When I started blogging, I expected so many things to happen. Some did. Some others didn’t. I thought of the way blogging was supposed to be, when I was just a young blogger having created this little corner of the internet a couple days ago and trying to figure out just how I was supposed to do this thing. And now here I am, two years later, wondering just what the f*** happened to these expectations. Blogging is, in our minds, a lot of different things. It takes loads of different shapes, but one thing is for sure: now that I’ve seen and experimented blogging from the inside, I can say with certainty, oh, boy, was I wrong about blogging.
What changed? Maybe we should make a list.
I thought book blogging would be easy.
Ha.Ha.Ha. Book blogging is everything but easy. There are so many different things to think about when you are book blogging, and most especially when you are kind of like me, meaning a perfectionist obsessing about something until it is just right. With blogging, you have to actually have ideas for blog posts, which can take…a second if you have a brain overflowing with ideas or like, a year or something if you’re feeling in a slump, uninspired and everything. There is just so much THOUGHT that comes with blogging – or at least, for me, and all of this brainstorming isn’t easy.
I thought all that mattered was what I wrote.
Don’t get me wrong. For me, when I read a book blog, I pay a lot of attention to what other people write, and it’s their blog posts, in the writing sense, that has a lot of importance to me. I’m hoping it is the same way for people reading this blog post at the moment. THAT BEING SAID, there are so many other aspects of blogging that matters, and I tend to notice it more and more. There are the way the blog posts are formatted, that makes us want to read it more. There is the blog overall appearance, which, because we are visual human-beings, has a lot of importance as well. There is this whole visual aspect of everything, really, that matters a lot, both when I read a blog and when I try and think about my blog.
I thought book reviews would be my most important posts ever.
This is sad, but book reviews aren’t the posts with most success, on my blog or on other blogs, from everything I have heard. Book reviews ARE important in the strict sense of the term, meaning that we ARE doing good by reviewing books and sharing the bookish love. We are promoting books. We are loving it. But in blogging, if I first thought book reviews would be the most important posts here on blogs, they are clearly not the most successful.
I thought I would have to read A LOT MORE to “make it” as a book blogger.
When I first started, I wasn’t reading too many books per week, per month, per year. I still loved reading, but I thought that I would have to step up my game in order to align with the gorgeous book blogger reading 12 books a week and fangirling about them all. Well…not everyone does that, I found out. I also found out that it’s okay to read at my own rhythm, it’s okay if I read one book a week. As long as I’m loving it.
I thought it would be a fun hobby to do on my spare-time.
Biggest joke ever. Book blogging is consuming my entire life and I am making my whole family contribute. Whether they want to or not. Whatever.
I thought I would be doing this alone.
I am. In a way, since I’m handling this little blog on my own. Except for the time when my sister contributes to it, brainstorms with me and hold me when I’m having emotional breakdowns (I think I might be a pretty intense blogger here). Well, I am not. I found that the community is HUGE, and it is here. With me, sharing my blogging struggles, sharing the love, always here to turn to to fangirl about a book or complain about bad tropes and blogging and overall love it. Blogging seems solitary, but it’s not.
I thought I would never fit in.
I’m French and English isn’t my first language. I found out that the blogging community was massively dominated by American bloggers. I thought I would have an emotional breakdown and give up a long time ago, being not able to face the ones able to get all the ARCs because of geography, able to go to BEA and just overall able to chat together while I’m here with my French-ness, no ARCs and not a way to teleport myself.
I was wrong. I found out that there are so. many. international. bloggers. SO MANY. I found out that no matter where I am from, whether or not I can get all the ARCs or go to the big bookish events, I CAN fit in. It’s all a matter of not being too afraid, being yourself and just blog your heart out.
I thought I couldn’t “make it” as a book blogger.
“Making it” has so many different meanings, depending on how you see it. Can you really “make it” in the sense of being rich and famous, having books every day in your mailbox, billions of followers and talk-shows and such? No. Making money as a book blogger is hard, controversial at times, and not the question I want to tackle here.
Truth is, without talking about money here, you can totally make it. You can be the best book blogger you want to be without money or fame involved, just with you. By setting and meeting your own expectations, whether they are statistical (getting more visits, trying to get more followers) or bookish (reading more books, getting out of your comfort zone). You can make it by loving it every single day, despite the struggles. You can make it as a book blogger by being proud because it takes a whole lot of time and work and you are doing it anyway.
Do we share some of the same book blogging expectations? How did this measure up to reality for you? What’s one GOOD (or bad) thing about book blogging that you didn’t expect at all? Let’s chat in comments!
Awesome post! I’ve only been blogging 6 months but I’ve discovered everything you said is correct:) My main focus is to enjoy the community and make sure it stays fun for me since it is a hobby
Ohh thank you so much Renee 🙂 I agree with you, I’m focusing on loving it and keeping it fun as well 🙂
I have too many feels for this post, Marie! *cries*
I had the same expectations. I even thought that I would barely keep up because I read so slow compared to the people I first followed. Blogging was a simple thing that started as a nice thing to do when you have the time, but then it slowly consumed my soul and it is not easy at all.
But I have to agree that yes, the biggest takeaway that we could be redeemed within this chaos is the friendships and the bonds that we have made with other people that share the passion.
All the hearts for you, Marie! ❤
Awww Bianca <3 <3 Blogging is so much harder than I thought it'd be, but the friendships and bonds and all the books, it's just so GREAT and worth it all <3 <3
Hahaha – I 100% agree with 1, 2, 3, and 5. Especially the “oh I’ll just do this in my spare time.” Well I definitely do it in my spare time, but now I have NO time left to spare to anything else! Oh well, at least we love it!
Hahahaha. That’s exactly it – there is no time left to do anything else but blog haha. But it’s worth it at least 😀 Thank you so much <3
Great post! I did have some of the blogging expectations as you had.
Usually when I start doing something new I have no expectations at all, I’ll just see what will happen. I did think as well that blogging would be easy and not as much time consuming as it really is. And I was actually surprised how easy I feel comfortable in the Book Community and how quickly I made friends. I am from the Netherlands and English wasn’t my best class in secondary school, so I was a bit worried that that would become a problem, but it didn’t 🙂
Thank you so much, Debbie <3 I'm happy to hear that, I feel so good within the book blogging community as well, it's such a good feeling <3 <3
I never thought blogging would take up as much time as it ends up taking! But so far it’s still an amount that I am 100% okay with spending because I am having so much fun doing it! I’ve blogged before, so I knew to some extent what I was getting myself into before starting my book blog. 🙂
Oh yes, it’s the same way for me, even if I spend a lot of time blogging, I love it and don’t regret it at all 🙂
OHh really, you had more of a general or lifestyle blog before? 🙂
Thank you so much! <3
I wouldn’t say lifestyle exactly, to be honest. It was more of an actual online journal where I would post about literally anything that was happening. Like if I was feeling sad or things weren’t as great at home, stuff like that. 🙂
Ohh okay – well writing can be so liberating at times, I get why you did this, I sometimes want to do that kind of writing as well ahah. <3
I go through phases of enjoying journaling and not enjoying it! But it’s definitely fun to look back at the fun memories or just simply read through my teenage self’s musings! Reading through my crushes is hilarious! God, what I would give to have those kind of ‘problems’ again!
Haha oh yes, I get it, reading back on these life-happenings is always fun – sometimes a bit cringe-worthy, but always fun to remember these moments ahah 🙂
Haha, same! I definitely thought that blogging would be easy before I started. Obviously that was wrong, because it takes so much work! I think coming into this community, I already knew book reviews weren’t too successful, and I didn’t like them too much, so I’m glad they’re not as successful as the stuff I really enjoy writing about! I also thought it’d be hard to make it in the community, but people here are so nice, and I’m surprised at all I achieved in such a short amount of time! I thought for sure it’d take me a long time to even get 100 followers! ?
Crazy how things go sometimes, right? It’s so awesome you managed to get so successful in so little time. Everyone in the community is just so welcoming, this is the best part about blogging – something I didn’t expect at all, but I am grateful for it 🙂
This post is so relatable Marie, you have no idea! I have faced each and every experience you have mentioned here and the learned the same things as you. Book blogging is awesome cause it is fun, and it is a stress-reliever not a stress-inducer. And gosh do I agree with you about reading at your own pace–I thought I’d have to up my reading game too until i realized how unnecessary that was.
English isn’t my first language either since I am Bangladeshi, and yeah I too was so overwhelmed because initially I thought the community was full of white people who wouldn’t get me. Boy was I wrong. Not only are there so many international bloggers, but ALL of them–including white bloggers–are SO open and understanding and welcoming. In my opinion thats the best part about this blogosphere: not only is this a diverse community but it is full of people who would never judge you for things like race/culture/religion. It is such a safe and loving place.
PS: I am learning your language as part of my course credit in my university and my god Marie your language is so beautiful! A bit tricky to pronounce but it sounds lyrical ?
Thank you so, so much, I’m so happy you could relate to this so much <3
Oh I agree with you so much. Everyone is so welcoming and from all over the world, with diverse backgrounds and there is just so much diversity in the book blogging community, it is SO great. I feel safe and loved and just, where I belong in this place and it's the best feeling I think <3
PS. Ohhh really, you are? That's fantastic! Best of luck – French is such a tricky language to learn, and I say that as a native ahah 🙂 I'm so happy you are enjoying it though 🙂
This is so accurate on so many levels! I definitely didn’t think blogging would be as much work as it is. I thought I could whip up a post in 30 minutes and be done with it – I had no idea I would spend HOURS re-reading and re-typing a post until I was satisfied. I also didn’t know how happy it would make me to keep writing and keep posting. Despite the work, it’s worth it. Great post!
Thank you so much! <3 I agree, I spend sooooo much time on blog posts, but it's worth it I guess, because even if it's a LOT OF TIME, I love it so much <3
All of this is so true. This experience has been nothing how I expected but I think I love it even more because of that. Great post!
YES – I love it so much more just as well! Thank you Angelica! <3
Couldn’t agree more. And those gifs!! XD Dang it! So appropriate. LOOOOVE this post!
Haha thank you so, so much Poulami! <3 <3
I agree with these so much! Blogging was so different from what i thought!
Different in a good way, I hope 🙂 Thank you JeEssica <3
Definitely a good thing!
So many true things! I think we all have these expectations and more. I have learned to let it all go and do what I like.
OH I’m so sorry I missed your comment DAYS ago, I don’t know why you were in my spam 🙁 Thank you so much, I’m so happy you could relate to this 🙂
Weird! Sorry about that.
Oh don’t worry about it! 😀
I was definitely BLOWN AWAY by the community. When I first started blogging, I had no idea that so many people blogged about books! I was blogging for ME, and I figured I might get the occasional comment, but I had no idea that so many people were doing this. At first when I found out I was overwhelmed: how was I ever going to make myself “original” in such a “saturated market?” But it’s not like that at all! That was definitely my biggest surprise 😀 Great post!
Right?! I had no idea either, and it was such a great surprise. Also, everyone still is unique in the blogosphere and so welcoming, that’s the best 🙂 <3
Me and my friends are just about to launch into book blogging (if you discount the 2 years the blog has actually been sat there!) so this has been really interesting to read about what the time ahead might be like 🙂
Ohh yay! I hope you’ll have tons of fun book blogging then! 😀
I totally agree with this post! When I first started my blog I never expected it to be so hard and time consuming. I thought book reviews are the most important part of a book blog now I know I’ve been wrong on so many things. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! 🙂
Thank you so much, I’m so happy you could relate to this! <3
Couldn’t agree with you more! I also thought blogging would be easy. Books are my life and I already had so much to say. So all I needed to do was write my thoughts down. WRONG! I put so much thought and effort into the smallest post because I am also a perfectionist. I’m not blogging for anyone but myself so no matter what happens I feel successful. But when you start getting books from publishers there’s a certain pressure for views, followers, blah, blah. I was bogged down with work and losing my mind because I HAD to read two books before a certain date. And I personally LOVE book reviews! That’s how I find more books to read!
The life of a perfectionist is SO hard at times ahah.
And oh, don’t get me wrong, I LOVE book reviews as well, I got recommended SO many great books thanks to this 🙂
Omg I agreeeeeee. I mean, I’m not even a full book blogger, and I haven’t been blogging for very long, but already I’ve had some of these expectations-turned-realities happen to me. And d’awwww, Marie! Don’t ever worry about fitting in! I couldn’t even tell that English is your second language (which is totally cool, btw), and we’ll love you no matter what! <3 And HAHAHA YES TO THE "SPARE TIME" THING. Blogging took over my life??? I mean, I love it, but I have other things to do too??? XD
Awww thank you, best compliment ever haha, I’m glad my French doesn’t show up too much haha 😛
Haha that’s exactly it, but do we regret it? NOOO. We are crazy like that 😛
Oh some of these were my biggest misconceptions about blogging as well Marie. I definitely though it would a fun hobby, something I could do in spare time and still have a lot of time left over for other things in the evening. I was soooo wrong but in actual fact blogging turned out to be so much better than I ever thought it could be so there’s that side of things as well. The community on WordPress makes it all worthwhile.
I also didn’t think I’d ‘make it’ as a book blogger either, and I kind of believed it wouldn’t last for long either. Those are two misconceptions I’m glad I was wrong about though.
Great post! 😀 <3
Yay! I’m so glad you feel the same way about this. I guess it’s one overwhelming hobby, at times, but it’s okay 🙂 Thank you so much Beth! <3
Yeah I definitely do, and it can be overwhelming a lot of the time actually but I think that’s part of the fun of it all! 😀
That’s all right. ❤
You are a huge inspiration. I enjoy your post so much. Keep going ❤️
OH you’re so, so sweet, thank you so much. You made my day <3 <3
I love your blog ❤️❤️
Aww and I love YOU, thank you so much for your sweet words, it means so much to me! <3 <3
Omg you totally describe my entire life !! Being bilingual and all HAHA <3
YAY, TWINS! Well…Twins living on each side of the Atlantic ahah 😛 <3
Gosh I feel ya! I am into travel blogging but it’s such a daunting task ahead of me to grow my site! I feel like I’m never going to “make it”! Loved reading your post thanks for sharing!
YAY, Travel blogging! I love reading travel blogs, and traveling is my second love after books <3 Thank you so much! 🙂
And I think books is my second love 😉 Although I nearly don’t read enough! I will use your blog as a source to uncover new books to read 😉
AWw yay, twins! 😀 This makes me so, so happy, I hope you’ll discover tons of books you love here 🙂
Ahh this post is perfect!! I think my favourite thing on this list was that I you thought you would be doing this alone- I felt the same way about it but I’m so glad I was wrong!! I did not know about the book blogging community at all and it was such a wonderful discovery 😀 I do agree it’s a shame that the book review posts don’t get as much traffic- I certainly notice that, and it’s a shame- but it always makes it so much more special when people decide they want to read something cos I’ve recommended it (or even just put it on their tbrs to get to in the distant future!!)
OH YES, I agree with you. It makes me feel so special when someone read a book because of my review, and so, sooooo happy, really 😀 Thank you so much <3
Yes absolutel!! You’re welcome <3
Amazing post, Marie! I related to everything you mentioned here: thinking book reviews would be the most important thing ever (clearly not the case), thinking I’d have to read in my sleep to catch up with all the other bloggers, and thinking I wouldn’t be able to fit because I’m not from the US or the UK either.
But, like you said, success is measured in so many different ways. I’m just happy we all share this corner of the internet where we can talk about our love for books, no matter who we are or where we are from.
thank you so much, I’m so happy you could relate to this post <3 that's exactly why I love it so much, how we can all fangirl about books and just, be ourselves and the community is welcoming and so international and diverse 🙂 <3
I agree, the blogging community is just lovely ❤️
It is the best <3
Great post, usual opening.lol 🙂
Definitely agree about book blogging being easy, Bwahahahaha, yeah, nope! I’m definitely not a perfectionist but there always seems to be something going on, formatting posts, which isn’t easy with the nightmare that is wordpress, writing posts, etc, dossing about on Twitter and FB because obviously there’s nothing better to do, changing graphics reading posts, etc, definitely not easy but it’s a fun kind of hard.
Lol, I wish I had a brain overflowing with ideas and could come up with them in seconds for discussion, there’s a reason there isn’t many on my blog……I can’t think of any and that’s why they are a rarely seen treat, well, that’s what I’m going with.lol Full props to those who can think of countless ideas, it is great, just be nice if some of those ideas escaped and found their way to bloggers like myself.
Definitely agree with you about book reviews being the most important post, that was what I thought when I started and boy was I wrong, compared to discussion, tags, awards and memes they are near enough the most unpopular type of post. Sad really as I like reviews, get to see the bloggers personality shine through in them.
Didn’t really think I’d have to read more if I became a blogger, just took it as I’d read what I did and then post when I’d read the book regardless if it was only once a fortnight as I’m not a fast reader, but blogging opened up poetry and all the other various types of posts that I was able to fill my blog with, while some can read a book every couple of days, it takes others over a week and it’s really irrelevant as you read for fun and as quickly as you want, no rules that state you need to read ‘x’ amount of books within a certain time, nah, read at your own pace people, it’s all good. 🙂
Making it as a book blogger is a very subjective subject I think, it’s also personal as what one blogger deems as ‘made it’ might be unsuccessful to another it really depends on what goals you set yourself, most of us do this as a hobby, because we love books. Yes, there’s bloggers out there who get paid and have millions of followers but they are rare and don’t just do it for fun.
I think that as long as you are the best blogger that you can be, and that you feel proud of your blog then you’ve made it. Set realistic goals if you even want to set goals for yourself, my goals were fairly small and I’ve somehow accomplished them (apart from one but I doubt that’ll happen) but if someone starts a blog and thinks there’ll get 10,000 followers in six months then they probably won’t achieve that, doesn’t mean that the blog hasn’t made it though just that in that bloggers eyes it won’t have. Just do your best and be proud of your blog, that’s good enough and is worthy of being deemed ‘made it’. 🙂
Thank you, Drew, for your sweet comment and for always taking the time to share your thoughts with me on the subject – it always makes me so happy 🙂
Even if you are not a perfectionist, well…blogging takes so much time anyway because just like you said, with all the formatting and WordPress acting out at times, it’s hard to make everything perfect in less than…well let’s just say it takes TIME haha.
Yay for being able to reach your goals!! And well, about that one goal you haven’t accomplished yet…who knows? Maybe you’ll manage to do it? 😀
I really like what you said about “making it” because you’re absolutely right: the only person I have to impress is myself, based on my expectations. And it’s important to be realistic with yourself too.
I actually appreciate the international book bloggers I follow a lot more, in the sense that you guys have a slightly different perspective that you bring to your reading and writing. It’s so important to get other people’s views, otherwise we just live in a bubble of our own making filled with people who think exactly the way we do.
Yes that’s exactly it – I tend to lose myself and feel blogging envy and because of that, set high goals and be a bit unrealistic with myself. I need a reminder at times ahah. 🙂
Oh that’s so sweet and beautiful to say 🙂 I love how diverse the blogging community is thanks to this 🙂
Haha, OMG, this post is hilarious because it’s all just so TRUE and your GIFs are on point! 🙂 I also had a lot of expectations as a starting book blogger and I was proven so wrong about them as well! Especially it being just a hobby and not taking so much time… Hahahaha… WRONG 🙂 I wasn’t expecting blogging to take over my life as much as it did… but I’m still kind of happy that it did!? And with me being Belgian I also had the thought that maybe I wouldn’t fit in, but meeting so many international bloggers has only been super amazing and everybody has been so welcoming <3
I’m so, so happy you could relate to this <3 <3 Yeah I'm with you on that, I didn't expect it to take over my life but I'm happy because I love it so much 🙂 <3
Thank you!! <3 <3
This is so true. I thought it would be pretty easy. Little did I know how time consuming it would be. I think I will for ever feel like I’m new to all this. I honestly don’t have many followers, but I don’t post as often as I should and I’m not very scheduled. That being said I still have a lot of fun doing it and it’s helping me read more and out of my comfort zone, so I’d say I’m doing just fine.
You ARE doing just fine, and there is no “should” in how much you post, there’s only I “want to” 🙂 There’s no right amount of posting, really, it’s a matter of how you can balance things out and how inspired you are 🙂
Thank, that’s really good to hear 🙂
It’s so upsetting to me how book reviews are the most underrated blog posts because those are my favorites and the ones that I put most effort in and then barely anyone reads them 🙁
I know 🙁 This makes me so sad as well – I have to say, I’m guilty of enjoying to read a lot of different posts and sometimes I’d rather read a discussion post than a review, but I really enjoy reviews, they help me out so much with choosing my next read as well. It makes me a bit sad they are underrated :/
It’s sad because I don’t read them much either, specially if it’s a book I’m interested in reading since I never know who does reviews with spoilers, even mild ones. But I just think they’re the best part of the community, like it’s the one thing that makes us a community I think.
Oh yes I get it – and this reminds me that I need to remember more often to say that my review is without spoilers when I post a new review. I always forget to do that. I avoid reviews when I’m not sure if there are spoilers in it as well :/ I agree, sharing the love about books is what we’re all here about 😀
My reviews are divided in two and I hope people are more cautious of the bottom part since I go more in depth about my feelings there, even though I don’t share plot spoilers, some people have different kinds of spoilers so that’s the part that’s more in depth. The first part though is pretty okay for everyone haha
OH yes, I’m always careful whenever I read one of your reviews because I wouldn’t want to be spoiled – I hate when that happens 🙂
I tend not to share spoilers in the bottom but I make the distinction anyway! If you ever have questions about my thoughts and didn’t read the bottom, you can comment 😀
Well that’s good to know, I’ll remember that for sure 😀
I laughed out loud at the spare time thing, haha. But I never imagined it would take so much time either! I thought book reviews would be the most important posts too. But yeah, most of all, I didn’t expect the community! That has been the most pleasant surprise and honestly the reason I keep blogging 🙂
OH yes, it definitely is one of the reasons I keep blogging just as well 🙂 Thank you so much Kristen! 🙂 <3
I can relate to this so much, Marie! I had a lot of the same expectations when I first started blogging. I thought it would be so easy and that it would be this quick hobby I didn’t have to think twice about. Nope, here’s me a year later stressing over post sometimes and spending 5 hours blog hopping to catch up from being busy *insert crying and laughing gif here*. Also, for some reason, I had this idea in my head that I would have to do nothing to get interaction when I first created my blog. I don’t even know ?. But, yeah, in the end it’s all been worth it and one thing I didn’t expect that I love is the fact that I made so many friends. When I get on here when I’m feeling down about something I almost always end up laughing and smiling while talking to everyone. Great discussion as always!! ?♥
Hahaha oh yes, it’s crazy but I guess I got this misconception of me, waiting for people to come to my blog, people coming, and somehow that would be it? I think loads of people think that’s how it is, but it’s not. Interaction takes a lot of work, and it’s defiinitely worth it in the end but yes, it takes a whole lot of my time 🙂
Thank you so much! <3
I got that same misconception so it definitely has to an expectation we all have about blogging at some point that ends up being so off the mark. ? It really does take a lot of work but yep it’s worth it!
You’re welcome!! ??
I love your first photo – it’s so true! My shelves are currently a mess, but the only photos I post are of the one I keep clean haha
I also totally thought book blogging would be easy, and that my reviews would be my most popular posts – I don’t know that I’ve ever been more wrong in my life!
Ohh thank you Kelly 🙂 And well, it might not be easy every day but we love it so there’s that 😀
Oh my gosh, yes! This whole thing just spoke to me. I also thought my reviews would be just SO amazing and that they would be all that mattered. Oh, how little I knew lol I think the biggest one would be the fitting in thing. I didn’t think I’d fit in or make it. But its been a pleasant surprise the past 2 years of blogging for me. This community is AWESOME! Great post 🙂
Molly @ Molly’s Book Nook
Ohh you have been blogging for two years just as well? YAY! <3 I agree with you, I thought I would never fit in and I'm so happy I do, I feel like I belong and it's the best feeling <3
Aha this was such a great post, Marie, as always! I swear, your discussions always blow be away. <3 <3 I totally agree with all of these! I find it so funny though how book reviews seem to be such unpopular posts for most people (in comparison to other types of posts, anyway), especially seeing how most of us started blogging for that very reason. I love reading reviews though! And oh my gosh, blogging is so much harder than it looks!! Never would have been able to have guessed, honestly. But always so worth it! Lovely post. 🙂
Awww you’re so sweet, thank you so much Analee! <3 <3 I agree, it's so weird but I always love reading reviews just as well 🙂 Thank you!! <3 <3
I don’t this I’ve read anything more true about book blogging!!
Aww thank you ahah, happy you liked this 😀
This is such a great post! Like you, when I started I had no idea about having to think about post formatting and things. I fought I’d be doing creative writing and posting it on my blog, but then… whoops I was a book blogger, which suits me so much better. I thought that all you did was write posts and the stats would just appear, and now I know that’s not true, and that blogging is a social activity. I’ve learned so much, hahaha .Great post!
Oh thank you so much, Shar! <3 YES, book blogging is really a social activity, and it's so great to be able to feel part of something like that 🙂 Thank you!! <3
OH MY GOD YESSSS AT LIKE ALL OF THESE. I laughed so hard at the book review one with the wrong GIF because RIGHT????? When I first started blogging I thought ALL I’d be posting was reviews because I thought that’s all book blogging was. Absolutely laughing at myself now. Same as thinking this would just be a little thing I did on the side occasionally. Now it’s my entire life.
Haha right?! I could not have been more WRONG when it comes to book reviews. That makes me feel a bit sad to be honest, but well… And as long as we love it, I guess it’s okay if it’s taking over our whole lives 😛
Another fantastic post Marie! I think the majority of book bloggers (probably all bloggers) underestimated the time and dedication it takes to manage a blog. I had no idea when I started blogging that it would consume my life. I never factored in the time and effort it takes for ONE post: brainstorming, research, writing, formatting, taking & editing pictures, etc. Not to mention actually reading books AND being active in the community.
It is such a bummer that book reviews are not more “popular” in the book blogosphere, but like you said, they are the most important posts we write.
Even though book blogging is so much harder then I ever thought it would be, I wouldn’t trade it for the world 🙂
Oh thank you Amanda! <3 <3 Same, I didn't think this through when I started blogging, but I don't regret the commitment it takes now, because it makes me really happy just as well 🙂
I literally just started a book blog yesterday and have no clue what I’m doing. It was overwhelming to even start. Your post is great. Really shows me what I’m in for and gives me ideas on where to go with my own. Thanks!
Ohhh don’t let it get too overwhelming, McKenzie. Book blogging is a LOT of fun, filled with fangirling, talking about books and meeting tons of people just like you. I hope you’ll have a lot of fun, and thank you so much! Always here if you need anything, advice or just to chat 🙂
I appreciate your take on this–especially because you didn’t write about “making it” in terms of money. I know, we all have dreams of this being our full time job–and yes, I include myself in that we–but if it isn’t worth doing well for its own sake, you will never make it.
And yes, sometimes blogging feels like it is taking over my life too–and I have barely any followers.
Thank you so much, Anthony! Yeah, making it with money is surely a dream, but I guess we have to focus on the positive aspects of blogging without making money 🙂
Hopefully some day you will. Until then, keep doing what you are doing.
Oh thank you 🙂 hopefully you will just as well 🙂
I’ve been doing this for years and I am STILL shocked on a regular basis by how long it takes me to write a blog. I’ll give myself 30 minutes to just knock out a quick review and the next thing I know it’s much, much later. You’d think I’d learn!
Great post though!
Haha, right?! It’s crazy how long it takes, but…well, we love it, don’t we ? 😀
Thank you so much <3 <3
Great post!!
I’m part of a blog trio, so in every sense I am not doing it alone, but pretty much every other point I found applied to our efforts as well. About 8 months in, expectation is very different from reality, in both positive and negative ways. Glad I’m not the only one experiencing this.
-John
Thank you so much, John, so happy you could relate to this! Hope you’re having fun blogging 🙂
Hi, Your post is awesome. I also posted some of book reviews but not in English.
Thank you, glad you liked it 🙂
Reblogged this on The Lupie Momma and commented:
I always enjoy seeing how other people feel about blogging. Regardless of the type of blog you have I think we can all relate to this!
SO true! Such a nice post! Very nice thoughts! I feel you! I’ve had struggles with my blog as well.
Oh thank you so much, I’m so happy you could relate to this! 🙂
Reblogged this on Soy Mago Montiel.
Reblogged this on The Book Nerd.
Good read, Marie. My struggle is being satisfied with whoever comes. I was doing this reading anyway, and the only thing that has changed is I’ve become more public about it. Why all of a sudden do I care how many people are interested!?
Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂 I get it, and it’s so hard not to get stuck thinking about stats – but we all need to remember that we’re writing about books because we love it, that’s the number 1 reason to hold on to this 🙂
I have the ideas but it’s the time I can’t seem to find. I’d love to immerse myself in blogging and writing a few hours a day however, I’m limited as I have a hectic schedule. And whenever I do have the spare time, I can’t seem to collect my thoughts. But it’s something us book bloggers love and are passionate about so we just have to keep on keeping on 🙂
Being organized is such a struggle when you have a busy schedule, and it took me a while to find the way it would work well for me not to feel overwhelmed every day and still keep my thrill to blog. I find that dividing time between blog hopping, collecting ideas, writing the blog post, making the pictures, makes everything manageable, little by little 🙂 I hope you’ll find your rhythm, and don’t pressure yourself too much, love it 🙂
Thank you for stopping by!
Great post, Marie! I’m just starting out on my blog. Did you struggle to find your blog’s niche when you started? I find there’s so many things I want to talk about, but it helps to have a unified subject like “book blogger” so people know what to expect. I’d like to talk about travel, but my blog right now is mainly about writing and creativity, so I don’t want to alienate readers who may not want to read travel blogs.
Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed reading this 🙂
I didn’t really struggle, I kind of knew right from the start that I wanted to talk about books, however I don’t think of myself as “limited” to that. I don’t know if you noticed, but I also love travelling and have a category dedicated to that. I don’t do travel blog posts a lot, but once in a while I really enjoy sharing pictures and talking about it – it’s not as successful as other bookish blog posts, since that’s what people are on this blog for, but it’s still there because I enjoy doing it, and some people still enjoy reading it. In my opinion, you totally can keep your focus on writing, creativity, and add a little side about traveling if you want to. It’s your blog and you’re doing this for yourself, if you write with your heart and passion about it, I’m sure it’ll show in your writing. If people aren’t interested, they will just read your writing blog posts, and some others will come for travelling 🙂
I don’t know if that helped ahah 🙂
Thanks for the reply! x
You’re welcome! 🙂
Your post was spot on. I still consider myself a new blogger and I never expected it to take so much of my time (but I love it!).
Yay, I’m so glad to hear you’re loving it 😀 It doesn’t feel like lost time if we have fun, right? 🙂
Thanks for the wonderful post! (I love the use of gifs too!) I am just starting to get serious about my blog. Setting high expectations and not seeing results right away can be so discouraging. Glad to see I’m not the only one. My favorite thing you said was “making it can mean loving it everyday”. That’s extremely inspiring to hear. Can’t wait to check out the rest of your blog.
Anna Tyler Snell
atylerslife.com
Oh you’re so welcome, thank you for your sweet comment, Anna! It is a bit discouraging at first, but everything takes time and it’s so worth it, especially if you’re pouring your heart out doing this and loving every single second of it 🙂
I agree with you. I just started and I get excited every time someone reads a post. “Making it can mean loving it everyday” is my new favorite quote.
This makes me so happy <3
I thought that I’d write a lot of blog posts per week and I’ll post them immediately and that’s not true I spend hours to make one blog post a week but lol I love blogr
Ahah, crazy how long it takes to write one blog post, right 🙂
I started blogging 9 months ago, and to be fair I love it. My blogs are just about myself, but I agree it takes time, you need to keep it visual, and sometimes I miss the moment. My first motivation was making money, but even if that doesn’t come, (which is unlikely), I will keep on doing it even with the bad experience i’ve just had. I was being stalked by an jealous ex girlfriend, who was using the personal information about me in my blog to gain information and repeat it in a disagreeable way. In fact she double the number of people who read my blog, which was under a pseudo name, as people who knew me now want to read what I had said.
Even now the episode is over, I am still blogging, and will continue to do so. So did blogging meet my expectations, it’s a yes and a no, readership is low, but growing slowing. It nice when you check your stats, and someone from India or Germany and especially the states have read. So I will keep on going
Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear about your bad experience – some people are really crazy to do this kind of thing. I’m glad to hear this doesn’t keep you from blogging now and doing what you love. It’s so nice yes to see people from all over the world coming to read your blog, it’s crazy but makes me so happy whenever that happens just as well 🙂 I hope you’ll keep on loving it 😀
Yes! I am not a “book blogger” but have written reviews about a few horse books. My blog is all about horses. But what you say in this very good post applies to a wide swath of bloggers. It is totally consuming and tremendously rewarding. I love the fact the followers from India who are not horse people read and ask questions. I love reading the fiction, the poetry, and seeing the photos of bloggers from all over the world. I make no money from blogging but when I’m at a horse show and someone comes up and tells me they love reading my posts…….that’s the Oscar in my books! Thanks for this post.
Ohhh this is so awesome, well you’re kind of famous in your blogging field then, I’d say 😛 I’m so happy you enjoyed this post and could relate to it 🙂 Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment and I hope you’ll keep on blogging and loving it 😀
Think your post could relate to any beginner bloggers! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Oh you’re welcome, so happy this could be useful 🙂
I fully agree with that.
Glad you could relate 🙂
The blog writing itself isn’t the time-consumer. I find it’s the social media aspect of blogging that takes up much of my time. But you are right, I certainly wouldn’t do it if I didn’t love it. What posts do you find gets the most hits?
Oh, well it depends on how you’re blogging – I have to admit I’m not really on top of all the social media aspect yet so it doesn’t take that much of my time yet ahah 🙂 as long as we love it, it’s what matters the most 🙂 It really depends, some posts like this one and discussions are really appreciated, I found out 🙂
It was the best thing I had ever read..M also found of writing some short write-ups..but It’s simply a great blog for newcomers like me..???
Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Inspiring entry! As a fairly new blogger, so much of this hit me. I’d love to eventually earn money for something that I truly enjoy, but I am trying to stay grounded as far as, not making that my sole focus right now xoxo
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed reading this post 🙂 I understand, and as much as I’d love to earn money for this, I want to focus on how much I love it and the joy it brings me 🙂
Aww!! You said it all
I just started bookblogging. Or shall I say blogging in general. I did have a Tumblr before, however I am not counting that. Any tips for a beginner?
Welcome! I hope you’ll have tons of fun 🙂 Best tip I can give is to be yourself, do this for fun and write about the books that make you fangirl. Don’t be afraid to reach out like you are right now, commenting on other book blogs. Participate in memes if you want to, they are loads of fun and easy ways to get to know other book bloggers – you can search Top Ten Tuesdays for instance 🙂
Haha! Reality hits ? haha
when it feels like you have finished the entire book and yet you just only have 2 pages in your microsoft.
em just new with this blog spot and saw your post, it’s relating me so much ??
Haha I’m so glad you could relate to this. Reality’s crazy, but it’s still a lot of fun to blog haha 🙂
Newborn to the blogging world here! I just made my book blog yesterday (so only one post so far!) I’m trying to not have any expectations besides feeling good about what I put out there. I don’t have any experience really, but I want to try as I used to love reading and writing so it sounds perfect to put the two together and write a book blog. I also just want to see what this community has to offer. I really enjoyed this post!
Welcome, Sam!! I hope you’ll have loads of fun blogging, what matters the most is that you love what you write and the whole experience 🙂 The community is very welcoming, I hope you’ll love it 🙂 Thank you! <3
I’m fairly new to blogging. In fact, I entered the blogging scene just this year. So, I’m pretty much a newbie and I guess I can’t relate to all the struggles you’ve gone through as a seasoned blogger. Not yet, at least 🙂
I think I lost my best years to social media when I could do something productive with my life… But the realisation has come a lot later than it was supposed to. Its only now that I think I do have it in me to write.
Though I haven’t started as a book blogger, I do love reading and book reviews are pretty helpful in that matter. But I had no idea there were book blogs which solely focused on book reviews! How very ignorant of me 😉
But, as someone who loves to write, I CAN relate to those spells of next to no inspiration and the anxiety of not knowing what to write! And I’ve realised its no good pushing myself, because it only comes when I feel something very strongly.
And though I’ve only just started, its already taking up much of my time I could use in studying. When I’m not writing anything, I’m worrying over how my profile looks to people (even though there are very small no of visitors xD )
I do think I won’t fit in and I think I’ll keep thinking that till I’m an old hand at this, maybe because I’ve a habit of doing things so traditionally and sporadically that people get bored and never come back 😉
Nevertheless, this was a helpful read and a good morale booster, even though I’m not a book blogger! Thank you (:
Oh there are so many book bloggers – I had no idea there was such a thing at first, then I found this massive community. I guess it’s just a matter of knowing where to search, there are so many blogs out there 🙂
I agree, nothing good comes from pushing ourselves to write, we should just take our time, take a break if needed and come back to our blog posts with a clear mind and new inspiration 🙂
I found out that everyone fits in, don’t worry about it – you’ll find your people and community in here, I’m sure of it. As long as you keep on loving what you do, reach out to bloggers like yourself and just have fun 🙂 You’re welcome, I’m so happy if that could be helpful 🙂
thank you for sharing highs & lows 🙂
You’re welcome, happy you enjoyed it 🙂
I am quite new to this blogging community. I really don’t know what to expect and what not to. Can you plz visit my page and give me some pointers on how to improve. I don’t get much time to blog with all my exams and all but when there is a flood of emotions inside me I just have to get it out. But I want it to be streamlined, not turbulent. Loved your post?
Welcome 🙂 Blogging, especially doing this for fun, is not a race, so focus on your exams and best of luck for these 🙂
Once they are finished, you can always think about your blogging schedule, what you want to talk about and how often, and reach out to other bloggers talking about the same topics as you 🙂
I’ve been book blogging for about 6 years now, and I can totally relate to your post! About two years after I started my blog, the world of book blogging took over my life (in a good way) – get all the ARCs, go to all the events, do all the stuff. I backed off after a while, and now I have a nice little stable book blog with mostly book reviews but also interviews and some other columns.
The one thing I have noticed that hasn’t changed, is that the more blood, sweat, and tears that I put into writing a post, the fewer hits and comments it gets. If I write something very quickly, and publish without thinking, it gets more attention. Weird!
6 years?! Wow, this is so awesome, you’re like my role model ahah, I hope to be where you are in six years stll, blogging and loving it <3
Haha oh that's so weird – it happens to me as well sometimes, I write something I think is going to be good and it doesn't get that much attention…Funny how we're still surprised about what interests our readers 😀
“blogging and loving it”
that’s the trick – is do it cuz you love it. And if you don’t love it anymore, make some tweaks to what you are doing so that you can enjoy it again. Blogging is a really fun hobby, so keep it fun!
Keep reading, and plugging away, and blog in whatever way makes you happy that week, and before you know it 3, years, 5 years, even 7 years will have gone by.
Yes that’s exactly it, as long as we keep it fun, it’s all good 😀 Thank you so much for stopping by 🙂
I just started a blog (last week). It’s mostly for me, I’m not too worried if anyone else reads it, but already I find it taking over my life.
Yay! I hope you’ll have tons of fun blogging, as long as you do it for yourself and enjoy it, it’s what matters the most 🙂
I thought it was as simple as, (like in the movie about a baseball stadium) build it and they shall come. It’s more about what catches your fellow bloggers attention. (Writing about writing and foodie blogs are my favourite. It’s about visiting and commenting if you want to be visited. It’s complicated. ?
Haha that’s exactly it. I didn’t think blogging would be this way, but it’s definitely work every day, visits, comments and love to share. It’s complicated but we love it 🙂 I LOVE foodie blogs and blogposts on writing as well! 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by!
Hey! I loved this, though I wouldn’t call my blog as a book blog but I know what you are talking about. My blog is now two years old as well and I thought that by now I would have had enough followers and would have made some great friends. I made a few, less than my fingers.
But yeah, at the end of the day it is a joy.
Also, what is ARCs? And what is the most important thing on a book blog if not reviews??
I’m so glad you’re enjoying this, it’s what matters the most, we’re here for fun, right? 🙂
ARCs are Advance Reader Copies, they’re books that bloggers are sometimes able to get before publication date to review on their blogs 🙂 Also, well I found out that talking about books and bookish discussions take a lot of place in book blogs and they’re what makes book bloggers really talk and share about our common passion 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment! 🙂
Hi, I’m really new in this blogging thing, as a beginner it’s really helpful to read blogs like this and finding out how my problems may be more common than I thought. Thanks, you’ll be the first blogger I’ll follow. (like I said I’m really new lol)
Hi, welcome! I’m honored to be in your following lists and hope you’ll have a great time blogging 😀
Loved it.. Keep updating :”)
Thank you so much, so glad you liked it 🙂
Great post! A lot of people definitely take blogging for granted. I also think, we (as bloggers) let the pressure get to us and stop having fun along the way, which is the reason why we started in the first place! I was in your shoes a few weeks ago and wrote a blog post on something similar titled ‘Behind the Scenes’. Am leaving you with the link in case you’re interested … 🙂
https://strictlylighthearted.com/2017/03/19/behind-the-scenes/
Thank you so much, so glad you enjoyed this post 🙂 I guess it’s really important to remind ourselves that we have a lot of fun doing this, once in a while 😀
Absolutely!
I am new bee in blogging world, such an awesome article. It helped understand what I am in for ? very exciting ? thank you.
It really IS exciting ahah, I hope you’ll have a lot of fun blogging, and welcome! 🙂
My expectations were a bit different from yours but I haven’t realised even a single of them. Haha. I guess it isn’t all supposed to go the way it does. But one thing I’d agree with the book review aspect. They hardly get any attention! It’s so disheartening!
Yeah it’s a little sad to see how book reviews aren’t that popular compared to other blog posts 🙁 I wish it’d be different, but I don’t know how to make it different, except by pouring my heart out in every single review I write. It helps to talk about a book anyway, to spread the word and helps the author so that’s good 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by! <3
This is splendid! Writing or blogging survives even more when coated with passion! We need more of unconventional methods in blogging and this is it!
Oh thank you! 🙂
You are welcome!
I just want to leave a comment that u are so right about book blogging and i am happy to have you as a new blog to review from time to time as books are my gratest passion. Thank you . And well of course we all understand language of book lovers, it is all that matters.Regards from Serbia now.
Thank you so much, I’m so happy you enjoyed this post 🙂
this was so interesting to read. and also, so true. — and hey, another international blogger here! living in france! 🙂 xx
WAIT you are living in France?! I AM JUST AS WELL. That’s so great 😀
Thank you so, so much, happy you liked my post! <3
yep! I am :p I was living in Paris til just a month ago and now moved to Tours! 🙂 you’re very welcome! x
Ohhh that’s so great! 😀
all what you said is true. i am kinda new to blogging and i can tell its absolutely all u have explained. thanks
you’re welcome, I’m glad it was helpful 🙂
Reblogged this on Sue Bahr and commented:
A great perspective on the joys and heartaches of blogging!
Hi. I stumbled upon your post through the WP Reader / Discovery feature and scrolled by it. Then I scrolled back and said “Hmmm… I’m curious.” And so glad I did. What a great site. Will be following you.
I started blogging about 9 months ago. At first, it was just a few random thoughts, then it was book reviews, then film reviews, then all about my fiction and novel. In time, I realized it was consuming me too! And now that I’ve started the 365 Daily Challenge on my blog (https://thisismytruthnow.com), where I talk about personality traits, it sometimes takes close to 2 or 3 hours per day.
The biggest thing I learned was that you spend just as much time trying to craft your content and site as you do looking for and reading other people’s blogs. When I find someone new, I have a routine of searching thru Home, About, Social Media Links, Archives and the general navigation. After 30 minutes, when I have a clear understanding of the site, I look for posts of interest. If I’m gonna connect with someone, I want to know what it’s all about, as I’d expect the same of them on my site. It’s an investment, but can be also be a rewarding one.
The biggest pain is how to keep up with it… do I manually check, do I let hundreds of emails hit my Inbox when there is a new post, what if I miss something, how do I know who followed me so I can go check them out. Yikes! Full-time job for some people, I’m sure.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts… I felt similarly and was glad to read all about it. I’ll be wandering around here more.
j
Hi James! I’m so happy you commented, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with me 🙂 Blogging, especially connecting with other bloggers, takes a lot of time but it’s really rewarding, I agree. It’s so hard to keep up with everything and everyone, but it’s so great to have connections and relate to some people and overall have fun while blogging. Definitely worth the time 🙂 thank you so much for your lovely comment!
I really enjoyed this post! I’m not a book blogger, but I love books- and a lot of the struggles and thoughts you wrote about really resound with my own situation. I wish you luck with your blogging journey (I love your theme btw!)
Oh thank you so much! I’m glad you could relate to this 🙂 Best of luck to you too for blogging and, most importantly, have a lot of fun while doing it 🙂
Reblogged this on KirasKhronicles and commented:
This post really helps motivate me to work my very best 🙂
This post is really nice. I am glad I am not alone. I just started up my blog, and I am still learning how to have patience! Keep it up, your blog is super nice 🙂
Aww thank you so much Lauren, this made me so happy <3 I hope you'll love blogging! 😀
Thanks <3 I've loved it thus far!
So happy to hear it 😀
Bloggers do make a difference in each other’s life
They do indeed 🙂
You write very well
OH thank you <3 <3
I’ve only just started blogging about books (as of yesterday!) and have no idea what I am doing or what to expect. The bit on your most read haven’t actually been book reviews seems really stood out for me, and is making me think what else can I write! I have Little confidence in my writing style so doing a post or two not reviewing a book might really help, so thank you!
First of all, YAY and welcome to the book blogging community, I hope you’ll love it 😀 Yes, writing blog posts other than book reviews can help you write differently, don’t be afraid to test things out: write in lists or essay-style about books, genres, anything that you feel like talking about, really, and I’m sure you’ll find confidence in your writing soon enough, it comes with a bit of practice 🙂 Thank you so much for your comment <3
Good lord I thought I was the only one confused as hell at times. Great lost and it really meant a lot reading it as I am incredibly new to the whole blogging scene. This post gave me a little hope that I’m not as crazy as I think. Thanks!
Hahaha no, you’re not crazy at all – or if you are, well all bloggers kind of are because this is a crazy hobby to have, blogging 🙂 You’re so welcome, I’m glad you could relate to this 🙂
Gah – I totally agree. Had all of these assumptions. Also assumed that my friends would pounce on new posts b/c they love my writing or etc. But the reality is that life is super busy and options are many. ? I’m still pretty new (just a few months in) but I’ve already realized that if I wanna do it, I just need to do it b/c I enjoy the writing (and the reading). Can’t get obsessed with the statistics! Thanks for this post!
Haha right, it’s crazy how busy life can be and blogging isn’t a priority anymore at times. If we do this, it’s because we love it after all and getting all worked up about stats and everything is no good – best thing is to be able to write, read and share experiences with other bloggers 🙂 Thank YOU so much for your comment 🙂
This post makes me feel so much better about myself ? thanks for this! Fab post ?
Haha I’m so happy you enjoyed this! Thank you! <3
I feel you with the blogging highs and lows. It’s tough and expectations have had to go out the window, and they still do (get thrown out that window)!
Haha yes, we need to do that a lot 🙂
First off, very nice Blog Marie. I can relate with what you say here.
Second off, I am not here to cry.
I have been blogging since February. That’s very recent right. Well, it’s something I wanted to try out. Been looking for my place in this blogging world though. Can’t find yet. Well, you have 2 years under your belt and you must be going, ‘give it time girl. Blogging is hard work. You’ve only just began.’ Yes. All true.
But already, everything you say resonates.
I started out telling no one. meaning, neither friends nor family. (My husband and kids know) I want to tell stories and sometimes someone might see themselves in something I write. These are my takes on what-I-feel-Stories. All Fiction. As such I do not have a fan base.
I have always resisted technology. And now I am paying for it. I am not thrilled about how my site looks but don’t know how to make it better. Been reading up on it but it just seems so much of a hassle to change things now. After all this hard work, I am afraid it all goes puff with one wrong click.
So, yes, while What you wrote here resonates in a big big way I just don’t know how to improve it. For transparency, let me just add that I’m way pass my 40s.
Hah, here your brain might have burped. Well yes. There you have it.
If you feel like it, come by to read my few stories. (intricacies and follies . Com –oneword)
Marie, you have been heard. You are admired. And you are relatable. Good job. Keep it up. You are loved by Selma
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, I’m so glad you enjoyed reading this post and could relate to it 🙂 If you are on WordPress, there’s no need to be good at designing to have a lovely design, there are just so many different themes to choose from, I’m sure you’ll find something that suits what you want your blog to look like for free and without need to be scared of all the technical details 🙂
I started blogging in January. Book blogger. I was told I should have one. I never even read a blog. Everything you said is very true. My blog interactions are through Daily Word Prompts. I’m still learning. Visually my blog has improved but is not what I want. It’s OK now. Whenever I play with it disaster overwells it and I am always thankful to get back to the current blog I have. Thank you for sharing this.
I’m so glad you enjoyed reading this, and I hope you’ll enjoy blogging 😀 Finding what you want your blog to look like and be is a constant work, search, I constantly think and re-think about everything so don’t worry about having things figured all out just yet 🙂
I am like a newly blind person doing the best I can. I do get blog envy and wonder “how do you do that?” I’ll get there. Hopefully before blogging is yesterday’s news.
Blog envy is natural and we all get it, no reason to be ashamed or worry, it should just drive you forward to do more and make your blog as gorgeous as you want it to be, shining with your personality, what you love and everything 🙂 Don’t worry, you can do this 😀
TY
Interesting post. Your points are so true! I’ve just started a blog, and finding your true voice is hard. I want to write mainly about books, but also about art and sometimes life so it’s a juggle. Also the formatting and layout, for the technology challenged like me it’s a struggle. ?
Thank you so much! Finding your voice is the hardest thing, it took me so much time to do this ahah 🙂 You can easily write about all the things you love though, lifestyle bloggers have so many different topics to talk about :). Haha I get it, I keep the formatting quite simple and am grateful for all the WordPress designs for the layouts hahaha 🙂
I am also a new blogger and I too came with extremely high expectations. But after reading this, I understand its way much more than just writing and posting. Gave me an idea. A very helpful post. Thank you 🙂
Oh thank you, I’m so happy this was helpful 🙂
Do keep writing and inspiring many others 🙂
You’re so sweet, thank you, I will <3 <3
And would you help me too? Suggest something maybe?
Of course, if sometime you have a particular issue with something, I’m here to help – if I can ahah 🙂
Its mostly about what topic should I write on. But I’ll get back to you. Definitely. Thank you again. 🙂
I’ve just finished 2 years with Blogging. And it’s been an amazing journey. ?
I’m so happy to hear it! 🙂
?
I enjoyed your analysis of blogging and book blogging in particular. My own experience is one of the blog having a life of its own with content changing over time. The only real constants on my blog are photography and transport. I used to write about football quite a lot but that has become less common. Who know where the blog will lead me next 😉 I agree that blogging steals a good portion of our lives but isn’t it great to meet so many interesting people via our blogs! 🙂
Well, it’s so great to be unpredictable in your blogging ways, and it also keep things fun! Follow your inspiration and see where it leads you 😀 Thank you so much! 🙂
“It’s all a matter of not being too afraid, being yourself and just blog your heart out.” – Great phrase!
Aww thank you, so glad you liked this 🙂
I agree too. Its a great phrase : and so encouraging
Thank you !! 🙂
I love this post! I’m working on a food/travel/lifestyle blog but I have many of the same sentiments. My blog has been live for about a month and my expectations have been challenged at every turn. It’s nice to know others have similar challenges along the way. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed this post and could relate to it 🙂 Best of luck for your blog and I hope you’ll have tons of fun 🙂
Reblogged this on Cvt and commented:
When your new in the game of blogging you need all the information you can get and post like this are the best resources of how to overcome
Reblogged this on Simmy and her simple life.
Hi Maire,
I didn’t know you before today, and I’m glad WordPress showed me your blog. I’m starting now in this world. Last year I started an Youtube channel about books, I made six videos. I thought videos would be easier to reache people than blogging (i know, it is stupid). It was so much fun, but with no results at all. At first I thought that I was going to change de world, but then I found out that there are like a million people doing better, doing more, and with a lot of miles behind them. I’m stick to the fun of it. I’m loving your blog, by the way!! Please, keep going!
Hi Sara! Nothing about doing videos is stupid, there are tons of booktubers out there 🙂 Also, I think what matters the most here is that you are having fun, whether it’s with blogging or booktube or both 😀 Thank you so much! <3 <3
I’m feeling the same. Blogging was nothing like thought it would be, but I’m so grateful because I meet so many friends in this community. People who support each other and will always help me whenever I need. Not to mention, meeting people who love what you love.. READING.
Awesome post! Thanks for sharing. ??❤️
Thank you so, so much for stopping by! I really am grateful just as well for the wonderful community I met thanks to blogging 😀
This is so true. I mean I have these thoughts and ideas about what I have to blog. I care about what I write. What you told is exaclty what I think everyday. Once we start doing something, we need to stick to it. But there are various other components in play, they won’t just make it easy for you. I have this urge to complete a book just so I can review it and in that process the beauty of the book is lost. When I see book vloggers talk about books I feel like nothing. But, the only thing which should matter to you as a book blogger is how much can you spread through your post. I like the fact that you think like this.
~ Sritha Bandla
Thank you so, so much, I’m so happy you enjoyed this post 🙂
I really enjoyed your post! I struggle a bit with perfectionism as well so my heart goes out to you. My biggest problems are (1) I only write positive reviews so sometimes I don’t post for a while because I am going through a whole bunch of books that are not worth talking about and (2) I can’t seem to be brave enough to tell people I know about my blog. I really appreciated your perspective!
Ohhh, well I get it about the “telling other people” about your blog. It makes me nervous everytime, but it’s such a huge part of my life, some people can’t NOT know haha. Also, if you don’t want to post reviews about books you did not enjoy, did you try out writing other kind of blog posts like tags and discussions? If that’s your kind of thing 🙂 Thank you for your comment <3
Exactly! And not just book blogging..blogging of any kind is everything except easy. Its been only a month since I’ve started blogging and after reading this post I think I have a long way to go. *sighs*
Ohhh no, don’t sigh -yet! haha. I feel like I made this sound excrutiating ahah, but I love blogging with all my heart. Of course there are expectations and disappointments, but connecting with other bloggers, writing blog posts and sharing hte love about thing we love is the best thing, and it’s a lot of fun 🙂
Completly agres! Mi blog os about fashion and travel , and it is young by now, but I can remember my first expectativas and they were the same as yours. Really great job!
https://lachicadelamaleta.com/
Thank you! 🙂
Great post! I only started blogging last week and it’s already becoming my life and I haven’t even written my next post yet! Haha 🙂
Thank you, I’m so happy you liked this. post 🙂 I hope you’ll love blogging! 😀
It’s Selma again. Thanks for replying to my post. Well see, there you have it. You replied to each and every person who left a comment. That takes time. Don’t know if I could follow in that way. But I know that here is where the fun lies. Perhaps because I haven’t had THAT particular experience (of having to reply to comments) but some days I don’t even know where the reply button is (?)
I want to be able to interact like you are here. I want part of that fun too. Maybe one day…
And how do you go about getting WordPress to put you on their Discoverable LIST??
In the SHARE portion, I tried Sharing to WordPress in hopes of getting on that Discoverable LIST, but that resulted in a new link title on my website. Not what I expected. I want to make that list so others can find me and read me. But HOW!?
I think I want to reblog your post. Yes, please let me do that. Thanks. Selma
It does take a lot of time and energy to answer to every comment, but I love doing it and it’s part of the reason why I love blogging: to interact with people 🙂
I wish I could give you a tip about that, but to be honest I have NO idea how that happened…
And of course, feel free to reblog this if you want to! Thank you so much for all of your support, it means the world to me <3
This really resonated with where I am now. I feel like I’m sinking and not really making any progression. I always thought I was a really positive person but this is tough.
Ohh but keep on being positive! Blogging is and should be a lot of fun. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other bloggers, write what you love and be positive about it all 🙂
Thanks you!
You’re welcome! 🙂
I just started blogging few days ago and this post gave me so much insight as to what i really should expect ?
Welcome!! I hope you’ll have tons of fun blogging and I’m happy this could be helpful 🙂
LOL at “making it at my spare time,” because blogging consumes your ENTIIIRE time! Hahaha
Hahaha right? It consumes allll of our time haha 😛
I laughed so hard at this post! This is by far the most relatable post I’ve come across on WordPress. It’s well-written, funny and insightful too. Loved the quotable bits too.
Oh thank you, that’s so, so sweet of you to say <3 <3 I'm really happy you enjoyed this <3
I would have never guessed that English isn’t your first language reading your post. But I can relate to how hesitant I felt on posting anything online because of that very issue.
Oh thank you <3
Nice post! I started my blog a month ago for the sole purpose of encouraging myself to read more and to also find like-minded people in the process. Since both things have happened, I consider my blogging experience so far to be a massive success despite only having 1 follower to show for it 😛
Oh thank you so much, Bridget! I’m so glad to hear you’re having fun blogging so far and hope you found tons of great books to read in the process 😀
I can definitely relate to this. When I first started blogging, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I just knew I wanted to write and I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to write about. But, I didn’t realize what it would become for me, which is actually great because I enjoy it so much. Especially because the community here is always so nice and welcoming.
I’m so glad you could relate! <3 It's so good that reality is so lovely, and the community so good and welcoming – it's part of the reason why I love blogging so much <3
Me too. Knowing there are people who read your work and love it definitely keeps me wanting to continue blogging and gives me a reason to love it even more.
Love this post! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your honesty!
AW thank you, so happy you enjoyed this 🙂
Hey Marie!
Great post! Just like you I feel like I need to obsessively perfect every post before I publish it which is most often a barrier to me publishing frequently. I tend to also have writers block and I worry if every post is good enough. I am trying to change my thinking and be myself when I post because at the end of the day it’s your writing and what your interests are that will make you stand out on your blog.
Best of luck!
Thank you so much! Exactly, in the end, your blog is for you and it’s up to you to write what inspires you and you make your blog shine by being yourself 😀 Thank you! <3
I just found your blog and felt the need to comment that I really enjoy your posts!
Oh thank you, so happy you liked this 🙂
Hey Marie, this is exactly what I wanted to read about and you just made my day… Uh actually night ;).
I have joined this platform today in the hopes of becoming a book blogger. I can read upto 2-3 novels a day, especially if they are part of the same series, have been doing so for 2 years now and since a few months I wanted to start the blogging my views. Well, it was good to hear that the community here is welcoming and I am hoping to gain some great friends.
With Love,
Kritika
From India 🙂
Ohh welcome to the book blogging community – I hope you will have tons of fun blogging and talking about the books you love 🙂
Thank you so much, Kritika! 🙂
Completely agree with your post.. ?
Aw thank you 🙂
Awesome post. I recently started and all you said is correct. It’s about enjoying the community.???
Thank you so much! <3
Great post!
Reality with great sense of humour thrown in. I am back to blogging again and I expect nothing but to have fun and meet greet people in the community.
Thank you so much, Jane! 🙂 I hope you’ll have loads of fun blogging again! 😀
So true! I’ve recently started my book blog, I have around 3-4 book posts so far (it’s not entirely about books), but since it is in my native bulgarian language, I assume I won’t be gathering many many visitors 😀 Still, I do enjoy every second spent managing my blog. Keep up the good work 🙂
Ohh, well as long as you have fun writing, that’s what matters 🙂 Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3 <3
I am new to blogging, just really wanted a new platform to share my thoughts and inspirations. I loved what you wrote and I am feeling inspired. Just a few days in and I am starting to feel like part of a community!
Oh thank you so much, I’m so happy you’re feeling inspired and hope you’ll have fun blogging 🙂
Well written
Thank you! 🙂
This is fantastically on point! I really do empathise with everything you say here. That feeling when you’ve invested god knows how many hours into a book review, only to receive very little traffic/feedback afterwards can be… quite demoralising, to say the least. I’m a lit blogger from Hong Kong, where English reading isn’t the most prevalent activity, so the struggle to establish an immediate community is real. Baby steps, though! It’s approaching 2 years since I first started, and I’m determined to keep at it 🙂
Would love some feedback on my blog as well, if you ever happen to drop by: https://classicjenisms.wordpress.com/
Thank you so much, Jen! I hope you’ll keep on blogging, the book blogging community is big and I’m sure you’ll find your kind of people 😀 I hope you’ll keep on having fun 😀
So great to read something that shows I am not alone in my dreams and worries about blogging! Reactivated my blog in January and feel I am my own worst enemy with all my ‘having to get it right’ hang ups. Mine is a little bit of a hotchpotch of topics at the moment, am trying the approach of writing about whatever I feel like and hoping that in time it narrows down to a more focused blog ha ha! Thanks for sharing this honest and funny post 🙂
Ahah we really are our own worst enemies when it comes to blogging – I guess sometimes we can’t help but be hard on ourselves, maybe a bit too hard. Thank you so much for your sweet comment, I hope you’ll keep on blogging and loving it <3
I’m new to blogging and I love reading, but I don’t think it would fit into the theme of my blog (being an expat in Sri Lanka). Maybe if I can find some books about the country it would be lovely to give it a shot.
Well to each their own after all, you can blog about whatever you feel like, and maybe throw in some interesting books about the country you’d like to talk about 🙂
I enjoyed this post and totally agree. I have longed to start a blog for sometime. The most difficult part for me has been finding my niche or voice. I blog primarily about family and our adventures and thought, how hard can it be, its my family!?! Boy was I wrong!
Hahaha, well any topic we want to write about can get hard at times 🙂 Thank you so much <3
I want to start blogging and have written my first blog but not published it because I haven’t finished putting up my profile. This was a really useful blog to read and your English is great! Thank you for this post.
Oh thank you so much, glad this was useful 🙂
A great post that came at the right time for me! I’ve only just started in the grand scheme of things and felt like I had an original idea (pairing books with a suitable whisky). I’ve found, like you, that it isn’t the reviews that tend to garner most of the attention.
It’s damn hard to take – but I guess we don’t know what we should expect when it comes to blogging.
Your site is a great example of what a blog should be as far as I can see, and your honesty is a stunning breath of fresh air.
Best of luck keeping it up
Oh thank you, glad you like it! I hope you’ll have tons of fun blogging, and thanks again for the sweetest comment <3 <3
Thanks for this, I just started blogging 3 months ago. It has been a challenge but I love it so far.
Oh thank you, so happy it was helpful! I hope you’ll have fun blogging 🙂
Haha I love this! I’m over here cracking up and crying with you…I just started my blog all over…
Haha thank you so much! <3
<3 🙂
Blogging has always been a cherish-able hobby for me. I have skipped from various themes and genres and still exploring. Your post clearly shows that you have gone through test and trial and I feel like learning is the best thing you can achieve at the end of the day.
Glad I came across such a beautiful blog. Keep inspiring!
Oh thank you so, so much, I’m so happy you liked this post <3 I still learn a lot every single day about blogging 🙂
I enjoyed reading your post. I’ve just started blogging the next chapter of my life, but now you’ve made me want to start a book blog!
OH thank you so much! I hope you’ll have fun blogging, whether you want to book blog or just blog 😀
Hi Marie, great that you went for your vision. I am myself not a native English speaker and decided to blog. You´re doing a great thing by inspiring others for what they want to put out there.
OH thank you so, so much, so happy you enjoyed this post! <3
Oh this is very true. I had the idea that content would suffice. I still hate having to take so much time to play with SEO settings!
Haha, there is so much more to do when you’re blogging, right? It’s crazy.
Reblogged this on JAMES DANIEL BLOG .
ha ha ..Thoroughly enjoyed going through your post..some very serious stuff told in such a lighter manner..Good job !
Thank you! 🙂
I just started blogging about two weeks ago (which you can tell when looking at the overall appearance of my blog?) and I am still trying to find my footing. I am a German living in the UK and English isn’t my first language neither
Wooow… Pressing send too early? so to finish my comment of, while English isn’t my first language either, which naturally (at least for me) makes you quite conscious about your writing. But from the little I have seen so far I totally agree that the community is massive and extremely forthcoming and open for newbies such as me?
Well, you’re not the only one conscious whenever you write – though, I used to think and overthink everything a lot at the beginning, and now I just, type away ahah. The community has been so welcoming and warm, I feel like it’s okay if I make a mistake. I’m glad that you started blogging and I hope you’ll have a lot of fun! 🙂
Thank you. Great to read just after posting my 1st book review.
Oh you’re welcome, I’m happy you enjoyed this 🙂
I’ve always been someone to review books after I’ve read them. I frequently use a journal to write all my reviews. I never considered blogging to share my thoughts and ideas about the books I’ve read until I came across blogs from people like you. I think everyone has an idea about what blogging should be like and how it’ll affect or change them, but the problem is, we don’t know how the blog or how we will change and grow as time goes on. There are many expectations I have about my blog, but only time will tell.
Ohhh well, if you like to write book reviews, you’d love book blogging for sure 🙂 Definitely, everyone has their own ideas on blogging at first and time changes a lot of things! 🙂
I’ve been book blogging for 3 years – and was doing okay, until I tried out self-hosting, didn’t like it, returned, but had already migrated my followers so lost all of them effectively – so I am, in a way, starting again. Part of me is angry for being so silly, but another is calm, seeing it as a way to immerse myself more in the book blogging community. It’s helped me consider trying to do more posts other than book reviews, discussions and such, but even that seems difficult at the moment. There’s so many things to consider about blogging, and thinking of more post ideas is just one of them. Hopefully I’ll soon get back on track.
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear this happened to you. I hope that you’ll get back on track soon and with motivation and love for blogging and the blogging community 🙂 <3
This is great – I am approaching my fourth year of book blogging and I have gone through many of the same thoughts and experiences as you. I think it’s really important to see that blogging is a hobby, but I, of course, am totally consumed by it! But it helps to keep it in perspective. My favorite part of blogging is interacting with all the other bloggers. I am so thrilled to be in a community in which everybody is positive and supportive. Negative comments simply do not exist. Happy reading and reviewing to you – so glad to have found your blog!
OHh thank you so, so much, this makes me so happy 🙂 It’s so great to see such a supportive community and interacting with everyone is the best, I agree! 🙂
Oh my gosh, Marie!! I leave for like a month and then you become this famous blogger?? 😉 The response to this post is well deserved though! Because it’s so comical (with the graphics) but relatable at the same time. I 100% agree with the “I thought blogging was easy” and “I thought I was alone” points. And though I wish my review posts were appreciated more (because they take forever to compose!), I admit I’ve noticed that I gravitate towards reading posts that aren’t book reviews, too. XD
Anyway, I’ve missed talking to you! Hope that you’re well. <3
– Summer
Haha oh no, I’m SO far from being a famous blogger! I just got lucky with this post for some unknown reason, I’m glad to have all this positive feedback but I’m not fooling myself into thinking I am that famous ahah 🙂 Thank you so, so much, I’m so glad you enjoyed this post! <3
I have missed talking to you too SO much! I'm doing pretty well, how about you? Are your exams and finals done? <3 Sending you love! <3
Hehe, well in my book you’re a popular/famous blogger, Marie! 😉 <3 And everything has been well, thank you! I took my last exams earlier in the month and I'm officially out for the summer. I'm hoping that all is well with you as well? <3
Aww you’re so sweet, Summer, thank you! <3 <3 <3
Oh I'm glad, you must feel better now that the pressure is off a little bit! I hope you'll enjoy your summer! 🙂
Everything's okay, work is a bit exhausting but well…I'm trying to adult the best I can ahah 🙂
I am honestly always so happy whenever I see a Nick Miller gif! I loooooove him!
As always your thoughts were very much on point and something I can totally relate to. I was sure no one would read my posts and that I would give up a couple months into the journey. I imagined it to be much easier too, but I don’t regret diving into this world at all. Great post!
I LOVE HIM TOO SO MUCH ahah <3 Thank you, Kat!! <3 <3
Reblogged this on คุณแม่หลังยาว and commented:
Love this post :}
Haha first I had like so many ideas for new posts and now.. and the time gosh so many hours for just one post. But I think we can agree that it’s worth it. Great blog btw!
It takes SO much time but yes, it’s worth it if we are having a great time 🙂 Thank you so much!! <3 <3
This is awesome post.
I recently started book reviews blogging.
Being a newbie hope I could make it long lasting.
I liked your post, thank you for sharing it. 🙂
Oh thank you so much, glad you enjoyed this! I hope you’ll have fun blogging 🙂
I love this. As a book blogger, i can relate to this post so much i almost cried! Book blogging is not easy i wish more people knew that. No regrets though hehe
Ahah right? It’s such a CRAZY thing to be a book blogger, but we woudn’t change anything 😀 Thank you so much for your comment! 😀
Always a supporter. Love your writings so much x
Oh thank you, this means so much to me <3 <3
Much welcome!
I am a pretty new blogger and honestly had no idea how consuming it would be! I am finding that in my excitement for authors asking me to read and review or post for them, I have most definitely over committed myself and need to start being more selective so that I can enjoy it more, rather than worry about meeting deadlines all the time.
I also thought that reviews were the ultimate post, but now realize that I need to change up my content and start sharing my thoughts, opinions and creativity outside of just reviewing.
Thanks for sharing this!
It is hard to know just how much time it will take when we first start! It’s good to try and take a step back once in a while and remember why we enjoy it doing this and that it shouldn’t be a chore and a rush to meet deadlines all the time 😀
You’re welcome, thank you for commenting! 🙂
I’m book blogging for kicks and have really no real idea or plan as to go about it. I thought it would be easier than I’ve actually found it to be. I’ve also found time to be a huge issue – I have lots of ideas on what kind of things i’d like to post but the time to actually do them is another story.
OH, yes – I thought blogging would be much, much easier than this as well. It takes so much time to put into words all of the ideas we have, that’s for sure! But in the end, it’s really worth it if we have fun, right? 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment <3 <3
I agree with everything you said. My friends and I created our blog a little over a year ago and were just talking about how it’s starting to feel like a second job instead of a hobby. It’s good to know that we aren’t the only ones who have had their lives consumed by their blogs.:)
Ahah oh no, you’re definitely not alone! 🙂 Thank you so much for your comment, and I hope you’ll have fun blogging 😀
Marie I’m laughing hysterically at the ‘I thought book blogging would be easy’ and ‘I thought it’d be a fun hobby’ ones because SAME. I did not anticipate how much time, work and energy it would cost, though it’s all worth it I definitely didn’t expect it haha
Hahahaha, I’m glad I made you laugh! It’s crazy how fun and easy I thought it’d be, and how it is well…still a lot of fun but also much, much harder than I thought it’d be 🙂
It is nice to see so much mutual support and encouragement. Keep the good juices flowing people.
Aw thank you so much! 😀