I've been doing this now for over five years. I think that says that somehow I've managed to keep up the passion. Even though I have many up and down moments I truly think I would feel so wrong without this hobby. I would miss it terribly.
So what keeps me going?
The love of books first and foremost. After all it's all about books, right? :) They are just too much fun to read and talk about! I think this is something that will never go away for me. At least I hope so, and as long as this book passion lasts, then the desire to blog about it and share the love will be there.
Also, I think the networking thing I talked about on Wednesday keeps me going. The connections I've made both in the bookish community and online are important enough to me that I hope to keep it up if nothing else then to just stay in touch with people.
Having no set ideas on what HAS to be done blogging-wise helps me too. There are so many things I see other bloggers worrying about that I've never bothered with, and who knows, maybe this isn't so good, but in the long run, I think worrying about those things gets you burned out! Which basically means just do what feels right for you and don't worry about what everyone else is doing. I need to take my own advice on this one a lot actually.
Another way to keep the passion for blogging strong is to change things up now and then. Start something new, change the look, bring up discussion topics, switch things around, meet new bloggers, etc. Just like anything else in life, try not to get into a rut!
As far as the future of blogging itself? I can't wait to see what happens! The past five years have changed SO MUCH, it's hard to imagine what the next five years has in store. People are sitting up and taking notice of bloggers, that's for sure and this fact still blows me away. I, for one, feel that I have no influence at all on the industry, but all of us taken as a whole, totally do. It's very cool. And it's fun to be a part of it.
That's about all I have to say about that! And not that I think I'm an expert or anything, but if you are a newbie and have questions for me... ask away!!! :)
I agree with you that as long as I keep reading and loving books, I'll always have something to blog about. Thanks for getting me started in this blogging world. It's kept me sane, it really has!
ReplyDeleteJenny: I'm so glad you've mostly enjoyed it! 'Cause what if you would have jumped in and then hated it? That would have been so sad!
DeleteI'm impressed that you've been doing this for 5 years and have loved every minute of it! I hope that's me in another 4-ish years. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd you're right ... the connections are something that really keeps you going. I'm so happy to have met some wonderful people!
Great post!
readinginwinter: You'll still be here in four years, I'm quite sure! It's too fun not to keep it up!
DeleteGreat advice. I've found that as long as I continually remind myself that this is a hobby, I'm ok when I don't get to it for a day or two. I also have found that joining new memes every once in a while is a great way to try something new and also connect with different bloggers.
ReplyDeleteKristin: Yep, exactly!
DeleteI used to worry a lot about my blog and doing the "right" things. Like whatever I needed to do to drive traffic. And then one day I just decided that I didn't have time to worry about all of that other stuff. Blogging has been so much more fun since then! I'm with you about the future. I doubt you would have imagined five years ago what your blog and blogging experience are like now. With the way the things we can do with computers change and the changes in the book industry, it's impossible to think more than, maybe, a year down the road.
ReplyDeleteLisa: It's going to be fun to stick around and see what happens, don't you think?!
DeleteGreat post and great advice. I agree with everything you said. :) I wanted to post this on Friday, but I've had such a hard week and weekend that I didn't get around to it. Maybe, I'll post it late, lol. :)
ReplyDelete