Hi everyone...and a happy, book-filled new year!
I decided to start 2014 doing something completely new to me, blog-wise - that is, joining a challenge. This one is hosted by Parajunkee. And what I like about it is, it deals with blogging and bloggers, not with a mere list of books to read as fast as possible.
And here is her introduction to the challenge...
Hey everyone, it is that time of year again. The time when we get all excited for a NEW YEAR, plan our goals, set our resolutions and just straight-up get motivated. Guess what? I’m here to help you get a little more motivated about your blogging, with 14 writing posts for the New Year.
The Book Blogger New Year’s Challenge will begin on January 1st and run 14 days. It is going to be fun, it is going to be easy and hopefully it will get you motivated in 2014. Each day I will post my own prompts and at the bottom I will add a linky so you can add your own posts. Here are the topics:
So this is it. My very first challenge is coming to an end. And I'm a little sad, because I did have fun, besides meeting new friends and learning a few tricks of, well, the trade - so to speak. You may have noticed that I only posted entries for this challenge since it began, because I couldn't have kept up with posting more. Now it's time for me to go back to reviews and regular posts...but I mean to spice up my blog with other things. (And I plan on participating in other refreshing memes and challenges, of course). I won't be able to post as often as I've done during these days, but I'll work on being consistent. Thanks to everyone who reached out to me and contributed to the discussions going on here, and I hope we will stay in touch!
Well...before I begin to sniff and blow my nose...here we go ;).
January 14 Question: Blogging wish list of 2014.
So are we allowed to dream big? I suppose so...OK then.
A bunch of active followers actually commenting on my posts because they care, and thanking me daily for introducing them to unusual, awesome books.
The authors whose books I mark as To-Read (and even as Not-Sure) on Goodreads begging me to review their ARCs.
Christopher Pike pleading for an exclusive interview.
Last but not least, Blogger introducing smileys and a more advanced comment system (yeah, right. The Pike one would be much easier), so that I don't have to switch to Commentluv or whatever...and drafts that don't act as mutant animals as soon as you try to save your posts.
So what are your crazy blogging dreams for 2014?
"Christopher Pike pleading for an exclusive interview." -- Nice!
ReplyDeleteHehe, it would be :).
DeleteWell, hey...if Christopher Pike comes to town this year to promote his new book, I'll see if I can snag you a signed copy. *crosses fingers* He had to cancel last year's book tour because of illness.
ReplyDeleteThe author thing will come. Just wait. The others may be a little slower in fulfilling themselves.
Thank you, but it would be such a bother for you to send it to me! Yes, I read about his health issue.
DeleteI do hope you're right, but even without it, I will keep on blogging...of course, not reviewing ARCs and such, I'll appeal less to readers, but my main reason for starting a blog was to talk about awesome books...not to receive them. That would be a great bonus of course!
"Blogger introducing smilies and a more advanced comment system"
ReplyDeletelol, yes! Couldn't agree more with that one.
Pure sci-fi! ;)
DeleteNothing wrong with dreaming big! ^^
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your wish list :)
I had fun with my list, but I suppose that n.3 is out of question...and I'm not sure about n.4 LOL.
DeleteThanks!
Some great wishes.. and would love to have the better commenting as well.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Blogger doesn't support the automatic link to the visitor's latest post...and maybe you noticed I have a thing for smilies, so it would be nice to actually be able to use some. I'm thinking about switching to Commentluv, but I'm not sure what will become of my old comments...
DeleteIt is a little sad now that the challenge is over, isn't it? But I've discovered several new blogs and had fun with this challenge! I won't be posting every day anymore either, but am going to shoot for three times a week minimum. May all of your wishes come true!
ReplyDeleteI don't expect them to be fullfilled...especially n.3 and 4 LOL...but thank you!
DeleteA bunch of active followers? Active! Active! Active! Active! Can't wait until Christopher Pike will beg you for an interview, so I would be like... "Yeah, I know her."
ReplyDeleteI will make sure you get the whole Thirst saga signed by him that day!
DeleteAnd thank you for a good chuckle ;).
One of my goals is to have more active followers too and a new commenting system for blogger would be nice but I'm not holding out much hope.
ReplyDeleteMe neither...active followers are probably much easier.
DeleteGood luck!
We should always dream big! :) Good luck, Roberta, and I'm going to try and keep up with your blog and comment as I can.
ReplyDeleteThank you, it's very appreciated :).
Deleteahaha, great list! I hope they all come true!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Maybe n. 1 and 2 will, in time. N. 3, definitely not. N. 4...Google, are you taking requests? ;)
DeleteI do like the advances Blogger has made in commenting since I started . . . I'm definitely tempted to move to Wordpress despite the work involved.
ReplyDeleteIndeed they recently introduced the Notify option, and from what I know, the Reply one under every single comment is a recent thing too...but they can do better LOL.
DeleteMany bloggers have switched to WP...but the free version isn't as customizable as Blogger is, so I plan on staying on here ;). On the other hand, for those who can buy their own domain and afford the plugins, it's not a bad idea!
Bit late in but thought this deserved a comment (and you, for being you!). You know, now you mention it you do mention books we haven't heard of & I've really appreciated it. I'm somewhat unique, I mean not many bloggers do self-pubbed (which STILL shocks me).
ReplyDeleteAnd we know you like Christopher Pike ;)
To be fair, sometimes I care but don't comment, time or whatever, so when I comment.. you get that's gone beyond caring. I've decided not to be passive :L You seem to have lots of comments but some come & go. I'm always grateful for any comments, whether regular or not, but that's a wish we all would like to see happen.
Our smilies showing up as pics... hmm. How nice! That's an idea... But while they're STILL pushing *cough* forcing *cough* G+? Nooope. Google don't even like us that much, I swear. JUST FORGET BLOGGERS COS OF YOUTUBERS. I love youtubers... but ha, by being the revolution they have to deal with the G+ issue.
Anyway, now I'm ranting *shuts up* Also, responding to your comments on my blog (belatedly & unrelated).
Happy reading! Hope you're enjoying 2014 so far...
Amy is still alive! *bounces on her seat* ;D
DeleteSo we're peculiar bloggers...which may leave us a bit behind, but it's our call...I guess it may probably need a lot more time and work, but we can earn our little spot in the end :).
I had to smile at your Google comment. Yes, they probably only throw us a bone now and then, just so we don't switch to WP LOL. As for G+ - I don't have the time for social networks...and they're not my thing...I'm not confortable with them. So Big G can push me as much as it likes, I won't relent! ;)
Going to read your belated & unrelated replies...Happy 2014!
Haha, you're really pleased about that. Didn't expect bouncy Roberta to pop up just cos I'm here... and yes, I'm alive. AND BLOGGING. Like with reviews too XD But not just reviews.
DeleteYour blog has definitely continued to be awesome, unique & is still IMPROVING which is amazing. Some blogs just stay like they are & don't change or make tweaks. I think its nice when bloggers may improvements as there's always room for it, just little ones go a long way.
But yes, we're peculiar bloggers. I like being part of that. I've found a lot actually. If anyone does weird well, it's book bloggers. Bit behind? Nah, us two aren't totally. In some ways, yeah but it's a mixed bag cos in other ways we're actually advanced. Taking self-published? What's wrong or behind about that? *That* is something I'm passionate about but don't let me rant. Already do that a lot.
Google, I don't want your bones. I want a comfy cushion, toys, freedom & more... Just like any other... umm... pet? Yes, I'm a cat <3 Bones definitely not appreciated ;) I don't move to WP cos it's too confusing, I've built a (rather small but sufficent) following here so why make effort to move & then lose all the blogger awesomeness? No, thanks :P
If you need to find the reply to my rant which you commented on last year (oh dear, makes me feel bad), here ya go (don't know if you found it but whichever):
http://spreadingukya2013.blogspot.com/2013/12/just-let-me-vent-im-bad-reviewer.html?showComment=1390081292283#c4811530274349199086
Yes, we are definitely (partly) advanced LOL. And thank you! I'm trying :).
DeleteI did read your reply. Glad you're still alive and blogging...hope to see more of you!
MEOW!