. Interact. Visit your new followers.
I’m going to show you guys something I’ve always been too scared or embarrassed to talk about. I started blogging in November 2016. The below graphic shows my stats for every month I have blogged since December 2016, so it only cuts off my very first month. You can SEE the difference that consistent blogging and blog-hopping has done for me. And I’m really proud of that.

In April 2017 I had 34 views, my lowest statistics month ever. I was only posting 1-2 things each month. In April 2017 I didn’t post at all, and I nearly gave up blogging. And you can see that the blog had little to no views – those stats are ridiculous.
But this year I had a plan. Or, more to the point, a schedule. I have a calendar spreadsheet where I plan out all my posts. And sometimes I miss a day, or I don’t post what I was going to, but that’s life. I try and schedule posts when I can, but it’s not always easy. I imagine I’ll probably miss some days when we move interstate in June. But you take the good with the bad, and you do the best you can.
But if you compare April 2017 with April 2019, the difference is amazing.

Tagging

I’m going to be really crap and NOT tag any one. I think I’ve been bombarding you all with a lot of tags and awards and today I was told that I had tagged someone in three things they had yet to respond to. (I’m so sorry, Kathy!!) So, if YOU WANT to do this tag, then please do it. There is NO stigma about taking these tags and doing them yourself, just like there’s no stigma in not doing something you were tagged in. Take it from someone who had 1 like in the space of a month.
Until next time, happy reading ??

Sorry blogging fam, this post got deep – and it was totally an accident!! I guess I’ve been feeling empowered by everyone sharing their blog stats lately. Down with the stigma! Share your stats! (If you want – no pressure!) ?