She's been blogging on her own site since October 2012 and has been kind enough to take some time out to answer some questions about book blogging, the ups and downs and how she tackles blogging slumps.
How did you start blogging, were there any blogs you followed that got you thinking this was something you wanted to do?
Well, to be honest, I’d tried setting up a blog three times before I settled. I’d wanted to do it for so long, but I just... I knew that if no one read the posts, I couldn’t be bothered to continue. It wasn’t until about 3 years ago, I’d read Obsidian by J.L.Armentrout? Another blogger called Kat (also my name! :) ), got me wanting to try it properly. Then I started helping another blog out and that made me more determined to want to create my own. (They didn't like that so much.) Then when I read "Fangirl" by Rainbow Rowell, you know how Cath blogs? It made me so much more eager to continue. I guess you could say it was a struggle.
What do you hope you achieve through your blogging?
Mostly I just wanted to review for my own sake, but when I gradually started getting views, I got hooked on that feeling - when people actually take an interest.
What are the most rewarding parts of it for you?
Definitely when readers comment. It makes me smile, because I know then that people ARE reading my posts and are caring enough to let me know.
And the most frustrating?
Probably the same as most other bloggers, when you spend so long on a post and then nobody reads it. It makes me to just want to quit. I lack confidence in everything, so unless someone tells me to keep going or comments, I just... It takes a lot to keep me going.
Have you had reading slumps/insecurities/times when you felt you weren't good enough and wanted to quit, and how did you pull yourself out of them?
As with what I said above, it doesn’t take a lot for me to want to give up, but reading is more than just a hobby for me. If I didn’t read, I’d be lost.
Also, it helps with my writing, too. I often get reading ruts where I won’t be able to finish a book for weeks. Actually, i’m going through one right now, which sucks. But I still try and post cover reveals and things like that just so my blog isn’t empty. I’ve also found lately that even when I have finished a few books, I just can’t be bothered to write a review. I feel so bad for it, but it’s more... I find the words don’t want to come out. I’d rather just put “this was good. Go read it.” lol.
Man, I feel terrible.
Have you taken a break from blogging at any point and if so how did you get back into it?
I haven’t consciously taken a break, but I did go through a stage of scheduling my promo posts so that I didn’t have to do anything for a few weeks. It was weird when I made myself review, I wondered if anyone would read it or not.
Any tips for dealing with the self imposed guilt that comes with a blogging and reading slump?
I’m not the greatest at giving advice, but what I’ve heard from other people is that if you don’t want to blog, or can’t find the will to review: don’t. Take a break. It’s a hobby, not a life support. I mean, I love reading, and so does anyone reading this, but if the words aren’t sinking in then it’s pointless trying to force it. I find that sometimes if I can’t read, I can actually write better (not reviews, but my own stories) which is weird, but it’s like my mind is giving room for the stuff I’ve been neglecting.
How do you manage to juggle life outside books and blogging?
*laughs* I can’t say I have much of a life outside of those. I mean...Yeah...No I don’t. I write (non-blogging) and I go to town, but besides that...not much to juggle. Maybe I should make something up? Yeah, I have a super busy life. *nods* uh-huh.
The blogging world is constantly evolving, any changes you'd like to see start to happen?
I’ve found the blogging community can be a little like school. I try not to get too involved because I’m not good at discussions. But I’ve definitely noticed a lot of competition with how many hits someone has or how many followers.
Any advice for new and old bloggers alike, particularly if they are going through a down slump at the moment?
Pretty much what I said before: if it doesn’t feel right, don’t. Blogging is one of those things that you either want to do it or you don’t. You don’t have to quit, but take a break if you have to. It’s still going to be there when you’re ready. Maybe I should listen to my own advice?...
Thank you so much Kat for taking the time to come over and talk about blogging! It's really exciting that people are starting to talk more about other aspects about book blogging, and the struggles that everyone goes through with doing it.
Don't forget to check out Kat's book blog 'Perks of Being a Book Nerd'
And follow her on twitter!
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