Busting the Newbie Blues

Busting the Newbie Blues is a feature held at Small Review (if you click on the link it will direct you to the page where you can learn more about this feature). It runs through the entire month of January and aims to help new bloggers to get themselves on the blogging map, to increase blogger interaction and start a discussion by sharing our thoughts on being Newbie Bloggers.

Here is the questionnaire I have filled out to help you understand me better.



1.       When did you start your blog?

I started my blog in September, 2011. Originally by myself but then I asked my best friend to co-run the blog with me. But I am the main person.

2.       Why did you start your blog?

I started because I love reading! I have for a long time and I knew I needed to let other people know just how much I love books. I also started this blog because I had been putting my reviews on Goodreads for a few months and there were a few blogs that I was following. I then thought, “Well...what if I try and make one?” So I did and I went through quite a few designs and I am currently getting a design made for me. But I wanted to get my thoughts and feelings for books out there in the world and that is what I am currently doing and that is my main reason for blogging, as well as to get to know the community of people who love YA books as much as I do.

3.       What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?

Oooh, that’s a hard question...I’d have to say the hardest thing is to find people to follow my blog and to promote it. I’ve followed other peoples’ blogs, set up discussions and I’ve joined groups on Goodreads that aim to promote blogs like mine.

4.       What do you find most discouraging about being a new blogger?

Definitely the fact that I don’t know a lot of people out there in the blogging world and it’s hard to find people that will want to follow your blog.

5.       What do you find most encouraging?

Everyone I have met is so friendly and because they love books just as much as me we all get along really well.

6.       What do you like best about the blogs you have read? Have you tried to replicate this in your blog?

I love the features that some blogs have created and I take part in the weekly In My Mailbox and will be starting to join the Waiting On Wednesday group. I love the posts about new releases and cover and definitely the Reviews. It was hard to create my own style of writing but I’ve managed quite well I think. I try not to sound too formal because I want my readers to feel as if I am speaking to them directly as a friend.

7.       What do you dislike about blogs you’ve read? Do you try to avoid this?

I hate it when a blog has a dark patterned background and dark writing because I can’t see the words and I won’t bother trying to decipher it. I definitely won’t be doing that anytime soon.

8.       Any advice for other new bloggers?

If you’re having trouble finding followers and you feel like giving up...don’t. It takes a long time to get a lot of followers. I’ve been blogging for nearly four months now and I only have 74 followers. Everyone has to start somewhere and it takes time and effort to become an established blogger. But when you get there it’ll be great.

9.       Any questions you’d like to ask newbie or established authors?

Was it always this hard to get followers and to promote your blog? I’d love to know the best ways of promoting so that I can help my blog grow. Maybe then I’ll be able to get some ARCs but that’s a question that I’ll ask a lot later in my blogging life.

10.   Is there anything you’d like to tell us about your blog?

Hmmm...I don’t know...I guess I just want to say that if you do decide to follow this blog then you should know that we are grateful for every single one of our followers because without them there would be no blog so thank you to everyone. I am so grateful!