Some might be aware that I had a book blog for three years before I started Sunny Buzzy Books.
It was called The Book Lovers Codex and I used it as a space to post book reviews and take part in reveals, tours, blitzes and the like.
I loved my little blog, it didn't get much interaction in the way of comments and communication with readers but it had a couple of thousand followers on twitter and facebook so I like to think it played a part in sharing the book love despite not really being a part of 'the community'.
By that I mean I didn't spend much time getting to know fellow bloggers. I didn't visit other blogs, or comment, or participate in giveaways and hops... I just stuck to my own little corner of the bloggiverse and minded my own business.
In the third year of The Book Lovers Codex I didn't post much.
I didn't read much.
Life had gotten so busy and I'd fallen into a dark little place.
I wanted (needed) to reduce stress and decided to simplify my life and eliminate unnecessary drains on my time.
So I deleted my beloved but hideously neglected blog.
I deleted it's social media pages. I deleted the associated email account.
I was done.
This was around last February and it was so freeing.
The guilt of neglecting my blog and any sense of futility that arose when I did motivate myself to post disappeared.
It really was a good move...
Until I wasn't.
I missed my blog.
I'd made enough subtle changes in my life that I had slowly started moving from the dark place.
I started reading again.
I missed having somewhere to write up the book thoughts.
It really didn't take that long before I realised I'd been a right berk in deleting everything - it was April - but it was long enough to prevent me from recovering any of the past.
If I wanted to blog again, I needed to start from the beginning.
So I did.
Sunny Buzzy Books was born in May 2017.
This time, however, I was doing things a bit differently.
I was going to write reviews how I liked reviews and I wasn't going to compare myself - or my reviews - to other bloggers and their lengthy and beautiful book dissections that I read on goodreads. I was just going to be me.
I wasn't going to stress myself out with constant promo pieces - cover reveals, blitzes, tours, arcs - and I haven't.
(Much. August was a bit hectic but I pulled myself back after that...)
I decided I wanted to connect more with other bloggers and I have.
I visit blogs when I have time, reading and commenting on their posts and enjoying it.
I take part in book memes and hops because I want to post more than book reviews this time around and the meme's and questions always give me something to think about - write about - and writing those posts has uncovered the sassy opinionated part of me that had slowly been smothered to the point of near death.
I hold a giveaway once a month to give back to readers and, I'm not going to lie, to entice people to read the blog. Sunny Buzzy Books is still a new blog and I need a way of getting it 'out there'. Although, at the end of the day, I'll write the blog regardless of whether anybody reads it because I enjoy it but it's nice to think that it's not all for nothing! lol.
In the past, I'd agree to read pretty much anything that sounded like it was my type of book. I had a happy request finger on Netgalley. I never had time to read whatever I wanted whenever I wanted as I always had a review copy of something to 'get through'.
Now I'm extremely picky about my arc's / review requests.
I'll only request/accept a book I'm desperate to read, and had on my TBR, or something that sounds freakin' amazing and I can't wait to get my hands on... Basically, something I'd be buying and reading anyway regardless of whether I'm granted a review copy to inhale a few weeks early.
This helps keep me happy, engaged and sane on the reading front.
This year, I want to continue Sunny Buzzy books as I have begun.
I want to continue writing more than just book reviews.
I want to continue keeping the 'promos' to a minimum and only sharing things I'm genuinely enthusiastic or interested in.
I want to continue visiting other blogs.
I'm going to maintain my stance on ARCs and Netgalley.
I'm going to continue to REFUSE to be bullied for reviews by pushy authors - yep, that actually happens! - and I'm going to continue marching to the beat of whatever drum makes me happy.
I hope you all have a wonderful New Year!
This sounds like great goals, I've gotten way more selective on NetGalley/Edelweiss requests as well *nods*
ReplyDeleteI definitely have my comfy little corner that I sit in in the blogosphere. I comment on blogs, but I tend to keep to myself. I'm hoping that this year I can be a bit more outgoing and become more active. It sounds like you have a great game plan for this upcoming year though. I definitely agree that marching to the beat of your own drum is a lot less stressful than trying to conform to what everyone else is doing. Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you decided to come back to blogging and that you have found what works best for you. Being true to yourself is a common piece of advice offered to bloggers, and it really is true. I wish you the best in this new year, Sunny! Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteWell said! I agree with everything you've said. Last year, I was burned out. I'm definitely toning down the review requests and getting back down to the roots of why I wanted to start a book blog in the first place! Good luck this year, we all need it. :) ~Aleen
ReplyDeleteI never quit but I've definitely been where you were at. There was this weird time in blogging that you had to do it the *right* way and I'm so happy to see that attitude gone.
ReplyDeleteEveryone needs to blog whatever way works for them. The choices shouldn't be do it one way or quit. We've lost a lot of good bloggers that way.
I'm glad you're back and doing it your way!
Happy new Year!
For What It's Worth
Thank you for sharing. Since you’ve blogged for years, I need to learn more from you. I’m kinda a newbie. Having just blogged about a year. Still learning. I love your blog and agree with you blogging should be fun and we need to be ourselves and stop comparing. 😊❤️
ReplyDelete