tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post3697304593590398667..comments2024-03-28T02:25:35.338-04:00Comments on Small Review: Small Busts the Newbie Blues 2012Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-70191502534748023332012-01-30T22:23:54.679-05:002012-01-30T22:23:54.679-05:00I still need to remind myself to CALM DOWN too. I&...I still need to remind myself to CALM DOWN too. I'm just a naturally anxious person, I think. Even in times when I don't have anything particularly stressful going on in my life, I find things to stress about. Not the best personality to have going into blogging.<br /><br />At least I've gotten better at not comparing myself with others and obsessively looking at stats. I've just got to accept that I am never going to read as many books as most bloggers read and write as many posts as most bloggers write. And that's okay.<br /><br />I was always so impressed at how you were able to post quality posts for every day of the week... and I always wondered how you even managed that. You seemed to be some sort of superwoman with superior time management capabilities. Or something. I hope you're enjoying yourself a bit more now that you're trying not to do "more is more"!<br /><br />And thanks once again for hosting this event a second time!Ayleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07639250102446794830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-37222416515704971362012-01-24T19:51:17.157-05:002012-01-24T19:51:17.157-05:00I remember! You were SO dedicated with wanting to ...I remember! You were SO dedicated with wanting to participate in Busting the Newbie Blues and the linky list wasn’t working right. I was all in awe that such a Big Blogger actually wanted to participate in my little event. :)<br /><br />I will ALWAYS be here, even if you take a break for a year! It’s important that we remember we have lives and families outside of our blogs. Yes, we want to uphold our commitments to publishers and authors, but we have stronger even more important commitments to our families. They need our attention too. I hope someday I can be a face to face friend :)Small Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-25894930925294501962012-01-24T19:51:05.313-05:002012-01-24T19:51:05.313-05:00Ha yes! It was a total game changer when I discove...Ha yes! It was a total game changer when I discovered feed readers :P Aw, thank you so much! I love your +/- review style, lists, and discussion posts.Small Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-29703362796074207772012-01-24T19:50:54.165-05:002012-01-24T19:50:54.165-05:00It’s a reminder I need to make my personal mantra....It’s a reminder I need to make my personal mantra. You will survive just fine without the popular memes. I love your blog and your review style. :)Small Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-90670043580152904722012-01-24T19:50:38.121-05:002012-01-24T19:50:38.121-05:00And that is why you are my bosom friend. :D Becaus...And that is why you are my bosom friend. :D Because you make me cry sloppy tears of joy AND you manage to work in sparkles. <br /><br />(Which, if I could find a way to make my blog sparkle like someone threw glitter ALL over it, I would. I’m still working on that).Small Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-25527868799870532882012-01-24T19:50:04.932-05:002012-01-24T19:50:04.932-05:00Seriously?? Your reviews are great! YOU are the pe...Seriously?? Your reviews are great! YOU are the person who helped me wrap my head around what I should include in a review. I’m constantly referring back to your advice. :)Small Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-22402775669791304062012-01-24T19:49:52.199-05:002012-01-24T19:49:52.199-05:00I’m the same way about writing style. I’m just not...I’m the same way about writing style. I’m just not the kind of reader who really takes note of a writing style unless it’s something VERY noteworthy. Aw, I’m glad you think I’ve found a good balance! I start my review by making a mental list of what questions I would ask as a reader, and then I try to answer those questions in my review.Small Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-86623464639612301632012-01-24T19:49:39.143-05:002012-01-24T19:49:39.143-05:00Oh whew, good, another person who won’t hate me if...Oh whew, good, another person who won’t hate me if I post less frequently :D I agree, I feel a lot less guilty if I don’t post on a meme post. On the flip side though, sometimes it’s a lot easier to comment on a meme than a review. <br /><br />Haha! I love it! I am going to remember that when I get so nervous about clicking send. I’ll tell myself, “They won’t know me if they see me on the street” :P I’m so happy that you’ve done things you never thought you’d do! Isn’t it a great feeling?Small Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-3374592249283364052012-01-24T19:49:06.348-05:002012-01-24T19:49:06.348-05:00Wonderful! I’m so glad you’re taking part. Leanna ...Wonderful! I’m so glad you’re taking part. Leanna is an amazing blogger, too :)<br /><br />2012 is a big “reorganization” year for me too. It’s so important that blogging not become stressful. So many of us blog because we love it, and it’s a shame to see blogger burnout because we try to do too much.Small Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-4604183537511560582012-01-24T19:48:33.530-05:002012-01-24T19:48:33.530-05:00Haha yes, Blogger does make it very easy to obsess...Haha yes, Blogger does make it very easy to obsess over stats :P You’re exactly right in how stats can be useful to blogging. THAT is how we should use our stats—to help us improve and target our content. NOT to obsess and feel badly about ourselves. Wonder, wonderful point! I’m so glad you liked my SEO post. You’re so welcome :)Small Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-49491964644530632742012-01-24T19:48:03.872-05:002012-01-24T19:48:03.872-05:00Nope, not too late at all! And, really, I’m so NOT...Nope, not too late at all! And, really, I’m so NOT a stickler about any of this. The linky list will close automatically at the end of the month, but the comments are always open and I don’t mind at all if people add their links in the comments after the event is “officially” ended. Besides, so many people signed up that I’ll very likely still be making my way through their posts in February!<br /><br />Haha well, I’m glad to see that YOU think it’s ok when bloggers don’t post every day! :D Really, for me at this point it’s almost a relief. I like having at least ONE day when my Google Reader can be completely clear :PSmall Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-2959118134461776622012-01-24T19:47:45.997-05:002012-01-24T19:47:45.997-05:00Thank you! *hugs*
Yes! When it’s all just a summa...Thank you! *hugs*<br /><br />Yes! When it’s all just a summary, how does that help? I have the book blurb for that. <br />Yes, we’re in total agreement. Page count can only tell you so much, but a review can tell you how long a book <i>feels</i>, and for an impatient person like me, that matters A LOT. You’re so right about your last point too. I’m really quick to DNF, so I love it when a reviewer warns me that it’s slow in the beginning but worth sticking with. Then I listen to them and read more than I otherwise would have.Small Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-79903508118569898392012-01-24T19:47:06.499-05:002012-01-24T19:47:06.499-05:00Aw, I’m so happy to hear that :) I enjoy your revi...Aw, I’m so happy to hear that :) I enjoy your reviews. Pointless flailing can be valuable in its own right, especially once you get a feel for the blogger’s likes and dislikes. I try to think of a list of questions that *I* as a reader would want to know about the book, and then I try to answer those questions in my review.Small Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-21488523635943845462012-01-24T19:40:08.180-05:002012-01-24T19:40:08.180-05:00Thank you so much! :DThank you so much! :DSmall Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-4839492290490060552012-01-24T00:42:47.426-05:002012-01-24T00:42:47.426-05:00Great answers Small! I think you may have been the...Great answers Small! I think you may have been the first friend I made in blogging. I was trying to make a button and we were going back and forth on trying to make it work. This was after I met you through Busting the Newbie Blues. I picked your button up at Linds' blog Bibliophile Brouhaha.<br /><br />I try to post every week day, but this week I didn't make it and I felt like I'd failed at my job. Blogging has taken over my life. I've got to find a way to put it in the background for a bit. I'm not living anymore, I'm just reading and blogging. I love it, don't get me wrong, but I have family and should probably make some face to face friends. Maybe take a walk. I hope you'll still be here when I get back, but I need to step back. Your post has reminded me of that.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />HeatherBURIED IN BOOKShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18205451716054533728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-27869477775566088002012-01-23T19:13:33.363-05:002012-01-23T19:13:33.363-05:00Yes, I used to always have a browser open with my ...Yes, I used to always have a browser open with my stats and refresh it like ten times each day! I agree with you on so, so much of this, especially the part about getting to know the blogger. That's part of why I love reading your reviews--they're so full of personality.Christina Reads YAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14937783114868207494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-88023176400866752002012-01-23T13:49:52.979-05:002012-01-23T13:49:52.979-05:00Thanks for the reminder to chill out! I still get...Thanks for the reminder to chill out! I still get uptight sometimes. And I finally figured out that I don't have to join the big popular memes if I don't want to. I will survive. :)melissa @ 1lbrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292714636311546457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-6404834466261506292012-01-23T00:17:56.264-05:002012-01-23T00:17:56.264-05:00You are the gold standard for bloggers who let the...You are the gold standard for bloggers who let their personality shine through in everything they do. From your blog design to your entries to your comments, it all tells us that you are awesome and fun and nice and sweet and funny and cool. I couldn't do it without your sparkling presence, Smalls. <br /><br />xoxoLogan E. Turnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06468248031164464546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-36851524246532125472012-01-22T19:29:58.157-05:002012-01-22T19:29:58.157-05:00I'm often left feeling like my reviews should ...I'm often left feeling like my reviews should sound better after all this time of blogging about books. I want to improve them, but I am unsure how to go about doing it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-29145162147517565632012-01-22T16:37:19.917-05:002012-01-22T16:37:19.917-05:00The biggest problem I have is deciding what to say...The biggest problem I have is deciding what to say in my reviews. I try to do a quick summary and talk about what I liked and didn't like, but usually there has to be a big "thing" before I'll mention it. Like, the pacing has to be <i>really</i> slow, or there has to be a character I <i>really</i> love or hate. I don't review books I don't finish (not that there are many), so I don't very often write a negative review. <br /><br />I'm working to find a balance between quick, bite-sized reviews that are too short, and never-ending reviews that discuss minute details and bore people to tears. You've found that balance, which is why I love reading your stuff so much. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-83761694416481335492012-01-22T13:45:19.877-05:002012-01-22T13:45:19.877-05:00"In fact, I'm almost relieved when people..."In fact, I'm almost relieved when people DON'T post every day because I find it hard to keep up with all of the feeds in my reader." Same here. Also, a lot of the time people are posting memes so I don't feel as guilty if I don't comment on those. <br /><br />As for the things I thought I'd never do, I completely agree with you. I never thought I'd contact authors - I didn't even think you could do this before I started blogging - or publishers and though, I still feel weird doing this, I'm not as nervous clicking the send button. I remind myself that even if I make a total fool of myself, they won't know who I am :)A Canadian Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07127164685941412250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-36069188819510326772012-01-22T07:31:12.659-05:002012-01-22T07:31:12.659-05:00I found you and this event through Leanna @ Daisy ...I found you and this event through Leanna @ Daisy Chain Reviews. Great idea and I decided to take part too :D<br /><br />I completely agree with you on the time management thing. i got so stressed and worn out by feeling I had to post this review then, something else on another specific day I almost gave up. My goal for 2012 is to get back to how I originally started out blogging a couple of years ago.Vickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14052783125623785679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-39749479588091542422012-01-21T22:20:34.119-05:002012-01-21T22:20:34.119-05:00Stats are so hard to ignore - especially when blog...Stats are so hard to ignore - especially when blogger has a nice little button I can click. What I've tried to do is find out which posts are drawing readers to my blog, and emulate that kind of content in future posts. I also LOVED your tutorial on creating SEO friendly links - I think that has definitely helped! Thanks again for such a wonderful, informative event!<br /><br />Kelly<br /><a href="http://radiantshadows.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Radiant Shadows</a>Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10185081981237514590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-79456886128421191582012-01-21T22:14:23.873-05:002012-01-21T22:14:23.873-05:00I was wondering if it was too late for me to sign ...I was wondering if it was too late for me to sign up for this! I loved reading about your blog journey. I agree about the time management thing. When I first started I was majorly unemployed so I had all the time in the world to review 64329345 books a week and post multiple times in a day. I'm glad to see that you agree that it's okay when bloggers don't post every single day lol!La Toyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04837173119599366968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-29359869694264739222012-01-21T21:35:59.132-05:002012-01-21T21:35:59.132-05:00Smalsie!! I loved your answers!!
*nods nods* I sti...Smalsie!! I loved your answers!!<br />*nods nods* I still feel like a newbie too and totally agree on blogger turn offs - I hate when people write a summary of the book and call it a review! I hate when the 'summary' from amazon or good reads takes more than half the review. <br /><br />And I think I like the same stuff in a review as you do, like I really care about how long or short a book feels, it matters. And I like to be warned about stuff- like insta love or when someone tells me to stick to a book because it gets better.<br /><br />I think you blog is adorable and I'm so glad you did Newbie Blues! That's how I got to meet you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com