It’s been quite a busy week here book-wise and blogging-wise, and I found myself looking forward to writing this Saturday update post, so it looks like it’s going to be something I’ll be doing regularly. Here’s a wrap-up of everything that’s been going on around here, both on this blog and in my bookish mind:
End of a Chapter in My Blogging Life
On Friday, I submitted my final invoice to Darren, at Problogger. I’ve been working with Darren, blogging at one of his tech sites, for three years. It’s been a very good learning experience for me, but I was getting burned out and it was time to close that particular chapter in my life.
I’ve had the opportunity to meet with Darren in person, when he came to Toronto a couple of years ago. He is every bit as nice, kind and wonderful as his posts suggest. It was a great experience working with him.
Reviews, Reviews, Reviews
It’s bizarre how a little something can throw me off my stride so much. In last week’s Saturday update post, I mentioned my discomfort with using a rating system. Your comments were all very helpful and supportive, and I decided to just do away with a rating system altogether.
Since then, I’ve written three reviews, and yes, I definitely found them much easier to write – in fact, I really enjoyed writing them! So this is obviously a step in the right direction for me. Here’s the funny thing: I enjoy seeing other people’s rating systems. I guess it’s just something that doesn’t work for me as a reviewer.
Blogging Rhythm
Those of you who have been kind enough to keep me in your feed readers and blogrolls will know that my blogging here can be patchy at best. But I seem to have discovered my bookish blogging rhythm this week. Doing away with the rating system had a lot to do with this, I think. And I am in love with the book blogging world – the kindness, friendship and generosity of book bloggers never ceases to amaze me, and I am very grateful that I now feel fully a part of it.
As part of this blogging rhythm, I’ve discovered, somewhat to my surprise, that I have a sort of impromptu editorial schedule going on now. It definitely helps a lot to know the type of posts I’ll be writing on specific dates, and it really comes in handy during those times when I feel like blogging, and then blogging some more. During those times, I’ve discovered that I am quite satisfied writing draft posts to be published on specific dates. This is very helpful indeed.
My Monthly Gift to You
One of the most interesting things I’ve started doing recently is the big book giveaways list post that I now write as my Sunday Salon post. What I’ve enjoyed most about researching for this list (apart from finding several giveaways for which I’ve happily thrown my name into the hat) is the discovery of some older titles that I might never have known about otherwise.
And then my brain started doing this idea jumpstarting/brainstorming thing. I have a ton of books – more than I have shelves for, if truth be known. Every month, couldn’t I make a gift of some of my books, through a giveaway of sorts? I could more easily part with them if I knew they were going to the home of another book lover. That was how the idea of my monthly “gift-away” came about. You can read more about it here, and make sure to take a peek at my Giftaway Book Shelf to see what’s currently there.
A New Look – Soon
This coming week I have only one work deadline, so I’m hoping I will be able to transition to a new template. This template I’m using, although I like it a lot, doesn’t work well when my word count goes over a certain amount – the page turns up blank. And I do like to ramble on …! I still have to figure out something for a header, but if I can get that done, there should be a new look here soon.
No Picture for the Week
I wanted to end this long and rambling post with another picture from my life this week, but my husband, who’s a great tidier of things but a little absentminded, has put away the charger for my camera battery and we are still looking for it …
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I just came across your blog
I like it
blodeuedd’s last blog post..Read in April and Awards
I would love to design a fresh new look for your blog. Email me if your interested. since I am borrowing your book giftaway….I figure I owe you one!
I’ve been scheduling posts for 2-3 months now, and it really does help knowing what I’ll be posting about on any given day. I hope this continues to work well for you!
Cathy’s last blog post..Saturday Soliloquy– My To-Be-Read Shelves