The Secret Life Of A Book Blogger – Book Tag #booktag #books #blog #amreading #bookaddiction #booknerd #amwriting #secrets #bookblogger

Welcome to my latest book tag effort. I saw this one doing the rounds on Twitter so I thought I would give it a go. Not entirely sure where it originated from, if you know then please inform me!

I enjoyed the questions on this Secret Life Book Tag because they are the sort of questions I have been asking myself about my blog these days. Hopefully I can glean some insights into where I am with Always Trust In Books, and have a good time whilst doing so. Enjoy the tag and take part if you feel like it!

The Secret Life Of A Book Blogger – Book Tag

How long have you been blogging?

I have been running Always Trust In Books for three and a half years thus far. First on Blogger and now on WordPress. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing when I started. I saw some book reviewers online and though ‘Yeah, why don’t I give that a go…’ and here I am. I am so grateful to have found a passionate community that has accepted me and help me build my blog to where it is today. ATIB is very much a personal blog filled with mindless gabber but I have fun with it and people seem to appreciate my reviews so that is a bonus.

At what point do you think you’ll stop blogging?

I have stopped blogging quite a few times. Only for a short time though. When my second son was born I took quite a while to slowly return but I don’t see myself quitting for real for many years. I love to read and blogging is an extension of that. It allows me to explore my reactions to books and join in with a community of like-minded people. The pressure I felt a few years ago that had me stressing to get posts out as often as possible has slowly dissolved. I realised that rushing around doesn’t help. Reading books you enjoy and engaging with people is what it’s all about.

What is the best thing about blogging?

Talking about books! I can talk about books all day. My wife doesn’t even bother to hide her disinterest anymore. It’s not that she doesn’t care but it’s because I don’t shut up about what I’m reading. That’s what I tell myself anyway. Plus I have an excellent bookish community to share my thoughts with. So I have two favourite things about blogging. All the books and an epic community.

What is the worst thing? what do you do to make it okay?

Now don’t take this the wrong way but I am going to go with blog tours. They are amazing but they do add a pressure that can end badly, for me at least. I have a busy life with a family and a full time job. I can’t express how much I appreciate being included on blog tours as they are a fantastic way to get you noticed but I am forgetful person. I make it okay with my phone’s calendar and a kick up the bum.

How long does it take you to make/find pictures to use?

It depends on the post. For reviews or interviews then I usually get sent the appropriate pictures. For bookish posts I usually run around snapping pictures on my phone. For Instagram I still use my phone but I take some extra care, which are usually end up looking the same as the quick snaps. I am one of those people who think they have an artistic edge but it is clear that I am far from capable. The books make it onto my blog in some form or another and that is all that matters.

Who is your book crush?

I don’t really have one. Though I have been dangerously close to being crushed by my books on many an occasion.

What author would you like to have on your blog?

So many! And I have quite a few of my heroes on my blog already. Joanne M. Harris has retweeted my reviews which made me so happy. JHM is the best. I would like to interview Joe Hill but I have so many questions for him that I might scare him off. The same with John Grisham! I am pretty lucky to be honest. I have had Christina Henry, Sarah Marie Griffin, George Mann, Josiah Bancroft, Edward Cox and many other amazing authors pop in during my time. I still need to get Nicholas Eames on though!

What do you wear when you write your blog posts?

I WISH I had some cool blogging onesie made of pillows with bluetooth speakers, a drinks holder and a chocolate button dispenser but alas I don’t. I wear normal clothes like a boring old nerd.

How long does it take you to prepare?

From 20 minutes to 20 hours. It really depends, like most people, on my head space. Today I finished 5 posts and, despite hand ache, I feel pretty good. That is a good day. Mostly I blog here and there for a hour or so. An interview will take me a few hours to put together. A review can take me up to three days to write. I edit it constantly up until I physically push the publish button. Other posts are a constant work in progress.

How do you feel about the blogging community?

I feel like I’ve answered this question a few times already but once more won’t hurt. They’re the best. You get a few who try and spoil it for the majority but they are harmless really. Their hearts are usually in the right place but their mouths (or fingers) aren’t, if you get what I mean. How did that sound so weird…? The blogging community are such a supportive and engaging presence that contains people from all walks of life. People who read all sorts of books and share their opinions in many different ways. I wouldn’t be where I am without them.

What do you think one should do to create a successful blog?

There is no one straight answer to this question. You need to be dedicated to learning how to manage a blog, to create content and engaging with many varieties of people. There has to be passion and interest as your attitude and opinions are projected through your posts and it is easy to spot a blogger who has lost their confidence or enjoyment. Put together some goals and work in a way that serves them best first. Expand when you are ready and take plenty of time to refocus where you intend to take your blog. Continue to try new things and ride the highs and forget the lows. We all have reviews we’ve written with heart that go unnoticed. If you are having fun then you can’t go wrong. Unless you wind people up on Twitter for fun, then you’re on your own.

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Thanks for coming by to check out my attempt at the Secret Life Of A Book Blogger Tag. It was a rather insightful tag that took plenty of consideration and it may have just cleared the air for me a little in terms of how I feel about the whole book blogging business, so that’s always good. I hope you enjoyed this tag and please give it a go yourself. If you do then please leave a link on this post as I would like to read it. Thanks again for supporting my posts, it is much appreciated.

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