“Time Out: Don’t we do that pretty much all the time?”, you are likely asking. Well, yes. Obviously, that is true. But this is different. I have had this idea brewing for awhile now, it has come out of many, many other posts, and has formed over time, and now, I shall unveil it. This works for both readers and bloggers, but I think the ultimate message I am trying to convey will be more for the book bloggers, and even more casual reviewers.
I don’t know about you, but I basically can’t open my email, Bloglovin feed, or Twitter feed without encountering at least one “State of the Union” post. This is a good thing, don’t misunderstand. I am so glad that bloggers are discussing this stuff! It is so very important! What is being said? So very many things, but there are a few topics that have stuck out for me:
- Drama in Bookland There have been a few incidents lately during which a very small handful of people have made things very uneasy for the majority. Here’s a general rule of thumb for life in general: Don’t be creepy and scary and stalkerish. I shouldn’t have to tell anyone this, okay? It’s a given. The teach that on the same day as “don’t kill kittens” or something.
- Competition in Bloggerland I am sure authors have their own special brand of camaraderie and competition, but I am not involved in that. I am, however, involved with being a book blogger. I know I have seen several posts about people being a worn out by the competitive nature of things, the stresses involved, whether they’re self-inflicted or from outside sources. Is there competition? Sure, on some level, I suppose so. We are sharing our thoughts about books, which operate via a legitimate business model, so I think it’s fair to say that there will always be some bits of the business side that will trickle down. Don’t worry, this will have it’s own, full day topic!
- The “Shouldn’ts”, The “Musts”, the Unofficial Blogger Rulebook Um, I must have missed the day they handed out those handbooks, or maybe it got lost in the mail. Oh right, there isn’t one. I don’t know about you all, but I love the variety in the bookish community. I don’t want us to do the same stuff. If you write the same crap I do, then why would I want to read yours?! I can just listen to myself think. That isn’t fun. I like getting to know the individuals behind the blog, and each blogger’s own special style. Sure, there will be blogs that don’t tickle my fancy, but I guarantee that those blogs will work for someone else! That’s the beauty of it. Diversity = Everyone is Happy.
What was the point of that? It’s twofold: First, to let you know that this is going to be a series of discussions, lasting at least through February, probably into March. And the second part is to tell you that I need all of you to help me! Basically, I have a theory, and it needs to be tested. My theory is this: Every blogger is doing things right. 
As long as you are happy, and not being rude to others, your blog is awesome. I know I feel a bit alone in my thoughts sometimes. I wonder if everyone else is having doubts, and worrying about stuff. I have talked to a few people who indeed have some of the same worries and fears that I have. And since I think people are a bit hesitant to come right out and share their worries and stresses, I wanted to show you all how even though we are all different, you’d be surprised at how many people do share your feelings. Because again, not everyone will, but I bet someone will.
So what am I asking? Easy! I made a questionnaire, and all you have to do is fill it out! It’s quick, I promise, and just basically asks your opinion on book junk. It’s anonymous, so you don’t have to feel weird about sharing (not even I will know who you are!), and it’s a chance to see what is happening in the blogging world! After 2 weeks (ish), I will close the form, and gather the results and continue on with the series, posting my thoughts and yours, and hopefully this will end up being a super positive experience that will make us think a bit about our bookish experiences and appreciate our commonalities and our differences!
Go forth, and fill out!
And of course, stay tuned for the results!! Also… does this remind anyone else of a Psych 101 study?
Haha, “they teach it the same day as ‘don’t kill kittens’. ”
This is such a great idea, Shannon! I think this is a really good way to get people talking, sometimes I feel a certain way about things, whether its stress over not posting often enough, or thoughts on a bigger topic like bookish drama things, but I kind of feel uncomfortable talking about it, so I don’t, but I love the idea of a questionnaire! That is something I will totally fill out!
Can’t wait to see the other posts and the end result!
Aw thanks! I agree, there isn’t really a way to get all those thoughts out, which can be incredibly isolating. Because people in your life outside of blogging don’t understand, and you feel weird telling the people who DO!
I DID IT AAAAALL. I love surveys. I think they should be mandatory. Like once a month, someone in the blogging world should have an epic anonymous survey. Although, um, I wasn’t very anonymous sometimes. I’m sorry.
Can’t wait to see these results! YAY!
I love them too, I won’t lie. I would fill them out about anything. Puppies, or rainbows, or cake. I am glad you didn’t feel the need to be anonymous! I usually am not either, I have no problem shouting my opinions at anyone who will listen 😉
Great post! I can’t wait to see the results.
Thanks so much!!
OOh that was quite a survey. Looking forward to seeing how people filled it out.
Hahah thanks, I am too 🙂
I feel like I just wrote my own blog post in the survey. I love how as a blogging community we can recognize what is wrong and actually try to do something to fix it. I hope the results are good, and I cannot wait to see them!
Aw thank you! And I agree with you- this community is so amazing. I have SO much to say on all these topics, but the bottom line to most of it is that we are pretty freaking fantastic 😉
I’ve been surprised by some of the negativity in the book blogging community lately. (With authors) It’s a competition? I so didn’t know that. I suppose I just figured I was way last, so why worry. (Look, something I don’t worry about!) I agree, that’s what’s great, every blog is so different! This survey is such a good idea! Even though this is anonymous you’ll probably still know who I am. (I don’t mind)
I think it is almost a good thing that we are surprised by the negativity- means it’s rare! And yeah, I think there is some competition that is just kind of innate, but I don’t see it (usually) as a big problem (another plus!). Also, I am very glad that you don’t worry! Makes life easier- though you are NOT last. Even if there was such a thing, which there isn’t, you would not be last, or even close! People love your blog!
And thank you so much for taking my ridiculous survey 🙂
I definitely wonder sometimes if I’m blogging the right way, but I agree that as long as you’re being nice and you’re happy with your blog it doesn’t matter because everyone is unique! I will definitely fill out that awesome survey as soon as I get home!
Aw thank you! And yes- that’s exactly what I want to accomplish, you’ve nailed it! We all think we are doing something wrong but… that can’t BE. Because as long as you are enjoying what you’re putting out there, you’re doing it RIGHT!
You already know a lot about how I feel on this subject. (Don’t worry – I still filled out your survey, though!) This is great!! I can’t wait to see how it all turns out!
Hahah thanks! Yes, I agree with you for sure 🙂
I filled out that whole survey. That’s how much I love you, Shannon. So I’ll leave it at that. 😉
Aw, well you are just the best! I do understand that I am ridiculous, so thank you 🙂
Have I missed a whole truckload of drama? Not really surprising, I prefer to wander aimlessly while whistling a jaunty tune. Now iI’m going to need to read all the discussions to have any idea what’s going on so I can write a thinly veiled dystopian novel about book bloggers and Armageddon.
Weeellll. You’ve missed some. Ironically, one of the new dramas happened the same day that I posted this. Author making fun of Goodreads reviewers, it was quality stuff. There was a Bingo card involved. Honestly, it WAS funny, had she just shown it to her friends or whatever. But um, who follows her on Twitter, where she posted it? Oh, right, the READERS who buy her book. And who she just made fun of. A lot.
Then there was the Kickstarter controversy, in which a blogger was doing some stalking, kind of a reverse of that “KH situation” in which the author was stalking the blogger. Basically, these people need to calm the hell down.
Also, maybe you should write that book, because I will buy and read that book. No question.
Oy. Some people really need to learn how to leave their 10-foot pole in the closet. (you know… the one we wouldn’t use to touch stuff that will get us into trouble) *sigh*
Do me a favor and smack me if I go crazy.
I promise, I will tase you or something 😉
I think that a lot of bloggers don’t share their worries and insecurities. Anna from Herding Cats and Burning Soup did a post about her insecurities and it was so surprising to hear that even a bigger blogger like her has those.
I usually try to stay away from all the drama and try not to get swept up into it. I don’t really feel the competition, but that’s probably because I am not a very competive person. Just like you I love variety and I follow lots of different blogs, because I like their style or how they do things different. Great post!
Thanks so much 🙂 I agree! It’s hard when you feel like you’re the only one completely spazzing out. I will have to look up her post. It IS nice to hear that others feel the same!
I usually end up far away from the drama too, almost by default- I seem to never be around when it happens, and somehow catch the aftermath on Twitter or something. I do feel the competition a bit, I will admit. But that’s probably because I AM a competitive person- and I constantly want to be doing “better”. But that’s my own hang up, really.
Thanks for posting this! I filled out your survey. 🙂
I’m new to book blogging, and I’m trying to figure out where, exactly, my blog falls. I don’t really do reviews (which seems to be THE thing to do in the book world), so I’ve kind of been feeling like an odd man out.
I’m interested to see the results! 🙂
Aw thank you so much! You know, I see quite a few bloggers turning away from reviews a bit. Not stopping altogether, but just trying to spice things up a bit- so you’re actually on the same page! I think there are just so many types of book blogs too. Some are almost exclusively reviews, some are mostly discussion, some are a mix, so really, I don’t think you can go wrong!
YES A SURVEY. (my enthusiasm for surveys probably gave away my identity in the actual survey hahaha BUT I DON’T CARE GIVE ME ALL THE SURVEYS)
So I actually found a place with wifi and checked back to fill out this epic, fun thing. I can’t wait for the results and what you have to say! 🙂
Hahah I love them too! I am glad you do as well 🙂 Thank you SO much, I am so excited that you all are so excited! It makes me quite happy, I must say.
Love this post! Can’t wait to see the results
Aw thank you so much!! I am excited to see them myself 🙂
Just filled it out, and I LOVE that you’re going ahead with this! I know we’ve talked at length about everything, but it’ll be so nice to see what everyone else says and thinks. 🙂
Yayy! We did, and you helped me sort out my thoughts for sure! I am really looking forward to the results 🙂
I filled it all out. Took me ages, but I think it’s worth it! I really look forward to seeing the results.
Thanks so much! Sorry, I guess I got a bit carried away with the questions 😉 I was so afraid of leaving an option out, you know? I can’t wait to go through the results!
I AM EXCITED TO SEE THE RESULTS SHANNON!!! 😀 😀
Thanks, me tooo!!
Hi! So I’m fairly new at book blogging and stumbled upon your blog. I really enjoyed reading your reviews and I filled out the survey and it made me realize that no matter what I do my blog because I love it and that’s all that matters! (even if I don’t have any followers or commenters I’m still going to keep on posting) 🙂
I have to say, your comment made my day!! That is exactly what I was hoping to accomplish with this, and I am just so happy that you were able to take something away from it 🙂 And I promise, if you love what you are doing, people will take notice of that! It takes time (I know I still have a looooong way to go- but have come SO far), and sometimes you feel like it’ll never happen, but as you’re having a great time doing what you do, others will join in too! <3
I like answering your survey. I’m not actually active with the book blogging community so I have no idea about this “competitive” going on between bloggers. I only interact with a few book blogger and most of them are kind – no competition between us.
Aw thank you! It is nice that there is no competition 🙂 I don’t see a ton of it, but I have felt stressed about it from time to time, and know others have too. But I am very, very glad that you haven’t experienced it! I agree with you, this is a VERY kind community in general 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the survey!
Looking forward to seeing the results of the survey!
Sometimes it is easy to get wrapped up in your head thinking you are doing something wrong or worrying about doing something wrong. I’ve seen bloggers get attacked for various things and it breaks my heart. I pray it never happens to me.
Terri M., the Director
Second Run Reviews