Wednesday, September 14, 2011

BBAW post -- it's all about community

I missed posting Monday and Tuesday, so I'm a bit late to the game, but today's prompt from Book Blogger Appreciation Week is:  The world of book blogging has grown enormously and sometimes it can be hard to find a place. Share your tips for finding and keeping community in book blogging despite the hectic demands made on your time and the overwhelming number of blogs out there. If you’re struggling with finding a community, share your concerns and explain what you’re looking for–this is the week to connect!

I have to admit -- sometimes, I feel a bit adrift in the blogging community.  While I blog primarily just to share my thoughts on books, etc., sometimes, I feel like I'm talking to myself.  Posts go by without comment and I wonder if I should just take the hint and stop blogging.   And then.....

and then I remind myself that I don't blog to get comments -- I blog because I sometimes just want to share what I'm thinking about.  And then, the most magical thing seems to happen (once I've kicked myself in the butt to get going again) --- a comment will appear on the next post I write.  And then, I feel like I have a connection, and I'm all happy again.


I do enjoy the connections that I have made with other bloggers, and even if I never meet them in person, I really love being able to comment back and forth with them, or make frequent visits to their blogs.  Doing things like virtual book tours, and the Random Magic tours is a lot of fun.  In reality, I'm pretty shy, so being able to connect with people in the blogging community is a real blessing.  I know I've been at book signings where there have probably been other book bloggers, so I guess I need to be a bit more outgoing and try to talk to more people when we're all standing around.  


Even if I don't talk to people, though, I still feel a connection to other book bloggers.  After all, we share a love of reading, and books (and for those food bloggers, the love of food), and just having that connection is pretty cool.

Happy BBAW, everyone!!

6 comments:

Erin said...

It's so easy to slip into counting comments mode and then be sad when a post doesn't get as many as you'd like. It's always good to refocus on why we blog, which is (hopefully!) not just to get comments, or review copies, or whatever! I think that higher, more personal goal that so many of us share is part of why the book blogging community is such a great place.

Grace Fonseca said...

I think sometimes people forget that bloggers are regular people and get really busy. New follower. I love to blog because I want to share how I felt about a book, whether it be great, good, bad. sometimes we get lost in comment mode. Come visit me over at Livre De Amour-Books of Love Blog.

Mel u said...

I still love your header pic!

Hi, I am stopping by from the Philippines to visit your blog via the list of posts for Day Three

Please Stop by My Blog if you Like To See My Ideas on Community Building

Jo K said...

A very good point! I need to remind myself of why I'm blogging, too, from time to time. It must be first for me, for the want of sharing my thoughts and then the connection comes, too.

Jenni Elyse said...

I know what you meant about the comments thing. I go through phases where I think no one cares and I'm doing this for myself. It's nice to be validated once in a while, so I get where you're coming from. :)

It has been nice to meet people through the blogging world. I love that you and I have a connection through Wordless Wednesdays. :) I look forward to your pictures every week.

Alexis @ Reflections of a Bookaholic said...

I really hate feeling like I talk to myself so I completely understand. I'm big on commenting because I know how it feels to not get comments, but sometimes I get frustrated because I feel like I'm commenting on other blogs but other blogs aren't commenting on mind. It's hard not to go crazy in the head when you don't have someone bringing you down to reality and making you focus on what is important.

Great post!

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