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!