Current Events:

I have been doing some thinking and I've come to the conclusion that I need to take a temporary break from book blogging. NOTE: Any tour stops that I've committed to will be honored. I have decided that I want to combine my love of books, blogging, knitting, movies digital photography and life in general into 1 blog so that I don't feel so overwhelmed. Right now I feel like my book blogging is a job, I already have one of those. My plan is to come back in the near future with a new blog and a new plan.

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Friday, December 3, 2010

Busting The Newbie Blues


Hosted by Small Review.

Busting the Newbie Blues event, which will run from December 3rd through December 31st.


This event is designed to:
  •  Put new YA book bloggers on the map
  • Increase blogger interaction
  • Start a discussion by sharing our experiences as a new bloggers
  • Learn about what it was like for all those impressive established bloggers when they were newbies

So how does this work? Simple:
  • Select the questionnaire that best applies to you (there's no "wrong" choice, so just pick whichever one you feel most comfortable answering)
  • Create a post on your blog with the questions and your answers
  • Grab the banner above or the button below to include in your post or sidebar
  • Link back to my post here
  • Sign the Mr. Linky below so we can all come and visit your post!
  • Spread the word!

If you don't want to make a post on your blog, but you do want to participate, then just email me your answers and I'll post them up on my blog! Be sure to include your name and blog address. Here's where you can email me:
Imagesandwords at optonline dot net

Try to visit as many blogs as you can. Take a look at their answers, but also check out a bunch of their other posts (try for 5?) and leave comments. If you like their blog, follow them! If someone follows you, then take a look at their blog and follow back if you like what you see.

This event will run from today all the way through December 31st, so bookmark this post and check back to ensure you'll be included in all the fun as new bloggers add their posts to the list. I can't wait to see all your answers and blogs! I hope everyone has fun. :)

New Bloggers: 

Pick this questionnaire if you if you feel you're still getting your "blogging legs" and could use some advice and awareness brought to your blog, whether you're a brand new blogger or even if you've been blogging for over a year. 


  1. When did you start your blog?
I started For The Love of YA in October.  This is actually NOT my first blog...I actually have two others (which you can find by looking at my blogger profile).  But I'm still pretty new to the YA book blogging community and I'm always looking for some constructive criticism about the blog.

    2. Why did you start your blog?

I started For The Love of YA as a place specifically for my YA reviews.  On my other blog I thought that those reviews were getting "lost" amongst all the other reviews....I have pretty eclectic taste in reading materials.

    3. What has been the biggest challenge you've faced so far?

Mainly I have trouble giving books ratings.  I think I've gotten a little bit better recently though.  I also sometimes have trouble putting into words what I was feeling about the book I happen to be reviewing at the time.  I've taken to actually writing stuff down in a notebook to keep my thoughts organized.  Blog wise....I'm finding it difficult to get out and comment on every body's blogs.  I follow a LOT of blogs and I try not to blog on the days that I work.

     4. What do you find most discouraging about being a new blogger?

Being new to this particular part of the blogging community.  With my original blog I was able to make friends with a broad spectrum of bloggers with this blog it seems to be a little bit tougher.  There seems to be a LOT of YA bloggers out there!

     5. What do you find most encouraging?

I find it very encouraging that the book blogging community itself is VERY encouraging.  There are a lot of ways (like blog hops at Parajunkee's View and Crazy-for-Books.com) to get your blog noticed.  I also like when bloggers host events like this to "recognize" the newer members of the community.

     6. What do you like best about the blogs you read? Have you tried to replicate this in your blog?

Honestly, I really like Parajunkee's blog.  It's got many elements that I am trying to replicate on my blog as well.  She also hosts Book Blogging 101 on Thursdays which has been VERY helpful.

     7. What do you dislike about blogs you’ve read? Do you try to avoid this?

Mainly when bloggers use crazy font colors that don't show up in my google reader. Other than that I try to live by the "every blogger has there own way of doing things" adage and try not to knock it...MOST of the time.

    8. Any advice for other new bloggers?

Don't be afraid to ask questions.  No question is a dumb question....well unless you don't ask it....then the only dumb question is the one you didn't ask. 

    9.  Anything else you’d like to share about your experience?

Random Fun Fact....when I get to going through my google reader on Fridays when I get home from work I have 1000+ posts in my reader.  It gives me LOTS of material to comment/try to comment on!

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's definitely hard work keeping up with all the Google Reader feeds that's for sure ... And I keep adding more!

Small Review said...

Thank you for participating! I loved reading your responses.

I think jotting things down in a notebook to keep your reviews organized is a great idea! I feel like I often forget a lot of things I wanted to say when it comes time to write my reviews. I can really see your idea coming in handy. Thanks for the tip!

I agree on Parajunkee. Her blogging 101 feature has been invaluable.

Nina B. said...

Hi I'm your newest follower, I'm also fairly new at blogging, which is why I also love events like these-helps put us new bloggers on the blogosphere map :D

Check out my answers here

Liz H said...

Hi! I'm a new follower and a new blogger as well. I agree with the google reader comment. I love coming home and having a world of blog posts to go through. I also agree on Parajunkee. Her blog is pretty epic and the blogging 101 feature is really helpful.

Aylee said...

Hiya! Nice to have found you through this event :) I know what you mean about having trouble keeping up with everyone's blogs that comes into my reader. I do my best to comment on as many as possible but it's tough sometimes when I'm particularly busy!

Steph: Short and Sweet said...

I can relate to you in some of these answers. Especially in the review part being difficult. I forgot to mention in my post, but I guess it's pretty hard thinking of what to actually write i nthe review. I have to think really hard lol

Jen said...

I have the most trouble reviewing books that I LOVED. All I want to do is tell everyone to go read the book NOW so it's hard to form a complete thought! :)

Small Review said...

Jen, that's so true! I have a much easier time talking about books I don't like as much. When I love them, my brain is just stuck on hyper-fangirl mode. Writing those reviews has been a good learning experience. I finally sit down and really think about what it is that I actually liked about the book.

Alison Can Read said...

My book blog isn't my first blog either, but it's definitely my best blog. You just have to find the niche where you fit in best, I think.
I love Parajunkee's Book Blogging 101 too!

Ashley @ Bookaholics Anonymous said...

I dod the same thing I go through the little thing at the bottom that shows what everyones posted and try and go through them and look at it. I enjoyed your answers. I definiteyl try to remember every blogger does things differently.

A Canadian Girl said...

Rating books is tough. I know originally I wanted to rate using only full hearts but then realized half a hearts were necessary. There's days though when I wish I could add a quarter heart and it's a dilemma to figure out whether to rate up or down

T.B. said...

Hi fellow Newbie!

I completely agree with you and some of your answers! I also find it hard to rate my books at times. Should I give it 5 or 4 stars? The blogging community is very accepting and knows just how to make new bloggers feel welcome. Such as events such as Busting The Newbie Blues!