Last year around this time I was struggling with how I follow blogs. I was using Google+, Bloglovin’, WordPress Reader, and email plus Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Some bloggers I followed in every which way, others only one. Because of that, I was missing out on some great posts but seeing others two, three or four times.
It was more than a little frustrating and, as a result, I made the decision that, social media aside, I was going to use Bloglovin’ as my main blog following tool. For the most part it’s worked. Recently, though, I’ve started to feel overwhelmed again and I think it’s because I’m following too many people. If I add everything up, it is close to 300 individual blogs yet I probably only visit 30 or 40 on a regular basis.
So it’s here – September – the time of year in my neck of the woods where the weather turns (or not, the last couple of years we’ve had indian summers), the nights draw in, and the sweaters come out of hiding. I quite like it to be honest. It makes the world a little snugglier (if that’s a word) and I’m sure I get more reading done as I’m not taking time off to enjoy the sun (well, when there is sun!).
I often say I never read romance novels, or historical fiction, or sci-fi, but none off these are completely true…well, maybe other than romance novels as I am not much of a hearts and flowers type of girl, even in real life. I’ve also never read a graphic novel.
Anyone who spends any time on my blog will know that I am more than a little excited about my upcoming holidays, half of which will be spent in California, one of my favourite holiday destinations. Slowly but surely, my hubbie and I are working our way around the state and, this time, I get to visit San Francisco for the first time which I am really looking forward to.
Earlier this month I read a book that had scenes in it of a paedophile grooming a young girl. They have haunted me since. I keep flashing back to one scene in particular that made me squirm. Even though I really enjoyed the book, there is part of me that wishes I hadn’t read it because I still don’t feel comfortable with what was written.
Recently I realised that I had been blogging now (if you include my previous blog) for about three years. I can no longer say I’m new to blogging (how am I going to get away with making mistakes now?).
…post often, but not too often – I have come across this confusing piece of advice more than once and more than once I have wondered, how often is too much and how often is too little. Apparently it’s enough to keep people interested in what you had to say but not enough for them to get bored with you. A couple of posts put a figure on it, saying four to five times a week was a minimum but every day was better. But only once a day. Starting out, I was lucky to get three posts up a week. Now I’m at the magical four to five most weeks. Every day seems like a goal I won’t reach. And I’m not sure I want to. Where does the rest of the fun of blogging fit in then? Where does the reading go, the reading on other people’s blogs? I know some of the bloggers I follow out there manage it, some posting more than once a day and I admire them, but most don’t and it doesn’t stop me visiting their blogs.
…post early – Again, what is early? Before breakfast, before lunch? And early for where in the world? The idea, I think, is this way you’ll get more visits, more comments, more likes (you get the picture) and your blog will be more popular. Sometimes I follow this rule but it’s not normally that well thought out – occasionally I get posts scheduled but often it’s because I write early before anyone else at home is up and I have peace, quite and space to think about what I want to say. A lot of times I don’t till the afternoon or later (hello this post) and it doesn’t seem to make much difference…in fact, I’ve just had a look at it seems 1 PM is my magic posting number, the time when I get the most hits so it just goes to show.
…don’t look at stats – they don’t mean anything, or at least that’s what they (the rule makers) would have you believe. But they do. They aren’t the be all and end all but the do make you feel good about what you are doing, that you are reaching people with your reviews (which is what it’s about in part isn’t it – sharing your opinion). It’s nice to know you have followers (would you honestly post if you didn’t?). Stats also help you get better at blogging – showing you what posts are more popular you can maybe figure out why. Plus, when it comes to getting ARCS etc. I’m pretty sure they matter there too – though maybe not (others can probably answer this better than I can).
…you must self-host – whilst I do, a lot of my favourite blogs don’t and they are all just as good if not better than some of the ones that self-host. They don’t seem to have trouble getting followers, comments or review copies. There are benefits (which I should take more advantage of) of self-hosting, but platforms like wordpress are more than fit for purpose and they’re FREE. Last time I checked free is good.
….don’t use the “more” function – because people like to read posts all in one go. Now this is something I do do but more because I’m lazy than anything else. Never has the continue reading option stopped me reading a post I wanted to read and I don’t think it ever will. I actually prefer it because I can see more of what people have posted. In fact, now that I’m thinking about it, I might start using the option myself…
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The vast forests, the walled towns, the castles, and the monasteries…Against this richly imagined and intricately interwoven backdrop, filled with the ravages of war and the rhythms of daily life, the master storyteller draws the reader irresistibly into the intertwined lives of his characters into their dreams, their labours, and their loves: Tom, the master builder; Aliena, the ravishingly beautiful noblewoman; Philip, the prior of Kingsbridge; Jack, the artist in stone; and Ellen, the woman of the forest who casts a terrifying curse.
In summer 1927, America had a booming stock market, a president who worked just four hours a day (and slept much of the rest), a devastating flood of the Mississippi, a sensational murder trial, and an unknown aviator named Charles Lindbergh who became the most famous man on earth.