Hello everyone, happy Sunday! How are you? Today I am thrilled to welcome you back to Drizzle & Hurricane Books 2.0. I have fun news to share – in case you missed them, very exciting news!
But first of all, confidence time: being a book blogger is HARD. There are ups and downs, and if I could rant about all of it for hours, that’s not what this blog post is here for. I have been blogging for more than two years now, and hadn’t done one single change in my blogging. Okay, that’s not entirely true. I wrote new kind of blog posts, imagined new features, my reviewing style changed a lot. But my blogging shell stayed the same right from the beginning, and I felt like it was time for a change.
Questions, questions, and more questions
Before jumping into the dark and scary void, I asked myself lots of questions, and the most dreaded question of all obviously was “WHAT do I want to do with my blog?”. This might have been noticed, as my latest blog posts were dealing with more serious issues, such as monetizing your blog or self-hosting your blog. After having blogged for so long, these questions started to become like dark clouds making me see blogging completely differently. But, the most important question of it all was this. What do I want, really want, out of this blogging adventure ? And the answer here was pretty clear: I do not want to get bored of it. I want to keep it exciting and fun. And for that, I felt like I needed a change.
If self-hosting has its perks, it’s something that big bloggers do, and I feel like I’m still in middle grade. Or maybe I just feel like I am not ready for this kind of commitment. If winning money thanks to blogging certainly has lots of perks, it’s not something I actually want out of this. Or at least, that’s not how I want to look at blogging, for now. So, here it is. All of this rambling for what you are all waiting for. THE CHANGES.
I bought myself a domain name: I am now thrilled to be ridden of the dot wordpress dot com that made my blog looked a bit less…like I wanted it to look. I mean, drizzleandhurricanebooks.com kind of looks good…or is it just me?
I got myself a brand new design: I was getting tired of the old one, and I wanted to have a cleaner look, I wanted to put my blog posts up front, I also wanted to try and have a more “visual” look with all the images.
What to expect next?
Despite the massive changes, I still maintain this blog how started, and with what will always be at the heart and sould of this: with bookish news, reviews, blogging freak-outs, ya contemporary features, fun tags, writing, and so on. I am also a bit nervous but I will be doing more monthly wrap-up posts to share more about myself – or just ramble more about how I bought once again way too many books. That’s a good excuse, right? More about my WIP. More of Nyx’s Corner. And always…well, me screaming about books, because that’s what we are all here for, aren’t we?
Obviously I’d love to know what you think about these new changes! What do you think about the domain name? The new design?
Did you ever – do you change your blog design – or other minor things on your blog -once in a while to keep blogging exciting ? Let me know in comments !
I’m sure you will be just awesome with your changes…….sometimes change is scary but you can do it!!
Thank you so, so much!! <3 <3
I’m so proud of you! Great job jumping in the deep end! I love the new look, and am looking forward to whatever you post next!
Thank you so, so much Daley! I really hope you’ll enjoy what’s coming next 🙂
OOHHHH THIS IS THE CHANGE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT!! Well Marie… I LOVE IT! I really love the new design it’s so clean and wide and aahhhh I love it! <3 I'm also jealous with your new url! I want to get rid of my own wordpress.com but I'm still debating with myself hahaha 😛 anywayyy, I also just changed my header, blog button, and font so I kind of feel your excitement hahaha getting new design is always exciting because though, it makes me want to blog MORE hahaha congratulation for the amazing change, Marie! <3
AWww thank you, this makes me SO happy (you have no idea how nervous I was about all of this haha). I understand, I thought about this a lot before going in, and I am glad I did – I am not paying too much and I am not self-hosted yet, so…it’s not too complicated for now 🙂
Thank you again <3 <3
Oh, congratulations on the new domain! That’s so cool; I would totally do that if I had the money!
And, lol, I’ve changed my blog theme three times since I started. I used to have an old banner, no button, old color scheme, old featured images. I like it much better now.
Ohh thank you so much! I took a WP Plan and it’s not that expensive, though it’s still an investment for the blog 🙂
I’m glad you found a theme you enjoy – this is always the hardest part haha, finding something you like and not getting bored of it two seconds later ahah 🙂
I LOVE IT THE NEW DRIZZLE AND HURRICANE BOOKS. It looks so beautiful and professional and go you for taking this step! I think I would like to get my own domain name at some point in a future, but for now wordpress is fine, though I definitely wouldn’t self host because it’s scary. We do have plans to change our design in a few months, but Shar is in charge of that. I have to say that we haven’t made many changes on our blog since we began–we just overhauled the design once, and shifted the focus a little bit as we went. Also, I love that you used the phrase ‘dark clouds’ because you’re drizzle and hurricane books. Yay for the changes around here <3
Ohh thank you so, so much! <3 <3 I'm not self-hosting, it's true I did not mention this, I just bought the domain name and changed the design – but self-hosting is a bit too much for now haha.
Thank you so, so much! I'm excited to see where your new design will take you and your sister 🙂 <3
Hi! I have been blogging for 16 months and this year I changed things up just slightly. My blogs, like yours, evolved as I got more comfortable. You can definitely see a change from the first blogs to some more recent ones.
Now, I have two new weekly features. I have finished my first YA novel, so I’m posting a chapter a week. I just started this two weeks ago! To finish a novel was satisfying but I wanted someone to read it! Lol.
I also started a Sunday Commentary blog. Kind of my thoughts on things that week. Could be books, politics, food, sports, etc. who knows until I write it! Both of these new features have scored eyeballs so I guess they’re good? Who knows. It’s all a work in progress!
I like your blog and the different directions you take with it! How did you decide what to do?
Aww congratulations on the novel, this is so awesome!! All blogs always are works in progress after all, it would be a bit boring if we never changed things up – or at least, I know I would get bored 🙂 Thank you so much! I guess it’s gradually changed as I discovered more of the community, and one idea sparkled another, and so on. I go with my feelings and what I want to talk about more at the moment, and it seems to work…for now ahah 🙂
I already told you this but I LOOOOOVE everything you did with the blog. And I’m proud of you ❤
MY TWINNIE thank you, you are way too sweet, and I LOVE YOU, and I am so grateful to have you <3 <3
You already know that I love the new design and the domain 😀 I am very glad we sort of took this step together. It was a nerve-wrecking journey, but I feel like we made the right call. Self-hosting would have been way more difficult and I don’t see that many advantages in it.
I am SO happy about this just as well, and I wouldn’t have survived all of this stress without you for sure haha.
I agree – I don’t think I would have been ready for this massive self-hosting step, it seems a bit too complicated for now and what I want to do with the blog haha 🙂
Actually, I honestly think that I might never self-host, but just upgrade my plan to monetize hahaha I am lazy like that.
Hahaha, oh I get it. At the moment I think I’d consider self-hosting only if I can REALLY dedicate a lot of time to blogging – like if it becomes a job or something hahaha. Otherwise it seems way too complicated for me to bother haha.
Congrats on getting your domain name! I love what you’ve done with the design (I think I have the same theme and I am SO glad you got rid of the silly default yellow highlighting, lol) Your aesthetics are absolutely spot on! ?
Thank you so, so much, I am SO glad you like it! And I haven’t noticed yes, we have the same, YAY for great taste hahaha. Oh yes, that highlightning annoyed me haha. Thank you SO much! 😀
I absolutely love your new design and domain, Marie!! Everything looks super crisp. I love the simplicity of the theme too! It’s super aesthetically pleasing. I really, really wanna change my theme but I’m just not feeling any of the ones available (which is the main reason why I wanted self-hosting haha). Super excited to see everything you have in store for the blogging world this year ♥♥
Aww thank you so, so much Lauren, I am so happy you like it! <3 <3 I understand this so, so much – it took me SO long to find a theme I actually loved so much I couldn't stop thinking about it haha. I hope you'll find one you like sometime – or make the ones of your dreams someday 😀 Thank you so much! <3 <3
Ahhh congrats!! 😀
Thank you SO much Holly!! <3 <3
Aha I’m so glad I wasn’t dreaming up your new blog design. 😉 And as I’ve said, it looks amazing! <3 I'm so proud of you for taking that step to self-host and change up your blog more. Every time I'm tempted, I'm plagued with self-doubts haha. And it's not just you, the .com makes it sound very sleek and awesome (not that it wasn't before, but you know what I mean) much like you! The new theme looks amazing, and I think it's so great that you took this perhaps more scarier step for your blog haha. <3 <3
Thank you SO much lovely, you are SO sweet, and I am so happy you enjoy it. Though I am not self-hosting, I only bought the domain name for now. Self-hosting seemed too complicated for now ahah 🙂 Thank you! <3 <3
Ahh anytime! ❤️ And ohhhh I see, sorry I mixed that up haha. That’s still a big step, nonetheless!
No worries haha, I wasn’t too clear in the post myself ? Thank you! <3 <3
I like the new design and I’m also thinking about making a few changes to my blog. 😀
Thank you so much! Ohhh really? A change of design, a dot com, ALL OF IT? I am so curious ahah 🙂
For now only the blog design. I’ve got lots of compliments for it so I’m thinking of doing only few changes to it. 😀
Ohhh well even if it’s just a few changes, if it works for you and reboosts you, that’s awesome! I am looking forward to what you’ll do 😀
Absolutely loving your new blog look! 😀 I especially love the pictures at the end of the screen. 🙂
It looks so professional without the wordpress dot com in the end 😛
Awww thank you so much, I am so happy you like it 🙂 I feel like a grown-up with this dot com haha :p
Ahh it’s awesome that you got your own domain name and I love the new look! And yes, I think having these changes is a really good way to invigorate your blogging experience! 🙂
Thank you so, so much! I hope it’ll boost my inspiration more and more ahah 🙂
You’re welcome! haha yes!!
Loving the new look! ♥
Thank you so much!! <3 <3
I love the new design, Marie! It’s so clean and everything feels so organised. As you can tell by my design, I’m really into minimalism, so your new design is right up my alley! I’m also so pleased for you buying a domain name. It’s such a big step! I really want to buy one but I’m still way too scared…
Denise | Riot Grrrl Readsr
Ohh thank you so, so much Denise, I am so glad to hear you enjoy it 🙂 I understand – I was so nervous about it, but ultimately I am glad I did it. It feels more personal and, “myself”, this way 🙂
I love the new design! It’s very clean and appealing. Congrats on the site update 🙂
Ohh thank you so, so much! 🙂
Wow, I love the new look! Congrats on getting your own domain! 😀
Oh thank you so, SO much!! <3 <3
No problem! 🙂 <3
The blog look great and hooray to the domain name! I think changing things up is a good idea – it kind of recharges you, ya know? I hope you enjoy the changes (:
Oh thank you so much Ali! I’m glad you like it 🙂 And indeed, I think I need to recharge a bit, I hope this will boost me again! 🙂
Congratulations on taking the leap and getting your own domain, Marie! Loving the new look and can’t wait to see more of your posts – I think I’d love pretty much anything you write so I’m excited.
And yes for wrap-ups that share a bit more about yourself! Can’t wait for those ones. <3
Thank you so, so much Reg! I was so nervous about it all, I am glad you like it <3
I am a tad bit nervous about this as well, haha, but writing can be a bit therapeutic I guess and at times I just need to vent haha. 🙂 Thank you! <3
Well it looks great ?
Oh thank you so much! 🙂
Looove the new look!
Ohh thank you so much Poulami!! <3 <3
I already told you but I love the new version of the blog!!! I’m going for the exact same thing… when the design is ready, haha, I figured I could wait until I got all the graphics. I love the clean look!!
I am so happy you like it my Sweechie, and once again thank you for the support! <3 <3 I can't WAIT to see your new look – I hope there will be waffles..? Hahahaha.
I love the domain name – It sounds so awesome. I agree with you entirely that it sounds much better after the deletion of the .wordpress.com at the end. ? great post, and congrats on your new domain!
Oh thank you, so happy you like it! 🙂
I loooove your new layout, Marie! I’m so happy you’re now able to self host Drizzle & Hurricane Books! I also really like the new URL, if you’re wondering, hahah. This has definitely inspired me to also make some changes on my own blog? Maybe? I’ve mentioned before my struggles with the whole “changing to WordPress” thing and I haven’t decided yet. At least you’re better at making decisions than I am, hahah. I hope you have a fantastic new era with Drizzle & Hurricane Books 🙂
Thank you so much Lais! I’m not self-hosting, I only bought the domain name for now 🙂
Ohh well I’m glad if this inspires you! I know it’s tough to take big decisions to change your blog, but if you feel like it’s the right thing to do, and if you can’t stop thinking about it and it motivates you, then do it 🙂 Thhank you so much! <3 <3
I really love it, I love your new style as well. I’m finding it a bit easier to navigate through already. Of course I loved your old one too though 😉
<3
Thank you so, so much Hannah! I’m glad you enjoy it and find it easier. I liked my old theme but had it for too long, and I wanted more simplicity and a cleaner look overall. I’m so happy you like it, thank you!! <3
I love the new design! And it’s so thrilling to not have to deal with the .wordpress in there! I can’t wait to see what comes next for Drizzle & Hurricane!
Aww thank you so, so much!! I hope you’ll enjoy what’s coming next ?
Oh congratulations on your new design and domain name Marie. I think I agree with you that your domain name looks a lot better as just Drizzle and Hurricane Books along rather than having the dot WordPress dot com at the end. I really hope self-hosting works out for you as well, I remember your post a little while back and you seemed quite hesitant about it so I guess a little at a time is something that works for you.
Also I love your new design as well. It definitely fits in with all the other changes on your blog. I really can’t wait to see what you come up with next! 😀
Thank you so, so much Beth, I am SO happy you like it! ? I realized that I wasn’t too obvious in the post, but I am not self-hosting at the moment, I just bought the domain name for now. I don’t feel quite ready for the big commitment, so I thought I’d take it step by step ?
That’s all right. It’s a good change to start of with in that case, and maybe once you’ve got used to the new domain name you’ll feel more confident when it comes to self hosting. Step by step will probably work well I think! 😀
Yes maybe I will after a while, who knows 🙂
Congratulations! This is exciting!
It really is! Thank you so much! ?
I love it ! I’m also thinking about changing some stuff on mine ?
Change is scary but change is good !
Thank you so much! Ohh, what are you thinking about? A design change? I agree, change is SO scary haha I freaked out about this for weeks but in the end I am glad I did it ?
I know I already said it but I really love your blog’s new look, Marie! ?
And of course I love the domain name. It must be so nice to be rid of the WP part of it. I’m getting closer to making that leap myself. My blog turns one next month and if I can swing it I just might.
I actually changed the design on mine so many times before settling on my current one a few months back. ?
Thank you so, SO much Melissa, I am so happy you like it <3 It is SO hard to find the right design, isn't it? It took me so long to settle on the one I had before, and even longer to ?
You’re welcome!! ♥
It really is. I always end up wanting to change little things or colors. It’s definitely to just stick with one thing. ?
I get it, there are always tiny little details only we notice, that we want to change ??
Love your new URL!!! I’m looking into self hosting right now as well because having the wordpress.com address drives me insane, and I also want to put my web design skills to the test with an actual website that I can customize. Just out of curiosity, which service did you use for self hosting? 🙂
Awww thank you so, so much, I’m so glad you like it 🙂 I’m not self-hosting at the moment, I just bought the domain name for now – self hosting seemed a bit too big of a hassle for me at the moment :/ I’d love to help more but I’d rather leave you with more experimented and self-hosted amazing bloggers I loved : Pamela (http://www.reveriesociety.com/life-with-a-self-hosted-blog/) and Lauren (http://seriesousbookreviews.com/guides/self-hosting). I hope both of these beautiful girls can help you 🙂
Thanks! 🙂 I’ll definitely check both of them out.
You’re welcome! 🙂
Love the new changes and look! 😀
Awww thank you so much Ashley! <3 <3
Marie! I can’t believe I didn’t leave a comment here before! I saw your post on my phone I think, and that’s why I thought I had! Anyway, so much happiness for you! I love how it looks! And I specially love your slider in the homepage. CLASSYYY.
I love your blog, so keep being awesome!
Awww thank you so, so much Pam, I am SO happy you like it <3 <3 And YOU are the awesome one here 😀
I LOVE your new, design, especially the emojis, the less distracting sidebar, and more images! I’m so happy for you and well done! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Ohh thank you so, so much Shar, I am so happy you like it <3 <3 <3
Ahh, congrats on the new domain and lay-out Marie! It looks amazing, I love it already. It’s indeed so clear and visual. I haven’t had any blog lay-out changes yet since I started but your new design inspired me to think about it 🙂
Ohh thank you so, so much, I am so happy you like it! And I’m glad if I could inspire you, I feel more inspired myself to blog, it’s a good boost 🙂
AHHHHHH I AM SO HAPPY AND EXCITED FOR YOU! Without the dot wordpress looks SO AWESOME! Plus the whole change up of how everything looks is so wildly awesome and I am loving everything I am seeing at the moment (as if I couldn’t love it all enough already! My heart is so filled with this LOVEEE!) I hope evrything comes along smoothly and that everything is exactly how you love it to be! <3
Awww THANK YOU so much my forever crazy! I am so, so happy you like it, your support means the world to me <3 <3 <3
Always! <3 <3
I’m super late to this but congratulations, Marie! I think it’s great that you’re changing it up and I really admire you for getting your domain.. I might do that at some point as well haha. I think it’s awesome that you’re making sure your blogging is all you want it to be and I can’t wait to keep reading your amazing content
Aww thank you so much Sara, and you’re not late at all 🙂 I hope you will keep on enjoying what I write about 🙂
I just found your blog, but I love the design! And congrats on getting your own domain, that must feel AMAZING. 😀 I can’t wait to get to know you, and read more of your posts!
xx, April
Oh thank you so much April, that’s so sweet of you to say! I hope you’ll enjoy my next posts! <3 <3
Your very welcome! I’m sure I will 🙂
Loved this <3
Do pay a visit to see my blog sometime :")
Thank you! 🙂
I don’t remember if I ever commented on another post about your new design, but I definitely love it! It’s really pleasing to look at 🙂
Ohhh Michelle, thank you so, SO much, that’s so sweet of you. I’m so happy you like it! <3 <3