Discussion Post (1)

As "newbie" bloggers we have learned so much about blogging! We are going to discuss the pros and cons of blogging, as well as our our experiences thus far!

I love reviewing books, posting my thoughts, and getting feedback from followers, other bloggers, and authors! However, I was in no way prepared for how much of a work-load blogging can be. Between author requests, blog tours, cover reveals, book blitzes, giveaways, and reviewing books through publishers on NetGalley, and Edelweiss, blogging can be overwhelming!  It's a matter of how much work you decide to take on, and how much you want to interact with the blogging community.  Blogging is really a full-time job, and deadlines can be stressful. Organization and time-management skills are most important!  I'm still trying to work on these skills for myself.  My favorite things about blogging are discovering new authors, new books, helping to promote books that I enjoy, interacting with our followers, and meeting other bloggers!  I've already met some awesome bloggy friends. Mary from Bookhounds gave us a lot of priceless advice on how to promote our blog and gain followers.  Nereyda from Mostly YA Book Obsessed & YA Bound is as sweet as can be, and I am so proud to be a part of YA Bound Tours!  She gave us a chance to prove ourselves by putting us on a bunch of awesome tours for YA Bound! Janhvi and Sarika from The Readdicts, and Tammy and Kim from Reviews by Tammy and Kim have become our best bloggy friends!  They have similar tastes in books as us, are fun to talk to and have awesome blogs!  Elizabeth and Mikki are two of my favorite blog followers! They comment on all of our posts, are really nice, and I feel very lucky to have met them through blogging!  Along the way, it's been a surreal experience getting to know so many amazingly-talented and down-to-earth authors!  Some of my favorites have been getting to know Elizabeth Reyes, Christina Daley, and J.L. Mac!  I also enjoyed being part of the design process for our blog!  It was so much fun creating A Bookish Escape, and getting it to match the vision I had in mind for the blog!  We are lucky that we had two amazing designers create our design and layout! Giselle from Xpresso Design created the look of our blog, Facebook, and Twitter. Lea, from Lea Christine Designs created our book badges (and linked them), our video slider, our widgets on the side, our page divider, our NA Banners, etc.  Overall, I love blogging!  It is so much fun, and I have gained such a passion for what I do!  I'm so lucky to have two awesome co-bloggers to share our thoughts, workload, passion for reading, and success!  Thanks to all of our awesome followers!  You give us encouragement, a sounding board for our thoughts and ideas, and most importantly, your friendship!  Cheers, to many more fabulous experiences with blogging! 

Pro’s

• My Book Bestie and I talk daily. 
• Learning about blogging. 
• Meeting awesome people within the blogging community. 
• Looking back and seeing how different my posts are now. 
• I always have something to do. 
• I’ve read really great books that I probably wouldn’t have picked up before. 

Con’s

• I worry about my post content. 
• Stressing over a deadline, even though it’s self assigned. 
• I have an actual reading schedule (this is actually kinda cool it should probably be under Pro’s) 

 The PunchLine 

I’ve met some really amazing authors and amazing people! Heck, I’ve even been on TV!   This community has been supportive ,and encouraging.  I'm on this adventure with my second mom, and dearest friend!  All and all, the pro’s outweigh the con’s...I wouldn’t change a thing.  I’ll learn as I go... Laters ;)

I love blogging!!!  The best parts of it are blogging with two of my daughters, and read, read, reading... The worst part is being on a time-table.  I get completely stressed out with deadlines!  In a 31 day month, I read 28 books.  It doesn't give me time enough to enjoy what I just read.  I finish one book, and immediately write my review, then edit, then open my next book.  It is a long, time-consuming process, but I love what I do. I love reading other people's blogs, getting feedback, writing to authors, and going on Goodreads.  There are always books to add on Goodreads, and there is an endless sea of books out there, that I am longing to read.  I can never have enough books, and these authors are always enticing me with a new read.  My new pile is in the hundreds already, and my reviews are already lined up thru May. I hope all of you enjoy our reviews. There is a lot of love, thoughtfulness, and tender loving care, that go into each and every one of them. Thank You for your loyalty, and kindness in following our blog. Happy Reading!!!