
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!) ?


14 Comments
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
Ooooh, this is such a cool tag! I really loved the “behind the scenes” look at your blog like this haha. 🙂 I might have to steal this one!
Meeghan reads
Oh please do!!! I can’t wait to see your responses ?
Isabelle @ BookwyrmBites
omg I played so much Mafia in middle school, and it’s actually one of the first games I ever played with my college friend group! tbqh it’s not my favorite to participate in since it can be so intense, but it’s delightful to watch … though I have a pretty busy summer in store so I may opt out of spectating this round since real life unfortunately has to take priority ? (maybe next time!)
10/10 would listen to a podcast, but I’m totally with you on loving writing – it’s a medium that I feel like I thrive in, and I much prefer messaging to phone or IRL conversations a lot of the time too. the bookish community is (mostly) such a gem ? except when it’s not, of course. *hugs*
I would not date Ronan Lynch, but I love him a lot ? and if they don’t do a good job casting him (or really any of the mains) in the TRC show, I will scream [and probably watch it anyway to support Maggie Stiefvater because she wrote at least the pilot and also I love her and her books]
thank you so much for sharing your stats! I know it’s kind of stigmatized and we as a community don’t talk about it a ton (though it does seem to be slowly changing which is awesome!) and it’s always so reassuring to see the actual numbers everyone else is working with ? I definitely agree, mine are consistently highest when I post spike each week that I actively bloghop, it makes a HUGE difference. also – “sometimes I miss a day, or I don’t post what I was going to, but that’s life. … You take the good with the bad, and you do the best you can.” yes ? to ? this!
Meeghan reads
This is the first time I’ve played and it IS super intense!!
OMG I was just looking up TRC adaptation to see if there was any further news on it. I knew Maggie had written the pilot script and I PRAY they stay as close to the book as possible. I don’t want to hate watch one of my fave book series ever. I want to love it!! (But yes, Ronan is trouble… except I kind of love that about him.)
Hahaha, I’m going to need to remember that mantra when I am freaking out because I don’t know what box my laptop is in!! ??
evelynreads1
I loved reading this 🙂
(www.evelynreads.com)
Meeghan reads
Thanks Evelyn ?
Amber
I seriously needed to be following your blog like… two years ago.
#1 – I am stealing this tag for future use. Does future use mean in two years? … Possible. 😛
#2 – WHAT IS THIS BOOKISH GAMES MADNESS. That is so so cool, I’m definitely gonna follow that account! <3 <3 <3
Writing posts in PJs for the win. *high fives*
Meeghan reads
Naww, thanks Amber!! It means so much to me that you’re following me now!! ?
Also, I’ve been in pjs all day today!! *high fives back* ?
theorangutanlibrarian
Really lovely post! And I love Ronan lynch too!
Meeghan reads
I am so ready for Call Down the Hawk that it’s ridiculous.
Kristina
Wow, what a jump in stats indeed ! Blog-hopping is THE thing to do – and not only for people to go see yours in return, but actual commenting of course XD both within our community and out of it too. The more, the better ! (but sadly we can’t comment on ALL of them – I just try to do a few every day)
Interactions is always gold too – reply to comments, return them, talk to a few people here and there on twitter/instagram/tumblr (whatever you uses, really).
If I take my own pictures of books/Bujo/whatever it always end up taking YEARS XD as I end up being so frustrated that it’s not working the way I want it to be and urhh – just so not appealing and ugly ??♀️ at some point I just rage off and use whatever was the best xD i’m definately not a creative or artistic soul.. *aherm*
Also.. for some reason Twitter always end up being the worst in ANY fandom .. definately not just us.
Meeghan reads
Twitter in general is just sad saddening. It’s like all the trolls in the world went “ha! No pictures and don’t have to use my real name! Now I’m sharing my internal monologue with the world instead of being a decent person… also, I don’t have to back up any statements I make because it (used to be) 140 chars!”
And yes!! I try and comment as much as I can. I try and return comments on my posts within 24 hours, but comment on others when I can as well (and when I have something to actually say)!
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