Good morning everyone, happy monday, and happy Easter! I hope you had a great weekend! Today I’m back with the last few days of the Blogging Extravaganza… and sharing with you some secrets about my ways of blogging.
I have been blogging for a little more than a year now, and I never, ever thought it would come with such commitments. Blogging takes time: scheduling blog posts, thinking about those, trying to make up new, interesting stuff, commenting back on bloggers, making new friends…it’s all very fabulous, and I’ve loved every minute of it.
But, there are days, like any human being getting tired of staring at a computer screen all day long, where I am, well, TIRED. Tired of commenting back, tired of thinking about Top Ten Tuesdays when I feel like I always come up with the same books, just, TIRED OF EVERYTHING. But then, the people, you people put a smile on my face, and I go on. Okay, I need more than just one smile to make me keep going, I’m not a sloth. So, this post is about sharing our little blogging secrets, let’s get to it!
✏️ Scheduling RULES. Seriously, this just might save my life now and a while. There are days when you feel in a slump, there are others when you’ll feel like writing ALL of the blog posts. This happens to me, and when it does, I schedule. I have special days for special features, but when I find something new, like THIS blogging extravaganza, well, I’ll move everything up a bit. CHANGE IS GOOD, it makes you feel all new and have a fresh perspective on things.
✏️ Other bloggers BEFORE MY SELFISHNESS. I don’t know if there are a lot of bloggers doing this, but I am. Every day, I remind myself that I love commenting back on blogs, and other days, I feel like it’s a struggle, and I just want to see if people love my post, THAT IS ALL. In order not to get behind on others’ blog posts, I try every day to comment BACK on bloggers, before checking my comments, AND after, for the ones I didn’t know and need to get to know more. When I am lazy, I put up a like, I admit it. But commenting makes my day, because I know that some people are making my day afterwards, when I check my comments. And just BEING NICE, it’s kind of nice, no? BOOK PEOPLE ARE THE NICEST PEOPLE EVER. #ruletoliveby
✏️ WRITE, WRITE, WRITE. You don’t know when you might get an idea for a cool blog post, a new feature or anything. I got my idea for Souvenirs From Across The World in the shower. I sometimes read a book and a discussion post comes up in my mind. Write it on your phone, in a notepad, anything, just, remember it.
✏️ LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT. Blogging IS a job. It’s almost a full-time job. Blogging takes time, commitment, and it doesn’t give you money –well, it doesn’t to me, and I commit almost two full hours a day after my full- day to my blogging. On weekends, I spend easily half a day working on my blog. It IS A JOB, but it is NOT PAID. SO REMEMBER: DO NOT FORCE IT. If you need to take a break, DO IT. It’s okay, and no one will be mad at you, or forget you.
What you need to remember, and I always try to, is that blogging is a hobby, something you do to make you happy. If you ever feel the slightest pressured because you don’t have that usual blog post up on the right day, or can’t answer all of the comments that day, or just, can’t keep up with blogging, then, don’t force it. NO ONE ever gets mad for an hiatus. Take some time off, take a breather, READ A BOOK. And just LOVE WHAT YOU ARE DOING, NO MATTER WHAT.
Thank you for writing this. I am very new to the blogging world and it was really nice to hear about another blogger’s experience. I look forward to reading more of your posts.
Aw, you’re so welcome! I’m really happy you liked this, and if you ever need some help or anything..I’m not going to say I’m the best or I know everything, since I really don’t, ahah, but well I’d be happy to try and help the most I can to make you see how amazing blogging is 🙂
Thank you so much! 🙂
Aw I really appreciate that. I’m actually looking for some tags to inspire some posts at the moment. Do you know where I can get some ideas from?
Well, I already did a bunch of tags on my blogs, you can all find them here : https://drizzleandhurricanebooks.com/?s=tag ; if you want to try and do one, I’d love to read your answers! Those posts are a lot of fun to write 🙂
Thank you so much! I will definitely check them out. I need the inspiration lol.
Ahah, you’re so welcome 🙂
I schedule. It just makes me feel happy knowing I have a schedule in place. I could literally not touch my blog this whole week, and it would roll out 2 posts a day for me. That takes a load off!
2 posts a day, WOW, you’re awesome at scheduling! I get the feeling, it makes me feel accomplished and so happy when I know I have posts scheduled, too. It’s awesome 🙂 Thank you for stopping by! 😀
It’s not that I’m awesome at scheduling as much as it is I read so much I have to schedule at least one post a day of book reviews to get them out in a timely fashion lol. I’ll be scaling back in April though.
Ahah, oh well you must read SO fast, wow :O I have to say, I’ve been reading a lot more these days too, and I’m so late on my reviews then, haha 😛
Yes, I read about 2 pages a minute on average.
Woow that’s fast indeed :O
This blog post is Gold ! It is soooo accurate and I saw myself in every word of it ! Especially the part where you talked about not posting something when it’s due ! A couple weeks ago, I was behind on my reading so come saturday I hadn’t finished Clockwork angel and had NOTHING to review so I freaked out and it kind of shifted my mood for the rest of the day, I took a breather, did a tag instead and switched the review until the next tuesday and it was just fiiine !
Aww, thank you so, so much, I’m so happy to hear you liked it :). Feeling behind schedule is THE WORST feeling, I had no idea blogging would come with such pressure at times! We really should remind ourselves to breathe and everything will be okay if we post a little later than usual 🙂
Thank you so, so much! <3
You’re very welcome, I really meant it 🙂
Me neither ! I thought it would be an easy hobby to take my mind of my studies but i didn’t know it was work as well, one that I like to do though.
Yes, it should always be a fun thing to do and not a chore, the control freak that I am should remember that more often haha
Ahah oh yes, me too, we had no idea what we were getting into, really, ahah. But that’s definitely it, it’s work, but it’s so great, I’m having such a great time doing it 🙂
I feel like we are the same person?! :O I am a total control freak at times haha, especially when it comes to my blog. I know I should relax, but, I am going CRAZY at times over it, haha 😛
Hahaha oh my god ! I thought I was the only one. I schedule EVERYTHING blog-wise and sometiles yes it drives me nuts ? it’s either we’re the same person or soulmates hahaha
You are not alone ? I’m going so CRAZY at times when I’m behind schedule, or I don’t have enough prepared…like, right now ? hahaha yes <3
Hahaha oh no for now I think I’m good I have 2 post in my head and 1 review coming but let’s wait for next week and see ??
Ohh that’s awesome, I need to think about some posts too. We’ll be okay I hope, ahah, at least now I’m glad to know, if I ever freak out about scheduling some blog posts, I can turn to you and you’ll understand 😛
Yes we will, as long as we have fun we’llbe just fine.
Of course you can ! Anytime you want, and you can reach out to me on my email adress if you want to chat some more 😀
Exactly, what matters is that we have a great time! 🙂 Aww, well thank you so, so much! 😀
I completely agree with you there are times when blogging is so hard! And there are times when I feel so tired and just want a day off. Kind of like today actually, after travelling the evening before I just want to sleep all of today away 😀
But like you other bloggers make it completely worthwhile, the comments and the likes and everything. Knowing people are reading and enjoying what you post makes it all worthwhile. I am trying to schedule more posts so if I need a day off from blogging I can without getting behind on anything, it’s a relief to have posts in my drafts folder.
But great advice for bloggers as well.
Oh yes, me too, there are days when I’m just so tired of everything and I just want to sleep, haha. But then I remember all of the other bloggers, conversations we have -OUR conversations always make my day, really-, and I love it so much. It’s a lot of work, but it’s really work I love doing. Scheduling saves my day more than once, ahah, and it feels good and reassuring to have some things prepared 🙂
Thank you so, so much! 🙂
And sometimes when life gets in the way as well, I’ve had such a hectic few weeks at work and then there was being on holiday as well. Yes, the community does make it all worthwhile 🙂 and our conversations make my day as well, I always look forwards to your replies 😀
Honestly I can’t imagine stopping blogging at the moment, it’s such a huge part of my life and a really enjoyable one as well!
I have quite a few posts in my drafts folder, maybe when I next go on holiday I’ll have to try actually scheduling some. I know what you mean about it being reassuring to have things prepared 🙂
Oh yes, sometimes that, too, and it’s annoying, I have to say that sometimes I’d rather blog than go to work or anything. Just avoid responsibilities and blog haha.
Oh yes, me too! It takes SO much of my time everyday, yet I wouldn’t want to stop, I’m having such a great time 🙂
Yes it’s really reassuring to have some things prepared:)
I feel like that as well, at times I would love to forget all my other responsibilities and spend the whole day blogging! But there are times when I want to ignore blogging for the whole day as well 🙂
It is brilliant, and in the end the time spent is more than worth it. All the comments and people I talk to make everything so worthwhile 😀
Ahah, oh yes, that happens, too. But I guess we can more easily take a break from blogging, than a break from work and responsibilities 😛
Oh yes, I agree, it’s definitely worth the time <3
Oh yes definitely, I have enough posts in my drafts folder that I can easily schedule something, and even if I miss one day it isn’t a big deal. I doubt my boss will be happy if I called up and said I wasn’t going in today because I was blogging 🙂
Hahaha, I doubt that, too! In the meantime, it feels good to schedule and have things running a bit on their own, ahah. I’d love to blog all day, though 😛
I guess we just have to settle for using our spare time to work on our blogs 😀
I can imagine scheduling is so useful as well, like when you go on holiday, you can enjoy yourself and know your blog is pretty much running itself!
Ahah yes, exactly 🙂 I spend so many time on here I wonder what I was doing before… I can’t remember, haha.
Oh yes exactly, it feels good to know your blog is running itself on its own, ahah. I think I get scared of losing followers, well, more like, friends, and people will forget me. Taking an hiatus should be fine, but everyone has these fears, I guess.
I know what you mean, I starting replying to and posting comments and before I know it an hour or so has past and I’m just like ‘where did that time go!’
Oh yeah I feel the same way, I worry about exactly the same thing if I go on a hiatus for too long. I’m sure it won’t happen but like you said everyone has those fears, probably completely unfounded.
Exactly! I feel like time passes by way too fast when blogging, it’s crazy! But I love it so much anyway ? oh yes, I’m sure all of those fears are silly, but I can’t help It. I’m guessing That means we care a lot about It ?
There’s so much to see on WordPress, it’s easy to see how we can lose track of time while blogging isn’t it. Oh yes, it is definitely one of my favourite things, and it’s become a major part of my life as well. I do tend to worry about things too much but like you said it’s a sign we care about it 🙂
Oh I forever lose track of time on WordPress, that’s crazy, I never thought there’d be SO many people blogging about books and everything! 🙂
I feel like you could honestly spend all day on here and wonder where the time went, and same here actually there are so many people who are part of this community. It’s brilliant!
Ahah, yes, it really is brilliant 🙂
I should really consider scheduling my posts ha ha. But other than that, I agree with this post!! Sometimes I do feel tired of writing, but I have to remind myself I created my blog because of my love for reading. Thank you for writing such an insightful post 🙂
Ahah, oh you don’t have to, everyone has their own ways of blogging, and I think there’s no right, or wrong way, just do it as you feel 🙂 I go crazy when I have nothing planned, but well, I am crazy, haha ?.
Yes, I think that’s the most important, to always remember that we do it because we love it 🙂
Thank you so, so much, I’m so glad you liked it 🙂
Love this post- couldn’t have said it better myself!! And I love that friends gif!!
Aww well thank you so much! I love it, too, Friends is just the best <3
Oh couldn’t agree more!! I’m a huge friends fan!!
OHH yay, me too! Now I know who to fangirl with about that show 😛
Yay!! Me too!!! I’ll always have a soft spot for it!!
I really should schedule posts, I feel that would make everything easier…but I don’t lol. I’m a spontaneous blogger only because I might not get a chance to finish the scheduled ones. Great post!
Scheduling does make things easier for me, and I love always having drafts of ideas around. But I have to say it doesn’t work for everyone, and spontaneous bloggers sometimes can come up with amazing blog posts, just in the moment, that’s so great, too! 🙂
Thank you so much! 🙂
You’ve inspired me to start scheduling posts now! I’m going to see how that turns out for me. c:
Aww well this makes me happy, I hope it’ll work out well for you! Let me know! 😀
Thanks, I will!
Awesome post! I can pretty much relate to everything you’ve stated and I totally agree that you mustn’t pressure yourself in over doing it. Whenever I’m in a blogging slump, I always take a break. 😀
Thank you so much! <3 Oh yes, I really don't think you shouldn't force yourself, just be happy and do it for fun 🙂
When I get tons of tags or have written a bunch of book reviews, I’ll take a free afternoon and write them all at once, then schedule them over the next week or so! I’m interested to know how you write discussion posts- I’d like to add that as a feature on my blog, and I haven’t done it yet because I’m not sure what I’m doing…
By the way, I just started following you, and your blog is awesome!
Oh that’s a great way to schedule things! I’m doing the same, usually over the weekend or where I know I have a few hours to do so. It feels SO good to schedule things, ahah.
Oh, well to be honest, my discussion posts are just me writing what I’m thinking about certain subjects, there’s not really a “rule” about it or anything…well I just write what’s on my mind about certain bookish subjects 🙂 Sometimes I try and think about pros and cons, or how I could put it as a list … I think there really isn’t any rule to follow, I think you should talk about a subject you want, and try and organize your writing as you feel it, whether it’s a list, pros/cons, just a big babbling text…if you write with your heart, people will love it 🙂 Sorry, I don’t know if I’m helping, ahah, but if you need my opinion or anything, you can ask me! 😀
Thank you so, so, so much, that’s so sweet of you! <3
No, you’re super helpful! Scheduling is my life, honestly! In reading one of your posts I just discovered that you’re French, which is so cool!
Aww, well I’m happy to know that! ? I don’t know how I’d do without scheduling, probably lose my mind haha. Aww thank You! ?
Me too! You’re welcome!
I try to schedule as much as possible. But most of the time I only manage to schedule the next post haha.
I comment back, most of the time, too.
and the best advice someone gave me is something you also said in this post : it’s a hobby, we shouldn’t force ourselves to write when we don’t feel like doing it !
great post!
Hahaha, well that’s already awesome! I tend to freak out when I have nothing scheduled, but everyone has their own ways of blogging, as long as it works for them, that’s awesome 😀
Yes, I think sometimes we can take this way too seriously, and it’s NOT a good idea, because we could lose our minds and get way too out of control about blogging…while really, it’s a hobby we should love, and not get stressed over. 🙂
Thank you so, so much 🙂
Well, I am very, very new to blogging, but I understand you in a few aspects. When I’m in a slump and don’t feel like writing anything, I always leave comments on other people’s blogs! I think that, maybe, they can be in the same slump, and comments are always a motivation for us as bloggers. Scheduling posts can be a life saviour, but I end up forgetting to do so, hahah.
But, definitely, being happy with your blog and enjoying the time you put into it is a MUST, otherwise you’ll get sick of it too fast.
Thanks for all the advices, Marie!
Oh yes, comments really are a motivation. For me, I think it helps me remember I’m doing this for fun, and I love talking to people, and reading what they have to say about books. It makes me want to get back into blogging again, when I feel down a little bit 🙂
Aw, well thank YOU so much, you’re the sweetest! <3
Awesome post, Marie! This should really be titled “Tips to become an awesome blogger” because now I know how to be as good as you…muahahah 😛
But yeah, honestly, wow you are SO dedicated to your blog, it’s crazy! I’m more of a spontaneous blogger – every day I’ll definitely go through my blog feed (unless I’m crazy busy…but that’s a story for another day xD ), but writing posts is more of a weekend thing, or else a procrastination tool for me haha xD
Aww, I don’t know if I’m that good, ahah, but thank you Geraldine, you are WAY too sweet <3
I sometimes feel like I'm TOO dedicated, and I should take a break and be more relaxed about it. But I do love it a lot, and even if it takes a lot of my time, it makes me feel happy 🙂
Haha, well I'm not writing blog posts every day, I usually take an afternoon or a whole day to plan out some things. I feel accomplished once I did this, haha 😛
Thank you so, so much! 🙂
HAHA I’m sure everyone in the community can back me up with this, Marie!! <3
Definitely take a break when you feel like you want to, you know? Just don't stress yourself out. I mean we love you….but because we love you, we want you to stick around for as long as possible, and that's not gonna happen if you burn out :S
Waa, you're actually really organised…for me, I just write when I feel like it. And that usually spawns two or three posts haha xD So I'm set for the week ahead :))
Aww thank you, you are making me blush, really <3
You're right about this, I wouldn't want to get sick of this because I put too much pressure on myself. But I'm a perfectionnist, too, and I'm a hard worker, I want everything to be perfect, haha. I'm a bit crazy, too, I guess? I don't know, hahaha.
Well that's awesome, too, I definitely try and write when the inspiration comes, even if it's on my phone an idea for a discussion post, haha 🙂
Yea, I make an effort to actually read the person’s post and comment if I have something to add. If I’m lazy, I sometimes skim. I mostly just like posts when I don’t have anything to say or what I want to say have been said many times in the comment or what I want to say is too generic or I just like the post. 🙂
Oh yes, I do that too, at times. Sometimes I get the stupid fear that the blogger will feel disappointed if I don’t comment, but sometimes everything’s been said. And sometimes I’m way too busy to write comments on every blog I follow. This would take me days. But a like is showing some love already 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by 🙂
Lol. Yea, I get that too.
You’re welcome!
You are way too good of a human being! I am trying so hard to be pro-active and comment back on everyone’s posts and blogs but I can barely keep up with the bloggers I am following now, nevermind the new ones I should check out. I just get SO tired sometimes, I don’t want to spend a minute longer in front of the screen than strictly necessary.
Aww, you’re way too sweet, Kat <3 I completely get the feeling, there are days when I get so tired of everything, and spending the whole day on screen is already annoying, so, in the evening, I just want to relax and do something else.
Same here! I don’t spend the whole day in front of the screen, but when I get home, turning on the computer and sitting in front of it in the dim light isn’t always the most appealing.
I get the feeling. My advice is, (even if I don’t always follow it…), not to force ourselves when we don’t feel like it. 🙂
I am trying to do that too, but pressure and responsibility are strong forces in my life.
Ahha, yes, me too …
I cannot agree more on the points you made in this post, Marie! Blogging has its challenging and stressful moments but the rewarding aspect outweighs the former. And right?! I love commenting back! I follow about 50 blogs using my WP reader (because apparently it also lets us link other blogs such as self hosted and blogspot, etc) and I always try to at least read and/or comment on their posts in my free time (when I’m on my laptop procrastinating or via my phone when I’m waiting class to start). But I love discovering new blogs and commenting back on the commenters of Xingsings. It’s nice to discover the new voices in our community. ^.^ (By the way, I saw your comment on my last post, and just wanted to say thank you so, so much! T.T I really needed someone to tell me the things you wrote. <3 )
OH yes, it is really challenging and stressful, there are days I feel like screaming, ahah, but it’s really worth it in the end, just for the lovely comments and sharing with people. Your comments always make me smile and make my day, so, thank you <3
I agree, commenting is one of the best parts! It takes some time, sure, but I love hearing what others have to say about books and everything.
(Oh, you're so welcome, I'm here whenever you need, Summer! <3 <3) Thank you!! <3
Aww, your comments always make me smile, too, Marie!! ?☺️