When it comes to book blogging (or, I suspect, any type of blogging), I have one piece of advice: blog for yourself. Do it because you like it, and do it in a way that's fun for you.
If you don't want to post, don't post. And PLEASE, PLEASE, don't apologize to your readers for not posting (I admit to having done this in my early days). Your blog is supposed to be fun, not work! We all have enough work in our lives. You are still a good blogger if you miss a day, or even a week (or even a month, but I don't want to blow your circuits). We will forgive you, promise. Confession time:
1. I don't review everything that I read. And if I start reading a book that I've accepted for review and I'm just not digging it, I stop reading. Why? Because life is too short, my time is valuable, and I can't imagine the author wants a review from a reader who didn't click with their book, no matter how good it might be.
2. Not only are there days when I don't read at all, there are entire weeks when I don't have anything on the go, reading-wise. Because sometimes my kids have the flu, or I have to pick between reading and working out, or my husband is home in the evening after working late for a month, or I JUST DON'T FEEL LIKE IT and would rather watch some trashy TV.
3. I don't answer all my email. Or even most of my email. Actually, I answer as little email as I can get away with.
Yet I consider myself to be a fairly good book blogger. So here's my advice: don't submit to the pressure. Have fun, and if you aren't having fun figure out why and fix it. Don't compare yourself to other bloggers who have a bazillion followers, get every shiny new ARC copy that you wish you had, and seem to have it all together. If you're already stressed out by your reading schedule, don't take on more books! It's just silly.
Use your time in a way that enhances your personal well-being. If you miss a day of posting, no one will give you a hard time. If anyone does, you send the to me and I will read them the riot act and readjust their thinking for you.
Anyway, that concludes my ArmchairBEA participation for the year. I've had a blast and discovered some new friends, so I call that a smashing success. See you all next time around!
Friday, May 27, 2011
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