Friday, 19 February 2016

THE SECRET LIFE OF A BOOK BLOGGER TAG

Earlier this year, lovely Stephanie @No BS Book Reviews blog tagged me to do The Secret Life of a Book Blogger tag. I don't know who initially started this tag but I would like to give credit and link it back to the first blog tag post so please let me know in the comments if you know!



1. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A BLOGGER?


It is exactly three years this month. Which reminds me that I completely forgot to celebrate my 3rd blogoversary. I need to rectify that soon!

2. AT WHAT POINT DO YOU THINK YOU’LL STOP BLOGGING?


I have no idea. So far I am managing my work, personal life and blog alright. If at any point in the future blogging starts to interfere with my real life negatively, I will consider quitting or at least taking a long hiatus. But for now, all is good.

3. WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT BLOGGING?


Being heard. My main reason to start blogging was possibility of sharing my love and opinions about books with wider audience of like-minded people. To have readers/bloggers reading my posts, commenting on my posts, sharing their own opinions with me, loving new books based on my recommendation... that is all the biggest reward I could get for the time that I spend blogging.

4. WHAT IS THE WORST THING? WHAT DO YOU DO TO MAKE IT OKAY?


Pressure to write interesting posts that people want to read. I realized that it is impossible to write great unique posts every day so I adopted "quality over quantity" policy. And I can happily say that it helps to minimize the stress factor in my blogging!

5. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO CREATE/FIND PICTURES TO USE?


It depends. If it is custom made banner as is the one at the beginning of this post, it takes only couple of minutes. But when it comes to picspam or collage for review, it may take hours or even days.

6. WHO IS YOUR BOOK CRUSH?


Jamie Fraser from Outlander series. Without a doubt. "A big man, with hair like fire, and eyes like the summer skies". He is the perfect example of how to write unforgettable character. Stubborn but kind. Temperamental but courageous. Proud but selfless. Believe me, it is impossible not to fall in love with him.



7. WHAT AUTHOR WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE ON YOUR BLOG?


Pierce Brown - incredibly talented author of Red Rising trilogy. I am super huge fan of his books and I have been following him on social media for almost two years. Nothing would make me happier than interviewing him or having Pierce himself to write exclusive guest post for my blog!

Photo: Joan Allen

8. WHAT DO YOU WEAR WHEN YOU WRITE YOUR BLOG POSTS?


Comfortable home clothes - sweatpants, t-shirt, hoodie.

9. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO PREPARE?


If it is review post, it takes under 30 minutes because I write down notes into notebook while I read so it is only matter of retyping it and formatting. If it is discussion post or any other thematic post, it takes me days or even week or two. Why? I repeatedly change, edit, delete and add stuff so it is a long process until I am 100% happy with result.

10. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE BOOK BLOGGER COMMUNITY?


I feel really good about book blogger community. It is my extended online family and I found many great friends while blogging. Of course, there were/are people who made me question my love for book blogging but I resolutely avoid such people as much as I can and surround myself only with like-minded people. Why to engage in bad if there is so much good to enjoy?

11. WHAT DO YOU THINK ONE SHOULD DO TO GET A SUCCESSFUL BLOG?


Be yourself and be part of blogging community. Meaning? (A) Do not be afraid to be a "black sheep" and share opinions that are different from majority of other bloggers. You may be surprised how many other readers/bloggers feel the same way and this way you can get new genuine followers. But remember, be honest and polite. (B) Be social. Comment on other blogs, share stuff posted by authors or other bloggers and reply to comments on your blog. Blogging alone and ignoring blogging community is no fun at all. The rest is up to your creativity!

THIS IS QUITE AN OLD TAG SO MOST OF YOU'VE PROBABLY DONE IT ALREADY.
IF NOT, CONSIDERED YOURSELF TAGGED IF YOU ARE INTERESTED :)

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Lucia @Reading Is My Breathing

Lucia is 29 years old passionate reader and reviewer who enjoys talking about all bookish things. Currently she lives in Prague, works in business industry and dreams of starting her own publishing company. Her weakness? She can never say no to cake, coffee or good novel.

Comments (24)

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Lovely tag! I've only been blogging for nearly a year and I LOVE the community of people it's introduced me to!
My recent post Review - The Final Empire (Mistborn #1) by Brandon Sanderson
1 reply · active 475 weeks ago
Meeting new like-minded people is the best part of blogging, right? :)
This is a fun tag! :)
Haha, I always forgot my blogoversary when I was on my own. Hopefully, now that I'm with Nereyda, I can remember better but knowing Nereyda, probably not. :)
Collages take me FOREVER as well. They are very time consuming but thankfully I enjoy making them.
I love your tips for a successful blog because they are so true, especially the first. Speaking out will undoubtedly help you find you friends! I speak from experience.
It was good getting to know you better through this, Lucia! Oh and I hope your Pierce Brown dream comes true!
My recent post Who Should Pick Up Jockblocked by Jen Frederick?
2 replies · active 475 weeks ago
I love making collages as well, even though it is time consuming :) Thanks for reading, Nick!
HEY!
....you're probably right though. I missed my last 3 blog anniversaries haha :)
My recent post A Love Letter to Siren’s Song by Mary Weber
This tag seems so interesting!!
I hope Pierce Brown gets to be on your blog one day!
How do you find the pictures to use for the collages? I want to do them but I don't know from where I can get pictures due to the copyright and all that. And which app do you use for making them?
Well, I consider myself tagged because this was fun to read :)
My recent post The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine | ARC Review
1 reply · active 475 weeks ago
Yay, tweet me when you do this tag so I don't miss answers :)
And usually, I look for pictures for collages at We Heart It website. But I always double check for copyrights and watermarks since I do not want to get into trouble! And I use picmonkey to put it together, it is free and user-friendly.
I need to read Outlander so badly. I've seen some of the show but I definitely want to check out the book.This tag was so fun to read. :D
Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian
1 reply · active 475 weeks ago
Outlander book is equally good if not better than show! I hope you pick it up one day, it is worth it :)
Nice tag Lucia. It is quite fun to learn about other bloggers and find that you have some things in common especially all our shared love for books.
My recent post Book Review: Perilous Sea
1 reply · active 475 weeks ago
Thanks for reading! :)
JAMIE FRASER.
Enough said.

Loved your answers, Lucia! I hope Pierce works out for you, he's a total stud. HAHAHA
My recent post One-Liners (+ GIVEAWAY!): Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor
1 reply · active 475 weeks ago
I would love to interview him personally one day ;) That would be awesome!
Awesome answers and I totally agree with you re: being heard! Best part of blogging! And connecting with others over books, people who actually care about books and what you think!!
My recent post I love this trope, sub-genre, setting: Political Romance!
1 reply · active 475 weeks ago
Yes! Getting to know other genuine book lovers is definitely the best part of blogging!
You put Jamie and Pierce Brown in one post, there's just way too much pretty *A* I would love to have Pierce Brown on the blog too, he seems super approachable from all the recaps of his tours.
I totally agree with your tip of visiting and engaging with other bloggers. Very crucial <3
1 reply · active 475 weeks ago
What about having Sam Heughan AND Pierce Brown on the blog. I would probably faint LOL
I have been seeing this tag around and it interests me a lot! To get to know the bloggers better as well. Like you, I'm all about being dressed in comfort for my posts, but the pressure about posting stuff people want to read can be there sometimes. Mostly though, I blog for my own satisfaction or for the chance to discuss with others, so it goes okay! <3
1 reply · active 475 weeks ago
If you are interested in this tag, considered yourself tagged Olivia :) I would love to read your answers!
Happy blogversary!! *THROWS CONFETTI OVER YOU* Three years is a glorious milestone, well done, Lucia!! And, eeep, it was so awesome to know more behind-the-scenes things about you and the blog. ;D I think the blogging community is utterly fantastic too. And sure it's not perfect, but what is?!? :P
Pierce Brown tho. OMG. I'm terrified over Morning Star. XD I've been avoiding all reviews so far because I want to go in completely blind, but omg, I'm terrified my babies are all going to die. XD
And omg I delete and rewrite and fret over my discussion posts for AGES too!! I rarely write one and then post it straight away...editing is a lifesaver. XD
1 reply · active 475 weeks ago
Thank you Cait :)
And good call avoiding Morning Star reviews. I did the same before I finished it myself. And that is the reason why I wrote nothing at all about plot in mine review LOL You will enjoy this book the best if you know zero about its plot!
OMG, Nick's comment cracked me up because I did a blog anniversary giveaway my first year...and completely forgot about the last three years. Nick knows me so well :)

I can't imagine blogging in anything other than pajamas. I feel the same way as you do about pretty much everything you said!
1 reply · active 475 weeks ago
I remembered to celebrate first and second anniversary but if it was not for this tag, I would completely forgot about 3rd. We are getting older and forgetful, Nereyda ;)
Ahh, this is such a great post and so nice to know a bit more about you! :D Happy 3rd bloggerversary, my dear! How time flies when you are having fun! I'm so glad that we met, your blog has quickly become one of my all-time favourites! I see you have Pierce on there, I wish you could have been here at the event too! I can't wait to send you the poster :) Lovely post, Lucia!
My recent post Review: Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

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