Monday, March 11, 2013

Discussion Post (1)


 photo ScreenShot2013-03-06at114109AM_zpsaef99db4.png

As "newbie" bloggers we have learned so much about blogging! We are going to discuss the pros and cons of blogging, as well as our our experiences thus far!


 photo ScreenShot2013-03-10at30733PM_zps3fa63e3f.png

I love reviewing books, posting my thoughts, and getting feedback from followers, other bloggers, and authors! However, I was in no way prepared for how much of a work-load blogging can be. Between author requests, blog tours, cover reveals, book blitzes, giveaways, and reviewing books through publishers on NetGalley, and Edelweiss, blogging can be overwhelming!  It's a matter of how much work you decide to take on, and how much you want to interact with the blogging community.  Blogging is really a full-time job, and deadlines can be stressful. Organization and time-management skills are most important!  I'm still trying to work on these skills for myself.  My favorite things about blogging are discovering new authors, new books, helping to promote books that I enjoy, interacting with our followers, and meeting other bloggers!  I've already met some awesome bloggy friends. Mary from Bookhounds gave us a lot of priceless advice on how to promote our blog and gain followers.  Nereyda from Mostly YA Book Obsessed & YA Bound is as sweet as can be, and I am so proud to be a part of YA Bound Tours!  She gave us a chance to prove ourselves by putting us on a bunch of awesome tours for YA Bound! Janhvi and Sarika from The Readdicts, and Tammy and Kim from Reviews by Tammy and Kim have become our best bloggy friends!  They have similar tastes in books as us, are fun to talk to and have awesome blogs!  Elizabeth and Mikki are two of my favorite blog followers! They comment on all of our posts, are really nice, and I feel very lucky to have met them through blogging!  Along the way, it's been a surreal experience getting to know so many amazingly-talented and down-to-earth authors!  Some of my favorites have been getting to know Elizabeth Reyes, Christina Daley, and J.L. Mac!  I also enjoyed being part of the design process for our blog!  It was so much fun creating A Bookish Escape, and getting it to match the vision I had in mind for the blog!  We are lucky that we had two amazing designers create our design and layout! Giselle from Xpresso Design created the look of our blog, Facebook, and Twitter. Lea, from Lea Christine Designs created our book badges (and linked them), our video slider, our widgets on the side, our page divider, our NA Banners, etc.  Overall, I love blogging!  It is so much fun, and I have gained such a passion for what I do!  I'm so lucky to have two awesome co-bloggers to share our thoughts, workload, passion for reading, and success!  Thanks to all of our awesome followers!  You give us encouragement, a sounding board for our thoughts and ideas, and most importantly, your friendship!  Cheers, to many more fabulous experiences with blogging! 
 photo ScreenShot2013-03-06at114109AM_zpsaef99db4.png photo ScreenShot2013-03-10at30859PM_zpsa10489b7.png

Pro’s
  • My Book Bestie and I talk daily. 
  • Learning about blogging. 
  • Meeting awesome people within the blogging community. 
  • Looking back and seeing how different my posts are now. 
  • I always have something to do. 
  • I’ve read really great books that I probably wouldn’t have picked up before. 

Con’s

  • I worry about my post content. 
  • Stressing over a deadline, even though it’s self assigned. 
  • I have an actual reading schedule (this is actually kinda cool it should probably be under Pro’s) 
 The PunchLine 

I’ve met some really amazing authors and amazing people! Heck, I’ve even been on TV!   This community has been supportive ,and encouraging.  I'm on this adventure with my second mom, and dearest friend!  All and all, the pro’s outweigh the con’s...I wouldn’t change a thing.  I’ll learn as I go... Laters ;)



 photo ScreenShot2013-03-06at114109AM_zpsaef99db4.png
 photo ScreenShot2013-03-10at30924PM_zps280afa1d.png

I love blogging!!!  The best parts of it are blogging with two of my daughters, and read, read, reading... The worst part is being on a time-table.  I get completely stressed out with deadlines!  In a 31 day month, I read 28 books.  It doesn't give me time enough to enjoy what I just read.  I finish one book, and immediately write my review, then edit, then open my next book.  It is a long, time-consuming process, but I love what I do. I love reading other people's blogs, getting feedback, writing to authors, and going on Goodreads.  There are always books to add on Goodreads, and there is an endless sea of books out there, that I am longing to read.  I can never have enough books, and these authors are always enticing me with a new read.  My new pile is in the hundreds already, and my reviews are already lined up thru May. I hope all of you enjoy our reviews. There is a lot of love, thoughtfulness, and tender loving care, that go into each and every one of them. Thank You for your loyalty, and kindness in following our blog. Happy Reading!!!

 photo ScreenShot2013-03-06at114109AM_zpsaef99db4.png
 photo ScreenShot2013-03-06at113230AM_zpscb0922bf.png photo ScreenShot2013-03-05at23750PM_zps92d126e0.png

11 comments:

  1. Aww this is such an awesome post! Thanks for the mention <3 Blogging does make you more organized. I'm a last minute kinda gal so keeping up with reviews and other deadlines kinda makes you work for it. Like Ria, even I make a reading schedule to fit in review books as well as books which I have been desperately wanting to read :) The book blogger community is truly filled with awesome people who are very supportive. Its a fun experience and I great way to make a ton of friends :)

    Janhvi @ The Readdicts

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are so lucky to have met you and Sarika! I agree that there are so many awesome people in the book blogging community!

      Delete
    2. Thank You so much for following our blog. We love the blogging community and your blog as well. Ria reads a lot of books, and very rapidly. I don't know how she does it!!

      Happy Reading,

      Ro

      Delete
  2. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for mentioning us, Lindy, Ria and Ro! I always believe it's best to blog along with someone else, it helps and hey, it's FUN! Blogging has only made us realise that there's a whole community out there with whom we share a common love- books and reading! I love getting to know all my fellow bloggers and interacting with them. You ladies and rock and keep blogging! :D ♥

    Sarika @ The Readdicts

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Sarika! Yes, co-blogging makes everything more fun, and more manageable!

      Delete
    2. Thank You so much! You gal's are so sweet. Nice to hear from you.

      Happy Reading!!!

      Ro

      Delete
  3. You three are doing an excellent job on this blog! Seriously I follow a few blogs, I wish I had more time to visit them all more but when I do find time to check out the blogs I follow I always make sure to hit up this one. This blog is so well put together and easy to navigate. Also the blog content is amazing and I love reading what you three think of books I never heard of before. And the giveaways/blog tours are so generous! I have no doubt this blog will have a long and great future. Thank You all for being amazing, without bloggers like ya'll, some of readers would be flying blind when it comes to book selection/what to read next.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Dione! It makes me feel good to know that you are enjoying our blog, and that our reviews are helping you find some amazing books! We look forward to growing and improving!

      Delete
    2. Hi Dione,
      Well, I am so glad that you always hit up our blog! We all love what we do, and are completely dedicated to our blogging friends and followers. Thank you for for all your kind words, but I definitely have got to give a LOUD shot out to Lindy!!! This is all her. She is the straw that stirs the drink!!! She is constantly on our site, trying to make things better, making transitions smoother, making sure that me and Ria have it together, and getting things done with her GREAT organizational skills. Of course, Ria is the wonderfully colorful excitement in our blog, and me, well, I just edit and review, and help with scheduling. But, I love what I do! I think we complement each other really well. We each have different strengths and weakness. All which I believe are essential to running a great blog, and I am very proud to be a part of this journey. With all our different styles, and types of books we like, it lends to a larger audience, and gives us a chance to reach more readers, and give these Authors the props they deserve.

      Thank You Again,

      Ro

      Delete
  4. Thanks for the shout out, Lindy. You girls do such an awesome job and I love how you share responsibilities. I did have to laugh at Ria's bit about scheduling her reading. I do the same thing! I don't know how Ro can read that many books, I used to in the past but other things keep popping up! GO GIRLS!

    ReplyDelete
  5. OKay I commented earlier but apparently it didn't post it ):
    This was such a fun post to read and not just because my name was mentioned (Thank you very much).
    Its cool to see how your blogging experience is going.
    You girls run an awesome blog that I know is very time consuming, you guys have my utmost respect!
    Keep up the great work!!

    ReplyDelete

We love to hear your thoughts, and appreciate you stopping by :)