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| Which way to go? |
Trust me – it is not as drastic as it sounds.
As you can probably tell from my posts this week, I did a lot of thinking over the Christmas holidays on how I want to continue writing and reviewing. While I still love to blog, it has felt a bit too impersonal and business-like for the past few months. This is due in part to my desire to be taken seriously by publishers, editors, and authors as a legitimate reviewer; I still harbor that dream of writing and/or editing for a living, especially in light of my current professional crises. It is also due in large part to the fact that I was going through the motions. Too stressed out at work? Write a review. Too busy with kids’ activities? Write a review. Reviews, for me, are easy and fairly quick exercises. The extra posts, those that allow me to share more about myself, are the ones that take me a long time to formulate, so I stopped writing them. In the process, I lost what made me unique in the ever-growing world of book reviewers.
This year, I want to bring back the love and craziness. I want to share with you more than my love of books. I want you to get to know me even better than you might already do. More importantly, I do not want to be dictated by review copies. The number of review copies that I will be requesting or accepting is going to drastically decrease in 2012. I have well over 500 books on my shelves that are waiting to be read; not having review copies is not going to be an issue.
I am also bringing back reading challenges and memes. Reading challenges add a level of diversity and creativity I feel was missing last year, and memes can be fun, interesting and welcome breaks from reviews all the time. Life can be too serious and stressful enough without having to maintain that level of seriousness on a website.
Don’t get me wrong; my reviews will still be professional and fair, and I will continue to review everything I read. While I still want to be considered one of the “big bloggers” and would love to continue to work towards an editing or writing job, I realize that it requires a level of time and energy that I just do not have to give right now. I am still going to foster those important professional relationships in the book world. In my dreams, I get that coveted paid job as an editor or writer who works from home based solely on social media interactions and my writing here. Until that happens, this site is still a hobby. I need to remember this.
See? Nothing too drastic. This is just a refocusing of my priorities as I take back my life from my hellish work situation and regain my confidence that made 2010 such an amazing year. We all deserve that.
Thanks, Suzi! Here's to a great 2012!
Excellent plans! Taking control and keeping it fun as well as doing what you want to do is what it's all about.
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Aw, thanks Amy! I do what I can. It isn't always easy when juggling so many things, as well you know!
Great plans Michelle. Also having 500 or so unread books on my shelf, I plan on reading less review copies as well. I do consider you one of the big bloggers already though, and definitely think your personality and the fun comes through. Looking forward to what you do this year.
Thanks, Stacy! I think there is a happy medium when it comes to challenges. I know I didn't go as overboard as I did in previous years. I am trying one of the Monday memes for the first time tomorrow. We'll see how it goes!
I hope you get that job someday! I went so crazy with challenges last year that this is a challenge-free year. I am thining of trying a new meme though. They are always good ways to meet new bloggers. Hope 2012 is a banner year!
Definitely!
It always helps to know what your goals are and to refocus every so often.
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Thanks, Kelly! I love when you visit!
No problem! I'm just keeping it real and sharing the love.
Thanks, and good luck to you too!
It sounds like you have a great plan for 2012! I look forward to visiting. 🙂
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Thanks, Michelle – that was sweet. 🙂
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I'm doing much the same Michelle. I no longer what to feel pressured to read something because I got a free ARC. I will read some, but this year, it'll what and when I want to. Good luck and have fun
Thanks, Jenny! Your words mean more to me than you can ever know.
Exactly! I think I need to go through my Reader one more time to make sure that I have my list whittled down to those with whom I have that personal connection. I don't want to be just another anonymous blogger anymore, and I don't want to continue to perpetuate that with other bloggers either. We are all more than our reviews.
And yes, it does show on your blog, which is why it is one of my favorites!
Thanks, Michelle!
Exactly. There is a part of me that feels that publishers are actually taking gross advantage of bloggers' willingness to review books. Part of taking back my life includes taking back my reading list as well. If it black balls me from publishers, then so be it. As you say, they are not paying me, and life is too short.
I got chest pains when I saw over 500 books on your shelves. I could never have that many books!
What ever you post I'll be by to read. I think 2012 is a refocusing year for many bloggers. I hope your writing dreams come true Michelle. Keep the faith.
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I think these are great goals. I'm finding that, as I clean out my Google Reader, the blogs I want to keep reading are the ones where I feel a personal connection to the blogger – I know more about them than simply what they like to read. I"m hoping that comes across in my blog, as well.
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Good luck!
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A lot of book bloggers are refocusing this year, especially from review copies to their own books. Personally, I think it's a good thing. Most of the time, if not all the time, the publishers aren't paying bloggers for review…and if they are, then there's that tricky thing called "ethics." 🙂 So since they're not paying, it only makes sense to read what you want. Life is too short.
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