Back with another tag today, and I’m super excited for this one! Thank you to Destiny @ Howling Libraries for tagging me, I love you! If you’re not already following her blog, why not?! It’s amazing!

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1. how long have you been blogging?

For about 8 years, I think? I used to have a different blog called Coffee & Chopsticks (because I like coffee and sushi, get it?), but it was mostly baking & food related. Later, I decided I wanted to post stuff more themed to my specific interests, so I borrowed an AIM screenname I used when I was 14 from myself (except xXLetsGetGalacticXx, lolol), and went for a colorful, vaguely space/sci-fi related theme. I’m not sure exactly when I started this one – I’m sure I can look it up, but effort, right? – but it’s been maybe 6 years now, I think.

Before having an official blog, I wrote blog-like things in places like LiveJournal, haha.

 

2. at what point do you think you’ll stop blogging?

I’m not sure, and don’t really have a plan to! I’m sure I will eventually maybe, but it’s fun to share book reviews and lists, so…? We’ll see!

 

3. what’s the best thing about blogging?

I love sharing the stuff I like, and then hearing from other people that they like it, too. It’s fun connecting with people on things we didn’t know we had in common, or even talking about differences in opinion for things that we didn’t view the same way. I’ve made some wonderful friends from my blog, and learned lots of cool things about the people I know.

 

4. what’s the worst thing about blogging?

I think having an online platform of any kind – blog, bookstagram, YouTube, Twitter, whatever – puts a certain amount of responsibility on a person that not everyone affords the same respect. For example, someone really influential and prominent in a certain community can choose to use their voice to point out positive things or add to their community in a positive way, or they can complain a lot and post a bunch of “I hate you if you do this” type Tweets/messages. These kinds of people, the ones that would rather promote negativity than positivity, are the worst thing about it in my opinion.

 

5. how long does it take you to make/find pictures to use?

Not very long; the pictures I use are either normally just book covers or pictures I’ve taken myself for my bookstagram! Sometimes if I’m using props, the photo can take a bit to set up, but never more than a few minutes.

 

6. who is your book crush?

I don’t think I have one of these, haha. I think I did when I read more YA, but none come to mind from the last few years!

 

7. what author would you like to have on your blog?

Hmm, I don’t normally feature authors for anything, not ’cause I’m against it, but because I usually see the ones I love give interviews to bigger blogs/websites, and my small little section of the blogosphere doesn’t seem worthy! 😂 I can think of a few I’d love to talk to, though! If you’re an author and want to have a little 1-on-1 with me, let me know! 😉

 

8. what do you wear when you write your blog posts?

Hahaha, what is even this question? Whatever I’m wearing when I’m doing whatever I’ve done before the blog post, I suppose! Right now I’m wearing PJs, but when I posted yesterday, I was in jeans & a hoodie. I also have to get ready for work so I should probably put real clothes on now, yikes.

 

9. how long does it take you to prepare?

It depends on the post, like many others have said! If it’s a book review, it normally doesn’t take me very long, since I mark my books up with highlighters & sticky arrows, and take notes during so I can reference certain things in the review. If it’s a Top 10 type of post, it may take a bit longer since usually I link back to whatever book or movie I’m talking about, and want to make sure everything works before posting.

 

10. how do you feel about the blogging community?

I like what I know of it for the most part, although I’m only involved with a small circle of people regularly, and I adore all of them!

 

11. what do you think one should do to create a successful blog?

Be true to yourself, and be consistent. If you’re only writing a blog post once every 4 months, and each time it’s on a different subject with no commonalities, chances are, readers will have trouble following along. Regular posting and reliably entertaining / easy to digest content are two of the biggest factors I’ve found to being “successful”, but it’s also important to be yourself and to write what you love. If you only like YA Romance novels or baking different kinds of bread, that’s great! Share those, and make sure you’re targeting and networking with other people who share similar interests (ie, interact with their blogs / social media when you can to show support, just as you’d hope they’ll show support for you!).

Also, just have fun! As someone who blogs both professionally as one of my jobs, and as a hobby here for myself & friends, I wouldn’t be able to do it if I didn’t like it! 🙂

 

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Tagging:

Bex | Bella | Evelyn | Zuky (only if you all haven’t done it already / want to do it!)