Is it a little funny that I'm having a mid-life crisis at thirteen? Whoa. And I might just be thinking too hard on this, but seriously.
I'm taking a moment to go "whoa. What have I been doing for the last six months?" Because for me, the last six months have been a whirlwind adventure and thinking about all this stuff in one shot give me a moment of (gif above.)
You know that moment where you start book blogging and you're like:
Come on! Every blogger has this moment at one point in their "career". I know I was completely lost when I first started. No one ever told me about publishers, how to request ARCs, how to make graphics, discussion posts and everything else people read blogs for. It was a complete disaster for about the first six months of blogging where I was posting useless promo and doing absolutely no communication with other bloggers.
And let me mention that my first blog design was one of Blogger's standard ones... *shudders* Those were some pretty dark days.
That's why I only started taking things seriously in June. But even then, I didn't have any readers, commenters or ARCs. It was starting to make me feel really bad about my blog, even though I can see that there's nothing wrong. More because now, I already have the ARCs that I want and realized I didn't care anymore. If you're a newbie blogger, trust me, ARCs aren't all that good at least not all the time.
I'm used to being the one with no readers. The one no one ever notices because I'm young and "dat awkward baby book blogger." So what happens that moment where that starts to change.
So here is my post going: I'm scared. Now, I feel like I'm making myself some random responsibilities that I have to take care of. All those amazing bloggers that I looked up to and still do, have done so much and I'm starting to feel like I have to do just as much or even more (for whatever reason).
I'm not a little blogger anymore and it's going to freak me out until I can get over it. I still don't have IMPRESSIVE stats, but apparently good enough ones to attract pubs. I feel like this is some kind of crisis for me. I'm making a huge deal of myself but I'm not used to being anything more than a speck of dust (blogging and real life; real life especially... I'm kind of a nerd. lol)
So have any of you felt like this? Am i just being irrational? I know it's a good thing, but I'm just scared to let everyone down... I want to make all of you readers proud!
You're not being irrational at all but you shouldn't stress too much! Your blog is amazing and you have lots of followers who'll love your blog no matter. Just remember all you have and how this blog is actually good. Sometimes we lose confidence because we see how well other blogs are doing and we get worried. But seriously, it's pointless! I don't know what I'm trying to say. Just, don't get too anxious. There's people doing worse than you. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you <33 I got really scared because I'm like "do I have to start outdoing myself?"
DeleteAnd lol, to that last line.
I'm still a baby blogger but I'm coming around to not stressing about it all as much. My "now what" moment is more about my life in general and what I'm doing with it yeah. I'll save you from that dialogue. I totally ARCs aren't all that. It's really nice to get ones that you're excited for but in most cases, they just become another reading commitment. Personally, I'm trying to figure out the blogging and writing thing. I can totally understand what you're saying.
ReplyDeleteI haven't requested ARCs in so long more because I don't care. I'm starting to go nuts with school and stuff, blogging has become secondary. I'm still a little terrified, but now more because I feel like I'm being forgotten :(
DeleteI know how it is. I have put so much time and effort into my blog but I feel like no one reads or, or I should say no one comments for me to know what they like or don't like. I am still struggling just like you are, but I still enjoy it. It is something that I like to do and I've decided to keep going with it. You are doing better with me on the publisher stand point. I don't have contact with any of them and to be honest I have no idea how.
ReplyDeleteYou have all the rights to get scared and have a "mid-life crisis". It's just up to you how you handle it all and where you go from here :) I really enjoy your blog and am glad you decided to make it!
Amber @ Paradise of Pages
Thanks for your kind words <33 I checked out your blog too and it's super fun!
DeleteYou're actually so much more successful than I was at sixth months of blogging. My first Netgalley ARC came when I was about seven months into blogging with 500 followers, and my first physical ARC until 10 months and 700 followers, so I was one of those "late bloomers." But it's definitely terrifying because it's hard when you notice the changes with your blogging ethic to adjust. It's always such a thrilling experience to go through blogging because you can make so many new memories and friends. A mid-blogging life crisis is always hard to deal with but you'll do fine! It's really just trial and error and everybody's different.
ReplyDeleteThis comment really gives me a lot to think about. I never really paid attention to my own stats because I'm a really jealous person, though I try not to be. I never really cared how good I was because there was always someone better than me. But thanks so much for this comment, it makes me feel a lot better :D
DeleteI'm still a pretty new blogger, so I haven't been in your position yet, but I can safely say that I don't think you're being irrational. You're moving up, and it's strange to see it happen to yourself/your blog, but don't forget that no matter how established you are, no matter how many ARCs you get, no matter how many followers and readers you have, you're still allowed to make mistakes. You're still just as fabulous, and we'll still love you. So it's totally okay to feel scared (I don't know if anyone wouldn't), but know that we (or at least I) support you either way. <3
ReplyDelete(Also, my original blog wasn't great either, and I also had more promo posts and just *shudder* I'm glad that I've started over(ish). And I've also realized that although ARCs are awesome, there are also drawbacks to them.)
Great post, Nova! <333 *hugs*
*hugs back* Thanks for such an awesome uplifting comment, Jess!
DeleteTotally rational! Heck - my blog has been around for almost 3 years now and I still sometimes flounder and wonder-- wait..How the heck to I do that!? I finally just started breaking down and asking for help- the blogger community is amazing and has always stepped up and showed me how to do things :) Getting overwhelmed can happen, try not to take on too much too soon! I went nutz on netgalley when I learned about it.. never believed I would have been approved for so many titles!!! And now i'm totally backlogged- I hope more newbie bloggers learn from our mistakes haha. There is one blog that I would love to share with you that is full of tips and tricks for book bloggers! This place has saved me from ripping out my hair in frustration more than once :D http://www.nosegraze.com/category/bitchin-book-blog/ Love your blog and can't wait to see what the future has in store!
ReplyDeleteMichelle @ The passionate Bookworms