Time to break out the jam tarts and start whispering secret confessions about #BookBlogging.
Because everyone loves a good confession, especially when it’s on my blog because you all think I’m perfectly fantastically flawless * and your evil little eyeballs are jumping at a chance to know all the things. And I’m entirely sure you all have QUESTIONS about my blogging life. Perhaps you have made assumptions. Perhaps you are curious. Perhaps you are none of these things but accidentally clicked on my blog because you were looking for an analysis on Nick Fury of the Avengers. But instead you got me. **
BUT WELCOME ANYWAY. Let’s spill these secrets! And eat tarts! Because WHY NOT.
* Which is actually still true.
** You’re welcome.
1. I DON’T ORGANISE BLOG PARTIES OR EVENTS OR DO COLLABORATIONS BECAUSE #LAZY.
When I started blogging, I was a regular HUB OF ACTIVITY. Blog parties? Gotcha. Collaborations with other excellent bloggers? We’re doin’ it. Huge blogversary celebrations? For sure. Book tours and interviews with authors and giveaways? ALL OF ‘EM.
It was an awful lot of work back then and I didn’t even have that many participants. So wouldn’t it be even more rewarding and more fun and more excellent to do these things now? WELL HECK YES IT WOULD BUT IT DOESN’T CHANGE THE FACT THAT I AM SUDDENLY SUPER LAZY. Dude, posting three times a week is exhausting enough, let alone being prepared in advance. Do you know my blog organisation skills consist of shouting at my dog to type up a review while I pet my bookshelf? Now you do.
I think I got old. Who is that little granny over yonder beating up planets with her cane?
Oh. It me.
2. I BARELY EVER BUY BOOKS.
If you’ve seen a picture of my bookshelf (stretch your eyes to the title photo of this post, you mulberry) you’re probably thinking, “BUT CAIT YOU HAVE SO MANY BOOKS????” It’s true. I have been ridiculously and enormously and incomprehensibly blessed as a book blogger. I’d estimate about 60% of my books were sent from publishers. Perhaps 10% are gifts from friends or giveaways I’ve won. And 10% are from library sales which means we’re talking 50 cents to $1 per book. And 20% I bought full price from the bookstore I freelance blog for in exchange for book vouchers.
Except for those library sales, I barely ever spend money on books. * Thrifty bookworm winning here. Which is good because I am the poor.
* Except for THE RAVEN KING, YO. I was buying that the second it was available at the Book Depository, you better believe. DASHED BE ALL OTHER NEEDS IN MY LIFE.
3. I HAVE A VERY STRICT UNORGANISED SCHEDULE.
True story, bro. And you think that phrase doesn’t make sense? WELCOME TO THE PHENOMENON THAT IS ME. But see let me explain:
On one hand: I post at 7:00pm exactly without fail, every single time. I have specific kinds of posts to go up on specific days. I upkeep my social media accounts only at specific hours. I AM LIKE THE CLOCKWORK BEAST OF AWESOME.
On the other hand: I have no idea what I’m going to post ahead of time. I schedule posts 2 mins in advance sometimes. I occasionally weep because I have NO IDEA WHAT TO BLOG OR TWEET OR WRITE ON AN INSTAGRAM CAPTION. I just sit there staring at my screen wondering what fried pretzel made such a strict time schedule for their self but neglected to COME UP WITH CONTENT.
It’s a mess around here. An adorable mess, though, because I am pretty adorable.
4. I NEVER WEIGH IN ON IMPORTANT TOPICS.
Twitter is always exploding with dramas. Sometimes they’re actually needful ones that raise awareness or tackle an important issue! 98% of the time I have Very Strong Opinions. Do I blog about them? NO. Do I even tweet about then??? NOOOOO. I DO NOTHING.
This is 50% because someone else has already very articulately said what I think anyway so shoo, go read their blog post instead and leave me alone to eat a cupcake like a child. And it’s 50% because do you expect me to say something serious and poignant???? That’s not on my resume. Like I’d check and see if it’s in the fineprint, but THEN I’D HAVE TO LEAVE MY PILLOW FORT AND THAT’S NOT HAPPENING.
I’m too young and full of nonsense for all this.
ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF ME BLOGGING
5. I PLAGIARISE MYSELF CONSTANTLY.
When you’ve been blogging for 5 years…YOU GO A LITTLE INSANE you start to realise you’ve talked about just about every aspect of a book. * And sometimes you sit down to type up a post and you blink and say, “Well, I got nothing.”
Or, if you are me ** you end up writing a BRILLIANT and INSPIRED post and then randomly search your own blog because something about it felt familiar…only to realise you’d already written about this. THEN YOU CRY TO CHOCOLATE, BECAUSE CHOCOLATE UNDERSTANDS. And then you post it anyway. And see if anyone notices mwahahaha.
But seriously, I should take legal action against myself. I’m terrible.
* Not strictly true. I have yet to discuss DECKLED EDGES ON PAGES! Which is obviously a crucial topic and I’m neglecting the Deckled Edges fandom by not speaking on it. Sorry.
** Ugh. I hope not. One of me is quite enough irritation for this galaxy.
6. I HAVE 0% CARE OF RUDE INTERNET PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY ARE TURNIPS.
Last year I was crying over troll comments on Goodreads. This year I just revert to 19th century speak because it’s very satisfying when you’re mad. Life is too short to cry over what nameless internet turnip-heads think. Life is too short for turnips in general. Like seriously WHAT IS THE POINT OF A TURNIP?? (I digress, I’m sorry.)
7. I’M NERVOUS OF OTHER BLOGGERS WITH BIG FOLLOWINGS.
“Well, um, Cait,” you say awkwardly, “I don’t know if you’ve realised, but you have quite a large following yourself??????”
YES THAT HAPPENED. But I still feel like a tiny small blogging creature who freaks out happily over any and every comment. Because someone likes my blog??? Ahhh!!! AHH!!! AHH!!! (It’s continually a surprise, honestly.)
When I see someone when many many followers, I always think “Ooh, I shouldn’t bother them. They’re so AWESOME.” Which is rubbish. I mean, I don’t feel that way. I want people to shout with me over turnips and books and utilising glitter as weaponry destruction. I want to be friends with you. I should real really stop being scared of other people and utilise my 9-step-colour-coded-plan-of-friendship to more internet people. It has a 5% success rate. Nice.
8. I’VE BLOCKED OTHER INTERNET CREATURES.
You thought I was a super nice person, didn’t you? HAHHAHAH. #NO.
Actually yes, I am nice. I pretend to be fearsome because I have a Slytherin image to uphold. But I actually don’t like blocking people. (IF THEY’RE EVEN “PEOPLE”??? They could be robots??? Or squids??) But if you’re spammy: you’re getting blocked. And I can’t even COUNT how many instagram users I’ve had to block for stealing photos. It’s not niiiiice. But I know where the block button is and I’LL USE IT ON YOU, I SAY, GOOD SIR.
9. I DON’T FORCE MYSELF TO ACHIEVE 1901%
Again, last year I WAS ON FIRE! And this year…I am on LESS FIRE? Which is okay. My blog is still growing, my stats are pleasant, you commenters make my day freakishly better every. single. time, and I love looking at my blog design. * Who refreshes Paper Fury to watch the arrow shoot across the screen still?!!! OH OH JUST ME? Oh. Okay then.
But this year I reminded myself that (A) writing needs to be a priority over blogging because HOPEFUL CAREER THERE; and (B) my blog will not perish if I don’t post everyday; and (C) keep it FUN around here, Cait! That’s the key to sticking to blogging for years and years and years. **
After trying to do EVERYTHING last year, I’m not a recovering overachiever. But I’m going to be the BEST and FASTEST and most SUCCESSFUL recovering overachiever ever. ***
* WHICH I DID NOT PERSONALLY DESIGN BY THE WAY. So I can compliment it and not be insufferably conceited. But if you think I have that much coding talent hahhahahhaha. Bless you, naive bean. I can barely type straight.
** OH STOP MOANING. PRETEND YOU’RE GLAD I’M HERE FOREVER.
*** Wait.
10. I CAN’T SHUT UP APPARENTLY.
Well this obviously needs to be said and I don’t think it’s a secret. Look how long my posts are these days. They are mammoth beasts of footnotes, random word trails that lead to cake, and completely IRRELEVANT discussions on turnips or how shiny my crown should be. * I just CAN’T STOP. And I feel mildly guilty for how long my posts are, but pfft. Life is too short not to blog happily and that is my goal here.
And also I JUST HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY!!! It’s not my fault!!! My brain is so interesting!!!! **
* Spoiler: very shiny. I was a magpie in another life — you know, loving shiny things and attacking people recreationally.
** Alternative words to insert instead of “interesting” are: mad, deranged, loony, slightly narcissistic, worrying, and turnip.
Everything I post has a certain day, but I usually do the last minute dance. Ha ha.
I disconnected from Bloiggers Commenting Back because too many people with Romance blogs and sexy NA blogs were leaving those cut and paste comments and I would rather spend my time making meaningful comments on blogs I have an interest in than running around going to sexy time blogs scrolling through their posts trying to find something decent to comment on.
I unfollow bloggers and authors who whine and complain about their lives more than they post about bookish/fandom things. Heh.
I cringe when bloggers use wanna and gonna in tweets and on tneir blogs. I cringe even more when authors set a bad example and use them in tweets. If you are not a preteen it’s “prolly” not a good idea.
I am awful. XD
Oh I’m glad we’re the same with our disorganised organisation.😂 IT TRULY IS A THING!!! Sometimes I wish I had like the week scheduled in advance?? But also: never going to happen hahha. *dies quietly*
I actually don’t get many spammy comments for the comment-back thing! Which is nice! Like on occasion I’ll get ones on TTT posts, but otherwise I seem to be super lucky and have stumbled across the genuine bloggers. IT’S VERY NICE. And very rewarding to comment back and make new friends. 😊
Haha, but bad grammar in tweets I’ll forgive if you’re trying to fit in the word count! 😂
Yesss this post is awesome! (I ocassionally watch the arrow shoot too so you’re not alone). I really like writing discussion posts, though they’re only occasionally controversial ones. Um, I’ve never gotten ARCs except a few from a friend of my mother’s who owns a bookshop (I know, it’s a good connection to have), because I can’t be bothered to work out how to do it and be professional. I have broken two ereaders in the last 3 months (one of them within a week of getting it. I know, I hate myself sometimes too). I don’t spend that much time on my blog, or really edit my blogposts. LIke, I do a little more than the bare minimum, but I don’t have every social media ever, I’m sorta slack at commenting back and so on (even though I do love blogging! I just like it to be stress free!) (I’ve also just seen my sisters post that wil appear under this comment #irony). I just blog about what I care about and try to do my best and am not at all professional. But that’s okay, and that’s what I like about blogging: you can choose!
OH PHEW. I mean, arrows shooting are really cool, right? We’re just igniting our inner Katniss. I’m pretty sure if I take up archery someday, I’ll be EPIC at it because I’ve watched my graphic-arrow shoot so much. #logic
Oooh, yes! Connections to bookshops sound WONDERFUL. I keep telling my sisters they should open a bookstore and then I can test-drive the books, but like, none of them are willing??? I have 4 sisters and they’re all failures?? What is this life.
TWO EREADERS. OMG. THAT’S TALENT.😂 Unfortunate talent… 🙈🙊
And I do get that struggle of keeping blogging fun but also investing tons of time into it! IT’S HARD. I put sooo much time into my blog I often don’t have time to read. Which feels weird, being a book blogger. hahah. But like I’d rather keep it FUN around here than quit because of the pressure. *nods* And whatever you’re doing with your blog is working because it’s a downright pleasure to read. 😉
I’m not a book blogger so I don’t really relate to all of these, but this was still a very interesting post, very fun to read!
Aww, thankyou!! I APPRECIATE THAT ENORMOUSLY.
Let’s get this one organized.
1. Is that you in the pic?! Did I just get to see Cait??
2. OMG THAT FOOTBALL GIF. That was amazing. But when it comes to blogging, I think that’s how it should be. Your posts are timeless and relevant that way despite the current events.
3. The fact that I have yet to encounter trolls probably just means I’m not a real book blogger yet. Should I be happy or sad about it? 😀
4. Despite trolls, actual turnips are kind of quite good. So, I’m a weirdo. I like broccoli as well.
5. Oh great, you don’t have to worry about me cause I have like no followers! (in fact, Twitter count has been dropping *cries in corner* Cait, be my fwiend T_T)
6. As an internet marketer, I can tell you that a 5% success plan is fookin’ awesome. Most internet stores only sell stuff based on 2%. Boring ass talk over.
7. INKHEART INKSPELL INKDEATH. I see that in the pic. Wait till I get there. (I actually have those on ebook)
8. Are you still with me..? I’m sure you’re not even reading anymore, way to many points 😀
9. If you are, well – I made my first blog post yesterday! And it’s totally crap 😀 LOVE MEEEEE ;_______; but I hear first blog posts are *supposed to* be shit. This morning I was happily looking at Analytics, filtering out the results by city and guessing which of my Twitter/Goodreads/real life friends those are. Ever done that? 😀
10. I’m done.
— @AvalinahsBooks
I LIKE LISTS SO YOU ARE 10000% PERFECT HERE.😂 And this made me laugh, omg.
yES. That is a rare Cait in the wild! Maybe one day you’ll see my entire face but also: probably not.😂 And I think it’s nice to have a few bloggers who like to just write about nonsense and fluffiness, right?!? Because we kind of act as an escape from all the drama. Although I seem to create my own inner-blog-drama by arguing with myself. What’s up with that? No one can know.
Ewww. VEGETABLES. The reason I use vegetables as insults is because I’m opposed to them. Although, cucumber and mayonnaise is quite delicious and I won’t say no to the delight that is fried pumpkin.
Ooh, you’re an internet marketer?! THAT’S AWESOME. And I didn’t realise success plans were so low. That’s….depressing.😳😳
ANYWAY CONGRATS ON YOUR FIRST BLOG POST! I AM OFF TO READ IT! WOOO!!! And haha, no I haven’t really tried to figure out where my readers were coming from.😂 Although when I started I had a LOT of Russian stats??!? But no Russian followers/commenters? Suspicious.😂
I agree with you on the blogs. In my opinion especially, a blog without a sense of humor is doomed. It’s why we’re here. They can read the news if they want current events 😀
You like cucumber! Lovely. Because my boyfriend doesn’t understand cucumbers. Been spending months trying to tell them they’re awesome.
I’m on the other side of the fence when it comes to mayonnaise though. One does not approach me with that stuff of the devil. Teehee.
Yep, I’m an internet marketer, worked in an agency for 2 years. Perhaps that’s why actually starting up a blog went relatively fast for me 😀 (not that I am satisfied with the results. Although is any blogger ever..?)
But when it comes to marketing, yep, a 2% conversion ratio (2% of the people who visit buy something or do something you want them to do) is pretty much normal. High in some cases. Working in an agency actually made me a lot more optimistic – I used to think, “Hey, THIS or THAT is impossible”. Now I’m more like “Hey, if you send out enough invites, SOMEONE will surely join”. Rule of quantities and numbers.
Also, lists. LISTS ARE THE WORK OF ANGELS!! Oh my god, I love lists so much. Checking items off lists… It makes actually doing dreaded tasks worthwhile. Thank god there are lists!!!
Although that also makes TBRs possible. Oh well. Two sided coin.
The Russian stats on your blog were probably bots. Somehow a lot of the bots will be Russian.
And thanks for visiting and reading my blog!! So lovely. I really appreciate it. And adding me on Goodreads! Thanks 🙂
— @AvalinahsBooks
How can anyone not like cucumbers?! THEY’RE DELICIOUS. Especially when they’re crunchy. TEAM CUCUMBER SNACKS. And I’ll just pretend you didn’t INSULT MY PRECIOUS MAYONNAISE so we can still be friends. *nods* (Although have you ever had homemade mayo?!? Because that is where the real glory lies.)
But that’s really cool how you can transfer your actual job skills to your blog. WINNING AT LIFE, EVELINA.
(I always figured the Russians were robots. Life is cruel. The Russians don’t truly love me. 😭)
Most welcome! I can’t wait to read more posts. 😀
I recently came back to blogging after a few year’s hiatus….having a young child and spare time did not exactly work well together! Now, I try to keep it very low-key, so it doesn’t become overwhelming. I blog for the pure enjoyment of chatting with other bibliophiles! Which means my blog is by no means fancy, but I kind of like it that way right now.
Oh I believe you! My older sister was a blogger and then a few kids later…haha, no time for that anymore. So blogging + mummyhood is amazing and good on you for coming back to it! And keeping things lowkey is just such a nicer way to do it right??! KEEP BLOGGING FUN!
‘i’m a delicate dandelion of niceness and mild evil.’ HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! I love this post! XD And don’t worry, I LOVE long posts 😀
Most crazily, ~Olve
I’M SO SO GLAD YOU DON’T MIND LONG POSTS. <3 And thank you. You're so nice! 🙂
I am also a frightfully unorganised humanoid. I realised the other day that I’ll have been blogging for a year in early November and I have utterly no idea what I’m going to do about it. Blogging is the first thing to fall by the wayside when life gets busy (though I do TRY to ensure that at least one post goes up a week).
80% of my blogging time is worrying about grammar, 18% is having no ideas, and 2% is actualy blogging.
Heavy topics make me nervous too. All of my Gothic fiction posts contain about a million disclaimers because THESE ARE NOT MY OPINIONS. THESE ARE OPINIONS FROM THE 17/1800s. “THE PAST IS A FOREIGN COUNTRY, THEY DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY THERE.”
I’ve completely given up worrying about grammar because I JUST CAN’T WITH THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. (Like that sentences…what is going on with that sentence? I think I rest my case.) And omg it’s hard not to put disclaimers everywhere too!! Like sometimes I feel like slapping disclaimers all over my blog so people don’t take me too seriously…but eh.😂 But OH congrats on your nearly-blogversary!!
My life is sooo unscheduled, you could cry. I buy 80% of my books and the rest 20% are from the library. Plus, book depository is freaking expensive and it doesn’t provide free shipping to India, so no hardcovers. *cries forever*
Omg Book Depository doesn’t ship free to India?!? THAT’S THE WORST!! I’M SO SORRY FOR YOU!! I thought they shipped to most countries honestly, gah. They need to fix themselves *nods* I use them only a few times a year. Like this year I bought The Raven King and I’m possibly thinking of getting A Darker Shade of Magic in hardcover as happy-Christmas-to-myself haha. But we’ll see. I probably should save.😂
Hey but at least we’re DEPENDABLE in our unscheduleness *hi vies* I mean, I’m scheduled but unorganised. I don’t even know how this works.😂
Never apologize for long posts. We all adore you and will read everything you write. You call yourself the queen but it’s kind of true. I even know people who don’t approve of much of anything who love your blog. You’re doing it right darlin’.
N’awww. *BLUSHES AND FLAILS HAPPILY FOR 8000 YEARS* But zomg I think I shall frame this comment UPON MY WALL because it’s just that encouraging. Thank you for saying this. <3 😊😊
Oh, Cait, we will never use the term turnip when referring to you!! 😀
Seriously, I do experience mild anxiety over such things as potential trolling, or rotten raspberries of spammers and thieves. (Thieves are only amusing to read about in an alternate fictional universe.) And although I have plenty of my own opinions on things, too – things that “actually matter” – I don’t like to say too much, either. Mostly that’s because the tone I want to convey in my blog/social media presence takes on a pretty light-hearted view, even when the topic is not such. And also, like you, I feel like it’s not my “job,” if you will?
Sometimes I can’t figure out what the heck to blog about, either!!! Lately, with the pressing need to prepare for the totally intimidating NaNo, I’m finding more and more of my brain being devoted to “real” writing concerns than what to put in a 500-word post. 😛
Agh, I agree! I will read about pirates/thieves/heists ENDLESSLY when it’s in a book. Dealing with them in real life? #nope It’s just so cruel to have hardwork stolen! (And I realise I am a walking contradiction hahah.) And I think it’s totally okay if we want to have lighter blogs, right?!? It doesn’t make us shallow or uncaring. It just means we’re providing a positive space for readers which I think is actually super nice. *nods* (Plus I’m always terrified that I’ll misread a situation and blog about it wrongly. I’m sooooo bad at understanding all the ins and outs of what people are going on about sometimes.😂)
And oh I HEAR YOU with the NaNo prep!! I’ve been so busy with that that I haven’t even had a chance to read lately. GAH!
I would much rather have some bright spots in my online life rather than having it be all heavy and serious all the time. And sometimes I just don’t understand people’s certain views or why they’re so fired up about something…so it’s better for me to stay away from those situations.
I’m really struggling with my NaNo prep. I’ve been doing a lot of editing, and feeling like it’s going well, but then I look at the calendar and proceed to hyperventalate. 😛 Here’s to us both taking deep breaths and hanging in there!
Confessions…let’s see.
I still can bring myself to use ‘text talk’ while texting. Skipping a period at the end is ‘edgy’
I scheduled all my blog posts…normally a week ahead.
I ignore tagging posts I’m tagged in unless I really like the idea. *winces* *glances furtively around*
You are AMAZING for scheduling a week in advance!! I met a blogger once who had the whole month scheduled out and I just…?? WHAT IS YOUR POWERS? CAN I HAVE SOME???😂 And I don’t generally get to tags either, hehe, so you’re not alone! I mean, I like doing them, but I also just forget ALL THE TIME. 🙈🙊
Well, I do scheduled blank posts for a whole month at one time (otherwise they mess up and publish when I try to schedule them) but I don’t add the content until about a week before hand. (meaning if I die, there will be several weeks of blank posts being published. *smirks* ghost posting.)
You are too great. Reading your blog posts always puts a smile on my face, I mean, your wit is just on point. I feel you though about the blog posts! I always try to post things on certain days but sometimes I just never know what to post until the last minute, or I’ll actually plan out what I will post and when but than never write it…the struggle. I should just rename my blog ‘The #Lazy Book Blogger’ it’s got a ring to it, right? Also, I tend to go on tangents a lot, that is, my ranting can get excessive when I write book reviews. It’s bad, just one thing about a book can confuse me or irritate me and I will HAVE TO go into a whole thing as to why I feel how I feel, making them seem more like rants than reviews…but also…I don’t care. If I want to rant about how I didn’t appreciate the scifi twist at the end of All the Beautiful People or how I believe Gone Girl is severely overrated, I totally will!
jfasldkfjasdlk THIS MAKES ME RIDICULOUSLY HAPPY, THANKYOU. 😊 And omg we just need to get #LazyBookBlogger on like TEE SHIRTS OR SOMETHING because I would wear mine all the time. 😂 And tangents? That’s like 78% of my posts these days, bahah. I just put in so many footnotes that literally add nothing to the story but THERE WE GO. And like who says rants are even bad?! I think they get a negative rap but they’re actually fun to write (and usually to read😂) and can be really informative too!
You forgot the part where an author tries to thank you (and by ‘you,’ I mean ‘me,’) for a review, and/or speak to you generally, and you respond like a socially awkward dingbat, and hope the keyboard will open out to another dimension to swallow you whole. BECAUSE HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO TALK TO HUMANS?! Most of the time I just have one word sentences and smiley faces, and a desperate hope that they won’t realise how completely inept at this I am.
But I do have a habit of diving in on the controversial stuff! Like, dude, I’m not going to get involved if you’re in a shipping war or whatever, but if you attack diversity, or say something bigoted… I’m going to have to say something. Just the way I am; how the hell is the world going to get better if I don’t?
And yes, that brings the trolls. But then you block and report their Nazi as*es. (Yes, Nazis. Actual swastikas were involved.)
Compared to what some people get, though? (Especially people of colour) The problems I have with the negativity vortex of the web are nothing.
Also, you have a large following Cait because a) we love you and b) YOU ARE OUR QUEEN!!!!! 😉
I ACTUALLY HAD THAT POINT IN BUT TOOK IT OUT IN FAVOUR OF ANOTHER ONE BUT OMG YESSSS TO THAT.😂 Or like when an author tweets me and I’m just all “omg. What do I say. how do i word. I can think of nothing. I’m leaving town. I’M LEAVING THE PLANET”. So SOCIALLY AWKWARD HI FIVE for both of us because we are winning by losing so badly.😂
I think that’s awesome that you weigh in for those things!! I love reading those kinds of posts, honestly, I doooooo. And I think some people write so well and articulately it’s just like “Woah, let me just point people to this post whenever they ask my opinions”.😂 Although sometimes I feel like no one is going to change their minds for controversial posts?? So it can be a bit of preaching-to-the-choir or whatever. But it’s still encouraging to make a stance.
N’awww. YOU’RE TOO NICE. Although c’mon we all know the truth of why you’re all here: YOU’RE WAITING FOR ME TO GIVE OUT FREE CAKE ALREADY.
Two smol things:
Okay I am REALLY INTERESTED in your strict unorganized schedule. You’re obviously doing something right (probably like eight somethings, actually) SO TEACH ME YOUR WAYS MASTER. I manage and balance my social media//blog//Etsy scales VERY BADLY but somehow you do it masterfully. Or at least you seem to. Which would be progress for me. SO THERE’S SOME NEW POST CONTENT FOR YOU THERE.
Second thing is: about the length of your posts: secret thing of doom here: I AM ALWAYS A SMALL BIT (read: really) SAD WHEN I GET TO THE END OF YOUR POSTS AND SEE THE ‘CHAT WITH ME’ THING. I’M LIKE “NUUUUUU I WANTED MORE I DON’T WANT IT TO END.” So make your posts as monstrous and gigantic and unwieldy and rabbit traily and footnotey as you want, dear.
It’s all liiiiies, I promise.😂 I manage NOTHING WELL. haha. I always underestimate how much time it’ll take me to do something and I end up spending hours when I thought I’d be done in like 20mins. My life. So sad. I’d do a post on it but I’m so inconsistent! Like some weeks I write up most of my posts on the weekend, and sometimes I’m writing my Tuesday post like 5 MINUTES BEFORE IT GOES UP AND YAY JUST NEEDS SOME STRESS IN MY LIFE. *howls*
Awwwwww. <3333 That makes me HAPPY. My posts get so close to 2,000 words these days that I have to go back and edit SO MUCH.😂 I'm glad you like it though. My heart is all the pleased.
Gah, THAT FIRST ONE!!! That’s me. I don’t like DO ANYTHING??? Maybe I should??? BUT I FdONT FEEL LIKE IT!!! *distant wailing*
THAT’S HOW I FEEL SO DON’T WORRY. I mean, it’s fun and rewarding if you DO epic things and also like BUT THIS IS TOO HARD AND I JUST WANT TO BE A POTATO. The struggle is real.
YEP. my case.
I have been blogging for 6 years now or more (like 7) and I think my blog is like not getting comments. Even tough I work on it and I love what I do. It’s like people prefer Booktube now.
I do all those things. I have a lot of ideas and such and talk about books gives me the life!
yay for cake
OH WOW 7 YEARS!!! YOU ARE AMAZING!! You are like the ultimate veteran blogger!! And I think comments do kind of wan in favour of like social media? It’s so easy to get a ton of comments on bookstagram, but I put so much more work into my blog and it doesn’t do as well.😂 OH WELL. Just means we have to network more, right?! But eeeep, books are worth it. <3 CAKE FOR US ALL!
We have stuff in common! I’m nervous about talking to anybody, no matter how many followers they have. I’ve been book blogging for 3 years, so I also get blogger déjà vu. I’ll start writing a post and then go, “Wait. I’m pretty sure I’ve written this already.” I write discussions on controversial topics, but I stay out of the Twitter arguments. Those are too intense for me.
Oh we are practically officially TWINS, Aj. *nods* It’s so awkward when you find yourself rewriting posts…but then I think, will anyone even notice? haha.😂 I think I’ve posted on the same topics a couple of times. BUT OH WELL. And twitter is just…woah. It gets so vicious so fast because there’s not enough space to articulate thoughts, I think. I keep my twitter strictly for nonsense flailing.😂
I saw the Cait’s eyes! I’m already shocked! O_O Heehee, you did that on purpose, didn’t you. XD
Please speak on deckled edges because I simultaneously love and am annoyed with them AND I NEED YOUR OPINIONS SO HELP ME HERE.
Also please share your 9-step-colour-coded-plan-of-friendship because I too am scared of all the awesome people. Like. Meep. (An author who is AMAZING and famous commented on my review of his book yesterday and I’m still flailing incoherently because it was so amazing. AWK HOLD ME.)
It’s good that you’re less on fire actually, because we don’t want our Cait to be a burnt Cake. *nods*
Waiiit a minute, you said that what is the point to turnips and then you said your brain is one. I’M SENSING SOMETHING ALARMING HERE. O_O
And I absolutely never talk about important topics. Nopity nope. Nevah evah. I don’t even talk about my OWN problems because gosh who would want to read about that. Ugh. …In fact, I don’t even know what I DO talk about. What even is the problem that is me. *twitch*
Loved reading this, as always. <3
ALSO TEN DAYS TILL NANO AND I WANNA HEAR ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE WRITING PLEASE AND THANK YOU! ;D
YES I HAVE EYES. TWO OF THEM. IT’S LIKE I MIGHT POSSIBLY BE A REAL HUMAN. AHHH. But I mean, don’t get too excited because I still might be partially a dragon. #legit
I LIKE DECKLED EDGES!! I think they’re pretty and all my Series of Unfortunate Events have them and they just seem kind of rugged and awesome. Also, looks aside, it’s just ridiculously fun to say “deckled edges”. I like it.
AWKKWKWK!!!! YOU’RE FAMOUS BE ASSOCIATION NOW SINCE THAT AUTHOR COMMENTED ON YOUR REVIEW!!! I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU, DEBORAH!! AHHH EXCITEMENT!!!!!
And no one likes burnt cake. *nods* I figure it’s better to blog less and keep going than to just vanish because too tired, right?!
AND I AM ACTUALLY CURRENTLY DRAFTING MY NANO PROJECT POST!! 🎉 So hopefully it will go up tonight. If I stop wasting all my time on pinterest trying to make the perfect board for this book hhahaha. #shame 😂
I’m glad to know book bloggers aren’t perfect. I’m thinking of becoming a blogger myself????? Any tips? Any suggestions on convincing my kind-of-internet-strict parents to let me?
Anyway, I loved this post. It made my day 🙂
We are definitely not perfect.😂 ESPECIALLY NOT ME. I AM A TURNIP. But oh! I hope you do become a blogger!! If you’re considering book blogging, you could tell your parents you’re going to analyse literature which is so totally English which is so totally a school subject. RIGHT?! WINNING. As for tips, I haven’t ever done a “how to start a book blog” post but I HAVE a post about why you should.😂 If that’s helpful.
You’re Slytherin? #represent *fistbump*
Also, I may or may not have already known that, but I have the memory of a confused goldfish.
“I’m nervous of other blogs with big followings.” WHAT? what is this nonsense? You are Blogger Supreme, you have nothing to fear. LITERALLY YOUR BLOG IS #GOALSFORLIFE. This is true,
YAAS SLYTHERIN FOR THE WIN. Literally for the win, too, since we will not stand for anything except ultimate winning, ruling, world domination, etc etc.
Pfft, I am a socially awkward turtle. IT IS THE TRUTH.😂 But bloggers are like 98% all incredibly lovely so I NEED TO BE BRAVER AND JUST ATTACK MORE PEOPLE WITH FRIENDSHIP.
YES YES YES TO #7 + #3.
i used to try and talk about heavy topics on my blog, but then i had a really nasty chain of emails from someone who disagreed with my opinion and that solved that. one day i’ll try it again, but for now i’m content to just hide in my hole and watch the drama ensue on twitter.
big blogs definitely scare me too. like i know they’re nice??? i just can’t get past leaving that first comment sometimes, and it’s horrible. I WANT TO BE FRIENDS BUT DON’T KNOW HOW.
another lovely post, cait! i love when you do posts in this style. ^-^
aND YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY, AH. so gorgeous!!
Omg that’s awful. I feel so bad for you!! I’ve had people rip me to pieces over goodreads reviews, but like nothing on my actual blog. I’d be devastated if that happened!! I think weighing in on important topics is totally cool and great and fine, but like NO SHAME to those of us who don’t want to, right?!
I’m so glad you liked the post though. <33 And SO MUCH RELATE to wanting to be friends with bloggers and not knowing how. Like I just stumble up awkwardly and yell about cake and hope that works???? I'm sure it will??? I mean, who doesn't want to talk about cake??? #SociallyAwkwardBloggersFTW
*GASP* My poor socks have never been so shocked in all their sock lives.
And oh my goodness, number seven is totally me… I’m so scared of popular people. Like, why in the world would they care about a tiny bean like me? So I normally don’t comment on their blogs and opt instead to just stalk them for eternity… (Your blog is, like, the only exception to that rule…)
However!! This post was absolutely hilarious! It’s good to know I’m not the only unorganized blogling! (Is that a word???) I know I’ve only had my blog, for, like a month, but I don’t think I’m off to a very organized and scheduled start, hahahahahahaha–*sobbing*
I APOLOGISE TO YOUR SOCKS. I HOPE THEY FEEL BETTER SOON. HERE IS SOME CAKE FOR THEM.
I’m glad I am the exception because nOW YOU KNOW MY SECRET!! I am a small nervous bean blogger too. So we can just be socially awkward melons together and get along just fine. *hi fives awkwardly*
Bloggling is most definitely a word. And if it’s not, WE DECREE IT IS ONE RIGHT NOW. And hehe, unorganised chaos works though…sometimes. OCCASIONALLY. *sobs because has no idea what is posting tomorrow* 😂
My socks humbly accept the cake with gratitude.
Oh my word, yeses! I’d love to be a socially awkward melon!!! They are the best! *hi fives awkwardly back*
Haha, yes! It is totally now an official word! And I am officially two days late on my Tuesday post so *sobbing dramatically*
Don’t be scared of you? You basically just confessed to being a reincarnated magpie. (I’ve heard a few swooping stories from my sister. What is wrong with those birds?!)
I don’t generally blog about heavy topics because 1) it can lead to drama, and 2) nobody reads my blog, so it would be kind of pointless for getting a discussion going. I definitely do have opinions, but they are subject to change, too… so I don’t want to entrench myself in one position, only to find in a few weeks/months that I can no longer defend it!
Omg I can add a million swooping stories SO YEAH TOTALLY DON’T BE SCARED OF ME I’M FINE. IT’S TOTALLY FUN TO GET SWOOPED. (*cries* because remembers one time a kookaburra [which is not a magpie but still — one bird is the same as all birds] swooped to get my food on a picnic and sliced my check open. FINE TIMES IN AUSTRALIA.) But yeah. Ignore that story. I’m great. Nice even. Lovely.
It is hard when opinions change! or when you actually aren’t very well informed about something and do this massive rant and then someone points out something and you’re like “WELL I’M GOING TO BE QUIET AND SHUT UP FOREVER” and it’s sooo embarrassing. I have done that. hahhah. Help.
So I very much agree with you on point #7. Like, these huge bloggers are so neat but in fact, I AM a tiny small blogging creature.
It helps to remember that we’re all just humans.
except for the spammers that tell me how wondering my “Jeniqua Writes-About Me” page is and how they “have few suggests to receive more traffic to your site.”
XD
I constantly feel like I am a small blogging creature too, so we can be small blogging creatures of awkward nervousness together. *comes to sit with you and also shares cake* And I’m pretty sure big bloggers don’t want to be untouchable anyway. Like it’d be lonely, right?!? WE SHOULD ALL BE FRIENDS.
And omg, haha, just delete all spammers. I had a spammer yesterday be like “Great post, Susan! Check out my car insurance blog!” and I just…no.
Maybe I should know this, but how do you get publishers to send you books? This sounds like a good way to flood my mailbox and distract me from the trials of my life. (Also I work cashier shift so I need books. A lot of books. Because I get three hours to just sit and read on Saturdays, and get paid for it, SO I CANNOT WASTE THIS TIME.)
Oh there are tons of tutorials out there! Just google how to sign up for ARCs and you’ll get some great step-by-step outlines. 🙂 A lot of publishers are looking for good stats, but I think that’s basically it? I started when I had 100 followers and got accepted onto some mailing lists!
I adore your design, it was actually one of the ones that finally convinced me to make the sidebarless jump (and yes your arrow is beauty). Also I always want to be friends with other bloggers, but I’m too scared to approach them. I don’t know how to make internet friends???? #sociallyawkward
Eeeep, that makes me VERY happy, Cassidy! THANK YOU. And also fun story: I was so scared to get rid of my sidebar at first.😂 Now I’d never go back. It feels more cleaner this way and focused on content, which is nice. *nods*
SOCIALLY AWKWARD HI FIVE. I blog loudly, I know, but I seriously am so shy and awkward all the time. Like what are words. How do we string them together not to make people run away. Come baaaaaack, humans, I’M BEING NORMAL I SWEAR.
#liesI’m a very loud person once you get to know me, but in new situations I tend to clam up, which is not the most helpful trait for reaching out to people. I was worried about getting rid of my sidebar too, but once I did it there was no looking back.
Great post, very well written and funny!
AWW, THANKS, SUZE! That’s so nice of you!
I really never look at follower counts, not even my own, as a lot of those followers are no longer active or simply started following for a follow back and don’t even read the blog. So it’s hard to determine who counts as a “big” blogger.
I think that responding to current discussions is actually a great way to create new content and not accidentally repeat yourself. It can also suggest investment in the blogging community and their current concerns. Everyone has a unique perspective, so I think there’s usually something more to add!
That is actually very true about the follower count! And a very wise way of looking at it. 😂
But ah, I mean, I think it’s great to add to current discussions if one feels comfortable with it. But those do repeat on a cycle a lot too. Like there’s at least one instance every few months when someone disses adults who read YA. It just keeps happening. *sighs*
Oh, for sure. I’m fully convinced media outlets just write those articles because they know they’re going to upset a lot of people and generate huge traffic. So I try to ignore them because those arguments are silly, anyway. Why does some journalist care what I read in my free time? And these arguments don’t only get recycled every few months–they’ve been recycled throughout history. The advent of the novel and then comic books were supposed to bring lowered intellects, moral depravity, and the fall of society, but we’re all still here.
EXACTLY. It’s just getting everyone in a frizz over nothing really. Like why do we even care what ONE article writer says?!?? I don’t know.😂 I’ve done one rebuttal post to an article but honestly, I’m good…for the next 900 years now. I’VE SAID MY PIECE. TIME TO SIT DOWN AND PLAY WITH CRAYONS.
Important confession here: I read a lot of your old posts. So, be aware, Cait, I know a lot. A LOT.
Actually, I just read them because I find your posts very inspiring. When I was first thinking about creating a book blog, I’d read your tips and reviews and this helped me a lot. When I entered the blogging world, I wasn’t completely lost thanks to your posts, hahah.
I think my confessions include:
– I never schedule posts earlier and I’m terrible at managing time. Honestly.
– When I notice that a post has over 50 comments, I don’t leave a comment because I don’t want to bother the blogger. I mean, you only had 50 comments to reply and now you have 51, what a burden!
– I have no idea how should you use Twitter and that’s why I hardly ever interact with people there. I wish I could have your creativity when it comes to tweeting!
OMG NOW I’M EMBARRASSED.😜😂 I hope the old posts weren’t too painful hahaah. But aww, you’re too kind! And I’m SO with you on managing time. Like I pretend I’m managing it just fine but really? No. I underestimate how long it’ll take me to do things ALL THE TIME. #fail
Aww, but don’t think that way about the comments for me, at least! I loooove replying even if sometimes I’m a bit slow because I spend FAR TOO MUCH TIME ON TWITTER. SHAME ON ME.😂 Which, speaking of twitter, I was the same when I started! Like wut even is twitter…and now look at me. Obsessed entirely.
Oooh, Do a deckled edges post! I love deckled edges. I found out my sister hates them though, and was like “WHY?!?!” She said she doesn’t like how you can’t flip through the pages as easily. I still love them though, whenever I get one I point it out to my mom, and she smiles because she knows it makes me gloriously happy. How do you feel about deckled edges?
Ohhh, I love deckled edges!! They’re different and that just makes me happy. I don’t think they’re harder to turn though?! Clearly you and I should start the deckled edges fandom. *nods*
While I don’t have nearly as many followers, I have found that the less I try to get followers, the more I end up getting which was strange, but I’ll take it! I also stay out of several of the important topics because that’s not what my blog is about. I love books and coffee and that’s that! Awesome design, I missed the fact you designed it. *hails*
Oh I find that too, actually!! I had a huge follower boom recently and I did NOTHING to try for it. I just whined about hard to say fantasy names and wrote flaily reviews.😂 Nothing makes sense when blogging honestly omg. hehe.
Books and coffee is a GLORIOUS combination.
(And haha, no, I was trying to say I definitely DIDN’T design it!!😂 My relative did!! I’m horrible when it comes to designing/coding. I know nothing.😂)
I love all of these! It’s so awesome to read that someone I see as a very successful, fun, book blogger doesn’t stress about it. Despite the content thing…you seem to take it very easy and just do what makes you happy, which is basically my mantra in life. I love books and words in general, but I will make myself happy with them first, before anyone else. Your happiness with/about books just seems to spill out onto your blog and thence onto everyone that reads it…I think that’s part of what makes your writing so attractive. Does that sound weird? I think it does, but hopefully you know what I mean. 😉
Also, yay turnips…now I have a word for random mean people that’s more appropriate but just as satisfying as the one I usually employ. Ahem.
AHH THANK YOU LIZZY!! And yes, I definitely try to keep the mantra of “write what makes you happy” around here. I love reading issue posts and posts on tough topics, but like I don’t feel driven to write them myself? And I think that’s okay! I think it’s totally fine to carve out a positive space on the internet for just book flailing (or ranting😂) and just enjoy ourselves. I’m soooo glad you think my blog is a happy place. THIS MAKES MY DAY. AFJDKASLFD CAKE FOR YOU.
It is so very satisfying to call people turnips. Seriously, insult with vegetables: it’s brilliant. Confuse and destroy <-- my motto
OH MY SWEET RASPBERRIES IS THAT A CERTAIN SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS I SEE ON YOUR BOOK STACK. You are currently being noted on my ‘favourite bloggers’ list. Just kidding, I put you on there ages ago – yes, I am your number one fan aha. I shall now go and post you some of my freshly picked blackberries from above ^
I never talk about anything in the real world because, um, what’s that again? Sorry, I’m too busy reading to care.
I don’t really buy books either; I mostly force, um ask kindly for my lovely mother to buy them for me, because I think it’s pretty fair that she buys them and I read them right? See, now everyone is happy.
Simi
And yes I did just realise I said blackberries instead of raspberries, BUT SCRAP IT ALL I SHALL SEND YOU BOTH.
I LOVE A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS. I’M COMPLETELY OBSESSED WITH IT. *shrieks* It was like the first series I ever collected and they all maaatch and afjdkasfdl SNICKET! SNICKET! ahem. *attempts to calm self in the Snicket fandom*
And omg, favourite blogger list?!? I’M HONOURED. CAKE FOR YOU MY FRIEND.
Hahha, yes EXACTLY. Like why discuss the real world when we can talk about fictional important things. Like unicorns and cake. #winning
And reading is GOOD FOR YOU. So it’s very good for parents to buy books and, like, grow their child’s delicate brains and all that. This logic is wonderful and sound. I KNOW.
Let’s be honest here this post is major non-sense!!! None-sense that MAKES SENSE and that’s ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS !!! Seriously Cait, your posts always have me hysterically laughingn abd even though they’re huge, they don’t feel like it becuae they’re entertaining.
I AM VERY GLAD YOU ENJOYED IT.😂 And I’m glad the length isn’t too intimidating!! I’m going to tryyyyy and post things that are a bit shorter. One day. I hope. I think.😂
I loved reading this list! I can definitely understand why you’d be nervous of other book bloggers with large followings- it doesn’t matter what you do, or how awesome you are; you’re always your own worst critic, and you’ll always have someone who you think is better than you. And that’s the way it should be; it keeps you humble.
And, for the record, I like your footnotes.
IT’S SO TRUE!! And I think all artists go through that right? Being one’s own worst critic and all that *nods* and especially if one is a socially awkward turtle on top of that. 🙈🙊
Also: SO GLAD YOU LIKE MY FOOTNOTES. Because I’m obsessed with doing them, ergo it won’t be stopping any time soon.😂
“recreationally attacking people” 😂 If ever there was an accurate description of Magpies, there is it. Your final picture gave me a semi-heart attack because I saw the Inkheart (whatever it’s called) trilogy there and immediate started shouting I’M SORRY I PUT YOU DOWN, YOU’RE NOT FORGOTTEN. Ahem.
I think it’s pretty darn impressive that you’ve been blogging for that long! I’m pretty much one year into blogging now (omg where did the time go?) and I definitely have days where I’m like, maybe today I should talk about the lack of dinosaurs in books and why mint Twirl bars are better than pineapple pizza (who in god’s name ever thought THAT was a good idea, sheesh).
I have to say, something I find helpful in the inspiration depressions is making a post (which I’ve actually done recently, look at me go, *fans peacock tail*) inspired from the Days of the Year website. Because then I have an excuse to make lists about chocolate and butterflies. And that is clearly the meaning of life.
ALSO WHAT, AN ARROW SHOOTS ACROSS THE SCREEN? I didn’t know this. Maybe it doesn’t work on iPads (which I’m currently using) *runs to computer*
OH MY GOD IT DOES. *squeals*
When you get too excited and spell your name wrong #sigh
Omg magpies are pure evil incarnate. Which is obviously not what I am *adjusts angel halo* So why did I compare myself to a magpie? WHO CAN KNOW.😂 😇
And omg I haven’t read the rest of the Inkheart books yet either so you’re not alone!!
Ahhh but congrats on your first year of blogging! THAT IS AWESOME. I feel like if you survive a year you get to be considered well and truly addicted, right? *nods* Nothing like being addicted. It’s wonderful.
Wait. Are you putting mint twirl bars ON PIZZA???? I FEEL CONCERNED.
Ooh, I shall look up this Days of the Year website then!! Because sometimes I feel altogether embarrassingly low on inspiration.😂 And making lists about chocolate and butterflies = the reason we are on this earth.
I’M GLAD YOU APPROVE OF MY VIOLENT HEADER. ISN’T IT SO FUN??? I LOVE THAT THE ARROW SHOOTS. :’)
OOH the arrow LITERALLY shoots across the screen! HOW DID I NOT NOTICE THAT BEFORE?! *refreshes page several times just to watch it* *feels a bit ridiculous but does not care*
ALSO THAT LAST PICTURE. All the gorgeous BOOKS *drools* (I am totally not biased because of ALL the pretty Cornelia Funke books in that picture, NO, why would you think that? XD)
Okay, gotta tell you something. Guess what book I have sitting next to me that I am going to read VERY VERY SOON. *points at the gorgeous Six Of Crows* I CAN’T WAIT.
YES ISN’T IT FUN?!?!? And pfft, you’re not nearly as bad as me considering I own the blog and YET I STILL LIKE TO WATCH THE ARROW SHOOT ACROSS THE SCREEN. So violent. So nice.
Ahhhh!! I need to finish those Inkeart books honestly.😂 #shame
AJFAKDSLFAD YOU’RE READING SIX OF CROWS!!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!! THIS IS A GLORIOUS DAY!!!!!
I love the way you write your posts and I come to look forward to them now. They are entertaining and fun! I could take a lesson from you. It’s like your personality is shining through (well at least I assume that are exactly the person that I imagine based on your writing style on your blog). 😉
I used to have a very strict blogging schedule, I accepted ALL review books sent my way, and I was excited anytime I could host a guest post/interview/giveaway. BUT… now I don’t do any of those things. I feel that I post when I have time or feel like it (new babies will do that to your life – completely unschedule you), accept only what I really want to read and only participate here and there for GP/INT/G. I’m not nearly as stressed and blogging has become fun AGAIN! YAY!
I am trying to catch up on ALL of the books that I accepted for review over the years (yes YEARS) that did not get read. I have a big back log because I didn’t know how to say NO. But I have learned to only say yes to things that really intrigue me.
Thanks again for a great topic!
Omggg, I’M SO SO GLAD YOU LIKE MY POSTS. <3 Honestly that completely makes my day.💕 Thank yooooou. (Although I confess I'm a total introvert IRL and I just let my wild creativity out on the internet.😂)
And omg I used to accept ALL THE THINGS when I started blogging. Like I thought it was a huge privilege to be asked to review books. Which, I mean, it can be? But also our time is precious and we don't HAVE to give it away for free if we don't want to. And I'd prefer to have a chill schedule and blog about what interests me in the moment than stress out too much.😂
I’m more go with the flow style now. Less stressful this way.
🙂
9 made me LOL. It’s so ACCURATE. Except for I just have like a week of ON FIRE and then a few years of not on fire. If I don’t overachieve then what’s the point, right? :L
Bloggy confession? If I’m ON FIRE(ish), I will literally spend every. single. second. of the god damn day on my blog, writing, editing, tweaking design, making headers, etc… and neglect all my other goals that are a high priority to me like writing my book.
Astrid
http://www.astridkaniele.com
It’s the overachievers CURSE HONESTLY. *sighs dramatically* whatever are we to do. IT’S SO HARD TO CHILL SOMETIMES, DANGIT.
And hhehe, I totally get that confession too! I feel like I’m either ALWAYS blogging or NEVER wanting to blog. Where is my middle ground?!😂
I love this post! So comforting that even the bloggers I look up the most aren’t perfect. My confessions are I never talk about important issues, not even with my friends because I don’t trust myself to word things in the right way. I always want to put in my say but than I back out because I am horrible at wording things and I’ll probably end up accidentally offending everyone and then I’ll have a hoard of people at my house carrying pitchforks. I have so many posts that I start thinking they were such a good idea and they were awesome and amazing but now they just sit half done and untouched in my drafts folder. It’s an issue. I also never proofread. I hate proofreading, I’m convinced I’ll find something horribly wrong and I’ll have to change it all. This results in several spelling and grammatical errors.
Definitely not perfect. NOT EVEN CLOSE. (Omg you look up to me??! AFJDLSKAD WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS INFORMATION HERE QUICK HAVE SOME CAKE MY FINE FRIEND.)
And yes, wording things the right way is very hard. Like I have All The Opinions, but there is a 100% chance I’ll say something I don’t mean on accident because WORDING IS HARD. It’s so much easier to flail over loving a book than talk about a topic where I need to actually put words in a sensible order isntead of just ajafkdlasfdja read it. <-- summary of my reviews 😂 And the internet is NOT forgiving to people who mess up and say something wrong. 😳😱 IT'S SCARY! I proofread and I STILL have all the typos.😂
Nooo, you actually do organise and get stuff done. You still participate in blog tours, you review loads of books and still make time to comment, Tweet and set up Instagram photoshoots which takes not only time but a massive amount of commitment. And you totally pulled together the Aussie Instagram challenge, forgetful Dory.
But even if you decided that this week you’re not blogging, you’re flinging books out the window so you can hunt for the new Stick that I’m certain you promised me, you’ve more than earned your blogging stripes and do whatever the hell you want. I don’t typically weigh in on drama unless it’s directed at me then I stand up for myself and people be damned. Some battles aren’t worth your sanity to fight and usually, common sense never prevails with some people.
Viva la stick!
HEYYYYYY YOU DID MOST OF THE WORK FOR THAT INSTAGRAM CHALLENGE! I just leant my pretty face. <3 Well. My pretty account? Haha. Ahem.😂 Aww, but thanks, Kelly, YOU'RE TOO NICE. And OMG YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LET THAT STICK GO ARE YOU.
Also I thoroughly approve of standing up for oneself!! But like, yeah, I mean, sometimes I feel like even if I do weigh in on the issues, whose mind am I going to change? Haters gonna hate, unfortunately. 😭
Oh Cait, I wish I could save money by reading books from library! If only there were any library at all in where I live.
And even though you have an unorganized schedule, you still amaze me with these topics you came up with! I’ve got no blog ideas lately (or all the time) and my blogging life is always dull! I don’t even know where it’s going. Books and travel? Books and films? Travel only? All three of them? UGH.
Not having a library would be awful. I feel for you!! 😕
And omg thankyou!! 😂 I TRY HARD heheehe. I generally pull topics out of the books that I’m reading, so that might help you too? It’s like an endless amount of topics if you do it that way. UNLESS ONE IS HAVING A HUGE MENTAL BLANK DAY. And I’ve been there. heh.😂
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll try that with the next book I’m reading 😀 😀
sorry to say that I top your not buying books.. 100% of books I read are not bought! 80% library and 20% ARC by authors or netgalley. No thanks to my accountant of a husband who thinks buying books we only read once is a waste of money T_______T
he says why build a library when you already have a good one?
YES YOU WIN.😂 But aww, I’m sad your husband doesn’t appreciate books…that’s really awful. 😩😩 My parents don’t understand why I need so many books but they don’t mind…I hope. I tell them it’s CRUCIAL FOR MY JOB AS A FUTURE WRITER. One cannot be a writer unless is surrounded by books! #legit
he does read… he just doesn’t believe in buying T_T
Cait, I love your footnotes and all of your creative insults! I smile every time I read one of your blog posts. It’s interesting to hear that you don’t plan out what you’re going to write yet you stick to your blog posting schedule. I mostly write book reviews and a few posts about my writing, so my posts rely largely on whether or not I’ve been reading or writing (which some weeks means the topics for blog posts are slim). I’ve only been blogging a year, but so far I haven’t blogged about any important/heavy topics.
As for my book blogging secrets, there aren’t many.
Confession #1: There are times when I don’t want to write a review for a book. I feel like I have nothing to say about the book and/or can’t put my thoughts into words. I’ve delayed writing the review for a book I finished over a month ago for this very reason. At this point, I don’t know if I’ll ever write the review.
Confession #2: I plan out a month’s worth of blog posts, but often don’t end up sticking to to the plan because I decide to change up the order I read books or some books take me longer to finish than I anticipated (either because life got busy or because the book is not as exciting as advertised).
Eeeeep. Knowing that you smile reading this mAKES MY DAY. IT HONESTLY TRULY DOES. *flails like a deranged grape* And yES isn’t my methods of blogging insane?😂 I don’t even know how I survive to be honest. And I think it’s totally fine to not blog about anything too heavy if we don’t feel comfortable about it, right?! It doesn’t mean we don’t care. It just means we’re not ready to weigh in on all the topics yet.
AWK, I’ve felt the same way as your #1 confession. Like some books are just super hard to review?!?!? Especially the “meh” ones like “hello I didn’t like this book for no particular reason THE END”. #dead
I admire that you at least plan that far though!!😂 I DREAM OF THAT BUT I DO NOT GET THERE EVER.
So here are my blogging confessions:
1.I’m lazy blogger , my last post was in July (I’m surprised that I still consider myself a blogger
2..I’m not very good at grammar
3. I don’t have a proper shelf.
I got whole list , this is just the short versions.
Short versions of confessions are equally wonderful. *hi fives* And omg grammar? WHAT IS GRAMMAR. I DO NOT HAVE THE GRAMMAR EITHER. So I’m with you.😂
I actually LOVE THIS. Though where is my ebook tutorial, you lazy bum?!?!?!! hehehehehe I’ll forgive you. If you post it this week. I have ebooks I need to share with the world, damnit!!!!! 😉
I actually agree with many of these, although I most certainly do BUY ALL THE BOOKS. It’s like an addiction. I can’t stop. I cannot walk past a book shop or supermarket without first checking out the books. And charity shops. Just ANY SHOP THAT SELLS BOOKS BASICALLY, I must go look. Because what if there’s something there I don’t have? Or can get cheap (true story: I got the entire HARDBACK set of Lauren Kate’s Fallen series for £10. BARGAIN). I am, however, slowly drowning in books. I will never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever (repeat infinite) clear my TBR. NEVER. I doubt I’ll ever even get it to a manageable amount. EVER. I regularly cull, I read as fast as I can….. AND NADA.
I, too, do not weigh in on important topics because I feel like I can never come across how I want to? And I might sound stupid? And everyone will hate me? The pressure is real, so I leave it to the authors who are so, so, so much more eloquent than I can ever hope to be. I just nod along or RT.
I am also inherently lazy, I have all these ideas, and I keep saying I want to do more than just write reviews (I want to be like you!) but then I can’t be bothered, because I suspect no one will read it, so what’s the point? And it’s a very depressing cycle. It’s also lots of effort. It takes a lot for me to come off as fun as you XD. It is not NATURAL FOR ME.
Please never shut up, because I love your posts, no matter how long or short, I could read your blog all day, if I didn’t have to, ya know, WORK and sleep and eat and stuff.
OMG I FORGOT ABOUT THAT TUTORIAL OMGGGG. I AM THE WORST. I’m making a note to do it. hahah. 😂 I told you I am the worst. My memory is so holey it makes a fishing net look like it has weak game. #legit
Duuuude, when one can get books at a bargain, ONE IS LIKE QUEEN OF BOOK BUYING. I bought the entire Shiver trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater for $30 last year (australian dollars that is) and omggg, IN HARDBACK. Usually they’re like $30 each. Winning at life.
And hey, there are worse ways to die than drowning in books. *nods* *watches TBR fall on head*
N’aww, I get how it can be depressing! Honestly it’s hard to build up a loyal following but YOU CAN DO IT. If my insane ramblings can get people commenting, than anyone can achieve this.😂
AND DON’T WORRY. SHUTTING UP IS BASICALLY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN AROUND HERE. YOU’RE ALL DOOMED TO BE STUCK WITH ME RAMBLING ON AND ON AND ON.
I don’t really ever buy books either now that I think about it. My friends always come into my room and remark on how many books I have, but, really, I never get rid of books, and when I do buy books they tend to be used, and my friends are also fond of giving me the books they don’t want anymore, and know that I won’t turn down free books.
There are quite a lot of ways to build up a good large book collection without spending too much, right?! LUCKY YOU TO HAVE FRIENDS THAT GIVE BOOKS THOUGH OMG. When I first started blogging I was really really lucky for some reason?! Because I won a ton of giveaways. Now I don’t win any.😂 But that sure did build up my book collection back then!!
LOL!
And I had to do a similar thing this year, where I cut back on blogging to focus more on writing. Even us overachievers can’t always do all the things. ;p
Alexa
thessalexa.blogspot.com
verbosityreviews.com
It BREAKS our little overachieving hearts to have to admit failure, right?! *cries* 😂 But HEY. We have to make priorities at some point!!
OMG, your post just made my otherwise good day. Thank you very much for the dose of humor you spilled in your posts. The moment I started reading it a big smile appeared on my face.
I can relate to half of the things you mentioned like deckled edges on pages … I don’t even want to start on this one and the beautiful organization skills you have I think that it’s the best way sometimes to go without knowing what are you gonna post because then magic happens. If there is even magic in our world… And last but not least usually I don’t even finish some long posts but yours they’re another story. You have a great sense of humor over there so keep up the good work and I can’t wait for your next post!! 🙂
Really? SQUEEEEEEE MY JOB HERE IS DONE THEN. *flails around wildly* And yES. Let’s just say we’re not disorganised: we’re magical. Much nicer. I like it. *flings fairy dust in the air* I’m like unorganised order though, which is confusing BUT IT IS HOW IT IS. MORE FAIRY DUST FOR ME.
Awww, I’m so glad my posts are the exception!😂 I do kind of want to trim them back, but omg, all these footnotes. I can’t help myself.
Such a nice post to write, it makes me a little bit less scared to comment on here. also YOU SEEM SO NICE, I wish I could gift you books also but unfortunately I’m also a poor bookworm x’)
My blog is still very young and small but I like it and there are already people buying and reading books I recommended so: JOB DONE *_*
again: you blog is so very beautiful and I can’t wait one day to hold a book you wrote in my hands!:)
Awww, thanks, Lucille and also I’M SO GLAD YOU TINK I’M NOT TOO SCARY. <3 I try not to be.😂 I mean, well, apart from shouting and throwing book recommendations around, but I'm sure all the nice people do that. #SeemsLegit
And it's completely amazing when people like our recommendations, right?! Most rewarding part of blogging of ever.
SO MUCH THANK YOU. CAKE FOR YOU.
Hi, hi. We’re currently typing this comment from our brand new laptop and as such there might be typos. We’re warning you because we’ve failed to comment on your last six posts ….Confession: We haven’t even read them yet because life ….and we don’t want you thinking we’ve been hijacked by manic gremlins with bad typing skills.
This post was a really great read because it’s so very relate-able and we love it. We definitely hesitate to reach out to other bloggers who have massive amounts of followers because we’re a tiny little dual perspective book blogging demon and we feel intimidated. Regularly intimidated.
The scheduling and posting…we’re right there. In fact, sometimes we don’t even know how long it’s been since we’ve posted something and then we log back into WordPress and proceed to feel shocked and embarrassed and stressed because we want to be good book bloggers. We do.
Aww, you don’t have to feel the need to catch up!!😂 That’s totally fine!! I appreciate any comment, typo or not, though. And I mean, come on, pfft. I AM THE TYPO QUEEN HERE SO YOU’RE AMONGST GOOD COMPANY.
And we can all feel intimidated together, right?! And eat cake of intimidations and whine piteously to each other about how SCARY THE WORLD IS LIKE OMG IT’S JUST SCARY. SOMEONE LEAVE ME IN MY HOBBIT HOLE. (haha, just kidding. I actually love making friends with new bloggers. <3)
Book blogging is a lot harder than people realise at first, right?! BUT WORTH IT, THANK GOODNESS.
Who even thinks it’s okay to just steal someone’s picture from Instagram? Or any other social media? I mean… the person can clearly see who’s the photographer so why not ask him? Or at least give him credit? Urgh I really don’t like these people.
OMG I want your library!!!! :O You’re quite lucky that you don’t have to buy a lot of books because those beats are expensive sometimes.
I’m totally unorganized. I don’t when I’m going to publish a blog post or what it’s going to be about, or when I’ll be in the mood for writing a blog post. I’m such a mess sometimes. 😀
DUDE, I DON’T KNOW. But I see people take photos off pinterest and edit them and stuff all. the. time. And I don’t understand how they think that’s different too!! Just because you see a nice photo doesn’t mean you can take it.😂 Not rocket science hahha. BUT YEAH IT’S FRUSTRATING THAT’S FOR SURE. (Especially when they cut off my watermarks! That’s like a whole new low…)
Omg books are definitely expensive. *nods* I’ve been enormously lucky in my blogging career. <3
*UNORGANISED HI FIVE* 😂
Hi Cait! I just discovered bookstagram a few days ago (!!!!!!!!!) and found your instagram and blog! So I’m really new to even just being a fan & I’d love to start a blog/ig one day but I was wondering — you said you see so many people steal your photos — I just wanted to know…. who?! I mean — what *kinds* of people steal photos that clearly have someone else’s bed/arm/dog in them?? Like — is it just bots??? Or is it people who pretend it’s their own photo? (which I really struggle to imagine because wouldn’t all your ig pals be like, ‘hey that’s not your room/bookshelf/cat’
-> I guess I am just really interested in what kind of accounts might steal someone else’s bookstagram image. I just feel like they’re so personal — usually in someone’s bedroom!
~love your work, peace
So I totally found myself nodding with a lot of these, the whole being sent books thing is great and I always thought when it started happening that I’d save money but no I still keep buying even more!
The first year of my blog I was on fire but I had just been made redundant so had time on my hands, now I’m in full time work I have to realise that meh my fire is a little out which is why I need to schedule more!!
Hehe, book blogging is just like the ROAD TO BEING BROKE. But at least having lots of books. #priorities And I think keeping blogging fun is more important than posting 39839 times a week and being EVERYWHERE. It gets exhausting after a while right?!😂
You have a 5% friendship rate?!?! How did you get yours so high? Mine is around 2.5% (and it’s totally not because I’m a vampire MUAHAHAHAHAHA). I have also been know to pile responsibilities onto my dog, but sadly he just usually lays there either (A) staring at me or (B) licking my foot. If only he had thumbs…
It’s high because I bribe people with cake. 10/10 would recommend buying you friends and then locking all the exits so they can’t get away. WHAT CAN GO WRONG WITH THIS PLAN. WE’LL HAVE TONS OF FRIENDS SO SOON. Aww, at least your dog licks you in response to your demands. Mine actually just sniffs at me and then leaves the room. Like seriously??? Who raised him??? Because he’s such a loafer. Eats my food, takes my stuff, sleeps in my bed, rules my life = NEVER HELPS OUT AROUND THE HOUSE.
“I HAVE 0% CARE OF RUDE INTERNET PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY ARE TURNIPS” AMEN SISTA
Honestly, these are all so funny and true to lots of bloggers, I love it!
Elizabeth
http://whimsicalthoughtss.blogspot.com/
AHHH I’M GLAD YOU LIKED IT!!
Hi, Cait!
It would seem I’m back! 🙂
Just wanted you to know that I tagged you for the Blogger Recognition Award in case you are interested???
You can check it out here: https://storyanddarkchocolate.wordpress.com/2016/10/23/my-second-ever-tag/
Aww, thanks so much for the tag! AREN’T YOU SO NICE.😊😊
If people are stealing photos or being awful or whatever, I think it’s quite fine to block them. It’s your life – you can’t appease everyone. PLUS, you shouldn’t have to deal with super negativity even if you do have lots of followers! Just keep the nice ones around. 🙂
-Lauren
So true! I used to give a lot of second chances, but now? Nope. Life is short and I’m busy and I don’t need to be swamped with anxious negativity!! YOU ARE SO VERY WISE, LAUREN.
I love confessions. It makes me think “yay, you are not alone in your massive amounts of weird”. Even if it isn’t the SAME weird all the time, it’s nice to know that others have their own strange bits too. I, however, share some of these with you for sure. I block people who cause me anxiety with unnecessary drama. It’s a very small number of people, but it happens. I also am afraid of big bloggers, but since I am not one that could be why hahha. I also plagiarize myself on the regular. And like you, I usually still post it hahha. Maybe with a few tweaks, but yeah. As for the controversial stuff, I weigh in if I feel like I will explode if I don’t. I TRY to stay out of stuff, because generally not much good comes from getting involved, but then there are times that I am pretty sure my brain will malfunction if I stay silent so… basically if I am saying something it’s because I feel very strongly.
My blogging confessions? Well, I feel like you probably know most of them. But it is mostly that I am a mess, but also completely obsessed with trying to do everything “right”, so those two things are incredibly contradictory. Like, I have no schedule, and like you said, come up with content about 2 minutes before a post happens. And in theory, I’d like to have things prepared but… I don’t. I just don’t.
Yaaaaas. I know right?! WOO THAT WE CAN ALL CONFESS OUR TERRIBLE DARK SIDES TOGETHER. Although, I mean, which one of us really has a dark confession? I don’t think anyone’s socks are shocked. omg I’m so lame. 😂 And *HI FIVES* for blocking drama llamas. I just don’t think there’s any need to subject ourselves to that. I also block anyone who reposts my photos without asking permission first (like when they’re clearly not doing a shoutout, they’re just like “Oh so busy today and here’s a cool photo!” while tagging me, but not DIRECTLY saying they didn’t take the photo. No second chances. Blockity block.) I used to be so much nicer honestly.😂 I’VE GROWN OLD, SHANNON. I FEEL GREY HAIR COMING IN.
Well your blog is one of my top favourites of ever SO YOU’RE CLEARLY DOING SOMETHING RIGHT. <3
Since your confessions were so inspiring I have to confess that I have the worst internet connection of the whole world, so I schedule 50% of my posts the same day *cries*
And to comment on blog posts I have to steal from my grandma’s wifi. There. I said it.
#sorrynotsorry
Awww, that’s not fun! 🙁 I feel for you. I would be very stressed with having good internet honestly.
Cait I love your blog so INCREDIBLY MUCH! It is, in fact, my favourite blog in the world.
I will read your posts and everything you write forever and dedicate every single cake I make to YOU! (or maybe I should just give you the cake….) TAKE ALL THE CAKE!!! You deserve it. ^_^
JAIMI YOU ARE TOO KIND TO ME THIS MAKES ME VERY HAPPY THANK YOU. <33 And I will happily eat the cake dedicated to me BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE MOST MARVELLOUS.
OOHHH is this confession time? Totally love! 😛 I’ve only been blogging for 7 months so I never been in any of your previous blog events, I wonder what kind of event you hosted?haha I’ve seen a lot bloggers host awesome events (like Aentee @ Read at Midnight) on their blogs and I always wish I was that creative :’) and omggg I envy you for getting free books! I hardly ever receive physical books for review (most are epub/kindle) and libraries in my country aren’t well stocked 🙁
Scheduling is tricky for me too! Like, some months I manage scheduling and drafting posts in advance but the other I just write my post 10mins before posting haha this is one of those month </3
Anyway I didn't realize your arrow was shooting until you mentioned it! I immediately refreshed the page to see it for myself… that was cool though 😛
YAS ALL THE CONFESSIONS WOOOO. Ahem. And aw, 7 months! That is awesome!! I used to host like blog parties and link ups and do massive giveaways AND IT WAS VERY AWESOME BUT VERY EXHAUSTING. I really want to try and do something again sometime though….just to see how it goes!
Omg some months ARE better for scheduling than others, right?!? This week has been a nightmare for me.🙈🙊 But ah, what’s blogging without a little bit o’ stress. 😉
Your posts literally make my day and have me laughing so much i’m crying to produce enough tears to hydrate an army. everything you write about is relatable even if it isn’t (that probably doesn’t make sense but i’m going with it. I’m very new to blogging so have not dived into the deep end of serious topics yet but i’m currently reading a book for an author and i’m kind of scared to write a review even though the book is really good because i don’t want to say something mildly offensive even though i want to make it an honest review. So confused and therefore am going to procrastinate it by writing other randomness and finding fan art.
OMG THIS COMMENT MAKES MY DAY. <3
And omg I hear you with reviewing books directly from authors! I'm actually a cheater and I stopped doing it (unless I go through a publisher) just because I pure can't handle giving an author direct feedback like that. I'M TOO NERVOUS. 🙈🙊
1. I’ll take part in blog tours if I’m excited enough about the book or the author is a great friend. But even that is a lot of wok. And since mine is a writing blog, I don’t like it taken over by other people’s books for very long.
2. I’ve already admitted to that myself.
3. That’s still more oraginzed than I am. I post once a week on whatever i feel like. If I’m up to it or have promised as part of a blog tour there might be a second one. And I either write them that very morning or preferable the day before. Which means I should do it now,
9. Since you didn’t actually do your blog design, there might not be any point asking you things about how it works. But I will anyway. What lovely thing do you use for comments? On most blogs you can either be notified everytime someone comments or not at all. But I want to know when someone replies to MY comment. And I’d like my readers (all three semi-regular commenters) to know when I reply to their comments.
Oh wait, there’s a chance it’s called commentluv. I’ll look that up.
That might not be the name of the particular bit I’m looking for but it’s led me to it. So thanks for, well, having a blog.
Ohh for the comments, I just use the automatic WordPress one, so you won’t be able to have that on blogspot. You can get that function if you use IntenseDebate though! It’ll email followers back just your reply. Hope that helps!!
Here’s a secret: I may come across as a really loud, exuberant person on my blog, but in reality I’m a very anxious small bean who is terrified of people. I never post reviews about books I didn’t like, just in case someone else read it and loved it, because what if that person posted a mean comment?? I never blog about important/heavy discussions because again, what if people don’t like my opinion??
I’m also a bit inconsistent with my blogging. I don’t have a schedule, and consequently I will post five posts in a two weeks, and then go five weeks without blogging. (That’s a bit of an exaggeration, but it gets my post across lol)
DUDE I AM 100% THE SAME LIKE YOU WOULDN’T BELIEVE. Except you probably would since you do it too. *hi fives* In real life, I am a very very anxious socially inept bean who often doesn’t talk. Like if I can avoid it, I just don’t speak very much. 😂 I feel like I get to pour a lot of energy into my blog, which I love and don’t regret at all!! But I’m much quieter IRL. And eeep, it’s so scary sharing opinions. I’m terrified of being misinterpreted or saying something accidentally that I don’t mean. LEAVE ME WITH CAKE AND MY NERVOUS INTENTIONS. *howls*
I totally consider myself to be a fluff blogger. I keep it light (and hopefully fun). I’m just not equipped to write super deep posts. =)
Which is perfectly fair, I reckon! We’re just providing a fun, safe place, right?!?
Well, let’s just say I’m happy that I’m not alone!!! Especially #4, which I feel a little guilty about, actually. Though I did speak up one time, and I think I have dislikers now because of it, so…. I suppose there’s a reason I avoid allllll of the “drama”, despite having a strong opinion about it. Also I barely ever buy books too, so we’re similar there. What we are different on is scheduling. I’m a bit OCD about planning out things, so I tend to be very scheduled… and when something goes awry, say an unexpected afternoon nap, for instance, then I do get a tad anxious and need to fix the schedule blunder ASAP! Also, I LOVE YOUR PHOTOS!! Gorgeous, as always!
Eeep, I hear you!! It’s so scary to get involved in drama and then get awful backlash. Especially if, like, I write something and don’t articulate my thoughts well enough? And then everyone is in a frenzy and I’m there like “THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEANT!! WAIT!!” because it’s haaaard to eloquently sum up thoughts sometimes!! Hence I stick to funny posts most of the time.😂 But hey, at least we’re providing fun spots in a drama-filled community, right?! *hi fives*
Aww, thanks about the photos! And right back at you! Yours are absolutely stunning.
OH MY GOSH I am full of confessions. Firstly, I loved how this title was like those spammy Facebook ‘Girl goes into bathroom. What she finds there will BLOW YOUR MIND’ except it never does. Anyway, here I clicked on the post and it actually amused me (socks still on though, sorry). Anyway, I do have a lot of confessions. a) I don’t read as much as I could when I have school (because I’m busy with homework and music and labs and tests and socialising every now and then (although seriously my 8yo sister has more of a social life than I do. You should see how many birthday parties she goes to. Spoiler alert: a lot)) back to confessions okay Shar stop your tangents. b) I review books in my holidays and use them over the school year (so I’ve just started new reviews after holidays and so all the other ones in the last few months were from june.) c) I don’t know what I’m doing with blog design… but I like trying. Speaking of that, I was going to try to make a blog button but hahaha ain’t nobody got time for that. d) I get most books from the library, specifically ebooks. e) I don’t know what I’m taking photos of but I like it anyway. f) I either super schedule my posts about a week beforehand or do it on the spot. g) I haven’t had as much time to read other ppls posts and it sucks. h) I often feel like I’m plagiarising people’s post nd panic a lot (or photos, specifically yours because there’s a lot of them. I’m not trying to copy your style except your photos are so great then it may happen accidentally but hey I try), Okay this comment is way way way way too long bye. *waves*
MWahahah, my CLICKBAIT ARTICLE!!😂 I actually had no idea what to do for the title of this post and i was flapping around desperately and this is all I came up with haha. Ahem. Your socks are clearly very sturdy of heart. (Omg, who are we kidding? This wasn’t even all that shocking.😂)
And tangents are like my middle name, so KEEP ‘EM COMING. Oh and I hear you about your little sister…my preschooling nieces/nephew have 99% more of a social life than me. Not that I’m upset about that. Because exhausting. But seriously. How do these small people manage to be everywhere all at once. HELP ME I GOT OLD.
Taking inspiration is different to copying, don’t worry! I get inspiration from all around the place. And if makes you feel better, I’ve never looked at your photos and thought they looked too similar to mine.😂 YOU’RE FINE.
Hey, blogging for vouchers sounds like a pretty sweet gig. Collaborations can be crazy hard work, though, but so much fun! You still have the link-ups and fun social stuff for bloggers, so that’s sort of the same thing. 😉 BUT…I am going to start using archaic language on trolls. I LOVE THAT. Plus, it will help me keep my archaic language skills in tact. 😛
I kind of want to do more collaborations…AND YET I JUST DON’T SEEM TO. GAH. I should try and organise some over Christmas because FUN. *nods* If I get over my laziness.😂 Which would be the real miracle. ahem. And omg archaic language on trolls is so fulfilling. TRY IT FOR SURE.
Aah, Cait, I love you and your blog! I’m generally a little intimidated by huge bloggers, but, although you are one, you just don’t seem like one. You’re so approachable! And you respond to your comments, even though you get so many of them. I feel like, as a reader/book blogger, I kind of know you and you kind of know me – I know I’m a fairly regular commenter, but you get so many comments, it would be easy to forget who each person is, but I feel like you know exactly which Jo I am. Does that make sense? You’re just nice, Cait! And I think it’s because you’re so grateful for the comments and the love your blog gets that makes it easier to comment? Because you’re not “Of course so many people love my blog. Of course they comment. Why wouldn’t they?” (You may joke along those lines, but they’re clearly jokes. Your genuine gratitude to have so many people love your blog comes across clearly.) Bigger bloggers who expect the attention? They’re not so approachable, I think. I don’t even know if I’m making sense any more. Basically, Paper Fury works and is so popular because you are Cait, and your personality is all over it. I love it here!
I do sometimes talk about serious blog/book topics because… I can’t not. I can understand completely why you don’t, but I’ve just, in general, got to the point where I can’t keep quiet about things I think are wrong and awful, and I need to speak up about them. For myself, I need to have said my piece, or I kind of feel guilty? Even if other people are saying things, I feel like I’m letting things slide when I shouldn’t, if I don’t say anything. But I’m weird, haha!
My own blogger confessions! I know I’ve spoken about this before, but I find discussions and other posts really difficult. And I worry because my blog is now pretty much review after review after review, and that’s not as interesting for readers. But I really struggle with coming up with things to talk about with book blogging. I signed up to the Discussion Challenge to get myself to write more, and I’m doing better, but not well enough. Even with blog post ideas on other blogs, I’m still all, “I am not inspired! I don’t know what to write!” So I am super jealous of you and your content… though I am now happier that you don’t always know what that content will be. Still, you always come up with super cool things to talk about. I find it really difficult, and I envy you and your brain. Lol.
Another awesome post, Cait!
THANK YOU, JO. <3 THAT MEANS SO MUCH!! And I honestly don't feel like a big blogger either.😂 I mean, I do work hard to get the followers so this isn't by just accident hahaha, but I feel like I still function like a little blogger? I want to connect with my readers and visit back blogs and be approachable!!
AND IT MAKES TOTAL SENSE!! I would never forget who you are, honest!! And I think it takes maybe one or two times of someone commenting on my blog and then -- BOOM -- I remember you forever. (Well, for as long as you hang around.😂) Although I confess I had two commenters with very similar names and VERY similar blog titles and I thought they were one person until they commented next to each other and I was like...wait.😂 But shhh. I have 98% success rate with remembering everyone! And I really love that because I feel like I have a ton of really really nice and REAL friends. *squishes you with happy hugs* Honestly this is the very nicest comment of all ever. <3333 IT'S MADE MY DAY. I SHALL HUG THIS COMMENT AND FLAIL NOW.
I love your discussions on serious topics though!! I think you write so thoughtfully and articulately and you generally always sum up my thoughts too. Which is helpful because I can just point to your blog and go "JO KNOWS WHAT'S UP, LISTEN TO JO."
The struggle of coming up with creative content is REAL. Trust me.😂 I think the more you do it, though, the more you get into the habit? I often go trawling around for inspiration too. Like old TTT posts and I pull discussion topics from books I read too! Like I'm reading Illuminae and, well we all know it's hugely done in unique formatting. So I could do a discussion on whether that enhances the story or makes it confusing. There's inspiration everywhere! Although I still come up blank a lot. I think your blog is doing marvellously, though. 😉 🎉🎉
So jealous that you hardly ever buy books! I need to make friends with publishing peoples stat!! 😀
~Sara
yES. It’s wonderful! I think Aussie publishers are super generous, so obviously you need to move to Australia too. 😉
Well 10) that you can’t shut up is ABUNDANTLY OBVIOUS. Although I’m sure if we met in real life I’d talk your ear off.
I swear you haven’t changed at all in all these years of blogging though. Except for talking more and more about Maggie Stiefvater.
ISN’T IT JUST. I HAVE A PROBLEM HERE. I SHOULD NEED CALM MYSELF AND SPEAK LESS. But we need these juicy little rabbit trails and footnotes about the origins of pizza or whatever I happen to start shrieking about. But see, if we met in real life, I would say like 2 words. All day. SO IT’S CLEAR THAT I USE UP ALL MY WORDS ON THE INTERNET.😂
Aww. :’) Well, I’d like to think I’ve toned down a teeny bit since last year. 😂 “like to think”….but the Maggie Stiefvater obsession is still growing strong. You’re doomed to be flooded with Stiefvater fangirling forever basically.
Well, this post was delightful! THOUGH YOU SHOULD POST ABOUT DECKLED EDGES, WE ARE HERE, WE ARE WAITING, WE WANT 10000 YEARS OF DECKLED EDGE APPRECIATION–
wait what?
Anyway. The point is … I have lost the point but still I enjoyed this post muchly! Though I do have a question, which is, do you use a timer on your camera or does Atticus Bean / a friendly neighbourhood dragon with an interest in photography take your pics for you? And if you do self-time, hoooow do you get among the stacks (as in the last picture) a) in time but b) without KNOCKING EVERYTHING OVER??!!
OBVIOUSLY THE DECKLED EDGES DISCUSSION NEEDS TO HAPPEN. I mean, there’s so much to talk about. Like how it feels to pet books with deckled edges, or photograph them, how deckled edges changes lives, how deckled edges is just DOWNRIGHT FUN TO SAY. *shrieks* It will be a perfect discussion, obviously. Very thoughtful.
Atticus absolutely takes my photos. You don’t think I just have this dog who LOAFS AROUND USELESSLY DO YOU?? (Okay, complete, lie. He loafs around uselessly, eats my food, sleeps on my bed, gives nothing to the community, and is generally adorable and demanding. Sheesh.) Ahem. So. Maaaybe I use a self timer.😂 I have 10 seconds to crawl behind those stacks. I just leave myself space and hope for the best.😂
Haha love these confessions. You’re a hoot. I love your posts. Also, go Slytherin! Slytherin FOREVAAAAA. 😉
YAAAS SLYTHERIN HI FIVE. WE ARE WONDERFUL.😂
Oh god I love the Hornblower gif!! 😀
HORNBLOWER IS AMAZING. I LOVE THAT SHOW TOO MUCH.
AMEN! 😀
Yay! I love your blog! And I mean, who isn’t going around blocking spammy people? I just had to block someone yesterday, but I didn’t know them, so it’s okay.
Also your header is animated? I didn’t really know that. Whoops. Sorry. I will check it out after I comment hahahha.
You write really well. You write long posts really well. And it’s in a nice font that I can actually read. So with that said, can I steal your ability to write nice, long posts? Thanks! I’ll use it well 😉
These confessions are great Cait! I also agree with the drama part, I rarely mention anything unless it’s to have a discussion with my blogger friends 🙂 Which is fine because it isn’t public and I don’t have to deal with mess ups or misinterpretations.
N’awww, AREN’T YOU WONDERFUL. *flings happy confetti and cake at you* And yES go behold my awesomely animated header.😂 I mean, the arrow just flies once and then stays still and only if you’re on the main page. BUT I LOVE IT SO MUCH I SHALL NEVER CHANGE MY DESIGN HUZZAH. (She says…when she usually changes every year hahaha.) Ahem.
Aww, thank you about the post length! It’s actually something I’m REALLY nervously aware of at the moment and I’m trying to cut back!! SO I’M GLAD THEY’RE NOT TEDIUS OR ANYTHING HAHAH.. I mean, honestly, one can like skip half of it because of all the footnotes about the origins of cake pops or whatever I happen to detour in at the time. #HelpMeICantShutUp 😂
Being misinterpreted is honestly the wORST!! I’ve had people absolutely flip out at me over something I wasn’t saying, hadn’t mentioned, and didn’t think I eluded to. *facepalm*
MUAHAHAHA THIS POST IS BEAUTIFUL. Also wow I feel that so hard about being a Super Blogger™ over-achiever and it’s like GOLLY I WANT TO BE THAT BUT LOL HAVE I FORGOTTEN THAT I HAVE OTHER THINGS TO DO?? Not to mention my brain just fries sometimes. And I got nothin’. Also I’m beginning to learn that most people don’t have time to participate in all the blog posts/activities I want to throw at them?? LIKE I SHOULD BE MORE CONSIDERATE. And quiet. And send them waffles because those are much more helpful to survival and what-not… 😉
YES IT IS COMFORTING TO KNOW THAT YOU ONLY BOUGHT 20% OF THOSE BOOKS. Because I’m always like “omg how does she buy all those books are not be completely broke” SO YAY THAT MAKES SENSE. It is a glorious bookshelf to be very proud of. :””) AND THE CONTENT STRUGGLE IS REAL. I have things to say probably 1% of the time and half the time I am not actually on Twitter or my blog or EVEN NEAR A NOTEBOOK so thus I forget the thing I was going to say and so y’all actually hear from me like 0.5% of the time. SO PRODUCTIVE YES.
The feeling of being scared of popular bloggers is DEFINITELY MUTUAL. :’) Like…I will always be kind of nervous?? WHICH IS OF COURSE IRRATIONAL BECAUSE POPULAR BLOGGERS ARE JUST GOOD BLOGGERS THAT MORE PEOPLE HAPPENED TO FIND. I’m so illogical sometimes. xD Anyway this post is perfection. <3 KEEP ON REIGNING MY QUEEN.
Send meeee waffles. I’LL ALWAYS APPRECIATE THEM. <3 😉 But omg, I don't even KNOW about throwing blog events now. Like people might not have time?? They might not care?? They might be confused over what the heck I'm even trying to do? Excuse me while I have a crisis over this. But STILL. I want to do something big again at some point because #fun.
Awk, NO I AM NOT A BOOK BUYER REALLY.😂 I don't have money hahha. Ahem. Like, at all. *glares at etsy shop for dying on me* But I get a lot of comments about "how many books I buy a month" and I'm like "dude, no, I don't" and it's kind of annoying that people assume that I'm rich and buy tons?!?? I JUST AM LUCKY AND BLESSED! *flings confetti*
AND YES I KNOW RIGHT?!? Like those "big bloggers" worked hard to get a big audience so they could talk to people, riiiight?!? And yet here I am. Panicking. Gawsh, my life is so weird.😂
My socks are thoroughly shocked, Cait.
I feel you on a lot of these. But not unorganised because I cannot be unorganISED! IT FREAKS ME OUT. It just gives too much chaos in my head. I’ve been a bit unorganised since the little one was born and there is chaos in my head regrading my blog (and my life in general). My brain cannot deal.
I’m pleased for your socks. *cackles nefariously* But omg I do still feel you on the organisation. Like I’m organised in my HEAD but still things end up being left late and I end up panicking. What is life.😂
After five years of blogging, it would seem impossible NOT to plagiarize yourself, right? I mean, we only have so many thoughts in our head. We can’t be constantly expected to come up with more! This is such a fun post (as always!).
Exactly! And, I mean, there are a million things to discuss about books but….eventually you start discussing the same things again. 😂 Thanks, Nicole!! 😀
Hi Cait, I would kill for just 1/10th of your followers/commenters/fans. 99.99% of my posts go ignored mainly by the general public but also by publicists/authors etc of the books i review so sometimes i say to myself, why bother? I guess i’m doing it for me really to keep a record of what i’ve read over the years. I struggle to come up with content all the time though coz im a slow reader so very few reviews get posted. I enjoy doing tags though so if you do any in future id love you to tag me in.
Your blog is really fab and never fails to make me laugh, sometimes out loud which gets me strange looks from my non blogging or book reading family.
keep doing what you do,
Gill X
It is important for a certain amount of the reason we blog to e for ourselves…but I know how it feels to have a blog that no one sees! That was me for basically the first 2 years of blogging. Then I started networking really intensely. Aka = reading hundreds of blogs, commenting, joining linkups, being super active on social media. Obviously that’s not for everyone, but that’s how I built my following! I worked really hard and put in a looooot of ours. But it’s worth it. 😉
Yes you’re right, i cant expect others to read mine if i dont read theirs can i. More work needed on my part, and thanks for replying so speedily.
Gill
I’M PRETTY SURE THAT I DO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE THINGS!!!!!!!! Especially the last minute scheduling because WHAT EVEN IS ORGANIZATION?
ORGANISATION IS FOR THE MERE MORTALS. We fabulous queens, obviously, must just flip our hair majestically and do whatever whenever. (Aka panic all the time.)😂
Also WOAH I NEVER REALIZED THE ARROW DID THAT!!!!!!! Just refreshed at least ten times. XD
I don’t have a very organized blog either! Haha. I don’t post on the weekends, generally (sometimes I post on Saturdays if I want to/need the room in my schedule, but NEVER do Sundays anymore). But that’s about it; I don’t always know what I’m gonna post about! I have been planning out the month in google calendar for months now, but I still don’t follow that very often. 😉 I love collaborations with events and such in theory, but they take so much work!
I don’t weigh in on important stuff very much either. But honestly it’s more because people are so quick to jump on tweets and judge you. And god forbid if you disagree with the majority. I just stick with discussing with close friends, and that’s enough for me. I’ll RT or reply to people sometimes, but not very often. And I have this ridiculous need to please people too, so I just never want to like rock the boat or make people see me in a negative way. (I shouldn’t care about how I look to others, but gah, I do!)
You seem to get SO MANY bad turnips on Goodreads reviews and such, and ugh, it sucks! You deserve to be able to share your opinion without being told you’re wrong or that you must have read a different book. People need to STAHP. I’m not super active on Goodreads anymore because I am so lazy at cross-posting reviews from my blog, so I don’t have to deal with it. And I’m glad because it sounds stressful. But I’m glad you’re able to laugh about it now!! Definitely don’t let them ruin your day.
I used to get SO NERVOUS interacting with bloggers with huge followings. I’ve found popular bloggers so intimidating before, but I think I’ve gotten over that. I like to talk to so many people now, and it’s helped get me comfortable, especially with meeting bloggers IRL. I think I even used to be intimidated by YOU, Cait, which is kind of hilarious in hindsight. Haha. Also you, less on fire? PSHAW. Your blog is so awesome and creative and active! But it’s great that you’ve found more of a balance, and have given yourself time off when you need it. JUST NEVER QUIT, OKAY?!
So many of these confessions are so relatable, tbh. Great post, Cait!
Agh, collabs DO take so much work!! I mean, they’re usually worth it….😂 If one isn’t super lazy LIKE MEEEE. Ahem. But yay for being semi-organised! *hi fives* At least we try, right?!
And yes it’s VERY hard to try and say important things on twitter, I think. Because threads can get tangled up with replies and stuff and people would rather read half of it and jump to conclusions. It’s soooo frustrating. Argh. And YES the populace will murder and slay if they decide they don’t like your opinion. *huddles in a dark corner* It’s hard not to care what everyone thinks!!
DUDE, INTIMIDATED BY ME? THAT IS HILARIOUS. I am like a glitterfied puppy who is weirder than a purple melon. Truth. *nods sagely* But I seriously need to listen to my own advice and not be intimidated by other bloggers too.😂 GOALS FOR NOW ON!
I love this post. I think it’s awesome that you have a schedule. I don’t have a schedule (but that’s obvious. . .) and it *might* be better if I did? But I think I’d have more difficulty doing, you know, words. XD
I think it’s FANTASTIC that you’re focusing more on writing this year! I mean, we do miss you around the blogsphere (what am I saying? I’m commenting on an old post?) BUT writing is awesome and you are an awesome writer. So, yes. Write stuff, be fabulous, and all that jazz. 😉
I’ve blogged less this year which makes me sad. Because school is the cause for this and I miss everyone and blogging. But that’s okay. I won’t be in school forever. XD
AHH THANKS, ASHLEY!! I mean, I have like a schedule but no organisation about getting things ready for it.😂 Like guess who is supposed to be publishing a post tomorrow? Me. Who has one written? NOT ME.😂 (Also: help and save me from myself.)
And yesss, I miss doing ALL the blog-hopping that I used to do last year! But like writing is very important to me, so I hope everyone understands and forgive me in favour of more cake.
AH GIRL. So relatable. I was planning out posts (cuz I do have a schedule, but I just don’t write things until basically 2 days or the day of) ANYWAYS. I was planing and was like “oh yeah, this post is SO GOOD” then realized I already wrote it once……..I don’t think I’ve been around long enough for people to NOT notice that hahahah
also…okay….you DO have a lot of followers so shh. BUT I can relate to that feeling. Its intimidating. Like they’re the cool kids in the cafeteria and you run and hide in the corner to get away from them before they can laugh at your uncoolness.
I would say one of my confessions is that I always feel like I have to be on my game when it comes to language, tone, grammar. Sometimes I just want to rant and not worry about run on sentences and cursing (kind of like how I do when I’m commenting on blogs). but I always feel like people will HATE IT. wah.
Oh I hear you with the grammar thing too!! I am like the TYPO QUEEN sometimes and honestly I make grammatical errors that I don’t even know about because apparently school stuck exactly zero percent.😂 And I pretty much never swear on the blog…but sometimes it’s hard. And I shall just leave my little darns and dangs here and be adorable instead.😂 AHEM. (I feel like it’s easier to just be way more wild and free in comments?!? More informal somehow? Although goodness knows my blog is PLENTY informal as is.)
AH, Cait you are such a wonderful human being! But really, I love reading your posts so much!! My biggest confession is that I don’t keep track of what books I read each month, I kind of just read them and return them (most are from the library) and so my monthly wrap-ups are kind of messy and unorganized. However, I’ve learned that if something I’m blogging about (like an overview or outline of what I did on my blog that month- I’m sorry but it’s so HARD for me to force myself to link EVERYTHING) I just don’t do it! Also, I rarely write my posts on the days that I post them *whoops*. I’ll go through blogging binges and type up three reviews and two discussion posts no prob and then I’m set for a couple of weeks! Is that weird?
I don’t think it’s weird!! I actually try to type up more posts when I’m feeling inspired so that when I’m slumping I have something to schedule.😂 And I hear you with the library books!! I track everything on goodreads, so I’m alright there, but doing the monthly hauls/recaps is haaard because I always send my books back and get new ones.😂 BOOKWORM PROBLEMS.
I still reload the paper fury page to watch the arrow. IT’S FLIPPING COOl. All the cake for you, my friend,
I AM GLAD YOU APPROVE. 🎉🎉 *eats all the cake happily*
What is a blog party? o.O
You’re so gosh darn blessed you don’t buy most of your books *cries* Then, again, you’ve been blogging for a long time and therefore deserve it. Heck, you even deserve a cake disguised as a book! (Just make sure you send it to me. I don’t compliment for free. Ha, As if 😉
Don’t mind if you plagiarise yourself. I don’t notice…
It’s good that you don’t care about those rude turnips. Not only are they rude turnips but they are expired rude turnips.
People stole your insta photos? Then again, someone impersonated another person on instagram. iQue patético!
You didn’t create this marvelous design? *gasps* I’ve been bamboozled all this time! And have been inwardly praising you. Tut, tut, tut.. Just kidding. You’re awesome (don’t forget my cake!)
Blogging secrets? *sweats nervously* I’m still a plankton in this blogging world.
I LOVE all of your blogging posts! I’m getting ready to start one and have secured a domain but it’s terrifying! Reading your posts has made me feel a lot better about starting one!
Omg that’s amazing!!! CONGRATS ON YOUR NEARLY-STARTED BLOG!! *shares encouraging cake with you* I can’t wait to read it. 🙂
This is the best post EVEEER!!! And 5 is totally me. Sometimes I fineshed a book and there’s so much I want to say but I can’t find the right words so it makes so MAAD.
XO.
p.s.: I’m new here but I L-O-V-E it
OH HELLO AND WELCOME TO MY BLOG!! *gives you all the welcome cake* And seriously omg I understand the pain of not being able to review so much. Life for we reviewers is hard.😂
I’ve been lifestyle blogging for almost 6 years, now (I did move from Blogger to WordPress in that time). My blog has about 20% lifestyle, 5% college crap, 10% rambles and rants, 3-5% quotes that strike me as cool, and 60% nerd/book blogging. It was a wake-up call the other day when I finally hit 100 followers. That is kind of insanely cool, but also really depressing. It not only is a struggle for me as I look at all my hard work and see little growth, but, then, to see others with more consistent blogs do better.
I have recently joined two Facebook blogging groups and that has definitely improved my socialization with other bloggers. But, I still feel like I am spinning my wheels. I’ve obviously started doing something right, but what I’m doing right is mystery.
Any advice?
Oh I totally get that! I actually struggled with my blog when I started. I think it took me 2 years to get to my first 100 followers.😜 My biggest advice is to network! I always get a lot of comments when I visit lots of other blogs and leave lots of comments and make friends/connections. So that’d be my #1 recommendation. And I do think people gravitate towards niche blogs more (like ones that focus on just one topic) but you should totally blog about what you want to!! I did a post here if it’s any help about networking.