Nobody tagged me for this, but I saw it on The Nut Free Nerd and thought it looked fun! Holly adapted it from the The Booktuber Oldie Tag, which was created by Monica Kim.
1. How long have you been part of the book blogging community?
I started blogging in earnest in February of 2013. Suddenly the whole world of fellow writers and book reviewers was open to me. I had been toiling with the idea of a blog or a YouTube channel since 2000, but finally settled on my little corner with WordPress. Turns out I was a little too self-conscious to venture into the video format.
2. What was your biggest misconception before starting a book blog?
I think my biggest misconception would be that I would find people invested in my development as a writer, (and eventual publication); I know how egotistical. Everyone else is on their own journey and trying to grow their own following. So after the first six months, I started blogging for the love of it, sharing thoughts on books and getting good recommendations from others… it switched from all about writing, to all about reading. It’s still one of my favorite forms of relaxation.
3. How do you think book blogging has changed since you first started?
There was a lot of people trying to find their voice when I started. It was a wonderful messy collection of people’s thoughts, dreams, and exploration into writing. It has a more professional feel now on many fronts, and noticed many trying to monetize their content. Every now and then I see the nasty side of people’s personalities.
While reading peoples perspectives is fun and interesting, I do find some authors are writing from a place of privilege and haven’t take the time to think on a topic before posting their views…I like the mixed bag community we have, it is mostly thought provoking.
I do still see the younger writers’ post things in point form, which, in my opinion, is just lazy. So the biggest difference from now to when I started are bloggers motivations…
4. What is your favorite book blogging memory?
My favorite blogging memory stems from when someone links to, or shares, my content. It makes me feel like I am connecting with readers and not simply shouting into the void.
5. What are some books that you were introduced to because of book blogging?
About 80% of my library! I collect recommendations mostly from book reviews, then compare them to Goodreads and Amazon listings before deciding to add them to my wish list. So waaay too many titles to mention here. The best thing is finding novels published in other countries that you normally wouldn’t find – the age of the internet and online stores has provided me with a plethora of new authors to explore.
6. What is something that frustrates you about book blogging?
People posting a few lines as a book review, or in point form… or simply summarizing the novel. I want to know about character development, plot, pace, writing style, what where the readers favorite parts, and those least liked.
Another aspect that I wish was better – not necessarily frustrating – is that I wish there was more interaction, the ability to set up groups serious about writing or certain aspects of writing, so you didn’t have to jump to another social medial app to experience this.
But the most frustrating thing at the moment is the new block editor on WordPress. Two words. Dumpster fire!
7. What is your hope for the future of book blogging?
I’d love to see it grow, become more integrated, like we were all contributors to one main channel. Provide us with the ability to grow it into a professional vocation (and gain credibility.) It’s mostly viewed as a hobby or an extension of a website instead of where you can get expert opinions. And maybe have the ability to merge with a marketplace similar to Amazon where customers can buy your novels/products (rather than so many individual stores.)
I remember starting my blog gun-ho, including funny stories but found no one was really interested in them. Even now, only book reviews of popular novels seem to find an audience. Tips on the writing process, editing, publishing, or marketing do well enough… but there is so much of that out there that I only write about what I find personally helpful.
Blogging is more of a catalogue of my reading experience and aspects of my professional growth I put out for discussion. I may have initially thought of it as a marketing tool, but quickly realised it was nothing of the sort, and more of a way to become part of a community. A community that didn’t exist in my local district. So blogging has opened so much more personal opportunity for information, conversation, and recommendations.
What has blogging given you?
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Casey Carlisle 